Want to get away from the crowds of Cinque Terre? Here are my top 28 hidden gems of Liguria, showcasing the off the beaten path destinations of the Italian Riviera. These locations will be as beautiful as many others, but they will come with more benefits: cheaper prices and fewer people to share your space with
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As I mentioned in my previous blog on the most popular places to visit in Liguria, Liguria is much more than just Genoa, Portofino and Cinque Terre. It is filled with loads of beautiful, colourful small towns by the sea, and medieval villages in the countryside. I spent about a week in there back in 2018, and unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to visit many of these locations, so I am dying to go back!
So here is a very comprehensive list of less popular, yet magical places that you can visit in the Italian Riviera (Liguria). These places are less explored, so they will not only be a great surprise to you, but they will also be ideal if you’re trying to escape the crowds and enjoy a truly local experience.
And if you’re more of a visual learner and would prefer to watch a YouTube video on the hidden gems of Liguria instead, I’ve made this content available on my channel:
This will be a long list, so I’ve made a table of contents to make it easier to navigate through the page.
I have also separated each location by type (coastal towns, villages, nature and beaches), as well as area: Western Ligura (Riviera di Ponente) and Eastern Liguria (Riviera di Levante).
Western Liguria
Known as Riviera di Ponente (in Italian), this is the most western part of Liguria, close to the border with France (Cote D’Azur, the French Riviera). This part of Liguria is the least popular and so, the least explored, and it offers different types of hidden gems you won’t find in Eastern Liguria – such as medieval countryside villages and underground caves, as well as the typical small, pretty towns with a local beach and blue waters.
Tips to use the map above
- You will find different layers on this map, showing you all points of interest by categories. To see these, click on the tab icon (top left). All layers will be enabled by default. By clicking on the check marks, you can disable/hide a specific label to better understand the info you’re looking for.
- To view more detailed information on any point of interest, click on it’s icon over the map.
- You can save this by clicking on the star on the top of the map (right next to the title). This will be added to your Google Maps, and you will be able to access it from any device (Google Maps – Your Places – Maps)
Pretty Colourful Coastal Towns
Imperia
Imperia is a pretty coastal town with a beautiful harbour and a nice old town (Parasio).
It was actually created in 1923 by grouping a few small towns and villages in the area, naming it after the river Imperia that runs between two of the old towns: Porto Maurizio and Oneglio.
In Imperia you can also visit Villa Grock – a villa that was once home to one of the most popular and well-paid entertainers in the world: Adrien Wettach, also known as “Grock”, the “Swiss Clown” or even “King of Clowns”.
Where to stay in Imperia:
Imperia is one of the cheapest locations, and you can stay at a fairly good place for a very low price. Stay at B&B Villa Isabella for a low-budget option, or if you fancy a more luxurious experience, Villa Giada Resort or Hotel Rossini Al Teatro.
Cervo
If you drive 15 minutes along the coast from Imperia, you will get to Cervo. I remember travelling by train from Menton to Genoa and being astonished by how many beautiful towns facing the coast I could see. When I saw Cervo, I knew I had to visit it on my next trip to Liguria. This is another picturesque coastal village that you don’t want to miss if you’re on a mission to explore all of the beautiful hidden gems of Liguria, especially the ones that no one has ever heard about.
While in Cervo, make sure to visit its San Giovanni Battista church at the top, walking through narrow streets and local shops, as well as its castle.
Where to stay in Cervo
Cervo doesn’t have plenty of options when it comes to accommodation. Prices are quite high despite not having any luxurious hotels. Some of these options include Hotel Le Nereidi or Le notti mediterranee.
Laigueglia and Alassio
Another two coastal villages with a nice beach in front of their colourful houses. You can definitely visit both as they are one next to the other (7min drive), but you will probably feel like spending more time in Laigueglia as its atmosphere is very different, and the pretty promenade with the Church of Saint Matthew in the back will easily steal your heart. The sandy beach in Alassio is one of the longest in this area of Italy, but it is also paid.
Where to stay in Laigueglia and Alassio
While Laigueglia doesn’t offer many options (Hotel Mediterraneo, Hotel Pineta and a few others), Alassio has plenty to choose from, with a variety of prices. Stay at Grand Hotel Alassio Resort & Spa, Hotel Regina and Casa d’artista B&B for a luxurious stay, or at Hotel Adler and Hotel Lydia for a lower price.
Finale Ligure
Unlike the other towns on this list of hidden gems of Liguria, Finale Ligure is not actually a colourful coastal town, but it is one of the most popular beach resorts in the area, with a long sand beach overlooking the town and the cliffs at the end (again, mostly paid), as well as a nice palm tree promenade. Not only that, Finale Ligure also offers many activities such as hiking, climbing and visiting the nearby villages like Finalborgo and Borgio Verezzi (where you can visit other caves – Grotte di Borgio Verezzi). Both of these villages are less picturesque than other medieval villages mentioned on this list and so, they wouldn’t be my first choice
Where to stay in Finale Ligure
Finale Ligure has plenty of options, so it’s a perfect place to be based if you’re going to explore the area. It’s definitely not the most budget-friendly location, but remember you’re in a relatively popular holiday destination in Italy. If you’re on a budget and decide to stay here, your best option will be Hotel Riz. For a more sophisticated stay, Villa Degli Ulivi B&B, Hotel Punta Est and Grand Hotel Moroni.
Varigotti
About 1h walk or 30min cycle from Finale Ligure, you will reach Varigotti, a small town that was once a fishing village, with colourful houses and blue waters, a long pebble beach, and stunning views of the hills around the Italian Riviera. While the front beach is free, the popular Saraceni Bay (Baia dei Saraceni) is paid, and not recommended for kids, as it has plenty of rocks. Not only that, this bay can get quite busy during peak times.
If you’re planning on visiting Varigotti, you should stay in Finale Ligure instead, as accommodation options are very scarce.
Nature
Hanbury Botanical Gardens (Giardini Botanici Hanbury)
If you love Nature and would like to visit beautiful gardens, you will not want to miss Hanbury Villa. Really close to the border with France, these botanical gardens operated by the University of Genoa will surprise you with their diversity and panoramic views over the sea.
To visit Hanbury, you can be based in Menton or Ventimiglia.
Toirano Caves (Grotte di Toirano)
For those who enjoy visiting caves, this one is popular for its beautiful formations and much evidence of life in prehistory. An English tour guide is available, and the tour takes about 70 minutes.
Countryside medieval villages
Dolceacqua
Not far from the Hanbury Villa, you can visit this unique village, a small but impressive place. The massive humpback bridge somehow reminds me of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), but its castle at the top of the village makes it very different from any other place you might see in Italy.
The village is divided in two by the humpback bridge that crosses the Nervia River. The part of the village that is located between the river and the hills is called Terra, and is the oldest part, but also the most impressive. Because of being quite small, it won’t take long to visit.
Dolceacqua is ideal for those who love to visit cute off the beaten path locations and are on a mission to explore the hidden gems of Liguria, no matter how small they are.
Where to stay in Dolceacqua:
The prices in Dolceacqua are quite ok compared to the most popular places in Liguria, and won’t vary massively from one accommodation to another. That being said, you won’t find hostels here. Most of the accommodations will be Bed & Breakfast like Talking Stones, La Villetta, Normanna and U Campanin.
Apricale
Not far from Dolceacqua, you will find Apricale, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Liguria. Apricale is a medieval village built on a hill, with amazing views to the mountains around it, and a church at the top. Most of the sights of interest can be found around the village centre, where you will find a square, two churches, and a castle, but there is beauty around every single narrow street and corner. Not only that, even though Apricale is just a small village, here you can find places to sleep, eat, and shop, as well as some art galleries.
Where to stay in Apricale:
Just like in Dolceacqua, here prices are quite even and the offers are pretty similar. You can expect breakfast to be included in almost all accommodations. Stay at Agriturismo Terre Del Mistero, Apricus Locanda or MuntaeCara Albergo Diffuso.
Bussana Vecchia
For those who have an interest in abandoned locations and are on a hunt for the hidden gems of Liguria, Bussana Vecchia is a must. This medieval village remained a “ghost village” for most of the 20th century after a strong earthquake destroyed it in 1887, and is now gaining some life thanks to local artists, who decided to illegally take over the remains of some houses to use as a studio and even to live. Nowadays, there is conflict between these artists, the government, and the family members of the previous owners over the possession of these properties.
When the earthquake happened, most of the residents from the village were at the church, which unfortunately collapsed, killing about 2000 people. After the tragedy, the village was rebuilt further down the hill, keeping the original name (Bussana), and the remains of the old one were left abandoned, and it became Bussana Vecchia (Old Bussana). You will feel like in a ghost town while exploring the remains of the houses and the church where the tragedy occurred, as well as its very narrow medieval streets.
Access to the village and its ruins is only available through a short but steep road, and no cars are allowed in the area. There is a parking space nearby, but quite limited.
Where to stay in Bussana Vecchia:
Bussana Vecchia has very limited options for accommodation, so I would recommend staying in Sanremo instead.
Triora
If the previous location got your attention, then you might want to consider this one: a remote village to the North of Sanremo, with the mountains that mark the border with France in the background. Triora is mostly known for a witch trial that happened in the 16th century (1588), where many women in this village were denounced as witches and condemned by the Inquisition for a famine that was happening in the region. Many of them were tortured, and some were burned at the stake. All of this was recorded in the Ethnographic Museum of Witchcraft (Museo di Triora Etnografico e della Stregoneria), which can be visited in the village. You can also visit the ruins of the old castle (Castrum Triorae), two churches, areas linked to the witchcraft stories and get lost in the narrow streets of one of the oldest villages in the Italian Riviera.
Where to stay in Triora:
Triora is a quite affordable location in Italy. Stay at La Stregatta or Bed & Breakfast Triora Medievale.
Dolcedo
Dolcedo is a countryside side pretty medieval town famous for its olive oil production and its picturesque views to the colourful houses, bridge and church. It became a popular holiday resort over the years, and so, you might experience the occasional concert or even the flea market with antiques of all kinds on the 2nd Sunday of the month. Dolcedo is actually part of the Province of Imperia, one of the destinations mentioned above on this list.
Zuccarello and Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena
Driving away from the coast, you will be able to visit these two villages with a medieval atmosphere. While Zuccarello is interesting to roam around and it will certainly take you back in time with its ancient bridge and castle ruins, Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena is an enchanting village surrounded by stunning green hills and a prominent medieval castle. As in many other medieval villages, you should park outside them, as you might get stuck in the narrow streets otherwise.
Because of being small locations, they are not an ideal place to stay during your trip, so I would recommend finding accommodation somewhere else.
Noli
Noli is another pretty colourful town by the coast, except this one has something different about it. The busy harbour next to the palm tree promenade, the long beach with crystal clear blue waters, and the lively colourful streets in the old centre full of coffee shops, all give this town a great Italian Summer vibe – not to mention how scenic it is thanks to the beautiful hills in the background and the prominent castle and medieval towers. This makes Noli one of the best hidden gems of Liguria.
Where to stay in Noli
Noli doesn’t have a huge amount of options when it comes to accommodation, but you will be able to find something for sure. Prices are average compared to other places in western Liguria. Stay at Paradiso Di ManĂą, B&B CĂ de Badin or B&B Elfo degli Ulivi.
Eastern Liguria
Known as Riviera di Levante (in Italian), this is the most eastern part of Liguria, close to Tuscany, and it includes all 3 popular destinations that I mentioned in my Popular Places to Visit in Liguria post, making it the most popular region of Liguria among tourists.
Even within the hidden gems of Liguria, places like Camogli, San Fruttuoso, and Sestri Levante are more well-known than others in Western Liguria, and so, you can expect a lot more visitors than in the places listed above.
While most of the destinations in Easter Liguria are associated with pretty colourful coastal towns, you will also find the occasional countryside village in this list, just way less frequently than in Western Liguria.
Tips to use the map above
- You will find different layers on this map, showing you all points of interest by categories. To see these, click on the tab icon (top left). All layers will be enabled by default. By clicking on the check marks, you can disable/hide a specific label to better understand the info you’re looking for.
- To view more detailed information on any point of interest, click on it’s icon over the map.
- You can save this by clicking on the star on the top of the map (right next to the title). This will be added to your Google Maps, and you will be able to access it from any device (Google Maps – Your Places – Maps)
Pretty Colourful Coastal Towns
Sori
Sori is another town with colourful houses by the coast, with a nice beach and, of course, a colourful church. It isn’t as pretty as other hidden gems of Liguria like Camogli, but if you’re into exploring the whole area of the Italian Riviera, you might want to check Sori as well, specially to see the “miraculous statue of Madonna”, a statue that was stolen by pirates in the 16th century, and it was found about half a century later at Sori beach, in perfect condition, to then disappear again in the waters during a bombardment in World War II, and be found at the beach again, 11 years later, undamaged.
Where to stay in Sori
Sori is quite limited in terms of accommodation, but you can still find some places to stay. A Casa di Mila and Il Giardino di Fe are two popular bed and breakfasts in the area.
Camogli
Camogli was my favourite of all the hidden gems of Liguria. It might be popular amongst Italians, but I was surprised that I had never heard about this place before.
Camogli is a small town full of colourful houses by a hill, with a stunning harbour, a nice pebble beach, and a pretty promenade full of restaurants. It’s also known for hosting two popular events every year:
- the Fish Festival (Sagra del Pesce), that happens every year in May, where about 30 thousand sardines are fried in a massive pan
- as well as the “Festa della Stella Maris” in August, where people gather to release thousands of candles into the sea.
The Sunset in this town is absolutely amazing and you can enjoy the beach by the promenade while watching people having their dinner as the sun sets, or even hike to the Church of San Rocco for breathtaking views.
Where to stay in Camogli
Camogli has a lot more options, but not for budget travelers. While you can find more affordable options such as Host alla Millenaria and Porta del Parco, here you will be delighted if you’re looking for a hotel or B&B with a view – Hotel Cenobio Dei Dogi, I Tre Merli Locanda, and A Due Passi Dal Cielo E Dal Mare.
Santa Margherita Ligure
You will most likely visit Santa Margherita Ligure on your way to Portofino (as I mentioned in my previous post about the most popular places to visit in Liguria), unless you come directly by boat. This is another colourful, pretty town that you will most likely enjoy visiting. The view from the harbour (as seen on the picture above), as well as from the road between Rapallo and Camogli (above town) are probably the best views of Santa Margherita Ligure, and there is plenty to see here if you want to explore: the beach, harbour and promenade, castle, few churches, colourful streets and villas, as well as many coffe and ice cream shops.
Where to stay in Santa Margherita Ligure
Luxurious hotels and villas: Grand Hotel Miramare, Hotel Metropole, Park Hotel Suisse, “Villa Gelsomino” Seaside Luxury House and Villa 1900
Affordable hotels/B&B: Trekking in paradise B&B and Hotel La Vela-Castello Il Rifugio
Rapallo
Rapallo is not as beautiful as many other hidden gems of Liguria, but it’s a great option for accommodation. The boat and train services from here to other Ligurian destinations are really good, and your wallet will certainly be thankful for the amount of money you can save on accommodation here. If you’re exploring Rappallo, you can enjoy the lidos, the harbour, castle, churches, lively streets and squares, museums, promenade and stunning views over the colourful villas that were built over the hill.
Just bear in mind that parking is quite limited here, so you might struggle if driving.
Where to stay in Rapallo
Luxurious hotels and villas: Excelsior Palace Hotel and Best Western Plus Tigullio Royal
Sestri Levante
Just like Camogli, this was another town I had never heard about, and I was hugely surprised by how beautiful it actually is.
Easily accessible by train from other popular destinations and hidden gems of Liguria, Sestri Levante is another small but cute town with colourful streets and houses, palm trees, and a stunning, panoramic bay named Baia del Silenzio (Silent Bay) – a family-friendly, free beach that can get quite busy during Summer. When we visited, we struggled finding this bay at first on the map, as we were looking at the wrong bay (Baia delle Favole), that, let me tell you, looks absolutely nothing like the Silent Bay.
Once we did find it, I quickly fell in love with this town, not only because of its nice free beach and atmosphere, but especially because of its panoramic view that you will get if you go up the opposite side of the bay, towards the Salita Mandrella viewpoint. If you’re looking for a place to stay, the Hotel Vis a Vis offers spectacular views of the bay that you won’t get anywhere else.
Where to stay in Sestri Levante
Luxurious hotels and villas: Hotel Vis Ă Vis, Hotel Helvetia and Villa Agnese
Portovenere
Often ignored by the Cinque Terre visitors, this beautiful, less popular town could be the 6th land if Cinque Terre were “Sei Terre”, but for some reason, it is not. Nevertheless, Portovenere should 100% be part of your visit to Cinque Terre as you don’t want to miss out on another pretty coastal town in this area, especially this one, with a stunning harbour overlooking the tall, thin colourful houses aligned perfectly, two churches and a castle, a lovely old centre and stunning views from the hill towards the coast.
There is no train access to Portovenere so you will have to drive or take a bus from La Spezia (a great town to stay based at when visiting Cinque Terre) or take a boat.
Where to stay in Portovenere
Luxurious hotels and villas: Grand Hotel Portovenere and Gioia Con Vista
Affordable hotels/B&B: Hotel Della Baia and Hotel Le Grazie
Hostels: Ostello Porto Venere
Lerici
Lerici is another town with colourful houses by the coast (yep, one more), but with an amazing harbour overlooking the town and the castle. It is also well known amongst Italian visitors (so it can get really crowded during Summer peak times), but not so much with overseas visitors. A hike up to the castle is highly recommended, and enjoy the lively streets, with souvenir shops and seafood restaurants as you explore this lovely town.
Where to stay in Lerici
Tellaro
Not far from Lerici, you will find this small fishing town of Tellaro, very much unknown, which reminds me of Cinque Terre and Camogli. Be prepared to be surprised by how quiet this beautiful village can be compared to other hidden gems of Liguria, since the crowds tend to escape to more popular towns such as Cinque Terre and even many other destinations on this list. The village is very small and there is no beach, but you might be able to find a spot to sunbathe and enjoy the water in the rocks by the harbour, if the waters are calm – during Summer, you will find locals doing the same!
Where to stay in Tellaro
Tellaro is quite limited in accommodation, and prices do not vary that much, so if you’re looking for something either cheap or fancy, Lerici will be a better place to stay. Nevertheless, Tellaro still has popular options like Hotel Il Nido and Locanda Miranda.
Beaches
San Fruttuoso
Also mentioned on my previous post about the most popular places to visit in Liguria, to me, San Fruttuoso is the best of all the hidden gems of Liguria.
It’s an absolute hidden paradise, and you just can’t miss it if you’re in Liguria. It’s located in a corner of the Portofino Regional Park (Parco regionale di Portofino), with crystal clear blue waters and a stunning 13th-century Abbey, only accessible by boat from Camogli or Portofino, or by hiking through different hike trails, being the one from Portofino the most popular of all (mostly because while the hike from Portofino takes 1h30/1h40, the one from Camogli takes about 2-3h). Most people will hike from Portofino and return by boat (just make sure you don’t miss the last one, or else you will have to hike back again!).
Even though San Fruttuoso is right next to Portofino, it is actually part of the Camogli municipality.
The main things to do, despite the obvious time well spent on the beach, include visiting the Abbey and the watchtower, which, unfortunately, are not always open, so you will need to inform yourself at local tourist information points on when you can visit them.
Snorkelling and diving are also very popular in San Fruttuoso, as you can find an underwater statue of Jesus Christ (Christ of the Abyss) with open arms.
Where to stay in San Fruttuoso
While you can’t stay in San Fruttuoso, you can choose to stay in Camogli or Portofino, or even Santa Margherita Ligure. That being said, there is a resort not too far from the area – Stella Maris Resort.
Palmaria Island
Palmaria Island is the largest island of the 3 located in the Gulf of La Spezia (being the other two Tino and Tinetto), and it is popular for quite a few different reasons: it is easily reachable by ferry from Portofino, and it offers a variety of hiking opportunities, scenic beaches with clear blue waters by the cliffs, and even caves that can be accessed by boat. And of course, you will be able to have a great panoramic view of Portovenere.
Countryside villages
Campo Ligure
Small but pretty countryside village not far from Genoa (about 45min drive), with colourful houses, a local church, and a castle. Even though Campo Ligure is fairly small, if you would like to explore all the hidden gems of Liguria, this village won’t disappoint because of its picturesque views across the bridge, facing the colourful houses with green hills in the back.
Where to stay in Campo Ligure
Campo Ligure has limited options for accommodation, but if you decide to stay, Nonno Toni has amazing reviews on Booking.com!
Varese Ligure
Up north from Sestri Levante, you can find this medieval village, popular for its round layout and, of course, bright coloured houses. Its castle can only be admired from the outside as it is not open to visitors, but you will be able to enter the churches. This village is also popular for its organic farming so if you’re visiting during lunch time, make sure you eat here before heading off to your next stop!
Where to stay in Varesse Ligure
Varesse Ligure doesn’t have many places to stay. However, if you decide to stay here, you will find mostly apartments and B&B’s like Agriturismo A Trasea and Azienda Agrituristica Risveglio Naturale.
There are other hidden gems of Liguria that I did not include on this list, such as Bordighera and Sanremo in Western Liguria, as well as Chiavari, Levanto, and Sarzana in Eastern Liguria, simply because they felt less interesting to me compared to the ones described above. That being said, your opinion might be different, so if you want to explore all the hidden gems of Liguria, do give these a try.
Since I did not have the opportunity to visit many of these locations yet (will certainly be back to give you my insights and upload my own pictures), many of the history and facts found on this blog post were inspired by https://www.italythisway.com
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Roc Villa
If you’re planning to explore Liguria’s hidden gems, I highly recommend Roc Villa 1111 in Castiglioncello. This stunning seafront residence offers exclusive access to a private rocky cove and sandy beach, perfect for relaxing days by the sea. The expansive 3000 m² Mediterranean garden creates a peaceful oasis. Modern amenities include high-speed Wi-Fi, kayaks, paddleboards, a smart TV, and a premium audio system for entertainment. Laundry and housekeeping are available on request, ensuring a carefree stay. For an unforgettable experience, consider booking Roc Villa 1111 via info@luxurystay.com. It’s the ideal retreat for those seeking tranquility, luxury, and natural beauty.