Discovering Italy: Liguria, Region Three of Our Weekly Series

Artistic illustration of a Ligurian coastal village; not a photograph of a real place.

Welcome to the third stop in CIAP’s Discovering Italy: One Region at a Time series! After exploring Sicily in our pilot and Piedmont in the second installment, we’re heading northwest to Liguria: a crescent-shaped region where dramatic coastlines, maritime history, and a wonderfully generous food culture meet.

Its capital, Genoa, was once a powerful maritime republic. But Liguria is more than a famous port or postcard-perfect shore. Inland villages and terraced hillsides reveal another side of the region, shaped by generations of people adapting to a steep and rugged landscape. Let’s take a closer look.

Genoa: A city with a story around every corner

Start in Genoa, where narrow lanes known as caruggi wind through a historic center often described as among the largest medieval old towns in Europe. The city is also known as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, who was born circa 1451.

For a change of scale, visit Le Strade Nuove and the Palazzi dei Rolli, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These grand Renaissance and Baroque residences formed part of a remarkable system: selected palaces hosted state dignitaries visiting the Republic of Genoa. UNESCO’s listing includes 42 palaces, and describes the arrangement as an early example of public lodging in private residences. Strolling along the streets, it’s easy to imagine how impressive those official visits must have felt.

Artistic illustration of Genoa’s harbor and Lanterna; not a photograph of the real site.

Look toward the harbor and you’ll see another Genoese landmark: the Lanterna, the city’s lighthouse, first built in 1128. And if you’re traveling with family, or simply enjoy a fascinating aquatic detour, the Aquarium of Genoa, the largest in Italy according to Italia.it, is another popular stop.

History here isn’t sealed behind glass. Between the palaces, port, churches, and busy lanes, the city’s past and present share the same streets. For more ideas, explore Visit Genoa’s historic center guide.

Beyond the familiar: Five villages and a Riviera of its own

On Liguria’s eastern coast, the Cinque Terre’s five villages (Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) cling to steep slopes above the sea. Their terraced landscape reflects centuries of people working with the land rather than against it. The UNESCO site, which includes the villages and neighboring Porto Venere and islands, was inscribed in 1997. Its description highlights the close relationship between the settlements, the coast, and the cultivated terraces.

Walking trails offer a memorable way to take in the scenery, and the Via dell’Amore connects some of the villages when open. Trail access and conditions can change, so check locally before setting out. For background on the UNESCO landscape, visit the World Heritage Centre’s Cinque Terre listing.

Artistic illustration inspired by Ligurian fishing towns; not a photograph of Camogli.

There’s more to explore beyond the five villages. Portofino, on the Riviera di Levante, is famous for its colorful harbor and fishing-village character. Camogli offers another charming waterfront, while Sanremo, on the Riviera dei Fiori, the Riviera of Flowers, is home to the celebrated Festival di Sanremo, Italy’s famous song festival.

Each stop has its own pace and personality. That’s part of the pleasure of Liguria: a coastal journey can move from bustling city streets to quiet harbors and hillside paths without losing sight of the sea.

A taste of Liguria

Ligurian food makes excellent use of local ingredients. The region’s best-known sauce, pesto alla genovese, brings together basil, olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, salt, and cheese. Genovese basil grown in Liguria is central to the tradition, and the mortar-and-pestle method is part of the pleasure as well as the preparation. Italia.it’s guide to pesto offers a closer look at its ingredients and heritage.

Pesto is often served with trofie or trofiette, but it isn’t limited to pasta. Try it with other dishes, too: local cooks have long found ways to make the most of this fragrant basil sauce.

Artistic food illustration of Ligurian specialties; not a photograph.

Then there’s focaccia ligure. Focaccia genovese is known for its olive oil, salt, and dimpled surface. In Recco, focaccia takes a different form: thin layers of dough filled with cheese, known as focaccia col formaggio. You’ll also find farinata, a savory chickpea pancake, and acciughe, anchovies, that appear in a variety of Ligurian preparations. For more on these regional food traditions, see Italia.it’s Ligurian cuisine guide.

A few practical notes for a future visit

Late spring through early fall is generally a good season to enjoy the coast. Genoa is accessible by train through Genova Piazza Principe and by air through Christopher Columbus Airport; airports in Milan can also serve as gateways to the region.

For the Cinque Terre, keep transportation simple: the villages are car-free, so plan to reach them by train or boat rather than relying on a car. If you’re hoping to hike or use a specific coastal path, check current access information before you go. A little planning can make the difference between a relaxed day out and an unnecessarily complicated one.

Tracing Ligurian family roots

If Liguria is part of your family story, begin with the comune: the specific town or municipality your relatives came from. Ask older family members for names, spellings, and any remembered details. “Near Genoa” is a helpful start, but the exact place may be a Genoa neighborhood, a small coastal town, or a village tucked into the mountains inland.

That place name can help guide further family-history research. And if the details are fuzzy, don’t worry: a remembered family recipe, an old letter, or a place mentioned in passing may give you another clue to follow.

Keep discovering, and stay connected

Liguria gives us plenty to appreciate: Genoa’s maritime history, the carefully shaped Cinque Terre landscape, lively fishing towns, and food traditions built for sharing. We hope this third installment has brought you a little closer to the region, and perhaps sparked a question or two about your own family’s connection to Italy.

CIAP welcomes Italian-American professionals, entrepreneurs, organizations, and businesses across Chicagoland. If you're looking for an Italian American community in Chicago with a professional and community focus, we'd be happy to meet you.

Explore the CIAP Business Directory, learn about membership, or see what's coming up on our events page. Monthly breakfast meetings resume in January 2027, and our weekly Italian wine features continue. To get in touch, email Salvatore at salvatore@chicagolanditalians.com. We hope you'll stay in touch, and keep discovering Italy with us.