When you think about Italy, most people instinctively picture renowned places such as Rome, the Colosseum, the ever Leaning Tower of Pisa. While these are all beautiful Italian staples, there are other places in Italy that are just as wonderful and scrumptious as these.
As some of you might have known from my stories on instagram, after a long flight, I charted from the Jettly website I spent a weekend with my family and my girlfriend to Liguria. Many travelers know Liguria only for its Cinque Terre or Genoa. However, the Ligurian coast is a striking landscape of cliffs, beaches, fantastic cuisine, uncompromising seaside towns and remote inland villages that stretches all the way from Cinque Terre to the French border.
I hope I caught your interest so far! What are we waiting for? Let me go into detail, telling you more about the places and little towns we visited during our weekend trip!
Sestri Levante
Our journey kicked off in the quaint town of Sestri Levante near the Cinque Terre.
*take in consideration weather was not on our side, it was grey and later on it started raining as well. If you visit, make sure to come on a sunny day! It will be completely different.
Formerly a fishing village, Sestri Levante is very popular with Italian and Foreign visitors and it is easy to see why. They still offer some of the best lures for begginers and experienced fishermen. This town is both beautiful and full of life. It is a great place to laze about, walk up and down the carrugio or main street, sip an espresso in one of the many bars or relax with stunning sea views on the two sides of the town. The restaurants and bars are busy starting from the late afternoon serving aperitivi and nibbles, and the main street of Sestri is full of boutiques which remain open until late.
The small old town sits in between the beautiful bay and broader sandy beaches with colorful beach clubs on the other side of the peninsula.
Pastel-colored houses and an impressive, suggestive seaside. A small glimpse totally immersed in an atmosphere of calm and relaxation, as the name suggests. It is the Silent Bay. The Baia del Silenzio is hidden just off the main street of Sestri and you will be surprised by its beauty the first time you see it. You will want to return time and time again whatever the time of year.
The first striking characteristic of the Silent Bay of Sestri Levante is its shape: it is an almost perfect crescent, surrounded by the typical landscape of the Cinque Terre in Liguria, with mountains that reach to the coast.
Secondly, and thanks to its form that protects the bay both from the ocean currents and the wind, the sea waters of this place is very calm and transparent. Moreover, the seabed is shallow, and this feature makes the Silent Bay also suitable for those who wish to visit this locality with the children and the whole family.
Tips: exploring the tiny inlet of Baia del Silenzio, lunch focaccia, an afternoon gelato stop in Sestri Levante’s pretty old town, and hanging out at the sandy beach clubs.
Ospedaletti
Ospedaletti is the town with the most temperate weather of the Italian Riviera. Many choreographic palm trees and the sea gives you a warm welcome.
Here the first thing that struck me were the houses, in old Ligurian style, simple and for this pretty, then the beach, the Ligurian stone beach style. Let’s not forget about orange, lemon trees and small vendors.
It’s a small town known, especially, for a good trek: the 13-mile-long Ponente ligure (West Liguria) cycle track from Ospedaletti to San Lorenzo al Mare — an easy and scenic route along the Italian Riviera.
We spent a night at the Hotel Le Rocce Del Capo, set on the seafront in the Ospedaletti Gulf, in a beautiful and tranquil location. The hotel is straight from the 70s- it’s clearly been modernized, but the 70s vibe still remains.
The room my girlfriend and I stay at was spacious and clean. I liked the blue colors of the walls, reminds me of the sea. However, the bathroom was tiny- this needs an update.
It was the perfect spot for an off-season break with room windows that open literally over the sea. This was the view from our room:
The highlight was the sea salt indoor swimming pool with water from the Mediterranean Sea @ninamclernon and I tried it at night before dinner and we loved it!
Staff was always very friendly and welcoming. Breakfast was pretty good too. There were a variety of juices, coffee and croissants to choose from. Option with an additional price – a continental breakfast with scrambled eggs, pancakes, fruit etc.
Where to eat in Ospedaletti
I find that Liguria hides gems such as historical towns and cutting edge cuisine, and they’re an absolute delight to discover.
The Ristorante Byblos, which I highly recommend, is definitely a treasure to discover. Located near the sea, it is a predominantly seafood restaurant, with a selection of meat dishes also available in the menu.
Every dish we had was fantastic. My absolute favorite dish of the dinner was the Crudités Royal “Byblos” followed by the mix fried seafood.
I want to thank you the owner, Marco and his staff for the great experience and their hospitality. Their enthusiasm and passion for great food, served in a great manner, ensures that each and every guest will be totally wowed.
Tips: better to reserve if you’re planning a visit; try their dessert as well, you’ll be delighted.
Restaurant Byblos
Lungomare Colombo 6/8, 18014 Ospedaletti
Dolceacqua
Dolceacqua is one of those historical towns I mentioned before, a rare gem to visit, in my opinion. Located in the Province of Imperia, about 120 km southwest of Genoa and about 35 km west of Imperia, on the border with France.
The village is split in two by the Nervia river; the historic centre (Terra) is presided over by the imposing 12th century Castello dei Doria, a great post-lunch climb even though the castle itself is rather ruined.
Take some time to explore the shaded, narrow streets and you’ll quickly realise that it’s still very much a lived in village, with a strong local community and a proud heritage and culture.
Wondering around these little cobblestone streets we decide to visit the castle ( you have to pay for it but it’s worth it!). A guide told us the history behind us, the Doria’s family who had the control over this land and the events that lead to the ruin of the building itself.
I loved the uncontaminated nature, the stones and the history behind it. Who wonders how beautiful this castle was back then?!
This beautifully preserved medieval town continues to marvel visitors with its scenic bridges and its small houses that circle the Doria’s castle perched atop a hill. The view of the bridge and the Castle above, it was immortalized by Monet in one of his late 18thcentury paintings. He captured local scenes on canvas on more than one occasion.
Sanremo
Sanremo is just over the border from Monaco and France. We only spent a quick morning here but it was enough to have a good cappuccino, stroll the old squares and take in the Mediterranean breeze. Again, weather tricky and grey but we still enjoyed it.
Gorgeous stretches of seaside promenades, posh, pastel-colored hotels and towering canopies of palm and cypress trees line this delightful Italian resort town.
On the ride into the city, you will see glass hothouses scattered on the hills. Sanremo is known as Riviera dei Fiori or the ‘City of Flowers’. Mercato dei Fiori, Italy’s largest wholesale flower market is here and each year more than 20,000 tons of cut flowers like carnations, roses and mimosa are sold.
Tips: don’t miss the cycling path, the casinò and the Ariston theatre.
Laigueglia
Laigueglia is another little gem which is still relatively unknown to tourists. The architecture is similar to its neighbouring Alassio; however it’s more quiet and the atmosphere is more relaxed.
Laigueglia is an old fishing village with narrow alleys called “carruggi” in the local dialect and spacious beautiful squares which were once used for trading. The colorful houses seem to be built literally one on top of each other, creating a corky yet charming visual effect and giving a gracious sense of continuity.
We had a quick lunch stop before going back home. Those handmade gnocchi with pesto were so good!! Rain ruined the tour of this enchanting town so I hope I’ll come back here soon.
Have you ever been to Liguria? What’s your favorite village/town?
We love Liguria, but the last time we were in the Cinque Terre it was too crowded! We have visited Portofino, Porto Venere, Santa Margherita Ligure, Levanto, La Spezia, and Lerici, all as day trips from the Cinque Terre (we’ve been there 4 times). We overnighted once in Genoa and wish we’d had more time. This year we will spend a week in Camogli in the autumn and I am hoping for a peaceful stay. The food is incredible, perhaps our favorite in all of Italy. Thanks for showing us more of this beautiful region, rain or not!
True; those places can be crowded, especially on summer! You saw so much in Liguria! I’m impressed 😄I’m glad you liked the post!!
Beautiful pix. Sorry the rain got in your way. My family lives in Benevento area in Campagnia region. We are going to a wedding there next year. We haven’t been there in 7 years and are looking forward to seeing the Amalfi coast again. This town looks nice too.
It’s okay, even though the weather was not the greatest we had fun! At least, it was pretty sunny in Dolceacqua! I know Campagna and I’ve been plenty of times to Amalfi because I have some family there. It’s amazing! I’m sure you’ll have a blast!!