Liguria in winter turns into an evocative and nostalgic territory, pervaded by a suspended atmosphere, in front of a beautiful sea rippled by the Tramontana that brings decisive salty scents.
A region that is cloaked in authenticity, far from the sounds of summer tourism, and that releases all its charm in the carruggi of the inland villages, on the wild coasts, in still life squares that invite relaxation, intimacy, and calm: a regenerating experience, in which to be won over by the color and energy of local traditions.
What to see in Liguria in winter, waiting for the return of milder temperatures?
Santo Stefano d’Aveto: skiing in Liguria
Tucked away in a small basin between Mount Maggiorasca and Mount Bue is a ski resort in which to spend a beautiful day in the snow, just a short distance from the sea.
Santo Stefano d’Aveto is a delightful village at 1,000 meters above sea level in which to stroll in the midst of nature and discover a never-before-seen nuance of Liguria in winter.
Bussana Vecchia
Located behind Sanremo, this medieval village is a must-see destination, especially in winter, to savor the silences and poetry that covers its views and vistas.
Known as the “artists’ village,” it is a long uninhabited village that, since the 1950s, was occupied by the ceramist Mario Giani and a handful of artists, attracted by the uniqueness of the place. It soon became a destination for painters, craftsmen, sculptors and musicians who contributed to the renovation, turning it into an open-air museum.
Campo Ligure
Another small rural village that is tinged with bewitching colors in winter, Campo Ligure is located in the center of the Stura Valley, in an area of hills and pastures.
In the cold season it is not uncommon to find snow here, a silent blanket that whitens a pleasant, out-of-time location where life is still marked by an ancient, seasonal rhythm.
Finally, the milk and cheese produced in campo Ligure is a delight.
Lake Osiglia
The lakes of Liguria in winter become solemn slabs of ice, a scenery that rests the eyes and the mind, far from the chaos of population centers.
Lake Osiglia is in the heart of the Savona area, a man-made reservoir now a fishing reserve that hides the ancient ruins of a sunken village beneath its waters: a setting harmoniously embedded in the natural landscape.
The Tubi Trail in Portofino Park
For lovers of sports and hiking, Liguria in winter is an area full of possibilities: without the intense heat, you can tackle trails and paths of varying degrees of difficulty and admire wonderful landscapes.
Within the Portofino Park, we propose the Sentiero dei Tubi (Pipe Trail), one of the most spectacular experiences to be had in Liguria: an engaging trail that winds through tunnels, ladders and overhanging sections and crosses the park giving unique emotions.
Please note, this is a trail for experienced walkers, to be done only with official guides.
A food and wine vacation in an off-season Liguria
Liguria at the table needs no introduction; in winter the intense flavors of its cuisine can be savored even better by warming up with the full-bodied wines of the area, such as Vermentino and Pigato.
The famous pesto alla Genovese, the fragrant extra virgin olive oil or the tasty Ligurian-style stockfish, anchovies, focaccia, castagnaccio and pandolce: everything here exhorts to well-being, to sharing, to celebrating the pleasures of life.