Liguria, Italy

State guide with cities, regions, and key information.

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Introduction
Liguria is the slender arc of coast in north-western Italy known to the world as the Italian Riviera — a thin crescent between the mountains and the Ligurian Sea, where pastel fishing villages, cliff-top vines and glamorous resorts line a sunlit shore. For travellers it offers the five famous villages of the Cinque Terre, the chic harbour of Portofino, the maritime city of Genoa, the flower-and-festival town of San Remo, and the home cooking of pesto, focaccia and the freshest seafood.

Discover Liguria

The five villages of the Cinque Terre — Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore — are among the most photographed places in Italy, and with reason: tight clusters of pastel houses stacked on cliffs and around tiny harbours, set against terraced vineyards and the deep blue sea, on a stretch of coast so rugged it stayed isolated for centuries. Today the villages are a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, car-free and linked by a frequent little train that tunnels between them, by boats in season, and by walking trails — most famously the coastal Sentiero Azzurro, including the easy, romantic Via dell'Amore between Manarola and Riomaggiore (subject to closures and works over the years), and tougher high paths through the vines. The Cinque Terre Card covers the trails and trains. Manarola at sunset, Vernazza's harbour and the one sandy beach at Monterosso are the classic images. The villages are small and extremely popular, so the rewards go to those who come outside July and August, stay overnight to enjoy them after the day-trippers leave, and walk at least one of the paths between them.

Travel Types

The Cinque Terre

The five cliff villages — Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore — linked by train, boat and the coastal walking paths.

Portofino & the Tigullio

Glamorous Portofino, Santa Margherita and Rapallo, the storybook village of Camogli, and the boat-only abbey of San Fruttuoso.

Genoa & the Riviera dei Fiori

The maritime city of Genoa and, west toward France, San Remo, the flower coast, Alassio and the gardens near Ventimiglia.

Pesto, Focaccia & Seafood

The birthplace of pesto and focaccia, with farinata, trofie, anchovies, the Taggiasca olive oil and the white wines of the terraces.

Frequently asked questions

Liguria is the Italian Riviera — the narrow, sunlit arc of coast in north-western Italy between the mountains and the sea. It is famous for the five cliff villages of the Cinque Terre, the glamorous harbour of Portofino, the maritime city of Genoa, and the flower-and-festival town of San Remo, as well as for being the birthplace of pesto and focaccia. Its pastel villages, terraced vineyards, coastal walking paths and seafood define the region.

The five villages are a car-free national park linked by a frequent little train that tunnels along the coast, by seasonal boats and by walking trails. Base yourself in one of the villages (or in nearby La Spezia or Levanto) and buy a Cinque Terre Card, which covers the trains and the official paths. Try to visit outside July and August and stay overnight to enjoy the villages once the day-trippers have gone, and walk at least one of the cliff paths between them.

Portofino is tiny and exclusive — a single picture-perfect harbour of pastel houses, yachts and luxury boutiques — and while it is undeniably glamorous and pricey, the setting is genuinely beautiful. Most visitors base in nearby Santa Margherita Ligure or Rapallo and reach Portofino by a short, scenic bus or boat ride, or by the lovely coastal walk. Don't miss the boat trip from Portofino or Camogli to the abbey of San Fruttuoso, tucked in its own cove.

Cities in Liguria

1 city with detailed travel information

Genoa