1 Hotel Bristol Palace
Genova - Via XX Settembre 35
The Bristol Palace features an impressive elliptical staircase, leading to its elegant rooms.
Book now
What do you dream of for your holiday in Liguria: small villages where time seems to have stood still or vibrant cities? A seafront hotel or a bed and breakfast in the hills where you can enjoy the cool air and tranquillity? Are you more tempted by a multi-stop tour or a holiday based in one location?
Hotels, bed and breakfasts and holiday homes in Liguria cater to all tastes, but choosing where to stay amongst so many splendid locations can be difficult.
To help you find the perfect place to stay that suits your tastes and needs, we’ve created this brief guide to where to stay in Liguria, divided into 4 zones: the city of Genoa, Cinque Terre, the Riviera di Levante and the Riviera di Ponente.
We’ve selected some key locations in the region – the most interesting for attractions and facilities – and for each one we present a list of recommended accommodation. You might just find the hotel of your dreams in the lines below!
Liguria’s coastline is entirely crossed by the motorway (the A12 between La Spezia and Genoa and the A10 from Genoa to Ventimiglia) and by the SS1 Aurelia state road. Running almost parallel to these major roads are two railway lines: La Spezia-Genoa (which actually begins in Tuscany) and Genoa-Ventimiglia.
Moving from one point to another in the region is therefore easy, whether by car or train, but some locations are better suited to certain types of holiday than others.
In general, if you love sandy beaches, you should look in the Riviera di Ponente, while the Riviera di Levante is better suited to those who enjoy cliffs and pebble beaches.
Genoa is the ideal choice for those arriving from afar as it boasts an airport connected to numerous Italian cities by budget airlines and a port served by ferries from Sicily and Sardinia.
For a glamorous holiday, Portofino is the top choice, but nightlife and sophistication can also be found in Sanremo and Chiavari. Endless romance awaits in the Cinque Terre, Camogli and Portovenere.
Much of Liguria lends itself to an outdoor holiday, but two key bases for those wanting to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking and climbing are Finale Ligure and Levanto.
For good value for money, Rapallo is worth considering.
The 10 best hotels in Liguria
Genoa is a unique city, full of stark contrasts – you either love it or hate it. It’s called Superba, and the elegant streets lined with sumptuous Baroque palaces might suggest the name is well-deserved. Yet Genoa also has a popular soul, which you’ll discover in the caruggi (narrow alleyways) of the centre, in the fried-food shops, bakeries and aperitivo bars.
Visiting the Aquarium is an excellent reason to come to the city, and once you’re here, you’ll want to stay longer.
Thanks to its central position in the Ligurian Riviera and excellent road and rail connections, Genoa is not only the ideal destination for a weekend packed with attractions, but also an excellent base for exploring Liguria.
As Genoa is both a tourist destination and an important commercial hub, the choice of hotels is excellent, ranging from budget hostels for low-cost travellers to modern hotels for business guests and everything in between.
Hotels in Genoa are concentrated in the areas of greatest tourist interest, which are so close together that they’re sometimes considered as one zone: the historic centre and the Porto Antico. These are the best areas if you want everything within easy reach.
These zones are particularly recommended for those arriving by public transport: the railway station and long-distance bus stops are centrally located and allow you to reach your hotel or bed and breakfast on foot.
If you’re arriving in Genoa by car, consider staying outside the centre to avoid traffic and the stress of finding parking.
The Cinque Terre is postcard-perfect Liguria, the region’s jewel in the crown and a wonder that the whole world envies.
From east to west you’ll find Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare: villages perched on the sea, firmly anchored to a hostile landscape that man has managed to shape and make habitable without spoiling it. They’re an enchanting sight, rightly considered one of those places you must visit at least once in your lifetime.
Choosing where to stay in Cinque Terre isn’t a problem – they’re all marvellous villages. The most convenient to reach are Riomaggiore and Monterosso al Mare, the first you’ll encounter coming from east or west; Riomaggiore is also the only one with a fairly large sandy beach.
Corniglia is the only Cinque Terre village that doesn’t sit directly on the sea: it compensates for the lack of beaches with stunning panoramic views (it’s nicknamed “the balcony of Cinque Terre”) and fewer tourists (perfect if you want to enjoy the landscape without the crowds!). By contrast, Vernazza is the most visited, perhaps because it’s considered the most charming. Manarola is one of the smallest.
Cinque Terre has developed a significant hotel industry, with many traditional houses converted into hotels and bed and breakfasts. However, given the tiny size of the villages and the high level of interest in this destination, the number of facilities remains small compared to the number of visitors.
It’s therefore highly recommended to book in advance to have a wider choice (or worse, to avoid missing out completely!).
The Riviera di Levante extends east from Genoa to the Tuscan border; along its coastline are areas full of charm with evocative names: the Golfo Paradiso, the Golfo del Tigullio, the Baie del Levante, the Cinque Terre, the Golfo dei Poeti and the Sarzana coastline.
The landscape is wild, with a rugged coastline of steep cliffs and villages perched on the sea, but there are also charming towns with small pebble and sandy beaches.
Apart from Cinque Terre, the Riviera di Levante is home to many of Liguria’s most well-known tourist destinations. Portofino is the crown jewel, the glamour destination par excellence, where all the celebrities and celebrity-spotting tourists congregate: the town is small and the few hotels are very expensive – you’re better off looking elsewhere.
A row of pastel-coloured houses right next to a stretch of pebbles lapped by azure sea and bordered by a medieval castle: here’s the enchanting Camogli, a romantic little town just 15 km from Portofino and 30 km from Genoa. From here you can take wonderful boat trips, and a visit to the nearby San Fruttuoso Bay with its famous abbey is a must.
Hotels and bed and breakfasts in Camogli are scattered between the seafront, where the historic centre faces the sea, and the hills behind. Budget accommodation is scarce and rooms fill up quickly: if you need to keep your holiday budget in check, try to book as far in advance as possible.
The town of Rapallo boasts a noble past and illustrious visitors, is elegant and lively, and has a good number of small town beaches with all amenities.
You can stop here for a comfortable holiday, or base yourself in Rapallo and visit a different location each day: situated at the eastern tip of the Portofino promontory, Rapallo is the gateway to the beauty of the mountain and an excellent base for quickly moving east or west.
The choice of hotels and bed and breakfasts in Rapallo is wider than in exclusive Portofino and romantic Camogli. Another good reason to choose Rapallo is that prices are generally lower. If you can’t find the right accommodation here, take a look at the nearby seaside resort of Santa Margherita Ligure.
Chiavari is the ideal location for those who love urban atmospheres and don’t want to give up a bit of city life even on holiday.
A dynamic city of commerce and business, it’s also a seaside resort distinguished by the range of services and entertainment opportunities. Among the Tigullio locations, it’s certainly the best choice for those seeking nightlife, but its position almost in the centre of the Riviera di Levante makes it ideal for anyone wanting to explore all the locations along the coast.
Being a very popular tourist destination, Chiavari offers a wide choice of hotels and bed and breakfasts for all budgets.
Loved and celebrated by Lord Byron in the 19th century, Portovenere retains the romantic charm that captivated the English poet.
It’s no surprise then that it’s one of the favourite destinations for couples wanting a Ligurian holiday: its row of pastel-coloured houses, the characteristic little harbour, the dark stone church perched on the sea and the castle overlooking the historic centre are truly enchanting.
In recent years, however, Portovenere has also attracted another type of tourist – those looking for a completely different kind of holiday. These are outdoor enthusiasts, drawn by the numerous outdoor activity opportunities available around Portovenere.
This town has a long tourism tradition, so there’s a wide choice of hotels, bed and breakfasts and apartments. Accommodation in Portovenere is concentrated in the historic centre and in the Le Grazie district.
Once a holiday destination for wealthy tourists, now accessible to all, for many years Levanto has attracted visitors with its wide sandy beach, a rarity on the Riviera di Levante landscape. Recently it has focussed more decisively on outdoor holidays, promoting over 50 trails in the surrounding area suitable for all levels, and numerous cycling routes for mountain biking or e-biking.
Levanto is also chosen as a base by many tourists who find accommodation in Cinque Terre too expensive or can’t find availability.
If you’re coming for a beach holiday, aim for hotels and apartments in Levanto near the beach; for trekking and mountain biking, farmhouses and apartments in the hills are better choices.
The Ligurian Riviera di Ponente stretches westward from Genoa and encompasses the Riviera delle Palme and the Riviera dei Fiori. The landscape differs considerably from that of the Riviera di Levante: it’s gentler and more varied, with mountains set further inland and dramatic cliff faces giving way to stretches of sandy beaches.
Sanremo is the standout destination, made famous by an event that has captivated Italian television audiences for over 70 years. But thanks to its mild climate, lush flowers and palms, azure sea and comfortable beaches, you’ll find plenty of other charming locations to choose from.
Don’t overlook the two provincial capitals: whilst certainly less famous than Genoa, Savona and Imperia are well worth visiting for their fascinating cultural attractions, curious traditions and delicious local specialities.
The city of flowers, the festival and the casino, Sanremo is a must-see because… Sanremo is Sanremo!
Elegant yet unpretentious, the capital of the Riviera dei Fiori is a perfect destination to visit year-round. Once beloved by empresses, writers and scholars, Sanremo epitomises the refined tourism of the late 19th and early 20th centuries: the splendid villas scattered throughout the city stand as testament to this prestigious past.
If you avoid the days when major events take place (in addition to the song festival, there’s also the Tenco prize, the rally and the Milan-Sanremo race), hotels and B&Bs in Sanremo won’t break the bank.
If you love cruises, Savona is practically unavoidable: the city is one of Europe’s major cruise ports and most of its visitors are tourists embarking or disembarking from a ship.
The small, compact centre makes it ideal for a day visit, but you might consider it as a base for your Liguria holiday. Hotels and B&Bs in Savona offer good value, with prices generally lower than the region’s better-known resort destinations, and both are easily accessible by car or train.
Without leaving the city, you’ll discover interesting lesser-known attractions such as the Sistine Chapel (yes, there really is a Sistine Chapel outside Rome!) and the world’s only Apple Museum where you can use perfectly functioning historic computers. The town beaches are pleasant, and you’ll find more seaside resorts nearby.
One of the liveliest towns on the Riviera di Ponente is Finale Ligure: it’s the main centre of the Finalese area, a region of Liguria that’s become increasingly popular with those seeking active holidays.
For beach life, head to Finalmarina, the coastal hamlet, whilst the hamlet of Finalborgo is a charming medieval town enclosed within perfectly preserved walls. Mountain bikers and climbers will find excellent conditions on the trails and rock faces in the surrounding area.
The seafront promenade has the widest choice of hotels.
Use the form below to check room availability and prices in real time.
Hotel 
Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel 
Resorts