Liguria is the coastal region in northwestern Italy shaped like an arch and stretching between the border of France in the west and the borders of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna in the east.
It’s home to some of Italy’s most gorgeous beaches, terraced coastal cliffs, colorful fishing villages, and dramatic mountain villages. Yet, aside from a few flashy buzzwords like Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre, or Portofino, Liguria is still largely under the radar.
This Liguria map shows how the region fits together, making it easier to see what’s where and plan a trip beyond just the famous places.
Liguria Map Overview: Regions, Coastline & Key Towns
As you can see from the map, Liguria is a narrow slice in northern Italy! It’s wedged between the Ligurian Sea (part of the Mediterranean) and the Apennine Mountains that run parallel to the coast in the north.
At its widest point, the region is just 35 miles from its mountainous border to its turquoise coastline. This compact landscape creates peaks and valleys until you ultimately reach the spectacular rocky cliffs, seaside villages, and small bays along the coastline.
Genoa is Liguria’s capital city, with famous places like Portofino just east along the coast. The Cinque Terre is on the eastern end of Liguria. Altogether, this stretch of Ligurian coastline east of Genoa is known as the Riviera di Levante.
West of Genoa, the coastline is called the Riviera di Ponente. Here you’ll find lesser-known gems like Noli, Finale Ligure, and Cervo. This western section of Liguria is much less-visited than the coastal area east of Genoa.
Liguria is split into four provinces. From west to east they are: Imperia, Savona, Genoa, and La Spezia.
- Imperia Province is where you’ll find towns like Sanremo, Ventimiglia, and Bordighera.
- Savona Province is known for its stunning beaches in places like Varazze, Finale Ligure, and Alassio. While just inland or elevated with sweeping sea views, you can visit hidden gems like Finalborgo and Borgio Verezzi.
- Genoa Province is the largest in the region. Aside from the city itself, you’ll find coastal favorites like Camogli and Portofino.
- La Spezia Province is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Cinque Terre National Park and one of my favorites, Portovenere, known as the “sixth” Cinque Terre village.
Why Visit Liguria?
There are so many unforgettable reasons to visit Liguria. From its natural beauty and historic landmarks to the cultural scene in Genoa, and Liguria’s food, the region has something for everyone.
What sets it apart from other regions in Italy, though, is its size.
You can easily go from the mountains to the sea in less than an hour. It’s possible to spend the morning hiking a gorgeous coastal trail and the evening eating fresh seafood and the best pesto you’ll ever eat at a top-quality restaurant in Genoa.
Using the coastal train, it’s easy to go from the busy Cinque Terre to quieter, more authentic places in the Riviera di Ponente, west of Genoa, for a slower, more relaxed pace.
Or you can easily plan a base that lets you enjoy the Mediterranean one day and discover mountain villages with sweeping views the next.
For more, these Reasons to Visit The Liguria Region of Italy should have you convinced to start planning your visit.
The Italian Riviera (Liguria’s Coastline)
The Italian Riviera is as chic as it sounds, but there’s more to it than you might realize.
The Italian Riviera refers to the entire Ligurian coastline, from the French border in the west to the eastern border with Tuscany.
The Riviera Ponente is the western half of the Italian Riviera coastline. It’s less-visited and perfect for slow travel, discovering hidden gem seaside towns, outdoor activities like hiking, and beach days.
The Riviera di Levante is the Italian Riviera’s eastern shores. It includes places like the Cinque Terre, Portovenere, Portofino, and Sestri Levante. Most people visit the Riviera di Levante, but with some planning, it’s still possible to find places away from crowds of visitors.
In some places (not the Cinque Terre), it’s possible to get around by car.
But, it’s also easy to use the regional coastal trains in Liguria that run along the entire coastline. Some seasonal trains even have panoramic windows so that you can enjoy the gorgeous seaside views.
Use this Italian Riviera Map to take a closer look at how the coastline breaks down and where different towns are located.
Italian Riviera Towns Worth Visiting
Once you realize the Italian Riviera refers to all of Liguria’s coast, you’re truly spoiled for choice! Everytime I visit, I fall in love with another seaside village and add it to this list.
Use these guides to help decide where you should visit while spending time in the Italian Riviera.
Riviera di Levante:
- Camogli Travel Guide
- Portofino: 10 Things to Do in this Italian Riviera Gem
- San Fruttuoso: What to Know Before You Visit
- Cinque Terre
- Portovenere: A Secret Spot for Your Cinque Terre Bucket List
Riviera di Ponente:
- Noli
- Finalborgo
- Borgio Verezzi
Cinque Terre National Park
The Cinque Terre is one of the most popular places in Liguria and Italy, for good reason.
It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes the five villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, along with the surrounding National Park & Marine Area. The terraced hillsides with olive groves and vineyards overlooking the sea, as well as nearby Portovenere & its three islands are also part of this recognition.
The Cinque Terre villages’ brightly colored houses, coastal and cliffside paths, and stunning sea views create some of the most recognizable scenes in Liguria.
But fame comes at a cost. The Cinque Terre now deals with heavy crowds, especially during the peak summer months. For this reason, it’s essential to plan any time here carefully and wisely to protect the health of the area and your own sanity.
In some cases, choosing an alternative town along the Italian Riviera might even make more sense. Many places along the coastline have the same stunning beauty and Mediterranean feel but with fewer people and more upside for both you and a broader selection of local communities.
Use the guides below to help plan your trip or choose one of its alternatives.
- Cinque Terre Italy: Everything to Know Before Your First Trip
- 14 Unforgettable Things to Do in the Cinque Terre
- Cinque Terre Itinerary
- Cinque Terre Alternatives in the Italian Riviera
- Portovenere: A Secret Spot for Your Cinque Terre Bucket List
Genoa: Liguria’s Capital & Cultural Heart
Genoa is the capital city of Liguria, sitting roughly in the center of the region and dividing the coastline into its eastern and western halves.
It’s a port city with roots going back to Roman times and a long history as a wealthy and powerful maritime republic that once controlled trade across the Mediterranean.
Today, Genoa has a revitalized seaport and historic center. It’s known for delicious Pesto Genovese, focaccia, and fresh seafood. It’s also one of the most underrated cities in Italy!
These guides will help you decide how to fit Genoa into your Ligurian itinerary.
- 20+ Best Things to Do and See in Fantastic Genoa
- The Origins of Pesto: A Tale From Ancient Italy to Your Plate
- Genoa to Portofino by Ferry: How to Plan an Amazing Day Trip
Beyond the Coast: Inland Liguria & Hidden Gems
Most visitors find it too hard to pull themselves away from Liguria’s coastline. But for those that do, mountains and stunning hilltop towns that seem frozen in time await!
Liguria’s hills and valleys away from the shoreline are perfect for slow travelers, road trippers, and anyone who loves dramatic landscapes and medieval history.
These include places like Apricale, Dolceacqua, Triora, Seborga, and Bussana Vecchia.
How to Use This Map of Liguria to Plan Your Trip
The map and guides on this page are meant to help you plan your trip to Liguria.
Once you’re feeling inspired, choose how many days you can stay in Liguria or if you’re planning a day trip.
I recommend staying for at least a few days. There’s a lot to see and do in this part of northern Italy. The family and friends that I’ve brought to Liguria and the Italian Riviera for a day trip always wish they’d planned more time here.
Knowing how many days you’ll be here helps you choose the right base option(s).
For example, if you want to visit the Cinque Terre and you only have 1 day/night, it’s better to stay outside the five villages. It can be a logistical challenge to get your bags to a Cinque Terre village hotel and, ultimately, not worth it for just a place to sleep for the night. Plus, it’ll likely be cheaper outside the villages.
If you’re thinking of doing a day trip to the Cinque Terre from Milan or Florence, I highly recommend booking a day trip with a guide. Trains from these cities to the Cinque Terre take 2-3 hours, respectively. And without a minute to spare, I’d leave the planning to someone who knows how to help you maximize your day.
Genoa is an excellent base for a few days if you’d like to see the city and use a ferry or train to visit towns like Camogli, Portofino, and Santa Margherita to the east or Noli to the west.
Use this guide to help plan your Italian Riviera itinerary.
Liguria Travel FAQs
Add Liguria to Your Italy Itinerary
Liguria is a region with something for everyone.
Spend time along the gorgeous Italian Riviera coastline. Head inland to explore the mountain villages tucked into the Apennines. And obviously, don’t stop eating fresh seafood, pasta with pesto, and focaccia while you’re here!
What are your questions about planning your trip to Liguria? Let me know in the comments. 🙂
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