Liguria is a region located in the North-Western side of the country, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and sharing its west border with France.

Its terrain is varied and quickly goes from steep hills to seashores, making the environment very different in a short radius. For this, agriculture has always been challenging in the region, forcing local farmers to set up areas of terrace cultivation to face the difficult and uneven terrain.

This complexity makes it also - and perhaps even more - beautiful and inspiring, due to the typical sceneries with cultivated hills and seascapes in the background.

Let’s briefly explore this wonderful region together:

Liguria Curiosities and History

After different rules through its early history and quite few changes in its borders and denominations, Liguria saw Genoa acquire supremacy in the region and become a powerful maritime republic.

The Republic of Genoa was an important ally of Napoleon, and suffered a blockade by the English fleet in 1805. For this reason it lost its independence in 1825, when the Congress of Vienna annexed the whole of Liguria to the Kingdom of Sardinia, under the Savoy family. The history of the region, always dependent on the sea, saw since mid-1800 a never-ending exodus of hundreds of thousands of Italian emigrants from the port of Genoa to destinations overseas.

Liguria Landmarks

Looking for the best attractions and monuments in Liguria?

Here’s a short landmark list curated for short stays and for golfers, in order to achieve the most out of the available time and to enjoy the local culture.

Cinque Terre: Vernazza, Cinque Terre trails, Borgo Storico di Manarola, Church of San Francesco and Borgo Antico.

Portofino: Castello Brown, Piazza Martiri dell’Olivetta, Church of San Giorgio, Faro di Portofino and Chiesa di San Martino.

Camogli: Abbazia di San Fruttuoso, Basilica Di Santa Maria Assunta, Lungomare di Camogli, Castello Della Dragonara and Santuario di N. S. del Boschetto.

Food & Wine in Liguria

Liguria, as one might imagine, is rich in culinary and winemaking traditions.

Here are our best recommendations for our beloved golfers and travelers:

Trofie al Pesto: Trofie al pesto is one of the many Italian pasta dishes known all over the world. It’s one of the most famous dishes of traditional Ligurian cuisine, made with basil pesto and trofie pasta.

Focaccia Genovese: Focaccia genovese, the world-renowned flatbread from Genoa, is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and amazingly delicious.

Farinata di Ceci: Chickpea farinata is a very shallow savory pie made out of water and chickpea flour, baked in a wood-fired oven to form a delicious golden crust.

Vermentino: Refreshing, dry white wine with fruity and floral notes. This not-so-known, yet delicious wine is a great pairing for light and fish-based recipes.

Rossese: Fresh, red wine, rich in flavor and aromas and with a vibrant acidity. Often consumed in its youth, it’s a great pairing for meat-based dishes, especially red meats.

Cinque Terre: Sophisticated white wine with fruity and floral notes, pleasant and elegant. Another perfect pairing for fish dishes.

What to do in Liguria

Wondering what are the best activities - besides golf - and excursions you can enjoy in Liguria?

Here are our top 3:

Cinque Terre Sunset Tour by Boat: Enjoy stunning coastal views of Cinque Terre's iconic villages from a unique vantage point as you cruise along the shore, from Manarola up until Punta Mesco.

Exclusive Private Day Trip: Portofino & Santa Margherita from Portofino's Port: Spend a day with a private guide on your Liguria vacation, and discover the history and must-see sights of Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure. You’ll stroll around Portofino’s bustling Piazzetta while learning about the exclusive seaside village, then catch a ferry along the coast to Santa Margherita where samples of local focaccia and panoramic vistas await.

Horse ride on the coast of Monterosso al Mare Cinque Terre: For those who love nature and horses, you can ride admiring the sea, cross woods, admire the scents and colors of the Cinque Terre, it is a unique experience on the Ligurian coast, thanks to its location in Monterosso al Mare.

Best Golf Courses in Liguria

This region is home to great golf courses.

Here are some of the best:

Garlenda Golf Club:

The Garlenda Golf Club born in 1964, designed by the English designers John Morrison and John Harris, has a par 72 course 6,085 meters long. From the championship tees, the course provides skillful players with a hard test and offers a pleasant challenge for those playing at a higher handicap from normal tees.

The proximity to the beautiful resort of La Meridiana Relais & Châteaux, the sandy beaches of Alassio, the archeological rests of Albenga, make this place an ideal setting for a pleasant stay combining golf with other entertainments.

Circolo Rapallo Golf Club:

The course, measuring 45 hectares and located in the center of the city, does not have a significant length from a technical point of view. Proof of this  is given by PAR 70, with only two PAR 5, but this lack is amply repaired by the small greens which are well protected by numerous bunkers that surround them. The narrow fairways and the thick and tall plating which run along all the roughs, make it particularly insidious, already from the tee-shot, but at the same time extremely fascinating.

It is a very technical course which manages to defend itself from very low scores (to date, the course record is still 63) and it is not particularly tiring; even for this reason both very strong players and the beginners can enjoy this course.

Golf Club of Olives:

The Golf Club of Olives, opened in 1932, has 18 holes. The not particularly long but treacherous course, with narrow holes of which many are delicate, favors accuracy over power.

It has always been the site of major events, from the Italian Open in the 1930s and 1940s, to the Masters in the 1980s, to the European Senior Tour in 2004 and the Italian P.G.A. Championship 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Liguria Travel Package - Featured Golfing Trips in Liguria

Looking for the best way to experience Liguria and to play golf on its finest courses?

Check out our dedicated packages for the best golfing trips in the region!

La Meridiana Hotel & Golf Resort, Garlenda

In case you have special requests or different needs for your golfing trip, do not hesitate to contact us or request a custom Golf Tour here.

Liguria Italy Golf: Is it the destination for you?

Whether you’re looking for a solo golfing trip to play as much as possible or to experience Italy with your friends and family while being able to play golf, this region has lots to offer. Check out our golf travel packages above and find your golfing inspiration in Liguria!

Alternatively, if you’re interested in booking a golfing trip here or anywhere else, you can email us at: info@golftourexperience.com and allow us to meticulously arrange all the services you might need and desire.

See you there!