Savona: what to see, where to stay and how to get around
Savona was Genoa's rival for centuries, and it lost: in 1528 the Genoese took the town, filled in part of its harbour and later razed a whole quarter to build their fortress. What survived is a compact old town between the Priamar and the Darsena, and a surprising link to Rome, since two popes of the Della Rovere family came from here. The walk is flat and short, about two hours with the chapel and a coffee. It ends at the harbour, a few minutes from the cruise terminal.
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A short history of Savona
The Ligurian tribe of the Sabatii lived here before the Romans, and after them the town of Savo grew up. In the Middle Ages Savona was an independent port city and the smaller rival of neighbouring Genoa, until in 1528 Genoa took control of it, blocked the harbour and, in the 1540s, built the Priamar fortress on the site of an entire neighbourhood. The local Della Rovere family gave the Church two popes, Sixtus IV and Julius II, and the first of them built a Sistine Chapel of his own in the city. Between 1809 and 1812 Napoleon held Pope Pius VII prisoner in Savona, and in 1830 Giuseppe Mazzini was imprisoned in the Priamar. Today its port is one of the busiest cruise ports in Liguria.
The ten best sights in Savona
1Priamar FortressThe Genoese fortress on the sea front; walk the ramparts free and see two museums inside
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2Sistine Chapel of Savona
Built by Pope Sixtus IV, the same pope as the Rome chapel; small, gilded and next to the cathedral
3Cathedral of Santa Maria AssuntaThe town's main church, a few steps from the Sistine Chapel — see both together
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4Piazza del Brandale
The medieval square under the Campanassa tower, the old heart of the town
5Pinacoteca CivicaThe town gallery in an old palazzo on Via Quarda; an hour of Ligurian painting and ceramics
6Teatro ChiabreraThe 19th-century town theatre; check the season poster for opera and concerts
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7Sanctuary of Nostra Signora di Misericordia
A pilgrimage church in a green valley 6 km inland, for a quiet hour away from the port
8Church of San Paragorio, NoliA small Romanesque church at the edge of Noli, among the oldest on the Riviera
9Leon Pancaldo TowerThe little tower on the old harbour, where the ships come in; good for the first photo
10Lungomare degli Artisti, AlbissolaA sea-front promenade paved in artists' mosaics, 10 minutes east of Savona
Scan with your phone camera to open the map there
What is an audio walk?
Tours in Savona →A guide in your headphones: open the walk on our site, walk from stop to stop, and at each one your phone tells its story. No guide, no group, and free. This is the first walk in Savona:
Free walking tours in Savona
Two popes and a fortress
Savona was Genoa's rival for centuries, and it lost: in 1528 the Genoese took the town, filled in part of its harbour and later razed a whole quarter to build their fortress. What survived is a compact old town between the Priamar and the Darsena, and a surprising link to Rome, since two popes of the Della Rovere family came from here. The walk is flat and short, about two hours with the chapel and a coffee. It ends at the harbour, a few minutes from the cruise terminal.
- Priamar Fortress · The Genoese built the fortress from 1542 on the Priamar hill, demolishing the old quarter that stood there, cathedral included. In 1830-31 the young Giuseppe Mazzini was held prisoner in one of its cells.
- Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta · The cathedral was built at the end of the 16th century to replace the one lost under the fortress. Some of the old church's furnishings were carried here, so the new building holds pieces older than itself.
- Sistine Chapel of Savona · Sixtus IV, born Francesco della Rovere in nearby Celle Ligure, built the chapel around 1481 as a tomb for his parents, in the same years as the Sistine Chapel in Rome. Its interior was redone in Rococo style in the 18th century.
- Teatro Chiabrera · The theatre opened in 1853 and is named after Gabriello Chiabrera, a Savona-born poet of the late 16th and early 17th century who was famous across Italy in his day.
- Piazza del Brandale · The tall tower over the square is the Torre del Brandale, whose bell the people of Savona call the Campanassa. The tower and its bell are the symbol of the town.
- Leon Pancaldo Tower · The tower is named after Leon Pancaldo, a Savona navigator who sailed on Magellan's voyage around the world. The tower is a survivor of the medieval defences of the harbour.
The coast west to Finale
West of Savona the Via Aurelia hugs the cliffs, and in 25 km it passes a marine reserve, a former sea republic and a walled town of the Del Carretto marquises. Noli governed itself for six centuries, which is why it still has its towers and walls. The road is narrow and busy in summer, so start early and park outside the villages. A half day, or a full one with a swim at Varigotti.
- Isola di Bergeggi · The island and the sea around it have been a protected marine area since 2007. Below the cliffs opposite is a sea cave that can be entered by boat or kayak.
- Noli · Noli was an independent maritime republic from 1192 until Napoleon's time in 1797, allied with Genoa against its neighbours. Several of its medieval tower houses still stand.
- Church of San Paragorio · The Romanesque church dates from the 11th century and served as Noli's cathedral. Inside is a large wooden crucifix of the Volto Santo type, robed rather than nearly naked.
- Grotta dei Falsari · The 'forgers' cave' opens right above the sea on the old road between Noli and Varigotti. Local tradition says counterfeiters once minted coins in it, out of sight of the town.
- Varigotti · The low houses of Varigotti stand right on the sand in the colours of an old fishing village. The bay beside Punta Crena is called the Baia dei Saraceni, after the Saracen raiders who once landed on this coast.
- Castel Gavone · The castle of the Del Carretto marquises above Finalborgo is known for its Torre dei Diamanti, faced with diamond-cut stones. Genoa bought the marquisate in the early 18th century and had the castle largely demolished.
Ceramics and popes, the coast east
East of Savona the coast belongs to the potters: Albissola has fired ceramics for centuries, and in the 20th century artists came to work in its kilns. The same few kilometres gave the Church two popes, Sixtus IV from Celle and Julius II from Albisola. The route can end inland at Sassello, the village of soft amaretti, or on the promenade at Varazze. A relaxed half day that fits the morning before boarding.
- Santuario di Nostra Signora di Misericordia · The sanctuary marks the spot where, on 18 March 1536, the Virgin is said to have appeared to a farmer named Antonio Botta. The day is still a holiday in Savona.
- Lungomare degli Artisti · The promenade was paved in 1963 with mosaics designed by artists who worked in Albissola's kilns, among them Lucio Fontana, Wifredo Lam and Aligi Sassu.
- Museo della Ceramica Giuseppe Mazzotti · The Mazzotti family workshop, founded at the start of the 20th century, became a meeting place for the Futurists. Tullio Mazzotti, who signed as Tullio d'Albisola, made Futurist ceramics with them.
- Celle Ligure · Francesco della Rovere was born here in 1414 and became Pope Sixtus IV, the pope who built the Sistine Chapel in Rome and the one in Savona.
- Varazze · Jacobus de Voragine, author of the Golden Legend, the most read book of saints' lives in the Middle Ages, was born in Varazze in the 13th century; his name is the Latin form of the town's.
- Sassello · The hill village is known across Italy for its soft amaretti, made from almonds, sugar and egg white and wrapped one by one in paper.
Getting to Savona and getting around
- Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport · The nearest airport, about 40 minutes east on the A10 — the usual way in for a Costa sailing
- Savona Station · Coastal trains to Genoa and the Riviera; the station sits a little west of the centre, across the Letimbro
- Palacrociere — Savona Cruise Terminal · A cruise departure port: Costa Cruises sails from here. From the station it is about 20 minutes on foot or a short taxi; from the old town a 10-minute walk along the Darsena. Drop bags first, then park in the port car parks
Cheap eats in Savona
Savona eats from the oven: thin farinata from wood-fired ovens, focaccia dripping with oil, and panissa, chickpea batter set, cut and fried. The town's own drink is chinotto, made from a small bitter citrus grown on this coast. Lunch from a counter costs a few euros, and is easy to carry onto the ship's first afternoon.
- Vino e Farinata · Farinata straight from the wood oven on Via Pia, a slice about €3-5
- Casa della Panizza · Fried chickpea panissa and other street snacks, about €3-6
- Panificio La Vecchia Darsena · Ligurian focaccia by the harbour, a slab about €2-4
- Bar Latteria Da Ivano · Old-style bar for cappuccino and a brioche, about €2-3
- Insisto · Gelato in the old town, a cup about €3-4
- Farinata Esco Pazzo · Another farinata counter, quick and cheap, about €3-6
Museums in Savona
- Museo Storico Archeologico · Inside the Priamar; finds from the quarter the fortress buried
- Museo della Ceramica Giuseppe Mazzotti · Futurist ceramics in a working pottery, Albissola Marina
- Pinacoteca Civica · Ligurian paintings and ceramics in the old town
- Museo della Ceramica Manlio Trucco · Small ceramics museum in Albisola Superiore
- Villa Faraggiana · An 18th-century villa with its rooms and garden, Albissola Marina
Nature and day trips near Savona
- Toirano Caves · Guided cave tour 45 minutes west; about an hour underground
- Grotta dei Falsari · A sea cave on the cliff path between Noli and Varigotti
- Isola di Bergeggi · Marine reserve; snorkel or kayak from Bergeggi in summer
- Punta Crena · The headland and cove at Varigotti, clear water for a swim
- Spiaggia delle Fornaci · Savona's free town beach, a short walk from the centre
- Punta Vado Lighthouse · A lighthouse on the cape, view back over the Savona bay
Things to do in Savona with kids
- Lungomare Europa, Varazze · A flat sea-front path for bikes and strollers, east of Varazze
- Castel Gavone · A short climb above Finalborgo to the diamond tower
- Lungomare degli Artisti · Hunt for the mosaics underfoot; gelato on the way
- Fortezza di Castelfranco · A Genoese fort above Finale Marina, with stairs and views
- Spotorno · A sandy family beach west of Savona, shallow water
Where to eat in Savona
- L'Approdo del Bacicin · Ligurian fish dishes on Via Quarda, by the harbour
- Ristorante Molo · Dinner on the Darsena with the ships across the water
- Osteria Bacco · Osteria in the old town for pasta with pesto and local wine
- Osteria da Oreste · A small osteria in an alley near the cathedral
- Trattoria Al Convivio · Home-style trattoria on Via Untoria
- Osteria Cu' de Beu' · On the harbour front; book in summer
Frequently asked questions about Savona
What is there to see in Savona?
The top sights in Savona are Priamar Fortress, Sistine Chapel of Savona and Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. The full list on this page has 10 sights, each with a photo and a short note.
How many days do you need in Savona?
Three to four days are enough to see the best of Savona without rushing, including at least one walking tour.
Is there a free walking tour in Savona?
Yes. sleepntrip has 3 free audio walks in Savona, with no guide and no group: your phone tells the story at every stop. The first one: Two popes and a fortress.
How do you get to Savona and get around?
The main ways are Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport, Savona Station and Palacrociere — Savona Cruise Terminal. Full details are in the transport section on this page.
Where to stay in Savona, and for how much?
sleepntrip shows only rooms in Savona that meet nine conditions: a good location, high guest scores, cleanliness, and a price of up to $80 a night for two. Pick your dates and see what is free.
Looking for a hotel in Savona for your dates?
Only rooms that meet nine conditions, up to $80 a night.