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Italy: Liguria

Overview

The region of Liguria contains the provinces of Genova, Imperia, La Spezia and Savona and has a population of some 1.56 million, 90 per cent of whom live on the coast (which puts a huge strain on the infrastructure). The capital is Genoa (Genova) with a population of over 700,000. Liguria is one of Italy’s smallest regions, covering an area of 5,417 sq km (2,092 sq mi) but extending the entire length of the coast of the Ligurian Sea, from the French border to Tuscany, with one of the steepest and most dramatic coastlines in Italy. It’s noted for its mild year-round climate and natural beauty.

The coastal area is known as the Italian Riviera and is a holiday playground for the world’s rich and famous. It actually consists of two Rivieras: the Riviera di Ponente to the west of Genoa and the Riviera di Levante, the more cosmopolitan and glamorous, to the east. The Gulf of La Spezia (with Lerici and Portovenere) is known as the ‘gulf of poets’ in memory of Byron and Shelley, who lived and died there. It’s famous for the beautiful resorts of Cinque Terre and Sarzana, while further up the coast are Camogli (with its pastel houses), Chiavari, Portofino (which has a perfect harbour), Rapallo, San Fruttuoso and San Margherita. Few tourists venture into the interior, which is dotted with beautifully preserved medieval villages that have maintained their charm and peaceful character. Among the many historic towns worth a visit are Albenga and Ventimiglia, where there’s a famous market.

The coastal strip from Genoa to the French border is an area of great beauty, although it’s overdeveloped and overrun with tourists in some parts. It was made popular by British (who built the magnificent Hanbury Gardens) and Russian émigrés in the 1920s, attracted by the best climate in northern Italy, sheltered from the cold eastern winds by the Maritime Alps and the Ligurian Apennines.

Genoa is the largest industrial zone and port in Italy and is flanked by Savona and La Spezia and their large commercial ports. Genoa is rich in culture and history, and was the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and one of the five great maritime republics of Italy in the 13th century. The port area, which had become run down, has recently been renovated and new attractions constructed, including a magnificent aquarium.

The architecture of Liguria is typified by attractive turn-of-the-century villas, often with pastel plastered walls or trompe l’oeil paintings.

Agriculture is limited to olive groves, vineyards and flowers, particularly in the Riviera dei Fiori (Riviera of Flowers) area around Diano Marina, San Remo (famous for its song festival and casino) and Alassio, where flower nurseries are a major business and roses bloom all winter. These are favourite holiday destinations, with both summer visitors and retirees in winter.

Property: Property is expensive along the coast, but homes in inland villages are reasonably priced. The market is sharply divided around Genoa, the western part of Liguria offering much cheaper properties along the narrow coastal plain, while the eastern half has sky high prices in its rocky coastal villages. Prices on the Italian Riviera have risen considerably in recent years, and the resorts of Levanto and San Remo are very expensive, although less so than the equivalent on the French Riviera further to the west. Prices range from between €2,000 and €3,500 per sq m for a quality apartment with a view in a top resort such as Portofino. In the Cinque Terre villages, prices can be as high as €4,000 per sq m.

Communications: Liguria is served by Nice (France) and Genoa airports, and also has excellent road and rail connections.

© Survival Books Limited 2003

“Buying a Home in Italy” 3rd Edition, David Hampshire.

Reproduced with the permission of Survival Books Limited.

Further information on this topic can be found in “Buying a Home in Italy” 3rd edition, by David Hampshire.

For extensive information about buying a property in Italy, you can purchase this book at www.survivalbooks.net

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