Liguria, Administrative region in northwestern Italy
Liguria stretches along the northwestern coast of Italy, forming a narrow arc between the Alps and the Ligurian Sea. The territory includes steep coastal slopes, narrow valleys, and several natural harbors sheltered by mountains.
Roman settlers established important trading posts here that later became hubs of Mediterranean commerce under Genoese rule. In the 19th century, the territory unified with the emerging Kingdom of Italy.
The name comes from the ancient Ligurian tribes who inhabited this coastal area before Roman control. Today's residents maintain maritime traditions visible in harbor festivals and local customs centered around fishing.
Coastal towns remain accessible throughout the year, while mountain trails often close during winter snow. The railway line along the coast connects most towns and provides easy access to different areas.
Local basil plants for authentic pesto grow only in specific coastal zones where sea air and soil composition give them a particular flavor. Fishermen still use traditional nets following methods that date back centuries along the rocky coastline.
Location: Italy
Inception: 1970
Capital city: Genoa
Elevation above the sea: 250 m
Shares border with: Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Website: http://regione.liguria.it
GPS coordinates: 44.45000,8.76667
Latest update: December 3, 2025 21:46
Liguria stretches as a narrow coastal strip between the Maritime Alps and the Apennines, combining maritime tradition with mountainous interior. Along the Riviera di Ponente in the west lie towns such as Dolceacqua with its medieval Doria Castle, the fortified town of Noli, and the Hanbury Botanical Gardens near La Mortola. The Riviera di Levante in the east features the Cinque Terre National Park with its coastal villages, Portofino with Castello Brown, and the Baia del Silenzio in Sestri Levante. Finalborgo preserves its medieval structure within the walls of Finale Ligure, while Vernazza with the Church of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia above the harbor belongs to the Cinque Terre. Inland valleys such as Valle Argentina lead to mountain villages that have maintained their historic architecture. Triora sits at 2,559 feet (780 meters) in the Ligurian Alps, Apricale displays stone alleys and vaulted passages, and Cervo perches above the coast between Imperia and Alassio. Bussana Vecchia was abandoned after an 1887 earthquake and later resettled by artists. Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena clusters around a medieval fortress. The Grotte di Toirano and Borgio Verezzi Caves offer geological formations with stalactites and stalagmites. Montemarcello-Magra Regional Park extends between the coast at Montemarcello and the Magra Valley, while Palmaria Island lies off Portovenere with the Doria Tower. Genoa's Porto Antico connects the historic harbor with modern cultural facilities.
Cinque Terre
83.3 km
Christ of the Abyss
35.9 km
Genoa-Saint George viaduct
10.1 km
Aquarium of Genoa
13.5 km
Boccadasse
17.9 km
Via dell'Amore
86.3 km
Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Mondovi
72.5 km
Lighthouse of Genoa
12.1 km
Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno
14.8 km
Genoa Cathedral
13.9 km
Palmaria
97.1 km
Neptune
13.5 km
Cinque Terre National Park
87.5 km
San Fruttuoso Abbey
35.7 km
Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli
13.7 km
Doge's Palace, Genoa
14.1 km
Alassio wall
68.3 km
Teatro Ariston
105.9 km
Toirano Caves
56.9 km
Sanremo Casino
106.4 km
Balzi Rossi
123.2 km
Palazzi dei Rolli
13.9 km
Castle of Bardi
79.1 km
Casa di Niccolò Paganini
14.2 km
Church of St. Peter
96 km
Scola Tower
97.7 km
Opera Carlo Felice Genova
14.2 km
Royal Palace of Genoa
13.3 kmReviews
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