Camping by the sea in Liguria

Liguria's 300 kilometres of diverse coastline fascinates with a mix of rugged cliffs and family-friendly sandy beaches. The popular holiday region in western Italy proves to be an Eldorado for surfers and divers with optimal wind conditions and an impressive underwater world. There are also countless hiking trails, such as those in the famous Cinque Terre with its five fishing villages.

Top tips

• Sperm whales rarely live off the coast of Liguria and nature lovers can marvel at them on a whale-watching tour from Andora, Imperia or Genoa. Together with marine biologists, you head out into the open sea. Passengers learn interesting facts about the life of the marine mammals, which can be up to 23 metres long. As the crowds are large in summer, it is worth booking a place on the boat in good time.
• If you take your four-legged friend with you to a campsite by the sea in Liguria, you have the opportunity to swim together on some dog beaches. The largest pet-friendly stretch of coast is the Bagni Capo Marina near Genoa, which is subject to a charge. There is also a dog beach in Ventimiglia near the French border.

Activities and excursions

The well-tended beaches and romantic coastal regions such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site Cinque Terre are among the highlights of Liguria.

Beach holidays and water sports

More than 20 beaches in Liguria have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag, which stands for excellent water quality. In some towns, there are paid beach resorts with amenities such as parasol and sunbed hire. From the campsite by the sea in Liguria in Andora, families prefer to head to the free sandy beach at the beginning of the town. Here, old trees provide natural shade and the water on the shore only deepens slowly. Passionate sailors are drawn to camping by the sea in Liguria in spring and autumn, when the constant breeze ensures first-class wind conditions. Kitesurfers prefer to practise their sport at Porto Maurizio or in the bays of San Remo or Diano Marina. Surfers can also be found here. The largest shipwreck can also be found in Liguria: On a guided tour, divers can discover the 334-metre-long supertanker Amoco Milford Haven, which sank in 1991.

Hiking through Liguria

The 442 km long Ligurian Alta Via from Ventimiglia on the border with France to Ceparana near La Spezia proves that a hiking holiday can be perfectly combined with a seaside holiday. While camping by the sea in Liguria, active travellers can tackle some of the 44 stages and explore the unique flora with deep chestnut and holm oak forests. The blossoms of machia, broom and oleander immerse the landscape in a sea of flowers in spring and summer. A tour through the Cinque Terre National Park, which is known for its five picturesque fishing villages, is also breathtaking. The charming villages are connected by several hiking trails such as the panoramic Alta via Cinque Terre at an altitude of between 500 metres and 800 metres.

Events

Guests can immerse themselves in regional customs at the numerous events in Liguria.

March - April:

• Easter customs: The entire Holy Week is celebrated in Ceriana. Brotherhoods dressed in traditional garb parade through the streets accompanied by Latin chants. The Good Friday procession, which retraces the Passion of Jesus, is also impressive.

June - July

• Liguria da Bere: Wine lovers arrive in La Spezia at the end of June or beginning of July for the legendary Liguria da Bere festival. Winegrowers from the region offer tastings of their products, while visitors fortify themselves with dishes of freshly caught fish and pasta.

June

• Andersen Festival: The Andersen Festival in Sestri Levante is an event highlight for families. Not only is Italy's most important children's literature prize awarded, but there is also a fascinating street theatre festival.