Liguria is a region situated in the north-western part of the country, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and bordering France to the west.
Its territory is varied, quickly transitioning from steep hills to marine coasts, making the environment very diverse within a short radius. For this reason, agriculture has always been a challenge in the region, forcing local farmers to create terraced areas of cultivation to cope with the difficult and uneven terrain.
This complexity also makes it – and perhaps even more so – beautiful and stimulating, thanks to the typical scenarios with cultivated hills and sea landscapes in the background.
Let's explore this wonderful region together:
Liguria Curiosities and History
After a succession of dominations throughout its history and a fair number of changes to its borders and names, 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 House of Savoy. The history of the region, always dependent on the sea, saw from the mid-1800s an incessant exodus of hundreds of thousands of Italian emigrants from the port of Genoa towards overseas destinations.
Liguria Landmarks
Looking for the best attractions and monuments in Liguria?
Here is a short list of landmarks, designed for short stays and golfers, to make the most of your time and enjoy the local culture.
Cinque Terre: Vernazza, Cinque Terre trails, Historic village of Manarola, Church of San Francesco and Old Town.
Portofino: Castello Brown, Piazza Martiri dell’Olivetta, Church of San Giorgio, Portofino Lighthouse and Church of San Martino.
Camogli: San Fruttuoso Abbey, Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, Camogli seafront, Dragonara Castle and Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Grove.
Food and Wine in Liguria
As you might imagine, Liguria is rich in culinary and wine-making traditions.
Here are our top tips for our beloved golfers and travellers:
Trofie with pesto Trofie with pesto is one of the many Italian pasta dishes known throughout the world. It is one of the most famous dishes of traditional Ligurian cuisine, made with basil pesto and trofie pasta.
Genoese focaccia: Genoese focaccia, famous all over the world, is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and incredibly delicious.
Chickpea flatbread Chickpea farinata is a very thin savoury flatbread made from water and chickpea flour, baked in a wood-fired oven to form a delicious golden crust.
Vermentino: A dry, refreshing white wine with fruity and floral notes. This little-known but delicious wine is an excellent choice to accompany light dishes and fish-based meals.
Rossese: A fresh red wine, rich in flavours and aromas, with a lively acidity. Often enjoyed young, it pairs beautifully with meat dishes, particularly red meat.
Cinque Terre: A sophisticated white wine with fruity and floral notes, pleasant and elegant. Another perfect pairing for fish dishes.
Things to Do in Liguria
Are you wondering what the best activities – apart from golf – and excursions you can enjoy in Liguria are?
Here are our top 3:
Sunset boat tour of the Cinque Terre: Enjoy the stunning coastal views of the iconic villages of the Cinque Terre from a unique vantage point as you sail along the coast, from Manarola to Punta Mesco.
Exclusive private day trip: Portofino and Santa Margherita from Portofino's harbour: spend a day with a private guide during your Liguria holiday and discover the history and must-see attractions of Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure. You'll wander through Portofino's bustling Piazzetta and learn about the exclusive fishing village, then take a coastal ferry to Santa Margherita, where local focaccia tastings and scenic views await.
Horse riding along the coast of Monterosso al Mare in the Cinque Terre: For those who love nature and horses, you can go horse-riding whilst admiring the sea, riding through woods and taking in the scents and colours of the Cinque Terre; it is a unique experience on the Ligurian coast, thanks to its location in Monterosso al Mare.
The Best Golf Courses in Liguria
This region is home to excellent golf courses.
Here are some of the best:
Garlenda Golf Club:
The Garlenda Golf Club, founded in 1964 and designed by the British architects John Morrison and John Harris, features a par-72 course measuring 6,085 metres. From the championship tees, the course presents a tough test for the most skilled players and offers an enjoyable challenge for those with a higher handicap playing from the standard tees.
The proximity to the splendid La Meridiana Relais & Châteaux resort, the sandy beaches of Alassio, and the archaeological remains of Albenga, make this place an ideal setting for a pleasant stay that combines golf with other leisure activities.
Circolo Rapallo Golf Club:
The course, which covers 45 hectares and is situated in the city centre, is not particularly long from a technical standpoint. This is evidenced by its par 70 rating, with just two par 5s, but this shortcoming is more than made up for by the small greens, which are well protected by the numerous bunkers surrounding them. The narrow fairways and the dense, tall rough running along the entire course make it particularly treacherous, right from the tee shot, yet at the same time extremely fascinating.
It is a very technical course that manages to avoid very low scores (the course record still stands at 63) and is not particularly strenuous; for this reason, too, both very strong players and beginners can enjoy this course.
Golf Club degli Ulivi:
The Golf Club degli Ulivi, which opened in 1932, has an 18-hole course. The course, whilst not particularly long, is tricky, with narrow and often tricky holes, favouring precision over power.
It has always been the venue for major events, from the Italian Open in the 1930s and 1940s, to the Masters in the 1980s, the European Senior Tour in 2004, and the Italian PGA Championship in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Golf Holidays in Liguria
Looking for the best way to experience Liguria and play golf on its most beautiful courses?
Discover our packages dedicated to the best golf holidays in the region!
La Meridiana Hotel & Golf Resort, Garlenda
If you have any special requests or differing needs for your golf trip, please do not hesitate to contact us or request a Personalised Golf Tour here.
Golf in Liguria: is it the right destination for you?
Whether you're looking for a solo golf trip to play as much as possible, or you want to experience Italy with friends and family while also playing golf, this region has a lot to offer. Take a look at our golf travel packages above and find your Liguria golf inspiration!
Alternatively, if you are interested in booking a golf trip here or elsewhere, you can e-mail us at: booking@golftourexperience.com and allow us to meticulously arrange all the services you may need and desire.
See you there!
