What is Liguria Known for?
Liguria is one of the most beautiful, colorful regions, located in northwest Italy. Situated along the Mediterranean coastline, also known as the Italian Riviera, it encompasses the famous Cinque Terre, the luxurious Portofino, and the stunning, yet underrated Santa Margherita Ligure, and the port city of Genoa. Due to its position, you can enjoy a wonderfully mild climate accompanied by a picturesque landscape.
Liguria is the third smallest of the Italian regions, bordering the Ligurian Sea. It comprises the provinces of Genoa, Imperia, La Spezia, and Savona.
You may have heard of Liguria as its known for its incredible pesto and focaccia.
What Dishes can I find in Liguria?
Focaccia
Liguria is said to be the birthplace of focaccia, and you'll find this soft, oily bread in every bakery.
Trofie al Pesto
Trofie al pesto is one of the most famous dishes from Liguria. The dish is a made up of trofie, the Ligurian thin, hand-rolled twisted spiral pasta, made with flour and water, and pesto.
Pesto Genovese
Pesto Genovese is a sauce with origins from the city of Genoa, in Liguria. It traditionally consists of basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino. Its name stems from the word pestare, meaning to pound or crush, referring to the traditional method of making the sauce with a mortar and pestle. Pesto is usually served with with trofie or trenette pasta. While you can find pesto all over Italy, Pesto Genovese is DOP protected, meaning it can only be made with specific ingredients, including DOP basil from Genoa, specifically, in order to be considered authentic.
Porto Venere
Porto Venere is a charming, popular village on the Ligurian coast, situated just under Cinque Terre. It is known for its Porto Venere Regional Natural Park, a protected area with trails and exquisite dive sites.
The park encompasses Palmaria Island, lined with beaches and caves. Overlooking the beautiful Palmaria Island is a colorful harbor, lined with fishing boats and restaurants, the perfect starting point for a leisurely stroll. Nearby is the centuries-old Castello Doria, an imposing clifftop fortress with views of the Gulf of Poets.
What to see/do
Explore the Surrounding Islands
Explore the Town
Go Hiking
Cinque Terre
Santa Margherita Ligure
Santa Margherita Ligure quickly became one of my favorite areas in Italy, circa 2020. Post lockdown, with 5 days of paradise, now as often as I can, I come to return to this gem.
Portofino
Portofino is a fishing village, turned luxury, on the Italian Riviera coastline, southeast of Genoa city. Pastel-colored houses, high-end boutiques and seafood restaurants surround its Piazzetta, a small cobbled square overlooking the harbor, which is lined with SUPER-yachts.
Rapallo
Camogli
Bogliasco
Genoa
Genoa is the capital of Liguria, is a port city, and was known for its central role in maritime trade over many centuries. In the old town stands the Romanesque Cathedral of San Lorenzo, with its black-and-white-striped facade and frescoed interior. Narrow lanes open onto monumental squares like Piazza de Ferrari, site of an iconic bronze fountain and Teatro Carlo Felice opera house.
What is Liguria Known for?
Liguria is one of the most beautiful, colorful regions, located in northwest Italy. Situated along the Mediterranean coastline, also known as the Italian Riviera, it encompasses the famous Cinque Terre, the luxurious Portofino, and the stunning, yet underrated Santa Margherita Ligure, and the port city of Genoa. Due to its position, you can enjoy a wonderfully mild climate accompanied by a picturesque landscape.
Liguria is the third smallest of the Italian regions, bordering the Ligurian Sea. It comprises the provinces of Genoa, Imperia, La Spezia, and Savona.
You may have heard of Liguria as its known for its incredible pesto and focaccia.
What Dishes can I find in Liguria?
Focaccia
Liguria is said to be the birthplace of focaccia, and you'll find this soft, oily bread in every bakery.
Trofie al Pesto
Trofie al pesto is one of the most famous dishes from Liguria. The dish is a made up of trofie, the Ligurian thin, hand-rolled twisted spiral pasta, made with flour and water, and pesto.
Pesto Genovese
Pesto Genovese is a sauce with origins from the city of Genoa, in Liguria. It traditionally consists of basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino. Its name stems from the word pestare, meaning to pound or crush, referring to the traditional method of making the sauce with a mortar and pestle. Pesto is usually served with with trofie or trenette pasta. While you can find pesto all over Italy, Pesto Genovese is DOP protected, meaning it can only be made with specific ingredients, including DOP basil from Genoa, specifically, in order to be considered authentic.
Porto Venere
Porto Venere is a charming, popular village on the Ligurian coast, situated just under Cinque Terre. It is known for its Porto Venere Regional Natural Park, a protected area with trails and exquisite dive sites.
The park encompasses Palmaria Island, lined with beaches and caves. Overlooking the beautiful Palmaria Island is a colorful harbor, lined with fishing boats and restaurants, the perfect starting point for a leisurely stroll. Nearby is the centuries-old Castello Doria, an imposing clifftop fortress with views of the Gulf of Poets.
What to see/do
Explore the Surrounding Islands
Explore the Town
Go Hiking
Cinque Terre
Santa Margherita Ligure
Santa Margherita Ligure quickly became one of my favorite areas in Italy, circa 2020. Post lockdown, with 5 days of paradise, now as often as I can, I come to return to this gem.
Portofino
Portofino is a fishing village, turned luxury, on the Italian Riviera coastline, southeast of Genoa city. Pastel-colored houses, high-end boutiques and seafood restaurants surround its Piazzetta, a small cobbled square overlooking the harbor, which is lined with SUPER-yachts.
Rapallo
Camogli
Bogliasco
Genoa
Genoa is the capital of Liguria, is a port city, and was known for its central role in maritime trade over many centuries. In the old town stands the Romanesque Cathedral of San Lorenzo, with its black-and-white-striped facade and frescoed interior. Narrow lanes open onto monumental squares like Piazza de Ferrari, site of an iconic bronze fountain and Teatro Carlo Felice opera house.