This is the Riviera , Italy's answer to the C te d'Azur, and there are ample facilities for tourists even in the smallest of ports. The coastal hills are less developed.
Ligurian resorts are very popular with holidaymakers.
Portofino is one of the best known, with its small picturesque harbour full of sleek pleasure yachts, luxury clothes shops, its romantic villas owned by the rich and famous perched on the hillside and the Castello di San Giorgio , sitting high up on a promontory with magnificent views of the Portofino harbour and bay. Other resorts in this region include Ventimiglia, San Remo, Diano Marina, Alassio, Pietra Ligure, Spotorno, Sestri Levante, Lerici and the Cinque Terre, five relatively unspoilt fishing villages.