Riviera di Ponente Attractions

Alassio (5m/17ft; pop. 14,000), a large and very popular resort with a beach of fine sand more than 3km/2mi long. On the seafront promenade stands an old watch-tower. Above stands the church of Santa Croce (11th and 12th centuries). The road continues along the precipitous coast, high above the sea.

Shortly before Ventimiglia, is the entrance (on the right) to the remains of the Roman town of Albintimilium, with a theater (A.D. second century ).

Albisola Marina (19m/63ft), is a popular resort with a beach of fine sand. 1km/0.75mi north is the little town of Albisola Superiore, with the Villa Gavotti, formerly called the Villa delle Rovere, in which Pope Julius II (1503-13) was born.

Arenzano (6m/20ft), a charmingly situated resort (good beach) with an old castle and a beautiful park around the Villa La Torre. The road then runs inland past a promontory covered with woodland and macchia and returns to the coast.

Arma di Taggia (10m/33ft) is a resort with a beautiful beach, situated at the mouth of the River Argentina, or Fiumara di Taggia. 3km/2mi up the valley is the picturesque little town of Taggia (39m/129ft), with old patrician houses. In the church of the Dominican convent are pictures of the early Ligurian school.
The Flea Market is held on the fourth Saturday and Sunday of every month.

Capo Mele (lighthouse), with a fine view of Alassio to the rear. Then on through Marina di Andora and round Capo Cervo.

Celle Ligure (44m/145ft) is an attractive resort above which is a fine old pinewood.

Cervo (66m/218ft) is a picturesquely situated hillside village. The road then passes through the resort of San Bartolomeo al Mare (26m/86ft).

Cornigliano Ligure (10m/33ft) is a busy suburb of Genoa, with a new industrial area extending some 800m/880yd into the sea on reclaimed land. Beyond the town a good road goes off on the left to Genoa's Cristoforo Colombo Airport. To the right, on a high conical hill, is the church of the Madonna del Gazzo (421m/1,389ft).

Diano Marina (4m/13ft). 2km/1.25mi northwest of Cervo is the walled village of Diano Castello (135m/446ft). Beyond Diano Marina the road winds its way gently uphill to Capo Berta, from which there is a magnificent view to the rear, extending as far as Capo Mele.

Imperia (10m/33ft; pop. 42,000), a provincial capital, comprising the districts of Oneglia (to east) and Porto Maurizio (to west), separated by the broad stony bed of the River Impero. Porto Maurizio is picturesquely situated on the slopes of a promontory with the imposing cathedral of San Maurizio (1781-1832). The naval museum (Museo Navale Internazionale del Ponente Ligure) and the municipal picture gallery (Pinacoteca Civica) are worth a visit.

Loana (4m/13ft; pop. 13,000), a popular resort with a former Doria palace (1578), now the Town Hall. On the hillside is the former monastery of Monte Carmello. About 6km/3.75mi farther is the Grotta di Toirano (tour with guide, 1.5 hours). In the forecourt is the Museo Prehistorico (prehistoric history). View of the Ligurian Alps and Monte Carmo (1,389m/4,560ft). Beyond Loana there is an attractive view, to the right, of the Ligurian Alps, with Monte Carmo (1,389m/4,584ft).

Noli (4m/13ft) is a charmingly situated little fishing town and seaside resort with a picturesque old town, remains of town walls, old towers, a castle and the late Romanesque church of San Paragorio (12th century). It is the birthplace of Antonio da Noli (1415-62), who discovered the Cape Verde islands. Events and celebrations are held throughout the year.

Ospedaletti (30m/99ft) is a popular resort, a beautiful palm-shaded avenue, the Corso Regina Margherita.

Beyond Ospedaletti the road continues along the steep and rocky coast, through beautiful scenery. To the left by the shore, is a fine park (private property). At the mouth of the Val del Sasso, are the Vallone Gardens, laid out by a German gardener named Ludwig Winter (d. 1912), also private property and not open to the public.

Pegli (6m/20ft) is a popular resort for holidays and weekends throughout the year, with beautiful parks and villas. Near the station is the Villa Durazzo-Pallavicini (1837), with an archeological museum (Museo Civico di Archeologica Ligure) and a park extending up the hillside, with various water features, grottoes, an underground lake and a medieval-style castle. In the Villa Doria, also near the station, is the Genoa Naval and Maritime Museum, with mementos of Columbus.

Pietra Ligure (3m/10ft) is a resort (sandy beach) with an interesting church and a ruined castle on an isolated crag. On the hillside are the buildings of the Pietranuova sanatorium (sun and sea-air cures).

Vado Ligure (12m/40ft; pop. 9,000) is an industrial town at the junction of the old Roman Via Aurelia with the beginning of the Via Iulia Augusta. The S.S. 1 (Via Aurelia) skirts Capo Vado (lighthouse; fine view back towards Savona), an attractive stretch of road which for part of the way has been hewn out of the rock. Beyond the cape the rocky islet of Bergeggi, crowned by a Roman tower, can be seen on the left.

Varazze (5m/17ft; pop. 15,000), a summer and winter resort, prettily situated amidst orange-groves, with a beach 2km/1.25mi long.

Voltri (5m/17ft) is Genoa's last industrial suburb, with the attractive large park of the Villa Galliera. At the upper end of the park is the pilgrimage church of the Madonna delle Grazie (fine views). Beyond Voltri the road leaves the extensive built-up area of Genoa.