A long sequence of seaside villages and towns, as well as beaches, coves, and breath-taking viewpoints: Liguria is splendid and welcomes visitors with its unique landscapes and spectacular sea.
It is a genuine, authentic land tucked between mountains and the sea. And it is rich in settings where you can spend dream vacations, even with an emphasis on elegance.
For those dreaming of a luxurious journey, this region offers truly exclusive places where every comfort is at hand, yet set in a dreamlike backdrop.
Where to go in Liguria if you dream of a luxury vacation: from the famous Portofino to Portovenere in the province of La Spezia, before venturing toward Liguria di Ponente to discover some unique destinations.
Portofino, the international gem
Liguria is rich in unique places: there is the Levante Riviera, characterized by coves, rocky coastline, seaside towns, incredible and unique spots. There is the Ponente Riviera, however, broader and sandy, where you can spend days on beaches that rival those of other seaside destinations.
But there is one place that is truly unique and the ideal destination for those seeking an exclusive and luxurious vacation: Portofino, the international gem, where at every step you can meet famous figures, national and international VIPs, but also where splendor is at home.
A beautiful seaside village, dotted with venues where you can eat and drink exceptionally well and with fabulous boutiques, Portofino is the perfect destination for those seeking a vacation that is unlike any other. Even regarding beaches, in fact, it is very hard to swim in this seaside spot since the shores are really scarce and small in size.
These are incredible coves carved into the rocks, surrounded by nature: you must get there early in the morning to enjoy so much beauty and then dive into a sea that offers infinite shades of blue. One thing is certain: it is worth it.
The tourist facilities here are ideal for those seeking extra-luxury services, exclusive venues, and dreaming of the perfect vacation in an environment that also offers incredible natural scenery. There is never a dull moment: you can take lovely nature walks, or hop on a boat to explore the coast on which incredible seaside villages such as Bogliasco, Sori, or — going in the opposite direction — Zoagli and Lavagna overlook the sea.
Santa Margherita, the seaside town for a year-round vacation
Very close to Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure is another luxury destination for a Ligurian trip.
Here you can enjoy a year-round vacation, because it is a town that welcomes with a lively nightlife, with many services, trendy venues, and a fabulous coastline.
Among the most exclusive spots is Paraggi Bay: the beach clubs are luxurious and fashionable, the restaurants superb, the scenery among the unforgettable. It sits between Portofino and Santa Margherita, and you can reach it, if you wish, by walking along a beautiful seaside promenade.
This area clings to the sea, and walking along it you can admire the entire coast: an experience worth doing at least once in a lifetime. This town offers villas, ancient churches, parks and museums: an elegant yet authentic place.
Camogli and San Fruttuoso: the authentic seaside village
Always staying in the same area, another stop for a luxurious vacation is Camogli: a seaside village with timeless charm, the perfect place for those seeking a holiday in an authentic setting. Camogli climbs vertically up a hill that plunges into the blue sea of the Gulf of Paradise; its promenade along the sea is a continuous sequence of restaurants and venues, the beach is long and pebbly. Then you reach a square and the port, where the maritime life is still vibrant and tangible.
But the most exclusive spot of all can only be reached by boat (or on an excursion): San Fruttuoso. This small location is truly magical, but above all its beauty is unique. It is a bay set like a precious jewel between pristine nature and the sea. Here you find an ancient abbey, a statue to behold while diving into its waters (Christ of the Abyss), and an extraordinary setting, with even a beach. An exclusive place, even if in high season it might get crowded. In that case, just arrive by boat and swim a little farther from the small shore.
Sestri Levante, the elegance of a town with the loveliest beach
Sestri Levante is a fairy-tale town, whose core culminates on a promontory that overlooks two incredible bays. Even here there are exclusive venues offering everything you could desire. The town center is rich with boutiques, shops, small eateries and bars where you can spend delightful evenings.
Unbeatable are the two bays, with evocative sandy shores. The Bay of Fairy Tales (Favole), wide and with a whole range of beach clubs, and then the Bay of Silence (Silenzio), perhaps one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Liguria.
Stopping in this town reveals a fashionable and nightlife-vibrant Sestri Levante, an elegant town welcoming with its colorful houses and sensational viewpoints, or you can choose to enjoy it from the sea, on a yacht or private vessel, savoring spectacular sunsets and looking toward the opposite side of the Gulf of Tigullio at another luxury vacation destination: Portofino.
Portovenere and Cinque Terre, a place of poets and wonder
It is said that Lord Byron stayed in Portovenere, so much so that in this splendid seaside village in the province of La Spezia there is a grotto that bears his name.
Elegant and refined, Portovenere is an extraordinary town. A must-stop on a super-luxury vacation in this part of Liguria, the closest to Tuscany. History, nature and the chance to take wonderful boat trips (or choose accommodations that offer all comforts) make this place a precious jewel of the Ligurian coast. Even more exclusive is Palmaria, the nearby island with its incredible beaches and coves. It is reached by boat and is a dream in broad daylight.
A short distance from Portovenere lie the Cinque Terre, which need no introduction. They are undoubtedly very crowded, but here too you can enjoy luxury vacations thanks to facilities designed for those who seek class and elegance.
The best way to see them? Definitely by boat, to admire the coast and discover stunning places. The Cinque Terre are a succession of unique spots; seeing them in their entirety and doing so from the sea provides a unique perspective on a stretch of coastline among the world’s most famous.
Lerici, the Gulf of Poets and its coves
Small inlets, a jagged coastline to explore from the boats, dotted with villas with sea access, and wonderful beaches where you can find all the services you could dream of. And then the liveliness that characterizes Liguria’s seaside places, with many shops and venues where you can enjoy the region’s specialties.
Lerici is another stop to make in the Gulf of Poets (La Spezia), a stretch of coast with truly evocative places and incredible spots for a total immersion in this beautiful and elegant territory.
Varigotti, the incredible village to discover
History, typical Ligurian landscapes and incredible beaches where the water’s hues are truly evocative lead us to Varigotti (Ponente Liguria), part of the municipality of Finale Ligure in the province of Savona.
Not only this location, but the entire municipality’s territory is worth discovering. It is the ideal place to immerse yourself in a setting that is the perfect mix of the past, echoing pirates, and modernity, without forgetting everything those who travel in search of luxury might desire. Indeed, this is where you can find relaxation and well-being, to organize the vacation you have always dreamed of.
Sanremo, not just music
Sanremo is famous worldwide, but not only for music. Because arriving here you can enjoy that chic atmosphere that captivates at first sight.
Situated in Liguria and just a short distance from the French border, this town offers plenty: from high-quality facilities that bring refinement, to nightlife and shops for every taste.
The beauty of the place is undeniable: Sanremo is fascinating from every angle and never dull. There is also the harbor, a perfect docking point for those who own a boat, and stunning beaches. Just choose the one you prefer most.
Even beyond the town, indeed near this area in the province of Imperia you will find Arma di Taggia, Bordighera, and Ventimiglia: border towns where you find places unique in their own right. One of the stops here? Balzi Rossi, an incredibly captivating area where ancient history and beauty fuse to present a site of unique charm to the eye.
