EIGHT LIGURIAN GEMS

The Riviera's
Must-Visit Towns

The iconic allure of Portofino, the ancient charm of Camogli, the bustling heart of Genoa, the tranquil bays of Sestri Levante, the cliffside wonders of Cinque Terre, the poetic beauty of Porto Venere, the medieval walls of Noli, the artistic village of Dolceacqua… Liguria’s treasures await.

The beauty of Grand Hotel Miramare isn't just about what's on our doorstep - if you’re asking: our pool, Bagni Miramare beach club, and Vistamare Restaurant to name a few - but about being ideally placed to explore the Italian Riviera.

While a day on our terrace is pure bliss, 'una gita fuori porta' - a trip out of town - will help you uncover Liguria's myriad charms. With that in mind, what follows is your guide to eight essential sights, all within easy reach of Grand Hotel Miramare.

Portofino - the starlet

Portofino hardly needs another glittering review, yet there’s a reason this tiny fishing village is so adored and so famously photographed. It fills with life from 10am, hits a peak around aperitivo time, and then quickly empties when the sun goes down.

Go for a sea-view lunch or that essential negroni in the famous Piazzetta where cobblestones haven't shifted in centuries.

For a taste of Portofino’s hidden depths, look to projects like La Portofinese. Here, the Viacava family is bringing ‘heroic agriculture’ back to these challenging hills, resurrecting ancient and eco-farming practices and offering a glimpse into Portofino’s hardworking soul.

Grand Hotel Miramare Seventhyard Portofino

Camogli - wives & waves

The name Camogli translates as ‘house of wives’ (case delle mogli), and is a nod to the women who famously watched over the sea while their fishermen husbands were away. Today, it's a picturesque resort town with a tumble of softly colored buildings clinging to the Ligurian Sea.

The best way to get to know Camogli is by foot. After a coastal drive with cinematic views, you’ll descend wide steps, wind through narrow alleyways past tiny shops, and emerge into the bustling marina. Take your time, duck into a bar for a soda or something stronger, and then settle in for sunset feasting on fresh sardines, anchovies, or local octopus and cheese.

Genova - the noble giant

While the English call it Genoa, this city’s spirit is pure Ligurian grit and grandeur. Its historic center is a dizzying maze of narrow carruggi - alleyways shadowed by towering buildings - opening unexpectedly onto tiny squares, ancient churches, and the magnificent Palazzi dei Rolli.

These palaces were once part of a system where noble families vied to host visiting dignitaries, showcasing their unapologetic splendour. Many still stand as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, their extravagance hinted at by a corner of a frescoed ceiling or the shimmer of a chandelier glimpsed through an archway.

Sestri Levante - where the sea divides

Sestri Levante, another of Liguria’s humble fishing villages, sits on a peninsula that elegantly divides its coastline into two seas. On one side, the tranquil Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence) - a public beach beloved by locals, often hailed as Liguria's most romantic spot. On the other, the more playful Baia delle Favole (Bay of Fables).

Both bays are fringed by pastel-hued houses painted with trompe l’oeil windows (‘fake’ fool-the-eyes paintings). If you’re looking for an idyllic panorama, follow the hiking path from the old town up to Punta Manara where the Ligurian coast, from Levanto to Portofino, stretches into view.

Cinque Terre - the fantastic five

Italy’s famed Cinque Terre, the ‘Five Lands’, hardly need an introduction. This craggy, vertiginous 15-kilometer stretch of coastline is dotted with villages that drape precariously on the cliffs. While it's a tourist darling, and gets crowded in summer, autumn and early spring offer a more breathable experience.

From west to east, you have Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Once, boats were the only way between them and, even today, these villages are most evocative when approached from the water. Take the ferry, or better yet, a private boat, to truly grasp their magic.

Beyond the postcard scenes lies a remarkable tradition: viticoltura eroica, ‘heroic viticulture’. Here, vineyards climb impossibly steep cliff faces, sustained by ancient dry-stone walls. Despite the arduous, unmechanized work, around 30 small producers continue this painstaking winemaking tradition, making Cinque Terre a unique and sustainable wine capital.

Porto Venere - a secret sixth

Nicknamed the ‘sixth terre’, Porto Venere is just east of Riomaggiore. Accessible by ferry, it guards the Golfo dei Poeti (Gulf of the Poets) - a name inspired by scribes like Lord Byron who found inspiration here.

The harbor is a vibrant line of tightly packed, candy-colored houses, concealing a winding medieval old town that climbs the hillside. A must-see is the Church of San Pietro, perched dramatically on the cliff edge. If you can find a more stunningly positioned seaside church in all of Italy, let us know.

For those with a wilder side, the Portovenere Regional Nature Park offers acres of protected land, extending to nearby islands and marine areas.

The underrated Liguria Ponente

A little further afield from Santa Margherita, but undeniably worth the journey, is Liguria Ponente - the western side of our Italian Riviera. It might lack the overt glamour of the Côte d’Azur or the immediate fame of Cinque Terre, but it’s precisely this absence of international spotlight that makes it special. Here are two towns worth your time…

Noli - a medieval dream

Noli is a seaside village completely enclosed by medieval walls. Its historic center is a labyrinth of ancient towers, narrow streets, and painted houses. Above, the Castello of Monte Ursino stands sentinel, its ancient defensive walls tracing paths through the trees, descending to embrace the town. Just outside these walls lies the Church of San Paragorio, an important monument of Romanesque architecture.

For a sensory experience, take the pilgrim trail to Varigotti. This easy walk leads you past the Grotta dei Falsari - a secluded cave once used for illicit activities, now simply an open window onto the vast Mediterranean.

Dolceacqua - Monet’s muse, Rossese's home

The remarkably preserved medieval district of Dolceacqua is connected to its newer counterpart, Il Borgo, by the elegant 15th-century Ponte Vecchio. Claude Monet was so captivated by this bridge that he captured it in one of his paintings. Dolceacqua is also famous for its distinct red wine, Rossese di Dolceacqua DOC.

Thanks to its thick stone walls and shaded alleys, the village provides a welcome respite, noticeably cooler than the sun-drenched coast. It holds Italy’s oldest Orange Flag - a prestigious label awarded by the Italian Touring Club to destinations that embody valuable historical, cultural, and environmental heritage, and that offer visitors a genuinely high-quality and authentic experience.