Located only an hour away from The Mall Sanremo, Savona is a hidden gem on a stretch of coast with the highest number of Blue Flag beaches in Italy. Its picturesque historic centre with its old shops and the many carrugi – narrow streets typically found in small Ligurian villages – is the perfect location to discover the most authentic parts of Liguria over the course of a weekend.
The city’s symbol is the spectacular Fortress of Priamar. Built in the sixteenth century, it dominates the port, offering breathtaking views of the coast. Not so far away is also the elegant baroque Sistine Chapel commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV, built next to the Cattedrale dell’Assunta. If you want to enjoy a wonderful view of the sea surrounding Savona from a privileged viewpoint, you only need to climb Torre del Brandale.
Strolling among its alleys, you might be tempted by the fragrance coming from the sciamadde – ‘flames’ in dialect. These are small ovens where the most popular dishes are prepared. A must-try speciality is the panissa: crunchy polenta often served in a soft roll and accompanied with a Savona chinotto drink if you want to enjoy street food in perfect Ligurian style. You can also spoil yourself with an indulgent treat at the historic Amaretti Astengo pastry shop which since its opening in 1878 has been delighting customers with its famous amaretti and pandolci. Finally, after a visit to the Museum of Ceramics, you can relax enjoying a nice walk along the pier.
The next day, why not visit Noli, one of the most fascinating seaside villages on the Riviera: the Cattedrale di San Pietro, the medieval towers and the Castle of Monte Ursino recount the ancient origins of this town overlooking the gulf. For lunch, choose the Vescovado restaurant – one Michelin star since 2009 – to discover the true flavours of Liguria on its historic terrace.
If you instead prefer a trip among nature, explore one of the underground wonders in the area: the Caves of Borgio Verezzi, known for their mazes of stalactites and stalagmites with spectacular colours and light reflections or the Caves of Toirano with fascinating remains dating back to prehistoric times.
