The Ligurian Riviera di Levante – literally ‘the coast of the rising sun‘ – is the narrow coastal strip that is set between the mountains and the Ligurian Sea and extends from Genoa to Capo Corvo. Thanks to the particular geology of the area, this is, without any doubt, one of the most beautiful coasts of Italy.
Here, just a few kilometers from Genoa, lies the most famous fishing village in the world, Portofino, also known as ‘the pearl of Levante‘. This fascinating gem, with its charming little port, colorful houses, alleys full of flowers, luxury boutiques, typical restaurants, and the famous little square – a celebrities meeting point -, is a favored destination for thousands of Italian and foreign tourists. Taking the picturesque paths across Monte di Portofino or going around it on a boat, it is possible to reach the Abbey of San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte, a monastery of medieval origin set among the rocks right in front of the sea.
Continuing towards Tuscany, we find Camogli – a typical seaside village with tall and colorful houses, a beautiful, small historic center, and the ancient Castello della Dragonara perched over the sea – before reaching the sophisticated Santa Margherita Ligure that boasts elegant palaces decorated with splendid trompe l’oeil as well as exclusive shops.
Further along the Riviera, there is Rapallo, famous above all for its seafront overlooking the gulf and its Castle on the sea. Rapallo’s historic center is slightly more inland but not less beautiful thanks to its tall houses, alleys, and porticos where it is possible to stroll among historic shops and elegant boutiques. The next delightful locations worth visiting are the towns of Chiavari and Sestri Levante, famous for their beautiful beaches and impressive historic centers.
The last stretch of the Riviera di Levante is called Cinque Terre and includes five suggestive villages – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore – nestled between the land and the sea, famous throughout the world for their enchanting landscape and inserted for this among the heritages of Humanity Unesco.