The 8 things to do in Liguria

Passing to Genoa or the Cinque Terre? Discover the 8 essential things to do in the Italian region of Liguria!

Many tourists choose to visit Liguria, when they leave in Italy. Indeed, this border region of France combines proximity and exceptional visits. From Genoa to La Spezia to the Cinque Terre, the region has a richest tourist offer. Art, architecture, nature and sea, they are all present in the Ligurian territory.

Are you leaving soon? Perfect! To help you in your research, here are the 8 things to do in Liguria! Follow the guide!

1. Genoa

Genoa is the capital of Liguria, and its most populous city. It is also an important economic basin. Indeed, it concludes the famous industrial triangle Turin - Milan - Genoa. Moreover, the port of Genoa is the most important of the country.

But Genoa is also a must-see in Liguria. His past of ancient city-state has given him an exceptional legacy. But what makes Genoa such a beautiful city is for its architecture. Here we find more than ten centuries of history through the buildings. Admire some magnificent places built from the Republic of Genoa to today, passing through fascist domination.

Among the places to see are the Palais des Rolli but also the Chesia Santi Cosma e Damiano. Genoa is also full of museums to visit. Don’t miss the Aquarium, the largest in Europe with its 27,000 mq and the 15,000 marine animals collected.

2. Portofino

For those who come to visit the Liguria for its landscapes, Portofino is immanquable. This small coastal village is one of the most beautiful in the region. Moreover, its exceptional nature is now part of a natural park.

But behind these landscapes and picturesque streets, there is a story. In the Middle Ages, the city was a natural refuge for the merchant navy of the Republic of Genoa. A place that has seen the assaults repeat itself.

Today, Portofino is dedicated to tourism. You can also visit the church of San Giorgio. The relics of the latter are kept there. But of course, the notorious point of interest remains its cove, dressed in turquoise. Stand down and close your eyes. The sound of the waves will do the rest. That's a few minutes' escape.

3. ♪ Cinque Terre

Certainly, this article speaks of the must-see in Liguria. But here you are simply one of the must-sees of our planet: the Cinque Terre. The Cinque Terre National Park gathers 5 coastal villages, all beautiful:

• Monterosso al Mare,
• Vernazza,
• Corniglia,
• Riomaggiore,
• and the most famous of the five, Manarola.

On these five villages, coves are placed on cliffs along the Mediterranean. The houses are colored and come out clearly. They also contrast the dark tone of the cliffs. Which makes this place so charming, with an exceptional rendering. And tourists are not mistaken. Indeed, the Cinque Terre is one of the most visited attractions in the world.

Hiking fans are not on the other hand, as the national park offers breathtaking trails. What to delight the most sporting and sporting.

Finally, these lands are also known for their wines. Think about taking a tasting break during your trip!

4. Ventimille and Val Nervia

Ventimille is a perfect first step in Liguria. Located less than 10 kilometers from the French border, this city housed by the water is full of beautiful places. The most famous of them is the Roman amphitheatre of Albintimilium. Another notorious place, the Balzi Rossi (Red Rocks), a hamlet renowned for its caves dating from Paleolithic.

Then get out of Ventimille and take the road. On the Strada Provinciale 64 discover Val Nervia and its medieval villages:

• Dolceaqua, which houses the castle of Doria overlooking the entire village;
• Apricale, medieval village worshiped artists with magnificent murals;
• Pigna and its church San Michele Arcangelo, with its facade decorated with black stones.

5. La Spezia and Porto Venere

Not far from the Cinque Terre, we find the Spezia. The Spezia is a port city located on the homonymous Gulf. It was an important hub of the Italian maritime market. During your visit to the city, you can visit the Château San Giorgio, built in the 14th century. It now houses an archaeological museum. The view of the castle, placed on a cove, is also worth a visit.

16 km from La Spezia, Porto Venere is another must. This small coastal town is famous for its national park, an archipelago of several islands facing the city. It includes:

• The islands Palmaria ;
• The island Tino ;
• and the island of Tinetto.

Finish your visit with Lord Byron's cave. She's wearing the name. British poet since the latter is famous for having gone there to swim. Just next door, we also find the church of Saint-Pierre. This fortified church has an exceptional view of the coastline.

6. Savona

Savona is a coastal town, inhabited since the Roman era. Indeed, the city was built on the ruins of the Roman city of Savo. Later, Savona will also be an important city of the German Roman Empire. The Carolingian dynasty makes it one of the important coastal cities of the empire. Later, she became the main rival of Genoa, before knowing the decline.

Today, Savona is an important transport hub. Its port is a recurring destination of the Mediterranean cruises and its routes taken by the Flixbus bus network.

It is also one of the most popular cities in the seaside. Many snowshoes and pedestrians come to swim on its beaches. Other tourists come to visit the Fortress Priamar. The fortifications correspond to the medieval centre of the city. These same visitors also visit the archaeological museum. It houses vestiges and works of different eras.

7. Sanremo

Sanremo is a city known for its music festival. Distributed on the RAI, this event brings together nearly 10 million viewers for 4 days! The winner then represents Italy during the Eurovision . The Milan-Sanremo cycling race and the Sanremo rally also take place every year. These events allow the city to attract thousands of visitors.

Also known as the “City of Flowers” , Sanremo has as its main economic activity the activity of flowers. Moreover, every winter, one corso (a parade in the city) is organized there.

On the geography side, the city is placed on creek, dominated by the mountain. This mix of reliefs allows Sanremo to enjoy a very mild climate. Enjoy the beautiful weather to stroll through its gardens! As soon as the temperature drops, go to the Devachan Castle. The castle, built in the 19th century, is one of the most beautiful of Art Nouveau. Finish your visit to Sanremo by stopping at the Cathedral of San Siro.

8. Albenga and its surroundings

We already come to the last must to do in Liguria. We thus end in beauty with Albenga, medieval city dating from the Roman era ( Albingaunum ).

From this time on foot the necropolis and the Roman amphitheatre. Both are located along the via Julia Augusta, an ancient Roman artery that can still be explored today. For the anecdote, the Roman city would have been a naval place of the Empire. For more information, we recommend visiting the Naval Museum.

Want to see it again? No problem! There are not only Roman vestiges in Albenga. Browse the historic centre, dating from the Middle Ages. From this time on, palio , a horse race opposing the neighborhoods of the city, rather widespread in the medieval cities of Italy. The most popular palio is the one played to Siena .

Then take the sea and explore Gallinara Island. This natural reserve, located off the city, houses a large colony of gulls. It is also an opportunity to observe an important marine fauna with, among other things, the presence of red rascasses, octopuses, merous or even murene.

How to get to Liguria?

To get to the region from France, there are several possibilities:

• Take the car: an interesting solution for people living in the south-eastern quarter of the Hexagon.
• Travel by bus: a Flixbus line Marseille-Savona exists.
• The train: Join, first, Nice. Once you arrive in the station, take the train line Nice-Savona. Several train stations are served from Italy, in the case of another Italian destination.
• The plane: From Paris, it is possible to take a flight to Cristoforo Colombo Airport, Genoa. To benefit from the best offer, go through a comparison of flights as Ulysses.

Where to sleep in Liguria?

To stay in Liguria, the choice is wide. However, we recommend the following cities:

• Genoa : the city allows excellent mobility. This is also where the supply of housing is the most important.
• La Spezia : the harbour city has many dwellings. Moreover, it is a destination of choice if you also visit Tuscany.
• Rapallo : a tourist city that you can also visit and that has a large hotel offer. Strada Statale 1 along the city, which is an advantage.

To find the best accommodation in Liguria, at the best offer, think about using a Compare hotels .