Italian Riviera


The Italian Riviera or Ligurian Riviera is the narrow coastal strip in Italy which lies between the Ligurian Sea and the mountain chain formed by the Maritime Alps and the Apennines. Longitudinally it extends from the border with France and the French Riviera near Ventimiglia eastwards to Capo Corvo which marks the eastern end of the Gulf of La Spezia and is close to the regional border between Liguria and Tuscany. The Italian Riviera thus includes nearly all of the coastline of Liguria. Historically the "Riviera" extended further to the west, through what is now French territory as far as Marseille.
The Italian Riviera crosses all four Ligurian provinces and their capitals Genoa, Savona, Imperia and La Spezia, with a total length of about 350 km. It is customarily divided into a western section, the Ponente Riviera, and an eastern section, the Levante Riviera, the point of division being the apex of the Ligurian arc at Voltri. It has about 1.6 million inhabitants, and most of the population is concentrated within the coastal area. Its mild climate draws an active tourist trade in the numerous coastal resorts, which include Alassio, Bonassola, Bordighera, Camogli, Cinque Terre, Lerici, Levanto, Noli, Portofino, Porto Venere, Santa Margherita Ligure, Sanremo, San Fruttuoso, and Sestri Levante. It is also known for its historical association with international celebrity and artistic visitors; writers and poets like Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, Ezra Pound, and Ernest Hemingway were inspired by the beauty and spirit of Liguria.
As a tourist centre, the Italian Riviera benefits from over 300 days of sunshine per year, and is known for its beaches, colourfully painted towns, natural environment, food, and luxury villas and hotels, as well as for its popular resort facilities, major [|yachting] and cruising areas with several marinas, [|festivals], golf courses, sailing, rock climbing and scenic views of centuries old farmhouses and cottages.
Industries are concentrated in and around Genoa, Savona, and along the shores of the Gulf of La Spezia. Genoa and La Spezia are Italy's leading shipyards; La Spezia is Italy's major naval base, and Savona is a major centre of the Italian iron industry. Chemical, textile, and food industries are also important.
A number of streets and palaces in the center of Genoa and the Cinque Terre National Park are two of Italy's 58 World Heritage Sites.

Overview

The Riviera's centre is Genoa, which divides it into two main sections: the Riviera di Ponente, extending westwards from Genoa to the French border; and the Riviera di Levante between Genoa and Capo Corvo.
It is known for its mild climate and its reputation for a relaxed way of life, old fishing ports, and landscapes. It has been a popular destination for travellers and tourists since the time of Byron and Percy Shelley.
Many villages and towns in the area are internationally known, such as Portofino, Bordighera, Lerici and the Cinque Terre. Many villages of the Italian Riviera are counted among I Borghi più belli d'Italia.
The part of the Riviera di Ponente centred on Savona, is called the Riviera delle Palme ; the part centred on Sanremo, is the Riviera dei Fiori, after the long-established flower growing industry.
Places on or near the Italian Riviera include:
MunicipalityProvince or Metropolitan City
VentimigliaImperia
CamporossoImperia
VallecrosiaImperia
BordigheraImperia
OspedalettiImperia
San RemoImperia
TaggiaImperia
Riva LigureImperia
Santo Stefano al MareImperia
CipressaImperia
CostaraineraImperia
San Lorenzo al MareImperia
ImperiaImperia
Diano MarinaImperia
San Bartolomeo al MareImperia
CervoImperia
AndoraSavona
LaiguegliaSavona
AlassioSavona
AlbengaSavona
CerialeSavona
Borghetto Santo SpiritoSavona
LoanoSavona
Pietra LigureSavona
Borgio VerezziSavona
Finale LigureSavona
NoliSavona
SpotornoSavona
BergeggiSavona
Vado LigureSavona
SavonaSavona
Albissola MarinaSavona
Albisola SuperioreSavona
Celle LigureSavona
VarazzeSavona
CogoletoGenoa
ArenzanoGenoa
GenoaGenoa
BogliascoGenoa
Pieve LigureGenoa
SoriGenoa
ReccoGenoa
CamogliGenoa
PortofinoGenoa
Santa Margherita LigureGenoa
RapalloGenoa
ZoagliGenoa
ChiavariGenoa
LavagnaGenoa
Sestri LevanteGenoa
MonegliaGenoa
Deiva MarinaLa Spezia
FramuraLa Spezia
BonassolaLa Spezia
LevantoLa Spezia
Monterosso al MareLa Spezia
VernazzaLa Spezia
RiomaggioreLa Spezia
La SpeziaLa Spezia
PortovenereLa Spezia
LericiLa Spezia
AmegliaLa Spezia
SarzanaLa Spezia

Islands of Liguria

Aquarium

The Italian Riviera contains the following UNESCO World Heritage Sites: