Hotel Bristol Palace
Liguria is the only region in Italy where every province boasts both sea and mountains, and it’s a region steeped in history. The result? Plenty to see and countless opportunities for wonderful holidays.
In just a single weekend, you can pack in charming villages, beaches washed by crystal-clear waters and countryside walks, or dedicate your time entirely to the city of Genoa and explore its many attractions.
With more time at your disposal, you can create a multi-stop itinerary along the Riviera di Levante, with its jagged and wild coastline, or the Ponente Riviera, where sheer cliff faces overlooking the sea alternate with long sandy beaches.
What’s the best destination for a weekend break? Which villages should you include in a Liguria itinerary? Where should you stay for a week? Let our list of the top 10 attractions in Liguria inspire you.
A city of fascinating contrasts, Genoa is a stately port with a popular soul. It sprawls vertically, and one of the city’s symbols is its towering houses that overlook extraordinarily narrow streets.
In its historic centre, a maze of caruggi alleyways, tiny squares and staircases, you’ll find sumptuous Baroque palaces and minuscule fryers and bakeries that rival Palermo for Italy’s best street food. And then there’s the sea, which made Genoa’s fortune in the past and today anchors the city’s most famous tourist attractions, all gathered in the lively Porto Antico (Old Harbour).
Visiting the Aquarium is an excellent reason to visit Genoa, but make sure you have time to explore the city at leisure.
For many people, a holiday in Liguria is synonymous with a weekend at Cinque Terre. And rightly so? These villages carved from the sea, shaped by human hands to make hostile terrain habitable, are among the world’s finest examples of the happy union between nature and human ingenuity.
Embodying romance and beauty, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare are among Italy’s top destinations, rightly considered one of those places you must visit at least once in a lifetime.
At least once, but then you’ll want to return because you’ll fall hopelessly in love with the brilliant azure sea, the pastel-coloured cottages perched on the cliffs, the little harbours, the terraced hillsides and especially the magic of villages where time seems to have stood still.
A trip to Portofino is a must during a Liguria holiday. Staying overnight is another matter entirely, and depends entirely on how much you’re willing to spend.
Liguria’s most exclusive destination and symbol of glamorous, upmarket tourism, this little town nestles in a bay beneath Monte Portofino, a hilltop blanketed in lush vegetation and crisscrossed by various walking trails.
The waterfront piazza, a compulsory stop for all Portofino visitors, can be your starting point for urban strolls in search of celebrities and Instagram-worthy locations, or a leisurely exploration of churches, castles, gardens and breathtaking sea views.
The top destination on the western Riviera is Sanremo, an elegant city regarded as the capital of the Riviera dei Fiori (Flower Riviera). Blessed with a mild climate that encourages the lush growth of plants and flowers and characterised by gentle coastlines, Sanremo was the preferred destination of nobles and intellectuals from the late 19th to early 20th century.
From that era of luxury and carefree living come the magnificent villas in the heart of Sanremo, including the residence of the Nobel Prize inventor (now a museum), a palm-lined seafront promenade, and the famous Casino. In more recent times, Sanremo entered the collective imagination thanks to its namesake music festival, which, despite being in its 70th year and beyond, remains Italy’s most-watched television programme.
Amid nostalgic reminders of the Belle Époque and the glitter of modern high society lie lesser-known attractions waiting to be discovered.
When you visit San Fruttuoso, it’s hard not to admire the Benedictine monks’ excellent taste in choosing monastery locations. This famous abbey sits in one of Liguria’s most beautiful bays, accessible only by boat or on foot via a long trail up Monte Portofino.
Unique for its seaside setting, the San Fruttuoso Abbey is ancient (built between the 10th and 11th centuries) and can be visited inside.
The tiny pebble beach at the foot of the monastery complex is considered one of Liguria’s finest: it would be a real shame not to stop for a dip in the crystal-clear waters of this stretch of coast.
Regarded as one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, Finalborgo is a treasure chest holding countless riches within. Churches, gates, palaces, squares and streets rich in history are all enclosed within perfectly preserved city walls that locals still feel protected by, even cherished by.
Wander freely through the village’s streets and let yourself be enchanted by the romantic atmosphere of this splendid medieval town. At the end of your walk, you can cool off with a swim at the nearby Finalmarina beaches, another fraction of the municipality of Finale Ligure (which also encompasses Finalborgo).
Another way to experience Finalborgo is to treat yourself to a delicious dinner at a traditional little restaurant after spending the day cycling or climbing the surrounding hills.
Nestling on one of Liguria’s most beautiful stretches of coastline, at the western end of the Gulf of La Spezia, Portovenere is the enchanting little town that soothed the troubled mind of English poet Lord Byron in the 19th century.
The historic centre is a row of typical pastel-coloured tower houses overlooking the sea, behind which rises a hilltop crowned with an austere castle; one end of the centre is bounded by a headland with a striking dark stone church perched on the cliffs. Within these confines lies a world of infinite beauty.
Portovenere is also an excellent base for wonderful boat trips to nearby Lerici, another village beloved and celebrated by 19th-century Romantic poets, Cinque Terre and Palmaria Island. Those who love active holidays can pursue numerous sports, including trekking, rock climbing and diving.
Though sharing much in common with the most beautiful villages of the Riviera di Levante (an evocative coastline, a historic centre brimming with romantic views, a pleasant climate), in recent years Levanto has leaned more towards adrenaline than romance and established itself as one of the top destinations in Liguria for outdoor sports enthusiasts.
The hills behind it are crisscrossed by an extensive network of trekking and mountain-biking trails that delight hikers and riders of all levels, from beginners to experts.
But for those who prefer to laze by the seaside, there’s plenty to choose from, between easily accessible town beaches suitable for children and isolated little coves with a wild, rarely visited feel. And if you fancy cycling without too much exertion, there’s the lovely Maremonti Cycle-Pedestrian Path leading to Bonassola and Framura.
Famous for its romantic seaside villages, perfect for an unforgettable couples’ getaway, Liguria also has a darker side. Come and discover it in Triora, an evocative mountain town known as the Land of Witches.
This name recalls the tragic event that marked this village’s history and identity: between 1587 and 1589, several local women were accused of witchcraft, put on trial and tortured.
Whether it’s these historical facts (you can learn more by visiting the Witchcraft Museum), or the magnificent natural setting of the Parco delle Alpi Liguri (Ligurian Alps Park), Triora is a village with peculiar charm. Its arcane power is an irresistible draw.
Liguria’s most famous cycle path is the easy and scenic Ponente Coastal Park Cycle Path, a 24 km route connecting the seaside resort of San Lorenzo al Mare to Ospedaletti along the route of the former Genoa-Ventimiglia railway.
It’s within everyone’s reach, so you can do the full itinerary, but if you think it might be too much, you can just do a section of it, even on foot or on roller skates, and fall in love with the splendid sea views along the way.
The area has developed numerous services specifically designed for cycle tourists, including bike hire and refreshment stops, making it an ideal destination for those with little or no experience who want to start out safely. Experienced cyclists can enjoy a relaxing ride immersed in extraordinarily beautiful scenery.
Hotel 
Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel 
Resorts