RIVIERA - The most beautiful beaches in Liguria

The queen of beaches in Italy: Welcome to the Italian Riviera. 32 beaches have been awarded the prestigious "Bandiera Blu" seal of quality in Liguria. More than in any other region.

Nowhere else does the Mediterranean coastline present itself as extraordinarily as on the Italian Riviera. Liguria stretches from the French border in the west to the beginning of the "shin" in the east. The crystal-clear sea shows all its beauty in a range of colours from turquoise to dark blue. And where the sea ends, the landscape merges almost vertically into the mountains.

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While the hard-to-reach mountain villages in the hinterland are still insider tips for most visitors, the seaside resorts of Liguria are not only quite popular, but also quite expensive. In Alassio, you can pay €350 for two beach chairs with umbrellas.

One of the most chic places in Italy is Portofino. This is where those who come to look at money meet those who come to show it: Fat yachts, older gentlemen with young companions, fat cars and show-offs in haute couture. "Rich & beautiful" in the Italian version. High-priced hostels and expensive ristoranti.

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But once you leave the lively coast inland, the noise level drops almost to zero. Narrow roads, olive trees, vineyards. That too is Liguria...

The region of Liguria is divided into three provinces - Imperia, Savona, La Spezia - and the metropolitan city of Genoa. Liguria has the most excellent beaches in Italy - 32 in total. So many beaches that we present Liguria in three parts.

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This is where Italian dolce vita meets French savoir vivre - and lush flora and fauna: Welcome to the Riviera of Flowers...

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The most beautiful beaches in Imperia

The province of Imperia lies on the border with France. About 220,000 people live here on an area of just under 1,600 km². There are 67 municipalities. The largest city is Sanremo with about 57,000 inhabitants.

The most beautiful beaches with "Bandiera Blu":

• Bordighera
• Sanremo
• Arma di Taggia
• Riva Ligure
• Santo Stefano al Mare
• San Lorenzo al Mare
• Imperia
• Diano Marina

Bordighera

Where Italian dolce vita meets French savoir vivre: Bordighera is located near the French border on the Riviera di Ponente. Centuries ago, its beauty captivated artists such as Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir and Charles Dickens.

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A gorgeous coastline meets a delightful old town, lush flora and fauna, almost endless fields of flowers, the crystal blue sea and a unique light. Welcome!

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Sanremo

English lords, German emperors and Russian tsars discovered Sanremo (alternative spelling San Remo) for themselves in the middle of the 19th century. Sanremo was the place where the aristocrats and the rich wintered. Already at the turn of the century there were 15 hotels and 200 villas.

The municipal casino, the Casinò di Sanremo, was opened in 1905. Today it still has the charm and glamour of yesteryear. The old flair comes up when you stroll along the art nouveau palaces, the elegant hostels and the palm tree promenade. Even though it is much more crowded today than it was back then.

Sanremo is located on the Riviera dei Fiori, the Riviera of Flowers. Due to the mild climate, more than 2000 plant species grow here. The roses of Sanremo are said to be the most beautiful in the world. Sanremo, the city of flowers.

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Incidentally, the place is also known for the Italian music festival Sanremo, which takes place every year in February or March. The Italian state television RAI broadcasts the show live on several evenings.

P.S. Our cover picture above shows the promenade of Sanremo.

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Arma di Taggia

A dream beach away from mass tourism. Along the Via Lungomare, the sea slopes very gently. The sand is fine, of a darker beige. The old town of Arma di Taggia has a medieval structure with towers and walls.

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Riva Ligure

Riva Ligure is a pretty little town with about 3000 inhabitants. It lies on one of the most beautiful cycling routes of the Mediterranean. The Pista Ciclabile is about 26 kilometres long - with a dream panorama.

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Santo Stefano al Mare

Santo Stefano al Mare has a picturesque centre with narrow streets, a large marina with almost 1000 places, the "Marina degli Aregai" and a beach lined with colourful houses. 2300 people live here.

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San Lorenzo al Mare

San Lorenzo al Mare is an old seafaring village with a beautiful old town and pedestrian zone. The village has a unique, lively flair. The layout of the village is reminiscent of the shape of an anchor. The lateral anchor arms are represented by the two parts of the village, which used to be independent villages. In the 16th century, the villages united to better defend themselves against Saracen attacks.

East of San Lorenzo al Mare is a marina with space for about 200 smaller boats. San Lorenzo al Mare has several sandy bays and rocky beaches. Access is made easier here in some places by jetties with steps.

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Imperia

Imperia is located in the centre of the Riviera of Flowers. 43,000 people live in the capital of the province of the same name, Imperia. The towns of Porto Maurizio and Oneglia only merged into one city in 1923. For centuries they had lived separated by the Impero River. The port city has two faces.

Oneglia, to the east, was associated with the royal house of Savoy, while Porto Maurizio was under the patronage of Genoa. To this day, Porto Maurizio has managed to retain the original charm of a fishing village. Pastel-coloured houses are stacked on the rock.

Life in Oneglia is completely different: here the harbour plays the central role. Fishing boats and cargo ships lie at anchor. The harbour is the most important transhipment point for olive oil in Italy.

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Diano Marina

On the eastern border of the Riviera of Flowers lies Diano Marina (just under 6000 inhabitants): Diano Marina is known as the "Città degli aranci", the city of oranges. The trees adorn numerous avenues and streets of the town.

In 1887, Diano Marina was almost completely destroyed in an earthquake. Most of the houses in the centre date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, almost the entire old town is car-free, a large promenade with gastronomic and gourmet choices.

Diano Marino has a four-kilometre-long sandy beach, divided into publicly accessible areas (Spiaggia libera) and beach baths (Lido or Bagni) for which a fee is charged. The water slopes gently.

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>>> Next time: The 13 most beautiful beaches in the province of Savona - Best of Liguria

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written by Annie Kayser, first published 11.7.22

Sources: own research; FFE: Bandierablu

Cover/Montage - Frimolfilms via canva.com