Little Hotels

in the Italian Riviera

Hotel Piccolo Portofino

, Portofino
.

A classic Italian villa clinging to the lush green hillside, suspended above crystal clear water, and just around the corner from sophisticated Portofino.

Guest rating 8.7

Villa Devoto

, Rapallo
.

A most elegant villa B&B in the centre of Rapallo, close to Portofino and convenient for Genoa.

Guest rating 9.7

oliVenere Agriturismo

, Santa Giulia di Lavagna
.

Bed and breakfast in an old Genoese villa perched high above the Mediterranean Sea.

Guest rating 9.7

Capo Torre Resort B&B

, Albisola Superiore
.

A super-luxurious small B&B with friendly hosts and an expansive terrace and pool with the most incredible sea views.

Guest rating 10.0

Casa Balin

, Recco
.

A family-run B&B perched high above the Mediterranean coast, within easy reach of Genoa, Cinque Terre and Portofino.

Guest rating 9.6

Borgata Cantone Country House

, Garlenda
.

Beautiful rustic B&B accommodation in the hills of the Italian Riviera.

Guest rating 9.7

Villa degli Ulivi

, Finale Ligure
.

A small B&B suspended on a hillside above the Ligurian coast, with a big garden, big rooms and a BIG view.

Guest rating 9.6

Ca' Datu

, Finale Ligure
.

A rural bed and breakfast immersed in a large parkland garden, complete with swimming pool, just a couple of kilometres from the sea.

Guest rating 9.7

Le Macine Del Confluente

, Badalucco
.

An authentic riverside country hotel and restaurant in the olive-covered mountains of Liguria.

Guest rating 9.2
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Reasons to visit the Italian Riviera

Some people call it the Italian Riviera while others refer to the Ligurian Coast. This is the crescent-shaped strip of Mediterranean coastline between France and Tuscany. It is characterised by a rocky coast with high cliffs plunging down into the sea, frequently interrupted small coves, picturesque villages and beaches of fine golden sand.

At the eastern end there is the Cinque Terre fishing villages clinging precariously to the cliffs, contrasted with the pizzazz and nightlife of Portofino. There are also Santa Margherita, Rapallo, Sestri Levante and Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence).

The western end of the Italian Riviera is a little less precipitous as it blends gradually towards the French Riviera. San Remo is a city famous for the Italian Music Festival and its casino. Alassio has nearly 2 miles of fine sandy beach. There are numerous other little towns and villages, each with its own character.

The Ligurian Sea surprisingly attracts sperm whales, rorquals and dolphins, in an area known as the “Sanctuary of Cetaceans”. The extensive woods of inland Liguria with their centuries-old trees, are an excellent alternative to traditional tourism on the coast.