In a nutshell
- Liguria is packed with stunning places — and we’ve done the work of narrowing it down. Here are the 12 best things to do in Liguria, from the coast to the mountains.
- The absolute must-sees are Cinque Terre National Park and the villages of Portovenere and Portofino — but the other highlights are just as rewarding.
- For every spot, we give you concrete tips on the best tours and activities plus our personal accommodation recommendations nearby.
Map of Sights in Liguria
We’ve marked all 12 Liguria highlights on the map above so you can get a feel for where everything is.
Cinque Terre
What do you need to know? Cinque Terre translates to Five Lands — five colorful fishing villages strung a few kilometers apart within the Cinque Terre National Park. They’re an absolute must when visiting Italy, so don’t even think about skipping them.
Tip: Visit the Cinque Terre in the off-season if you can — it gets seriously crowded in summer!
Our Tour Recommendation: Boat tour from La Spezia to the Cinque Terre
Our Accommodation Tip: Casa Catò in the village of Vernazza. It’s not cheap, but every room has a sea view — totally worth it.
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Portovenere
What do you need to know? Portovenere isn’t technically part of the Cinque Terre, but it’s often called the sixth village — and you’ll see why. The highlights here include the Church of San Pietro, the Doria Fortress, the winding alleyways of the old quarter, and the nature-protected island of Palmaria. It’s perfect for a day trip!
Our Tour Recommendation: Boat tour to the island of Palmaria
Our Accommodation Tip: At Torre a Mare, you’ll spend the night in a medieval tower right on the water. How cool is that?
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Portofino
What do you need to know? Expensive, even more expensive, Portofino. This little fishing village is a favorite getaway for the rich and famous — and honestly, we get it. Portofino is genuinely beautiful: historic Art Nouveau villas, crystal-clear water, and a gorgeous harbor promenade to stroll along. Just go in with realistic expectations on prices — a cappuccino will set you back 7–8 euros.
Our Tour Recommendation: Kayak tour along the Portofino coastline
Our Accommodation Tip: The best value for money right in Portofino is the Hotel Piccolo Portofino. If you want to save some cash, the Hotel Metropole about two kilometers away is just as good at a friendlier price.
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Lerici
What do you need to know? Lerici sits in the far south of Liguria, close to La Spezia, Portovenere, and the Cinque Terre. If you’re after a proper beach vacation in the south, Lerici is the place — it has several sandy beaches, while most of the surrounding coastline is rocky. And there’s more: a charming historic center with a castle, a harbor, and a palm-lined beachfront promenade that’s great for an evening stroll.
Our Accommodation Tip: Europa Grand Hotel. Centrally located, modern design, and really solid value for money.
Also read our guide to the six most beautiful beaches in Liguria
Sanremo
What do you need to know? In Italy, Sanremo is synonymous with historic villas, palm trees, casinos, theaters, and — above all — the famous Sanremo Music Festival. It’s one of the most popular seaside resorts on the Ligurian coast, thanks to its long sandy beaches. The best part: you can easily combine beach days with sightseeing and nightlife. There’s a lovely old town with museums, a cathedral, and plenty of boutiques and restaurants to explore.
Our Accommodation Tip: Best Western Nazionale. In our opinion, the best value for money in Sanremo.
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Genoa
What do you need to know? Genoa is the capital of Liguria and one of the most underrated cities in Italy. Wander through the narrow caruggi (alleyways), explore the old harbor district, or visit the Genoa Aquarium — the second largest in Europe, after the one in Valencia. There’s seriously a lot to discover here.
Our Tour Recommendation: Hop-on/hop-off bus tour through Genoa
Our Accommodation Tip: the Palazzo Grillo — modern rooms inside a historic palazzo right in the old town.
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Toirano Caves
What do you need to know? The Toirano Caves are among the most remarkable attractions in northern Liguria. This cave system is especially famous for its traces of early human habitation — you can actually see footprints and knee prints left by a family who sheltered here 15,000 years ago. Guided tours run several times daily and are well worth it.
Our Accommodation Tip: Blu Oltremare, with an on-site restaurant and rooms with sea views. About 15 kilometers from the caves.
San Fruttuoso
What do you need to know? San Fruttuoso is a monastery tucked into a tiny cove between Portofino and Camogli. The interior is less of a draw — what makes this place so special is the setting itself: a small cove with crystal-clear water, a beach, dramatic cliffs, and forest rising steeply behind. The best way to get here is by boat, which is half the fun.
Our Accommodation Tip: in Santa Maria Ligure, the Hotel Metropole. With a pool and really great value for money. You can reach San Fruttuoso by boat from here.
Sestri Levante
What do you need to know? Sestri Levante is a small seaside resort perched on a narrow peninsula with a stunning turquoise bay. The combination of clear water and a charming historic center makes the beach here one of the most beautiful in all of Italy — and one of our personal favorites in Liguria.
Our Accommodation Tip: Miramare Suites. Excellent value for money and gorgeous design rooms.
Camogli
What do you need to know? Camogli is a colorful fishing village just a stone’s throw from Portofino. The waterfront houses are painted so vividly that fishermen could spot them through the fog from far out at sea — and the tradition has stuck. With its beach and lively harbor promenade lined with restaurants, Camogli is one of the most charming places to visit in Liguria in summer.
Our Accommodation Tip: Hotel Cenobio dei Dogi. Luxurious, with a private beach.
Apricale
What do you need to know? Apricale is one of the most beautiful mountain villages in Italy. You wander through narrow stone alleyways and archways, past murals, always heading uphill or downhill — and instead of looking out at the sea, you’re surrounded by forests and mountains. A totally different side of Liguria, and absolutely worth the detour.
Our Accommodation Tip: In the neighboring village of Dolceacqua, the Talking Stones. Modern design in a rustic setting.
Ventimiglia
What do you need to know? Ventimiglia is a small seaside town right on the border with France. Don’t let the size fool you — it packs in quite a few highlights: a Roman theater, a hillside old town, a historic library, and the gorgeous Hanbury Botanical Garden. And because the town is built on a slope, you catch glimpses of the sea from the alleyways at almost every turn.
Our Tour Recommendation: Take a side trip to Monaco! It’s only 25 kilometers away.
Our Accommodation Tip: the Sole Mare, right on the beach. Every room has a balcony with a sea view.
