Activities to Do in Liguria
One of the top things to do in Liguria is to take a walk along Genoa’s 19th-century Historical Aqueduct. As part of the walk, you can cover 28 kilometres of the total length of the aqueduct while admiring the stunning natural surroundings. The bulit of this place showcases a charming combination of technical skill and art through its arches and is a popular picnic spot for visitors.
While in Liguria, you can go for the boat ride on Riviera di Levante. The boat tour takes you across three gulfs in the area, namely the Golfo di Genova, Golfo Paradiso, and Golfo del Tigullio. The full-day tour also works as a sightseeing experience that includes a visit to Recco, Camogli, San Fruttuoso, and Portofino, making is one og the top things to do in Liguria.
For foodies, visiting the Camogli Fish Festival is a must. The iconic festival, known locally as the Sagra del Pesce di Camogli, is held every year on the second Sunday of May. What makes the experience unique is that the fish is fried in a massive pan with a five-metre diameter to serve all visitors.
One of the unmissable things to do in Liguria for foodies is to explore the local eateries and restaurants of Genoa and Savona. These two destinations create the best of the iconic Farinata, the Liguria flatbread prepared with chickpea flour in Genoa and wheat flour in Savona. Most eateries serve freshly baked flatbreads with a variety of Mediterranean appetisers and delicious treats.
The 16th-century fortress on the Savona port lies on a hilltop and has huge fortified towers that offer panoramic views of the surroundings. Popular highlights of the fortress are its classic military architecture and open excavations displayed at the Civic Archaeological and City Museum here. History enthusiasts looking for interesting activities to do in Liguria must go for the Priamar Fortress guided tours in Savona.
Paraggi Bay is a hub of adventurous and is best known for its thrilling water sports opportunities. Kayaking is a popular activity due to the gentle waves of the Mediterranean here, while thrill-seekers are welcome to try stand-up paddleboarding. If underwater adventures are your thing, you can go snorkelling in the waters and spot a wide range of marine species as well.
Enter a world once inhabited by prehistoric Homo sapiens as you visit Toirano Caves, one amongst the top things to do in Liguria. These mineral caves lie in the Riviera di Ponente and showcase stunning reliefs and evidence of animal and human activities from many millennia ago. Remember to explore the Basura Cave here as well and spot signs of bear hibernation and footprints of prehistoric humans.
A once-in-a-lifetime experience awaits wildlife lovers as they go whale watching. The experience lasts four hours, during which motorboats with marine biologists and whale watchers will take you to show massive marine creatures. You can spot dolphins, beaked whales, fin whales, sperm whales, and a wide variety of small creatures like fish and molluscs here.
One amongst the fun things to do in Liguria is to go on a tour of olive oil mills that date back centuries. These iconic Mediterranean mills produce Taggiasca, the queen of olive oils, by cold-pressing the locally available Taggiasca olives.
As you explore the oil mills, you can taste the flavours of different olive oils and learn about their interesting history from knowledgeable guides.
If you love to know hidden local histories, you must plan a visit to the Witchcraft Museum in Triora. The six rooms here were once used to imprison 16th-century women accused of witchcraft, testimonies of which can still be seen here.
One of the offbeat activities to do in Liguria, a tour of this museum gives you a glimpse into medieval stories and folklores of the region.
FAQ's
What are the best things to do in Liguria?
The best things to do in Liguria range from boat tours of three different gulfs to trying iconic local cuisine. You can walk along the Genoa Historical Aqueduct, taste local olive oils, and go on guided tours of Priamar Fortress. Adventures like cave exploration, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding are also popular.
Why is Priamar Fortress famous?
Priamar Fortress is one of the most iconic landmarks of Liguria and attracts hundreds of visitorsevery year. The fortress was constructed in the sixteenth-century and showcases military architectural features. The structure now functions as a museum where you can see open excavations and artefacts, making it one of the best things to do in Liguria.
What is the best time to visit Liguria in Italy?
The best time to visit Liguria is in the spring and autumn months of April-May and September-October. The weather during these months remains mild and pleasant. Some of the top activities to do in Liguria are hiking through nature trails and exploring local towns. Festivals like the Camogli Fish Festival are also organised in this period.
How to reach Liguria?
You can reach Liguria by air, rail, road, and waterways. For air travel, Genoa Sestri International Airport and Villanova d’Albenga are the closest airports. Trains connect Liguria with Nice, Gothard, Germany, Mont Cenis, Austria, and mainland Italy. Many highways connect the mainland with Genova, La Spezia and Savona, while cruises and boats run from Genoa port.
What is Liguria famous for?
Liguria is best known for its location on the Italian Riviera, and for being home to picturesque towns like Bordighera and Sanremo. The region is also known for producing some of the best olive oils. It also has numerous beaches that offer plenty of things to do in Liguria.