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Liguria sailing itinerary
Map of the best ports and anchorages
Read the notes and warnings from sailors who have stopped in Liguria and always choose the best port or anchorage for the night. If you found this map useful you can also leave a review, share your best photos of Italy, or add a new spot you discovered.
Best anchorages in Liguria
(Add an anchorage)Always choose the safest spot with a live ranking of your favorite anchorages in Liguria. Try zooming in to avoid seaweed fields, then tick to start your list of favourites.
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Baia di San Terenzo is a pretty anchorage, nestled between La Spezia and Portovenere. The holding in… Read more about this listing
Best ports and marinas in Liguria
(Add a port)Find a berth for the night with a live ranking of your favorite harbors in Liguria, keeping an eye on the tide and weather forecast. You can also participate by sharing a missing phone number or VHF channel when possible.
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It’s small but full of life, especially if you love fresh fish straight from the boat. Every morning… Read more about this listing
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Amalia Monterosso al Mare
We found a spot to go stern-to at the pier. Convenient grocery store in the village. Charming locati… Read more about this listing
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Despite its modest size, Le Grazie offers excellent protection from most winds. t’s a quiet village,… Read more about this listing
The Ligurian coast
Long before Genoa became the powerful maritime republic, the Ligurian people lived along these shores. The Ligurians were a fiercely independent tribe, known for their close-knit communities that thrived despite the rough terrain. They were skilled in both agriculture and trade, often venturing out on small boats to barter goods with neighbouring regions. However, their fiercely protected autonomy eventually drew the attention of the expanding Roman Empire. By the 2nd century BC, the Romans sought to subdue the Ligurian tribes, resulting in a series of conflicts.
Oppida, the fortified hilltop towns
Roman influence, however, was transformative. Liguria’s strategic position along the Via Aurelia, an important Roman road, turned it into a bustling conduit for commerce and communication. Roman settlements began to flourish, with amphitheaters, baths, and villas dotting the coastline. One of the most fascinating legacies of this period is the oppida, the fortified hilltop towns, that still overlook the region. These ancient strongholds, with their intricate stone walls, served as both places of refuge and trading posts.
The Punic Wars
The region also holds a unique place in the history of the Roman Republic’s naval exploits. During the Punic Wars, Liguria’s natural harbours and resources played a crucial role in supporting Rome’s military campaigns against Carthage. The coast, with its secluded bays and steep cliffs, was a perfect hideaway for Rome’s military fleet.
The Genoese merchants
Genoa, of course, would later rise as a maritime power in its own right, but the seeds of that strength were planted centuries earlier. The Genoese merchants, who would come to dominate Mediterranean trade, inherited a tradition of seafaring and commerce that began with the early Ligurians and was amplified by the Roman infrastructure that connected them to a wider world.