Riviera di Ponente is a region of the Liguria
To know
The Riviera di Ponente (Rivëa de Punènte in Ligurian) is the geographical region that includes the stretch of coast located in the western part of Liguria known in its entirety as the Ligurian Riviera (or simply Riviera).
Geographical notes
It extends from the western districts of Genoa to the French border, near the city of Ventimiglia. From a geographical point of view, the eastern border of the Riviera di Ponente is located on the northernmost point of the Ligurian Sea which is located near the mouth of the Cerusa stream in Voltri, while the western one is located in the Cap Martin area, about 5 km west of Menton.
It contrasts, conventionally and geographically, with Riviera di Levante.
It is characterized by wider and sandier beaches. Also in this stretch of coast there are numerous villages of great beauty and tourist tradition, in addition to the important port of Savona and to the municipality of Sanremo famous for the Italian Song Festival.
Territories and tourist destinations
The long stretch of coast that runs between the valleys and the sea of the western Ligurians takes on different names. The two hamlets now usually known are those of the Riviera delle Palme which in turn is divided into the Riviera del Beigua, Finalese and Albenganese and the Riviera dei Fiori divided into Imperiese, Sanremese and Ventimigliese.
Urban centers
- Alassio - One of the most famous cities of the Riviera, which offers on its territory many places to visit and many entertainment in addition to the excellent beaches strongly organized in summer.
- Albenga - Very important city in the Province of Savona, to be considered the capital of Roman and medieval Liguria.
- Ceriana - Medieval village.
- Dolceacqua
- Finalborgo - One of the best preserved historical centers of the Savona area with its walls, palaces and churches.
- Imperia
- Sanremo
- 1 Savona
- Taggia - A few kilometers from Imperia and Sanremo.
- Ventimiglia
Other destinations
- Castelbianco collection - Colletta di Castelbianco is a medieval stone village in the Maritime Alps 15 km from the Italian Riviera. It was abandoned in the 1950s, but has since been restored as the first Italian e-village with fiber optic internet, modern apartments and a small conference center. It now houses a small community of teleworkers and a destination for vacationers, business vacations, and group retreats.
- Gulf of Diano - Valley bounded to the east by Capo Mele, to the west by Capo Berta and to the south by the sea; the most important locations are Deer, San Bartolomeo al Mare, Diano Marina, Diano Castello, Diano Arentino is Diano San Pietro, in the province of Imperia.
- Mount Tirasso
- Natural reserve of Adelasia - In Alta Val Bormida, in the Province of Savona.
- Val Lerrone and Val Merula - In the hinterland of Albenga e Loano.
- Val Neva and Val Pennavaire - Behind Albenga, an important historical-geographical area that rises towards the limestone ridges of Mount Galero and towards Colle San Bernardo, beyond which the Piedmontese Val Tànaro stretches. Cisano sul Neva, Zuccarello, Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena, Erli, Castelbianco and Nasino represent villages with a rich historical and naturalistic heritage with gastronomic pearls typical of these lands.
- Bormida di Millesimo Valley
How to get
An important tourist area in northern Italy, the Riviera di Ponente can be easily reached in several ways.
By plane
In the territory of the Riviera di Ponente there is an airport at Villanova d'Albenga, but the reference structure is the Cristoforo Colombo airport in Genoa, served by numerous national and international flights. The airport of NiceFrench Riviera, in French territory, and the airport of Turin-Boxes.
By car
The so-called Autostrada dei Fiori (A10) allows you to easily reach the Riviera both from the center-south and from the France, and from all the places that are connected to it. From the Piedmont the Tunnel Highway (A26) and La Verdemare (A6) depart from the north. There are also countless state roads (starting with the Via Aurelia, which crosses all the coastal towns).
The Riviera di Ponente is served by 2 main passenger ports. The Port of Vado, location at Savona, welcomes ferries from Sardinia and from Corsica. The Port of Savona, on the other hand, is the fourth national cruise port by number of passengers; it is therefore possible to visit the city of Savona if you are taking a cruise to the Mediterranean Sea. A few kilometers from the geographical borders of the area is the Port of Genoa, where ferries from Tunis, Tangier, Barcelona, Palermo, Porto Torres, Olbia, Bastia, Arbatax is Skikda. Furthermore, most of the places overlooking the sea are equipped with a tourist port.
On the train
Many towns on the Riviera di Ponente have a station and in this area there are numerous railway lines including:
- Railroad Alexandria-Saint Joseph of Cairo
- Railroad Wedge-Lemon-Ventimiglia
- Railroad Genoa-Ventimiglia
- Railroad Turin-Fossano-Savona
How to get around
It is possible to travel by car, train, sea and bus between the various locations on the Riviera.
By bus
The territories of the Province of Savona and the Province of Imperia are served by the TPL Linea and Riviera Trasporti services.
What see
There are numerous places worth visiting on the Riviera di Ponente. It is in fact a very varied territory: a short distance from the beaches you can find historic centers of art cities, small fishing villages or downtown streets for shopping. The artistic and natural heritage of the inland towns is very rich.
Itineraries
Liguria is a land that has fascinated poets, writers and artists: a region rich in history and culture, unique landscape views, mountains plunging into the sea, seaside villages lying along the shore and medieval villages perched on the hills. The Riviera di Ponente is a land rich in history, nature and beaches. The itineraries are a wonderful opportunity to allow visitors a better knowledge of the territory both of the coast and the hinterland. Among the most suggestive routes we can mention the Coastal Path of the Balzi Rossi, which shows that part of the Riviera di Ponente still intact in the municipal area of Ventimiglia. There are also numerous possibilities for sporting itineraries on horseback or by mountain bike. Among the favorite locations for these activities we can mention the Woods of Calizzano, the Maine Plateau (in the Finale area) and Monte Beigua (in the hinterland of Albisola).
What to do
At the table
The typical cuisine of the Riviera di Ponente (but also the Ligurian one in general) consists of dishes from the culinary tradition of Liguria, a region that includes ingredients linked both to local production and to imports from areas with which the Ligurians have frequented over the centuries contacts (such as Sardinian pecorino, one of the ingredients of pesto). For history, roots and above all elements that compose it, it can be said that Ligurian cuisine is the true Mediterranean cuisine: a poor cuisine, typical of country people, mountaineers and sailors, made up of simple, common and cheap foods, which is however it has become expensive, sought after and full of ancient glories. It can be said that the gastronomy of the Liguria is characterized by six major elements:
- Wild herbs from the area (marjoram, sage, rosemary, bay leaf, thyme, etc.) and products from the home garden (onions, potatoes, basil, aubergines, etc.)
- First fruits of crops and woods (basil, beefsteak tomatoes, trumpet courgettes, asparagus and Albenganese artichokes, mushrooms, truffles from Valbormida, fresh fruit and dried fruit)
- Olive oil
- Farinaceous products (focaccia, farinate, savory pies, etc.)
- Wide range of dry and fresh pasta
- Fish from the sea (anchovies, shrimps, octopuses, baby octopus, cuttlefish, muscles, mullet, etc.) and game (given the high woodiness)
Drinks
The culinary tradition of this area is also very varied from the point of view of drinks. Among the most renowned products:
Safety
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Riviera di Ponente
Wikiquote contains quotes from or on Riviera di Ponente
