As the smallest of all Italian provinces, Liguria is perhaps not as well-known to expats as many of the more popular regions of Tuscany, Puglia, or Sicily.
Known as the Italian Riviera, the region stretching over 180 miles along the coast of the Ligurian Sea is one of the most picturesque places to live in Italy. The rocky shore is dotted with colorful fishing villages and resort towns, including the famous Cinque Terre, one of Italy’s most popular tourist attractions.
If you’re interested in moving to Liguria in retirement, for work, or as a digital nomad, we share our favorite places to live in Liguria for English speakers, from an expat’s perspective:
What you can look forward to in Liguria
As mentioned, Liguria is set mainly along the coast, so you’ll find many places with beautiful Mediterranean beaches. On top of this, the area has a barrier of mountains just to its north, protecting it from cold winters and providing plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking and climbing.
Of course, it can’t be an Italian region without being famous for its delicious food. The area’s mild climate makes it perfect for growing amazing produce and incredible wines. The region is known for its fritto misto, a small collection of fried seafood, fresh-baked focaccia, and authentic pesto.
Though the area is more expensive than most other regions in Italy, there are many reasons why the region is a great place to live. For one, there may be opportunities to find gig or long-time work for English speakers, especially around the more touristy towns in the region.
Another example is that Liguria’s proximity to major European cities also makes it a convenient base for travel, allowing expats to explore neighboring countries easily. Bordering the east of France, within a couple of hours drive time to the South of France, and home to large cities like Genoa, you’ll have no problem exploring other European countries or the rest of Italy.
You’ll find plenty of towns around 30 minutes inland, closer to the mountains, that have affordable homes and cooler weather in the summer. From there, you can travel south to the beaches or north to bigger towns like Milan, Lake Como, and beyond.
Downsides of living in Liguria
You should consider a few things before packing up your things and jetting out to look for a place to live in Liguria.
Firstly, Liguria is the third-most expensive region in Italy, with homes in Liguria costing around $500,000 on average. The average rent of a two-bedroom apartment in Ligura is around $900.
If you’ve read about the cost of living in Italy, you’ll know that the further north you go, the more expensive it gets. Compare that to cheaper regions like Abruzzo, where the average price of homes is roughly half, around $250,000.
Additionally, you’ll find that many of the most desirable areas are packed full of tourists. The five cities of Cinque Terre are almost unvisitable during the peak season, with the area visited by 2.5 million tourists each year. You’ll also find the towns along the coast are visited by expats and Italians alike during peak season.
On the flip side, during the slower seasons, you’ll find the cities that were lively during the summer are almost ghost towns, with slow public transportation and potentially not a lot going on.
Of course, like almost all Italian regions, there you may struggle with the bureaucracy of everyday life. Whether you’re trying to get a cellphone plan or looking for a permit to remodel a bathroom, you’ll have to jump through a series of hoops to get anything done.
But once you’ve visited the region, you can easily get lost in the natural beauty, friendly people, and delicious food it offers.
The top 5 best towns to live in Liguria as a foreigner
5. Santa Margherita
Located between Cinque Terre and Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure is a coastal fishing town. This town offers a unique location for anyone looking for a chic lifestyle, while offering more affordable living conditions compared to the wealthier town of Portofino.
Though the cost of living is relatively high compared to the rest of Italy, the city offers a more authentic and slightly less touristy atmosphere compared to neighboring towns. The paste-colored homes and quaint restaurants and shops provide a genuine experience of Italian living.
As a fishing village, you’ll find fresh daily catches in the fish market and on Fridays, you can pursue the shops of Carso Matteotti, one of the best markets in Italy, where you can find anything from local produce to used sunglasses.
The town also provides access to many amazing outdoor adventures, with boating, hiking, and swimming opportunities in the area. Of course, don’t forget the pristine beaches.
One of the major downsides to Santa Margherita is the overall high cost of living, especially compared to other coastal cities in places like Sicily. You’ll find the prices of apartments can get quite high, more than $1,000,000 for four-room flats. However, the further away from the coast you get, the more moderately priced you’ll find the apartments are.
Also, with fewer than 10,000 year-round residents, the town can feel quiet and lonely in the off-season, though whether that’s a pro or a con is up to you. However, when Spring hits and warm weather makes its way to this beach town, the city is lively, fun, and full of a younger crowd.
4. Camogli
Camogli, another picturesque fishing village nestled on the west side of the Portofino peninsula, offers a serene and authentic Italian living experience. With its rich maritime history and captivating coastal beauty, Camogli is a compelling destination for expats looking for a tranquil and culturally rich lifestyle.
Located south of Genoa and north of Portofino, Camogli enjoys an ideal position on the Ligurian coast. It is easily accessible by various means of transportation, making it convenient for residents and visitors alike. The closest airport is the Cristoforo Colombo International Airport in Genoa, and the village is well-connected by train and bus, providing hassle-free travel options for expats and tourists.
Camogli offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to more touristy destinations in Liguria. Residents can find reasonably priced accommodations and enjoy local dining experiences without breaking the bank, making it an attractive option for expatriates looking to settle in the region.
Ideal for nature enthusiasts, The town has incredible scenic hiking trails that offer views of the city and sea, like the trail from Camogli to San Fruttuoso or the longer route to Portofino. You can also take advantage of boating excursions to explore nearby towns like Portofino, Rapallo, and Santa Margherita Ligure.
Though the tranquil lifestyle may be suited for some, there are limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger cities but its proximity to Genoa, less than an hour by train or car, makes that not too big of an issue.
Like many of the coastal towns in Liguria, pricing may be an issue, though homes here are much more affordable than Santa Margherita. You’ll find 2-room apartments with views of the sea for around $240,000 or penthouses on the coast for over $1,500,000.
3. Chiavari
Chiavari is another charming town nestled in the Italian Riviera Chiavari that offers a rich history, a convenient location, and a unique character. The city boasts a rich historical significance, featuring ancient, preserved buildings dating back to its origins as a Roman camp in the 1100s.
Chiavari is strategically positioned between Cinque Terre and Genoa, providing easy access to both popular tourist destinations and scenic train rides along the rugged Ligurian Coast. Additionally, Chiavari enjoys its own microclimate, offering milder temperatures along the coastline compared to inland areas.
Chiavari’s cost of living is quite high compared to the rest of Italy, with the average price of homes around $652,000. However, the town provides convenient amenities such as two nearby hospitals, a walkable town center, and easy access to public transportation.
Chiavari’s picturesque promenade and waterfront within 10 to 15 minutes of most neighborhoods in the town make it a hot spot for anyone looking to retire in comfort. The town’s historic streets, adorned with porticos, medieval alleys, and Renaissance squares, offer a unique blend of impressive architecture and local culture.
However, Chiavari offers a limited English-speaking environment, providing a genuine opportunity to immerse in the Italian language. While the town may lack major tourist attractions within its borders, it promotes a quieter, authentic living experience.
2. La Spezia
As the gateway town to Cinque Terre, La Spezia sits on the Gulf of La Spezia, which is nicknamed the Gulf of Poets. Though the town’s coast isn’t as strikingly beautiful as the picturesque Cinque Terre, it still has enduring charm.
Though the city is a commercial harbor and has a naval yard, the coast still offers seriously beautiful views. Yes, it’s not Cinque Terre, but that’s what makes this town so much better. The city isn’t a tourist destination, yet there is still so much to do and that much more affordable.
As a larger town of nearly 100,000 residents, La Spezia is always a hub of activity, whether that be the locals eating at the many osterias throughout the town or visitors passing through on their way to Florence or Cinque Terre.
La Spezia is a wonderfully affordable gateway town located in the westernmost part of Liguria on the border of Tuscany. From La Spezia, you can take a quick train ride to Riomaggiore, the first of the five towns of Cinque Terre, a boat trip to the Parco Naturale Regionale di Porto Venere, or day trips to the beach or even to Florence.
Though La Spezia may be considered expensive compared to other parts of the country, the prices of homes in the city pale in comparison to others on this list. You can find homes for around $406,000, but they get much less affordable the closer to the coast you get.
1. Genova
Genoa, or “La Superba,” has had a long history of importance for its maritime power, and it still has huge importance as a commercial shipping hub. The region’s capital tops our list of best places to live in Liguria because it offers the best of both Italian worlds: old-world charm with modern luxuries.
Like so many amazing cities throughout Italy, though Genova is a largely trade-based and laborer town, the cobblestone streets and ancient buildings still provide that nostalgic and charming feel you can’t find in many other places around the world. The town’s historic center is a perfect place for an afternoon walk through narrow streets.
Art is an important part of Genova’s culture, and the city shows this pride through its art galleries and museums. The city is home to historic palaces like Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Reale, which you can tour, museums like the Maritime Museum, and a popular aquarium.
As a bigger city in the region yet still on the coast, you can find plenty of nightlife and buzzing activity throughout the year. Jazz clubs, quiet enotecas (wine bars), and waterfront discos are just a few of the opportunities you can find in the city. On top of this, you’ll find a wide variety of food, too. You can find cheap, delicious street food or Michelin-star-winning restaurants.
Public transportation is also consistent in the town, and the central train station and major airport will give you easy access to the rest of Italy, Europe, and beyond. However, having a car in the city may not be the best idea, as there is tons of traffic and very little parking space.
Genova’s homes are inexpensively priced, especially when considering the size of the city of over 580,000 people, and its location on the coast. The average price of homes in the city is under $300,000, though prices do range depending on what neighborhood you’re looking at.
Similarly, the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $720 in Genoa, well below the national average rent of $1,020.
Though Genova sounds like a paradise, there are some negatives to consider. The major complaint seen around the internet is the cleanliness of the city. Compared to other towns in the north, Genova is quite dirty, some comparing it to southern cities like Napoli.
As a largely industrial city, the town can, on appearance, seem quite rough. However, statistics show that it is no less safe than other towns in the area.
On top of all the good things about the city, you can still find plenty of green spaces and outdoor activities. The town has parks like Nervi and Peglie and has easy access to the hills and mountains to the north of the city, which lead to amazing views of the city and the coastline.
