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  • 5 things to do in Savona Italy

5 things to do in Savona Italy

Here is my list of 5 things to do in Savona Italy. An overlooked gem with lots of sparkle compared to some of the other tourist destinations in Liguria.

When I visited the Ligurian representation at WTM in London last year I asked what to see in Savona.

‘I don’t really know’ the tourist board lady said. ‘I’ve never been there. But Noli is very nice. You really should go visit Noli.’

With 60.000 inhabitants Savona is one of the biggest cities in Liguria, while Noli is a tiny village, but as an industrial town which has been heavily based on the iron industry Savona has not got the best reputation. In spite of a fabulous location locked into a sunny bay between the sea and the Ligurian Alps and other interesting places to explore. At least I am glad, I took the time to visit, and I’d recommend others to do the same, if you find my top 5 things to do in Savona Italy at all attractive. You’ll find a list of accommodation here.

5 things to do in Savona Italy

Snapshots from walks around Savona.

Harbour and Beach

Take a walk around the inner harbour and enjoy the sunshine, the glittering light and the charming diversity between expensive yachts and old fashioned fishing boats where some are sipping champagne while others mend their nets. Here you will see most of the city landmarks from a distance along with the fish auction and some nice outdoor cafes. If the weather is warm you can go to the beach on Corso Vittorio Veneto. Savona is one of a few Italian cities offering beaches within walking distance from the city centre. And even if you can spot a railway and some factories in the distance the beach facilities look clean and inviting.

Medieval Fortress and 19th Century Prison

In between the beach and the harbour you pass the Priamar fortress built in 1542 and used as a prison housing up to 500 prisoners during most of the 19th century.  Pre-Roman, Roman and Byzantine traces have also been found on site, and today Priamar houses Savona’s Archaeological Museum (when it is not closed for reconstruction, Mondays or noon-breaks).

Savona’s Very Own Sistine Chapel

I seem to recall there are only two Sistine Chapels in the world. One is in Rome and another one is in Savona. The word Sistine implies that the chapel was erected by Pope Sixtus IV who was born in Savona and wanted a mausoleum for his parents. The Savonese Cappella Sistina can be found behind the cathedral. It has been renovated in the Rococo style with ornate decorations, golden curlicues and a ceiling painted by Paolo Geralamo Brusco (don’t expect Michelangelo). Visitors also marvel over the carved wooden choir seats and the elegant cloister garden.

5 things to do in Savona Italy

The ghibilline towers

Ghibelline Towers

Savona skyline is marked by a few medieval towers. Most famous is La Torretta clocktower at the end of Via Paleocapa by the harbour. It was part of an old defense structure. The ‘ghibelline Towers’ date back to the 16th century when they were the most prominent of about 50 towers constructed along the city walls. With a bonfire on the roof these towers used to serve as lighthouses.

Enjoy the Art Nouveau Architecture

When you have finished looking up and around you’ll have plenty of time to take in the city with shops, cafes, promenades and old men hanging around in groups on the open squares. One more detail I found particularly fascinaing, however, was the wealth of Art Nouveau or ‘Ottocento’ architecture giving even ordinary houses a little story, squiggle and Schwung.



Booking.com

When you have finished 5 things to do in Savona Italy you might also like

5 things you might not know about St Peter Basilica in Rome

Districts of Venice: The charming backwaters

UNESCO World Heritage in Liguria waiting to be explored

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32 replies
  1. Leigh
    Leigh says:
    April 10, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    Your Google map came in handy with this post. Looks well worth spending some time in – though I’d never heard of it before.

    Reply
    • Mette Vaabengaard
      Mette Vaabengaard says:
      November 14, 2015 at 3:19 pm

      I find maps help too. I don’t think anyone can place every city on the globe without some sort of guidance.

      Reply
  2. Laurel
    Laurel says:
    April 11, 2013 at 8:40 am

    Beach, harbour, Sistine chapel, medieval towers? Definitely sounds like it’s worth a visit. Shame on the Tourism board for not knowing this.

    Reply
    • Mette Vaabengaard
      Mette Vaabengaard says:
      November 14, 2015 at 3:20 pm

      Indeed.

      Reply
  3. Mary {The World Is A Book}
    Mary {The World Is A Book} says:
    April 11, 2013 at 9:18 am

    Savona certainly sounds beautiful and inviting. It’s too bad the tourism board didn’t work hard enough to promote what you highlighted here. A fortress and a Sistine chapel are enough to get me to visit.

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      June 5, 2013 at 2:08 pm

      It is strange they don’t promote it better. Especially, as some of the cruise ships embark or stop in Savona.

      Reply
  4. Sophie
    Sophie says:
    April 14, 2013 at 8:38 am

    Harbour cities often have a rough, gritty feel, and are appealing in their own way. Savona looks interesting, I’ll stop and have a look around next time I’m in the area.

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      April 14, 2013 at 10:22 am

      Yes, it makes it more exciting to explore.

      Reply
  5. Salika Jay
    Salika Jay says:
    June 4, 2013 at 5:03 am

    It’s always good to read about a destination that is no so popular. I’d definitely enjoy a walk around the harbor and enjoy the sunshine. Great tips, Mette!

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      June 5, 2013 at 1:48 pm

      Thanks. And you you can spend hours around the harbour.

      Reply
  6. Carmella Fowkes
    Carmella Fowkes says:
    October 29, 2013 at 2:05 am

    Thanks, my Mum’s family is from Savona, my great grandfather was Angelo Noli and they emigrated from Savona to South Africa in the early 1900s. I’m planning a trip to Liguria to do some family tree research.

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      November 5, 2013 at 6:58 pm

      How interesting to have roots like that waiting to be discovered.

      Reply
    • Rhonda Zeelie
      Rhonda Zeelie says:
      June 19, 2014 at 4:01 pm

      Hi Carmella,

      Angelo Noli was my great-great grandfather.Have only recently found this out.I am also busy undertaking family research.
      Would love to hear from you.

      Reply
      • admin
        admin says:
        June 19, 2014 at 6:09 pm

        What a coincidence. If you are interested, I can send your email address to Carmella.

        Reply
  7. gwen
    gwen says:
    January 9, 2014 at 9:09 am

    Thank you for the information.visited briefly 2 years ago.returning in a few weeks.to be continued.

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      January 12, 2014 at 12:36 pm

      Have a nice trip – Hope you will follow up with some additional tips:)

      Reply
  8. Alice Gorrie
    Alice Gorrie says:
    March 15, 2014 at 12:44 am

    You forgot to mention that the best chinotto comes from Savona. I hope to visit one day as I am a Savona and my family came from there some time ago, but it’s a long way from Australia.

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      March 16, 2014 at 6:17 pm

      Hate to admit it, nut I needed google’s help to learn that chinotto is a carbonated soft drink. Shame on me. Now I have to go and try it:)

      Reply
  9. Carl Wright
    Carl Wright says:
    May 5, 2016 at 8:20 am

    How fascinating about the clock towers, that with lighting a bonfire it also served as a lighthouse. A great read! :)

    Reply
    • Mette Vaabengaard
      Mette Vaabengaard says:
      May 8, 2016 at 5:06 pm

      Yes, some of the old inventions are quite ingenious.

      Reply
  10. Jean
    Jean says:
    October 19, 2016 at 10:25 am

    I am going on a cruise and it docks in Savona so looking forward to exploring. Love harbours and sitting in cafes watching the locals. Thanks for the info.

    Reply
    • Mette
      Mette says:
      October 30, 2016 at 7:29 pm

      Then I’m sure you’ll enjoy Savona. Have a great trip:)

      Reply
  11. Maria
    Maria says:
    October 20, 2016 at 8:52 am

    I am going to be in Savona next week on a cruise , thank you for your helpful information .

    Reply
    • Mette
      Mette says:
      October 31, 2016 at 2:42 pm

      Thanks for the feedback. I really hope you’ll enjoy it.

      Reply
  12. Will Temple
    Will Temple says:
    April 4, 2017 at 11:07 am

    Hello Mette,

    We are due to visit the area around Savona in May with a television crew. Do you know of any activities that are available that are maybe not advertised and have either a cultural relevance or would be fun for a group of 8, 20+ year olds?

    Reply
    • Mette
      Mette says:
      April 4, 2017 at 6:59 pm

      Hi Will,
      That’s a tough one, as it depends very much on your interests and the days your are visiting. The Italian web-pages I’ve checked haven’t got announcements for more that the coming month, so what I can find is a Drinkeat festival (May 5-7) and some flea markets. The university of Genua has a campus in Savona, so there are activities for 20-somethings around town including music bars, cafes and nightclubs. There are churches, museums (eg. an apple museum) and caves to be visited. Great areas for hiking in the nearby mountains, and on Saturdays from 10-12 you can climb the Torre del Brandale. I’m sure you’ll find plenty of things to do in Savona. Both Giro del Italia bicycvle race and Mille Miglia for vintage cars take place in May, but neither of these events stop by Savona this year. Unfortunately.

      Reply
  13. Ajit Bishnoi
    Ajit Bishnoi says:
    February 19, 2018 at 8:10 am

    Hello friends
    I need you help regarding my coming 4 day cruise trip to Savona. I am travelling into april month and could you please suggest me better and enjoying ways to my destinations. I have to came from Zurich to Savona and after 4 days back to Paris from Savona. Anyone can help me to manage these transfers and make memorable stay at Savona because i dont know local language….i want to make arrrangments before trip with help of you friends!!!

    Reply
    • Mette
      Mette says:
      March 10, 2018 at 11:45 am

      Hi Ajit, Unfortunately I can’t help you with these specific details, as information about transfers and transportation change constantly. But I’m sure you will meet some people along the way, who speak English and will be able to help you, and I hope you will have a marvelous time exploring the attractions of Savona.

      Reply
  14. Helen Clark
    Helen Clark says:
    June 17, 2019 at 3:27 pm

    I want to visit here because my grandmother was from Savona.

    Reply
    • Mette
      Mette says:
      June 19, 2019 at 3:18 pm

      Understandably:) But the town is quite gorgeous in its own right, as well.

      Reply
  15. Lana
    Lana says:
    October 1, 2019 at 7:58 pm

    We travelled to Savona today based on these recommendations – another added bonus – prices in restaurants and bars very reasonable (shockingly) compared to other port side towns!

    Reply
    • Mette
      Mette says:
      October 8, 2019 at 6:44 pm

      Glad to hear you agreed, and that the prices are still affordable.

      Reply

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