10 Nature & Parks in Italian Riviera That You Shouldn't Miss

April 24, 2022 Jeremy Dunfee

Liguria, or the Italian Riviera, boasts a bounty of beaches and resort towns, such as tiny but tony Portofino and stylish Rapallo. Hiking trails lead from Portofino to the villages of Cinque Terre. The Riviera of the Setting Sun runs north from Genoa to the French border. Connected by an extensive rail network, most towns make easy daytrips from one another. Genoa is the region's principal city and is home to attractions from its famous Cathedral and the Palazzo Reale to an excellent aquarium.
Restaurants in Italian Riviera

1. Cinque Terre footpaths

Italy
Excellent
87%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 15 reviews

Cinque Terre footpaths

2. Pista Ciclabile Area 24 - Sanremo

Sanremo Italy +39 349 491 6209 http://www.area24spa.it/it/node/90
Excellent
68%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,350 reviews

Pista Ciclabile Area 24 - Sanremo

Reviewed By Macduff83 - Nice, France

Great cycle path, which runs right next to the sea from Ospedaletti to San Lorenzo al Mare. Great for families and there are lots of places along the line renting bicycles and 4-seater pedal cars. Being an old railway line, it's almost completely flat and passes through tunnels along the route. It gets very busy in the summer, and the occasional 'peloton' pass along very quickly considering the amount of young kids so keep an eye out. Great restaurants in San Lorenzo, and brilliant ice creams at the gelateria in Arma di Taggia which is along the road, though the ice cream is a couple of minutes detour towards the seafront

3. Baia dei Saraceni

Loc. Varigotti, Varigotti, Finale Ligure Italy +39 019 681 6023
Excellent
62%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 786 reviews

Baia dei Saraceni

4. Footpath Monterosso - Vernazza

19016 Monterosso al Mare Italy +39 02 0011 http://www.baladescotieres.com/Cinque_Terre/Sentiero_Azzurro.php
Excellent
66%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,696 reviews

Footpath Monterosso - Vernazza

Reviewed By CToohill - Whanganui, New Zealand

Breathtaking views from this (sometimes) challenging hike. Now there is a ticket to buy to be able to do the hike, but it means that the path is well looked after and very safe! It was a great experience! And when finally Monterosso came to sight, we had a feeling of achievement!!

5. Parco Nazionale Cinque Terre

Riomaggiore Italy +39 019 692015 http://www.parconazionale5terre.it
Excellent
64%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
5%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,902 reviews

Parco Nazionale Cinque Terre

Reviewed By rusak - Jönköping, Sweden

One of the most amazing and beautiful places in Italy! If you have plans to visit Italy ???????? Cinque Terre you definitely must visit this stunning place! Park have 5 small fishermen’s villages in Ligurian coast . Picturesque landscapes, crystal blue sea, rock beaches (except Monterosso al mare, which have most large sand beaches). A lot of restaurants, hotels , B&B around. You can travel between villages by boat or by train!

6. Cinque Terre Trails

Riomaggiore to Monterroso Italy +39 0187 732987 http://www.parks.it/parco.nazionale.cinque.terre/Eiti.php
Excellent
66%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,302 reviews

Cinque Terre Trails

Reviewed By pradumana2016

Visited 3 towns out of 5 in cinque terre, Rio maggiore, Manarola and Monterosso. Drove first to Manarola from La Spezia, car park is about 1 km uphill, then have to walk to the sea, Manarola is most picturesque among the five towns, must visit, walk back upto the parking was little tiring, however the train station is very near to the sea and right at the bottom. Next was Monterosso, this is only town with a sandy beach. Parking is right next to the beach. Good for a swim. Last was Rio maggiore on way back to la spezia, walk is about 500-700 Meter from car park which is again uphill, with train station in between. Good restaurants at Rio maggiore and Manorola , specially one on the hill top at Manarola. The other two towns are more or less same and can be skipped if running short of time.

7. Ente Parco di Portofino

Viale Elia Rainusso 1, 16038, Santa Margherita Ligure Italy +39 0185 289479 [email protected] http://www.parcoportofino.it/
Excellent
77%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 734 reviews

Ente Parco di Portofino

The Promontory of Portofino, the most northern protected coastal area of the western Mediterranean, shows scenery and landscapes amongst the most famous in the world. Formed by giant conglomerate deposits overlying limestone banks, mainly of marl, it has geomorphologic and microclimatic characteristics which provide, in a limited territory, an extremely varied environment. Within short distances, we can find the cool forests of the northern mountainside and nearby the sunny cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean world, from the civilization of chestnut to the olive one, from the peasant traditions to the sea and the fishing traditional industry. The Park of Portofino has been a protected area since 1935 and it hosts one of the largest concentrations of flora of the Mediterranean, a large variety of birds and invertebrates as well as important historical and architectural treasures such as the abbeys of San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte and San Gerolamo della Cervara. A network of over 80 km of trails allows walking and hiking excursions of various lengths and difficulty, with the opportunity to enjoy the peculiarities of the whole area in the best way possible.

8. Area Marina Protetta Portofino

16038 Portofino Italy +39 0185 289649 [email protected] http://www.portofinoamp.it
Excellent
72%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 480 reviews

Area Marina Protetta Portofino

Reviewed By O3392HIrobertk

Everything you’ve read or seen is true. This is an incredibly picturesque little cove. We spent about 4 hours here, which was plenty. The castle is worth going to for the views alone. Though not for those too out of shape as we saw some tourists seriously struggling to get to the top. Don’t attempt to drive here. Parking is scarce and you risk damaging your car on the extremely narrow streets. Don’t expect the buses to arrive on time either.

9. Bay of Silence

Via Portobello, Sestri Levante Italy http://www.sestri-levante.net/it/servizi-turistici/categoria/7/tipologia/8/servizio/1347
Excellent
68%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,729 reviews

Bay of Silence

Reviewed By rogerc631 - Cleethorpes, United Kingdom

We have been visiting Sestri Levante regularly for over 40 years and the Baia Del Silenzio has to be one for the most scenic parts of the Ligurian coast - if you’re up for a healthy walk/climb then I highly recommend you go up the well-marked footpath to Punta Manara (40-odd minutes walk each way) and you will get an unforgettable view of the bay of silence.

10. Varigotti Beach

Via Aurelia, Varigotti, Finale Ligure Italy
Excellent
58%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 672 reviews

Varigotti Beach

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