Holiday in Riviera di Ponente

About Riviera di Ponente

The Riviera di Ponente stretches from Genoa westwards to the French border and offers over 150 kilometers of Ligurian coastline with a mild climate, colorful coastal towns, and a landscape where mountains and sea meet in close proximity. In contrast to the more famous Riviera di Levante (with Cinque Terre and Portofino), the western Riviera appears more authentic, less crowded, and surprisingly diverse. Sanremo, the "City of Flowers," is the most glamorous destination with its casino, Belle Époque promenade, and the famous music festival (Festival della Canzone Italiana). Alassio impresses with its two-kilometer-long sandy beach and the Muretto, a wall adorned with ceramic tiles from celebrities. Finale Ligure is a mecca for mountain bikers with top-notch trails in the coastal cliffs. Noli, one of the smallest historical maritime republics, enchants with medieval towers and narrow alleys. The hinterland holds surprising treasures: The mountain village of Apricale is among the "Borghi più belli d’Italia," and the Toirano Caves house 12,000-year-old footprints of Homo sapiens. Ligurian cuisine shines with Pesto alla Genovese, Focaccia di Recco (thinly filled with Stracchino cheese), fresh fish, and the white wine Pigato. The palm-lined promenades, mild winter climate, and lower prices compared to the Eastern Riviera make the Riviera di Ponente a hidden gem for lovers of Italy.