Liguria

The approx. 180 km long western coastline between the French border and the Ligurian capital Genoa is called Riviera di Ponente. The colorful small towns of Imperia, Cervo, Albenga or Noli with their historical and medieval centers invite you to take a leisurely stroll. The picturesque bays and endless sandy beaches of the Ponente give the Ligurian coast its natural beauty. Immediately in the hinterland there is a panorama of limestone cliffs, steep vineyards and olive groves, which gives hikers in Finale Ligure a wonderful view of the beach promenades at their feet.

Centuries of experience in the cultivation of the olive tree, especially in the valley slopes in the hinterland of Imperia, make Ligurian olive oil a real culinary insider tip beyond the regional and national borders. It is considered very fine, sweet and less intense than, for example, its Tuscan competitor.

The former seafaring republic is located almost exactly in the middle of two stretches of coast and separates the Riviera di Ponente from the Riviera di Levante. The magnificent palaces from the 16th to 18th centuries as well as the medieval cathedral are relics from bygone times and indicate the importance of the port center during that periods. Today the capital of Liguria is mainly characterized by social and cultural differences. Rich and poor, young and old, shopkeepers and the homeless - the social gap in Genoa is huge and creates a lively, exciting city life between splendor and decay.

The Riviera di Levante extends over a total of approx. 120 km. This stretch of coast east of Genoa with the colorful Camogli, the noble Portofino to Sestri Levante stands in stark contrast to the brisk everyday life in the Ligurian capital. The small, picturesque coastal towns enchant with their untouched landscapes and romantic alleys, in which the authentic Italian life, far from the tourist bustle, comes to the fore.

A little further it is no longer quite as calm and contemplative. The gigantic cliff south of the Riviera di Levante, the so-called Cinque Terre, attracts visitors from all parts of the world from April to October. At lofty heights above the sea, the 9 km long old hiking trail meanders through shady forests and vineyards and connects the five picturesque villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. In addition to the architectural charm of the colorful houses and winding streets, hikers can experience a breathtaking panoramic view of the sea bays, stony rocks and the entire diversity of plants in the Mediterranean.

If you want to escape the crowds in the Cinque Terre in the summer months and are instead looking for a quiet hiking route, a mountain tour in the Ligurian Alps is recommended - e.g. in Triora. The ancient mountain village is located 800 m above the Argentina Valley in the hinterland of San Remo. With its barren slopes, dark forests and waterfalls, the village has a lot to offer in terms of landscape and at the same time takes on almost mystical features. Its unofficial designation among the locals as the “place of witches” is therefore no coincidence. During your hiking tour you can enjoy peace, relaxation and solitude on deserted paths - the best way to escape the hectic everyday life.