7 Stunning Italian Riviera Towns That Aren’t The Cinque Terre 

A view of the hilltop town of Cervo, LiguriaCervo, Italian Riviera

One of Italy’s most compact regions with a coastline stretching from the south of France to the Tuscan border, Liguria is an absolute delight if you love being by the sea. It’s home to perhaps one of Italy’s most famous stretches of coastline, the glorious Italian Riviera or Riviera Italiana should I say. With colorful Italian Riviera towns lining just about the entire length of Liguria’s coastline, there is no shortage of places to visit here.

Skip to the first town below.

The Cinque Terre along with glamorous Portofino may have stolen the spotlight in recent years, but if the local’s holidaying trends are anything to go by, they sure know a thing or two about undervisited gems along the Italian Riviera.

Aerial view of Portofino, Italian RivieraPortofino

These Italian Riviera Towns Have Managed to Stay Under The Radar of International Tourists

I want to highlight 7 of the best Italian Riviera towns that are not overrun with tourists and that have retained their character and identity.

The Italian Riviera is divided into two halves by Liguria’s capital city Genoa, the largest of the Italian Riviera cities:

The Riviera di Ponente going towards the French border; and the Riviera di Levante, the eastern stretch that continues up until Liguria’s border with the coast of Tuscany.

  • The Riviera di Levante is the most popular of the two, home to the Cinque Terre, the Gulf of Poets and Portofino.
  • The Riviera di Ponente is far less crowded, where 4 of the towns on this list are located, with most tourists coming from within Italy.

Without further ado, here are my top picks for the best Italian Riviera towns…

Camogli

A famous fishing town just a few miles northwest of Portofino, Camogli has remained under the radar for quite some time. Although it is more popular with tourists now than it used to be, with the town mainly relying on tourism today, in its heyday it was a considerable seaport and retains much of that charm today.

Camogli town by the beach in Liguria, ItalyCamogli

The colorful houses would serve as guidance for the fisherman on their way back from sea. Camogli is far more affordable than Portofino and makes for an excellent day trip. It’s also easily reachable by train so you don’t need to hire a car to get here.

Sunset is really lovely here, with the houses taking on a magnificent golden glow and the last rays of light dancing across the silky smooth Mediterranean.

Colorful houses in Camogli along the Italian RivieraThe houses in Camogli

Santa Margherita Ligure

Santa Margherita Ligure can be found northeast of Portofino, also along the Riviera di Levante. It’s a fairly large town in comparison to many along the Riviera, and has long been a popular resort town. Don’t let this deter you though.

Santa Margherita Ligure doesn’t attract enormous crowds, but instead a more exclusive upmarket segment of visitors, similar to those that visit Portofino.

Building in Santa Margherita Ligure, an Italian Riviera townSanta Margherita Ligure
Colorful church in Santa Margherita Ligure, an Italian Riviera townA church in Santa Margherita Ligure

Because of its location near Portofino and comparatively affordable accommodation, it’s a popular choice for those wanting to visit Portofino without paying exorbitant prices.

Staying here for a few nights is the best way to see this stretch of the Italian Riviera, with day trips to Portofino, Camogli and San Fruttuoso all possible.

View of the Abbey of San Fruttuoso from the seaAbbey of San Fruttuoso
Villa by the sea in San Fruttuoso, ItalyA boathouse just near San Fruttuoso

San Fruttuoso can only be reached by ferry from both Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino, as well as the town of Rapallo slightly further away.

It’s not a town but simply a stunning little abbey positioned almost directly on the small beach tucked away between the hills. It’s quite the sight to behold but the beach can fill up pretty quickly so try to get there as early as possible.

The town of Santa Margherita Ligure in the background with the harbor in the foregroundSanta Margherita Ligure marina

Lerici

The setting alone, along the famous Gulf of Poets, is enough to make a visit here a must. The Gulf of Poets has charmed and enchanted for centuries and was beloved by the English poets Shelley and Byron.

Lerici viewed from the castle View of Lerici from the castle

This coastline is one of Italy's loveliest, with Lerici holding center stage upon the most beautiful part.

With a medieval castle, beaches, scenery of unsurpassed beauty, a lovely weekly market where all the latest Italian fashion (the genuine thing) is offered at enormous discounts and great restaurants, you'll certainly find something to enjoy in Lerici.

walking from Lerici towards FiascherinoWalking from Lerici to Tellaro

Nearby you have two of Italy's loveliest little towns (Ameglia and Tellaro), great hikes along the coast and from Lerici many boats leave on unforgettable trips around the Gulf of Poets and onto the Cinque Terre.

The Gulf of Poets is the perfect Italian Riviera destination for a sublime laid-back getaway with a slightly secluded feel.

View of the beach in Tellaro, Italy

Tellaro - Perfect Italy

From the moment I walk down the path to the Hotel Fiascherino (the hotel on the edge of Tellaro where we always stay), I can feel the weight of the world lift from my shoulders...

View of the beach in Tellaro, Italy

Noli

Slightly over an hour’s drive from Genoa is the medieval town of Noli, a place that feels like a step back in time. Noli was once an independent maritime republic, and its history is clearly visible as you wander through its narrow streets.

The beach in Noli with the town behind along the Italian RivieraMonte Ursino on the hill in Noli

Noli hasn’t lost one bit of its medieval charm, with the 13th-century castle of Monte Ursino perched high above, offering panoramic views of the town and the sea below. A hike up to the top is worth the effort for the vistas alone.

The town’s beaches are flat and wide, perfect for a relaxing day sunbathing by the sea.

View of the beach in Noli, Italian RivieraThe beach in Noli

Take time to explore the town’s historic center, where you'll find the Romanesque church of San Paragorio, one of Liguria’s best examples of Romanesque art. Noli is also known for its excellent seafood, and a visit wouldn’t be complete without trying some of the local specialties in one of the town’s charming trattorias.

Finale Ligure

With palm-fringed wide sandy beaches and the historic old town of Finalborgo just a little inland, it’s easy to see why Finale Ligure is popular with Italians. It’s a town with lots to offer located along the Riviera di Ponente about an hour away from Genoa by train.

The Riviera di Ponente as a whole is quite popular with Italians because of the wide choice of many towns just as beautiful as the neighboring Riviera’s tourist hotspots.

Aerial view of Finale Ligure and the beachFinale Ligure

Finale Ligure is a prime example of such a town. The wide sandy beach is a big draw for locals because beaches like this are rare along the Italian Riviera. Just along the beachfront is the stunning Finale Ligure promenade lined with the gorgeous kind of palm trees the Italian Riviera is so well known for.

There’s quite a lot to see in Finale Ligure including the Gavone Castle, the San Giovanni Castle and the Church of San Biagio. Oh, and it’s easily accessible by train with the station located right near the beach.

A view of a medieval inland town in Liguria Italy, separated by a small riverFinalborgo

Don’t miss Finalborgo, officially one of Italy’s most beautiful villages (Borghi Più Belli d’Italia) just a short walk inland from Finale Ligure. It’s a charming little town with everything you’d expect from a characteristic medieval Italian town.

Row of colorful houses by the beach in Varigotti, Italian RivieraVarigotti

A few miles northeast of Finale Ligure is the adjoining hamlet of Varigotti, popular for its beach with a uniquely-looking row of houses along the shore believed to be a Saracen settlement from many years ago.

Cervo

A 40-minute drive from Finale Ligure along the coast towards France and you’ll arrive in Cervo, a small town with an absolutely stunning setting. As you arrive from the east, the striking baroque church of St. John the Baptist peers over the hill promising an unforgettable experience. The best view of all though is from the beach, with Cervo rising steeply up the hillside and the church’s dazzling facade facing directly towards you.

The old Italian Riviera town of Cervo in the background with the beach in the foregroundThe view of Cervo from the beach

I mean, you don’t really need to leave the beach here.

But you should, because exploring the narrow alleyways is always a delight in small Italian towns like Cervo. Visit the main church of St. John as well as the Oratorio of Santa Caterina.

View of the old hilltop town of Cervo, Italian RivieraCervo on the hill
A narrow medieval alleyway in the old town of Cervo on the Italian RivieraNarrow streets in Cervo

Cervo doesn’t have a train station but the nearby town of Diano a few miles inland does have one. And the 50-minute walk from Diano to Cervo takes you on a serene tour of the Ligurian countryside with exquisite views of Cervo to boot.

All in all, this is quite possibly the most beautiful town on this list. What do you think?

Bordighera

The nearest of the seven towns to the French border, Bordighera has somehow managed to escape the heavy tourist traffic despite once being a favorite of the British aristocracy, including Queen Victoria, who found refuge in its mild climate and lush gardens.

The town’s elegant charm remains intact, with beautiful palm-lined streets and a delightful old town perched on a hill.

View of a town along the Italian Riviera
Mediterranean palm tree, Bordighera, Italian RivieraA Mediterranean palm tree

In fact, Bordighera is renowned for its palm trees, which have become one of its most defining features. It’s the most northern part of Europe where palm trees are able to grow freely.

Bordighera even supplied its palms to the Vatican for Palm Sunday and continues to do so, keeping the age-old tradition alive. This earned Bordighera the title of “City of Palms.”

Be sure to take a leisurely stroll along the Lungomare Argentina promenade and spend some time at the beach as well, with its serenely calm waters and great choice of beachfront trattorias.

Bordighera offers a bit of everything: a stunning coastline with pebbly beaches, historic villas, and botanical gardens that will make you feel like you've stepped into an exotic oasis.

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