Savona travel guide
1. Best things to do in Savona (Liguria)
Savona (In Genoa they say Savonn-a) is a medieval heart still beating. It gave birth to two Popes (Sixtus IV and Julius II) and here many protagonists of Italian history lived or died, from Colombo to Mazzini...
The Fortress of Priam, majestic rocky complex, has a beautiful view on the Ligurian Gulf and dominates the alleyways...
Enjoy the Cathedral with the Sistine Chapel and the arcades of the city center. The taverns of old dock, docking of old fishermen, enliven the evenings with smells and atmosphere of the past ...
2. The Riviera dei Fiori and surroundings
From Arenzano Ventimiglia stands the Riviera of palms and flowers, beautiful piece of land between Imperia and Savona.
Here you can stop in Albissola Marina and Albissola Superiore and visit the Villa Faraggiana, an eighteenth century construction, with garden and museum.
Albissola is also known as the city of art, with the medieval square and the Roman ruins of ancient Alba Docilia.
In Varigotti visit the Church of San Lorenzo Vecchio origin of high medieval originally intended to Eastern celebrations.
In nearby of Finale Ligure there is a curious phenomenon that gave hydrological orgine to Caverns of Finale, in which a lot of prehistoric remains have been found.
3. Taste and local food
We start in a flashback with desserts: Savona pastries is famous throughout the world for the kisses of Alassio.
A simple sweet made of flour, eggs, sugar, cocoa, honey and hazelnuts. The melted chocolate envelops both sides of biscuit in a "kiss."
Pandolce is a poor, made of flour, sugar and eggs dessert. As well as all the Ligurian tradition dishes it is poor but enriched and stuffed with candied fennel seeds or pine nuts and flavored with orange.
Among the vegetables you will find purple asparagus, artichokes and Albenga zucchini. If you are in Savona and are in vegan mood remember Nasino beans and Castelbianco cherries. All the dishes are rich in flavors such as rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano and marjoram.
Enjoy gnocchi with nettles, bardenulla (white polenta flavored with leek and mushrooms), tagliatelle with mushrooms and tasty soups… a nice way to celebrate Italy!
The fish is a basic element: excellent cod and anchovies, in a thousand sauces.
Stop eating at Barbarossa, a totally medieval restaurant where pizzas, buns and porridge blend perfectly with the decor of wood and wrought iron: flavors are simple but strong.
You can not leave Savona without having tasted the porridge of wheat; at Wine and Farinata, in Pia street you will enjoy a memorable one.
4. Nature, water Sports and green itineraries
The masters of summer are summer water sports: sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, parasailing, jet skiing, deep sea fishing and snorkeling.
The excursions are numerous in summer: from Savona Old Dock, you can move on boat in the Sanctuary of Cetaceans in a slow route that leads to the Old Port of Genoa, Portofino, Porto Venere, San Fruitful, lapping the Cinque Terre and theIsland Gallinara ...
Snorkelers will love the island of Bergeggi, with its sinuous backdrops and rich. Here you can also have canoe trips in the Marine Protected island.
Savona and its hinterland are famous for climbing walls, 2500 equipped routes, from short climb up to the big walls rising 250 meters, with walls overlooking the sea.
But there is also a lot to do for animals and nature lovers: the Sanctuary of Cetaceans of the Ligurian Sea and the Marine Park of the Cinque Terre will amaze you with color, atmosphere and animals. Do not miss the Toirano Caves and Caves Verezzi, goodies for real cavers...
5. Where to stay in the city and surroundings
Discover all ecofriendly accommodations in Savona and surroundings.
Author Angela Sebastianelli, cover photo: Varigotti, Savona, by Pilipp Rummele, via flickr
