REGION OF LIGURIA
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.
- Third smallest region in Italy
- Composed of four provinces: Genoa, La Spezia, Savona, Imperia
Riviera di Levante
Eastern Coast
To the east of Genoa is the Levante (from levare meaning rising, as in rising sun). This part of Liguria is steeper than the western or Ponente portion, and has small towns and beaches, including towns such as Santa Margherita and Portofino, the Cinque Terre, and to the far east the town of La Spezia.
Portofino
Cinque Terre
Camogli
Bogliasco
Riviera di Ponente
Western Coast
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.