Squeezed between the sea and the mountains, Liguria is one of Italy’s best-loved regions: a long arc of coast running from the French border to Tuscany, dotted with pastel villages clinging to the rock, beaches, historic ports and trails perched over the water. It’s a land of sea and flavours — pesto, focaccia, olive oil, fish — and of landscapes that change at every bend. Here you’ll find the complete map of where to stay, with the small addresses we choose one by one, never by hearsay.
The region splits into two great halves, with Genoa in the middle. The Riviera di Levante, east of the capital, is the one of the most scenic and famous villages: Portofino, the Cinque Terre, the Gulf of Poets. The Riviera di Ponente, to the west, is the one of long beaches, a milder climate and elegant towns: the Bay of the Sun, the Finalese, the Riviera of Flowers. In the middle, grand and theatrical Genoa.
Choosing where to stay in Liguria mostly means choosing the kind of holiday. Do you want picture-postcard villages perched over the sea, even at the cost of a few more crowds? Head to the Levante. Are you after comfortable, family-friendly beaches and more reasonable prices? The Ponente is for you. Interested in cities, art and good food? Genoa and Sanremo won’t disappoint. And the beauty is that, train in hand, from a well-chosen base you can comfortably explore the rest too. Let’s look at every area, one by one, with the emblematic address of each and the dedicated guide to go deeper.
Genoa
The capital is a proud, theatrical city, with one of the largest medieval old towns in Europe, the UNESCO Rolli Palaces and the Porto Antico with its Aquarium. It’s perfect for a city-and-sea weekend, and as a base for exploring both rivieras by train. Discover the best neighbourhoods in the guide where to stay in Genoa and all the small hotels in the city. The emblematic address:
So&Leo Guest House
A guest house under the arcades facing the harbour, a few steps from the Aquarium and the caruggi. The best way to dive straight into the most authentic Genoa, with everything within walking distance. Ideal for a first stay in the living heart of the city.
Portofino and the Tigullio
East of Genoa, the Gulf of Tigullio is the elegant riviera of Portofino, Santa Margherita, Rapallo and Camogli. Portofino is to be visited but is pricey and tiny: the smart choice is to sleep in lively Santa Margherita or Rapallo and reach it by boat. All the details in the guide where to stay between Portofino and the Tigullio and the hotels in Santa Margherita. The emblematic address:
Hotel Continental
A historic four-star overlooking the bay, with a private garden and direct sea access. The perfect elegant base for discovering Portofino and the gulf, with the boats a couple of steps away. Ideal for a refined stay immersed in greenery.
Sestri Levante
The “town of two bays” is an elegant, relaxed destination, with the picturesque Bay of Silence and the larger Bay of Fables, dedicated to Andersen. It’s a quiet, cheaper base for exploring the Cinque Terre and Portofino by train. See the guide where to stay in Sestri Levante and all the hotels. The emblematic address:
Hotel Due Mari
A four-star in the heart of the town, between the two beaches, with pools and a wellness centre. A dream location, a couple of steps from both the Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fables. Ideal for those who want the best of both bays.
The Cinque Terre
The five villages perched over the sea — Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore — are Liguria’s symbol worldwide, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They’re truly experienced only by sleeping there, to enjoy the villages at dawn and in the evening, once the day crowds have left. All in the guide where to stay in the Cinque Terre and the hotels in Monterosso. The emblematic address:
Hotel Villa Adriana
A family-run hotel among the palms, a few steps from Fegina beach, with a summer pool. The space and services of a proper hotel, with the beach on your doorstep: a rarity in the Cinque Terre. Ideal for families and for a first stay in the villages.
La Spezia
A great seaside city facing the Gulf of Poets, La Spezia is the smartest and widest base for the Cinque Terre: from the station, trains reach all five villages in minutes, at gentler prices. But the city is worth it in itself, between the Amedeo Lia Museum and the Morin promenade. See where to stay in La Spezia and the hotels in the city. The emblematic address:
Millstone House
A family-run guest house with a garden and terraces, a few steps from the old town. A warm welcome and the convenience of the nearby station to set off each morning for the villages. Ideal as a calm, welcoming base.
The Gulf of Poets
Enclosed between Portovenere and Lerici, the Gulf of Poets is the quieter, more elegant alternative to the Cinque Terre: UNESCO Portovenere, scenic Lerici with its castle and tiny Tellaro, loved by Byron and Shelley. Discover the guide where to stay in the Gulf of Poets and the hotels in Portovenere. The emblematic address:
La Calata
A guest house a few steps from the centre, with rooms and terraces looking over the gulf. The rare charm of sleeping with a sea view in the UNESCO village, with the boats on your doorstep. Ideal for a romantic escape in the heart of Portovenere.
Savona and the Riviera delle Palme
West of Genoa the Riviera delle Palme begins. Savona, a lively provincial capital, is dominated by the Priamar fortress and is a major cruise port, as well as the nearest sea outlet for those coming from Piedmont. See where to stay in Savona and the hotels in the city. The emblematic address:
NH Savona Darsena
A four-star in the Darsena district, five minutes from the cruise terminal, with the centre a couple of steps away. The unbeatable convenience for those departing or arriving on a cruise, or as a base for the city. Ideal for a practical stop by the sea.
Finale Ligure and the Finalese
Finale Ligure combines fine beaches with its fame as a European capital of mountain biking and climbing, with medieval Finalborgo behind it. Around it, the jewels of the Finalese: the Saracen village of Varigotti, medieval Noli, Spotorno and Pietra Ligure. All in the guide where to stay in Finale Ligure and the hotels in the area. The emblematic address:
Hotel Boncardo
A four-star on the beachfront with sea-view rooms and a panoramic terrace, a few steps from the centre. The pleasure of having the sea in front of you and Finalmarina on your doorstep. Ideal for a convenient, central beach holiday.
Alassio and the Bay of the Sun
Queen of the Bay of the Sun, Alassio has one of the longest sandy beaches in Liguria, ideal for families, the Budello shopping street and the famous Muretto. Next to it, enchanting Laigueglia, a village among the loveliest in Italy. Discover where to stay in Alassio and the hotels in the town. The emblematic address:
Grand Hotel Alassio Beach & Spa
A five-star on the seafront with a free private beach and a full wellness centre. The luxury of a grand hotel with the beach on your doorstep, in the heart of Alassio. Ideal for a special stay or for demanding families.
Imperia
A city with two faces, Imperia is born of the union of Oneglia, the town of olive oil, and Porto Maurizio, with the picturesque hilltop Parasio quarter. It’s a more authentic, quieter riviera, with gentler prices and a lovely sea. See where to stay in Imperia and the hotels in the city. The emblematic address:
Hotel Croce di Malta
A beachfront three-star in the Borgo Marina district, with sea-view rooms and a wellness centre. The pleasure of having the beach on your doorstep and the Parasio a couple of steps away. Ideal for those seeking sea and relaxation in the heart of Porto Maurizio.
Sanremo and the Riviera of Flowers
At the far west, the Riviera of Flowers is the mildest and sunniest coast: Sanremo, the city of flowers and of the Festival, elegant Bordighera of the palms and the lovely seaside cycle path. All in the guide where to stay in Sanremo and the hotels in the city. The emblematic address:
Lolli Palace Hotel
An Art Nouveau villa on the Imperatrice seafront, with a panoramic terrace and sea-view rooms a couple of steps from the Casino. The charm of belle époque Sanremo, in the town’s most elegant spot. Ideal for period atmosphere and a central location.
When to go
Liguria can be enjoyed practically all year round thanks to the mild climate. Spring and autumn are the best times: a sea still lovely, less crowded villages, trails at their best and gentler prices. Summer is the season of beaches and outdoor life, but also the most crowded, especially in the Cinque Terre and Portofino: it’s worth booking well ahead. Winter is gentle, especially in the west, ideal for a city stay in Genoa or Sanremo, between museums, markets and events. In general, Liguria is one of the few Italian regions where the sea and coastal walks are truly enjoyed in every season: and that is exactly what makes it a perfect destination all year.
Getting there and around
Liguria’s backbone is the train: the coastal line links almost all the villages and cities, and it’s the most convenient way to get around, especially in the Cinque Terre and the Tigullio, where a car is more a problem than a convenience, between narrow roads, pedestrian villages and scarce, expensive parking. Genoa also has an airport, while the A10, A12, A7 and A26 motorways connect the region with Milan, Turin and France. In several areas, too, boats link the coastal villages and offer the loveliest way to discover them, from the sea. For all the details on trains, roads and sea connections, see the guide how to get to and around Liguria. And if your journey through Italy continues towards the interior, between the Alps, the lakes and the wine hills, discover also where to stay in Piedmont, the neighbouring region.
Want to discover all the properties in the region? Browse all the small hotels in Liguria, chosen one by one.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we’re asked most often about where to stay in Liguria.
What is the best area to stay in Liguria?
It depends on what you’re after. For the most famous and scenic villages, the Riviera di Levante with the Cinque Terre, Portofino and the Gulf of Poets; for beaches and families, the Riviera di Ponente with Alassio, Finale and the Riviera of Flowers. Genoa is ideal for city and sea together, and as a base for exploring both rivieras by train.
Where to stay in Liguria with the family?
The best destinations for families are those with sandy beaches and gentle seabeds: Alassio and the Bay of the Sun, the Finalese with Spotorno and Pietra Ligure, Sestri Levante and Deiva Marina in the Levante. They offer comfortable beaches, well-equipped hotels and more reasonable prices than the more touristy villages of the Cinque Terre and Portofino.
What is the best base for visiting the Cinque Terre?
Sleeping in one of the five villages gives you the dawn and evening experience, but it costs more. The smartest, cheapest bases are La Spezia to the south and Levanto to the north, on the same rail line, or even Sestri Levante and the Gulf of Poets nearby. From all of them you reach the villages in a few minutes by train.
Riviera di Levante or di Ponente?
The Levante is more scenic and famous, with villages perched over the sea and rocky coasts, but busier and pricier in summer. The Ponente has wider beaches, a milder climate, gentler prices and quieter, more seaside tourism. Many choose the Levante for the picture-postcard scenery and the Ponente for a relaxed beach holiday.
How do you get around Liguria?
The best way is the train: the coastal line links almost all the destinations and lets you avoid traffic and parking, a real problem in the Cinque Terre and Portofino. In several areas there are also scenic boats and seaside cycle paths. A car is only needed for the hinterland or the less connected spots.
