Liguria: Seaside Towns, Steep Hills and a Maritime Past
Liguria is a narrow region of northwestern Italy where hills and mountains press close to the Mediterranean. Its coastline is known as the Italian Riviera, but the region is more varied than a string of beach resorts: fishing harbors, working ports, terraced slopes and wooded inland valleys all shape a visit. Genoa brings a different scale, with a historic center and a long maritime identity. Travelers come for coastal walks, time by the water, local food and the chance to move between towns by train. The landscape affects the pace of travel. Streets often climb sharply from the shore, and a place that looks nearby on a map may take longer to reach than expected.
Places in Liguria
25 places
Castel Vittorio
Explore Castel Vittorio, a stone hill village in Liguria's Nervia Valley, with narrow lanes, mountain views and easy access to nearby Pigna.
Castellaro
Explore Castellaro, a Ligurian hill village above the coast near Taggia, with old lanes, olive-covered slopes and a notable hilltop sanctuary.
Ceriana
Explore Ceriana, a hill village inland from Sanremo, with narrow medieval lanes, historic churches, olive-covered slopes and a strong singing tradition.
Cervo
Explore Cervo, a hilltop village on the Ligurian coast, with stone lanes, a Baroque church, a small beach and a summer chamber music festival.
Cesio
Get to know Cesio, a small inland village in Liguria, with hillside hamlets, winding roads and a mountain pass between the Imperia and Arroscia valleys.
Chiusanico
Get to know Chiusanico, a small inland Ligurian commune near Imperia, with hillside villages, olive groves and a quieter pace than the coast.
Chiusavecchia
Get to know Chiusavecchia, a small Ligurian village among olive groves in the Impero Valley, with quiet hamlets and access to the coast near Imperia.
Cipressa
Get to know Cipressa, a Ligurian hill village above the Riviera coast, with stone lanes, sea views, nearby Lingueglietta and a famous cycling climb.
Civezza
Get to know Civezza, a Ligurian hill village near Imperia, with olive terraces, narrow lanes and easy access to the beaches of the Riviera.
Cosio d'Arroscia
Explore Cosio d'Arroscia, a small Ligurian village in the Arroscia Valley, with old stone lanes, mountain scenery and an unusual place in art history.
Costarainera
Get to know Costarainera, a Ligurian hill village above the Riviera coast, with olive terraces, old lanes and easy access to seaside cycling.
Diano Arentino
Explore Diano Arentino, a small Ligurian hill community above Diano Marina, with olive terraces, quiet villages and access to the coast.
About Liguria
A coastline with little room to spread out
Liguria’s defining feature is the close meeting of land and sea. Villages and towns occupy coves, river mouths and narrow strips of level ground, while terraces and paths climb the slopes behind them. The eastern coast includes some of the region’s most recognizable cliffside scenery, including the Cinque Terre. Farther west, the shoreline has a different rhythm, with a mix of resort towns, larger settlements and beaches. Inland, the setting changes again: wooded hills, stone villages and winding roads feel removed from the waterfront. This geography makes short outings rewarding, but it also means that walking through a coastal town may involve plenty of steps and steep lanes.
Genoa and the region’s maritime character
Genoa adds an urban dimension to a Ligurian trip. Its port remains central to the city’s identity, while the historic center is a dense network of narrow lanes, churches, shops and grand buildings. It rewards wandering rather than a quick stop between seaside destinations. Elsewhere along the coast, harbors still give many towns their focal point, though fishing boats may share the waterfront with ferries and pleasure craft. Liguria’s maritime history is visible in its architecture and street patterns, but this is also a lived-in region. Step away from the busiest waterfronts and you will find everyday shopping streets and neighborhoods that run on local routines, not just visitor schedules.
Food shaped by hills, gardens and the sea
Liguria’s cooking makes good use of ingredients that suit its terrain. Basil, olive oil, vegetables and herbs feature prominently, as do seafood and simple baked foods. Pesto is closely associated with the region, and focaccia is an easy part of a day spent exploring: you can buy a piece from a bakery rather than plan a formal meal. Terraced hillsides help explain why small-scale cultivation is such a visible part of the landscape. Local dishes vary from place to place, so menus offer more than one version of a coastal meal. Food is worth making time for here, whether that means browsing a market, choosing a modest trattoria or stopping at a bakery before a walk.
What is Liguria known for?
The Italian Riviera
A varied Mediterranean coastline of harbors, beaches, promenades and towns built into steep terrain.
Coastal walking paths
Routes that link settlements and offer views across the sea, often with climbs that call for suitable shoes.
Terraced hillsides
Stone-walled slopes used for cultivation, showing how people have adapted to limited level ground.
Maritime heritage
Port activity, fishing traditions and historic streets that reflect the region’s long relationship with the sea.
Pesto and focaccia
Two familiar parts of Ligurian food culture, found in different forms in restaurants, bakeries and local shops.
Compact historic centers
Narrow lanes, stairways and small squares that make exploring on foot appealing, if sometimes strenuous.
Why visit Liguria?
Trains make many coastal towns practical to visit without a car.
Sea views and hillside walks can fit into the same day.
Genoa offers a substantial city experience alongside smaller seaside places.
Bakeries and casual eateries make it easy to sample local food.
Inland villages offer a change of pace from the busier coast.
Things to know
The region is narrow but not always quick to cross; hills, winding roads and train changes can affect travel times.
Many coastal towns have steep streets and stairways, so comfortable walking shoes are useful.
Trains serve much of the coast, while reaching some inland places is easier by car or local bus.
Popular seaside areas can feel crowded in summer; quieter streets are often a short walk uphill.
Beach access varies: expect a mix of public areas, managed beach clubs, pebbles and rocky shorelines.
Check walking-path conditions before setting out, as routes can close or require a fee.