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Sarzana and Liguria

Sarzana

Sarzana is a charming medieval gem in Liguria, known for its grand fortresses, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant piazzas. The town was a strategic center on the historic Via Francigena pilgrimage route and is the ancestral home of the Bonaparte family, and it offers an authentic Italian destination where rich history meets genuine local life. There's something for everyone: Centro storico is full of history, with museums and a fortress to explore, churches to admire, and small boutiques to be tempted by. The squares are meeting places, and since the traffic is limited there's more room for people to meet. The event calendar is full most of the year, even if it peaks from July to September.

A historic town gate lit up at dusk — Bild 1

A lantern-lit alley in Sarzana at night — Bild 2

An outdoor café square full of people at night — Bild 3

A cathedral facade and bell tower lit up at dusk — Bild 4

A lively pedestrian street at night with an illuminated bell tower in the distance — Bild 5

The fortress of Sarzana lit up at night — Bild 6

Liguria

The Ligurian coast is at your doorstep — a short drive takes you to the sandy beaches of Marinella, Sarzana's own seaside, or to the harbour towns of the Gulf of Poets, where the water comes right up to the houses. The Cinque Terre are an easy day away by train or car: five villages strung along the rocks, reached by steep lanes and paths above the sea, best done slowly, with salt in your hair and no rush on the way back.

Porto Venere is one of our favourites, for its atmosphere and the views — the church perched on the cliff, the boats coming in at dusk, and the lanes that run out to the water. A good excuse to leave the house in the morning and come home late.

Small boats moored in a harbour on the Cinque Terre coast, below colourful houses and a stone church tower — Bild 7

Sailboats and sunbathers in the bay seen from the seafront promenade, a castle on the headland beyond — Bild 8

The harbour of Porto Venere at dusk, boats moored below colourful houses — Bild 9

A hiker with trekking poles on a coastal path above the open sea — Bild 10

A walk along the water's edge on a sandy beach, with green hills and the shore lined with umbrellas beyond — Bild 11

Sunset over the open sea seen from the old stone ramparts, light breaking through the clouds — Bild 12

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