Liguria is one of the smaller regions of Italy, noted for its beautiful landscape, mild climate, and delicious but healthy cuisine. It faces southward onto the Ligurian Sea, part of the Mediterranean Sea, and is defined to the north by the Ligurian Apennines and to the west by the Maritime Alps, with the interior only sparsely populated. The Ligurian coast is also called the Italian Riviera, divided between the Riviera di Levante to the east and the Riviera di Ponente to the west. The coast is lined with small towns, beaches and marinas, with hiking trails in the hills that rise from the sea.

To the west of Genoa is the Ponente (from porre meaning put or set, as in setting sun). There is a more gentle topography, allowing towns to spread and more land for cultivation. Beaches tend to be larger, with sand instead of pebbles. Noteworthy towns include Pra' for basil cultivation and Sanremo for flowers.