Taggia and Arma di Taggia: Old Town, Coast and Olive

• Taggia, Arma di Taggia and Levà are three connected areas within the municipality.
• Taggia lies in the Argentina Valley and is known for its historic centre, with carrugi, palaces and churches.
• Arma is the coastal settlement, with a beach and seafront promenade. Landmarks include Villa Boselli and Piazza Tiziano Chierotti.
• The railway station is called Taggia-Arma and is located in Levà, between the two areas.
• The Taggiasca olive takes its name from Taggia; olives are used both for oil and as table olives.
• Table olives have a different protected designation of origin from extra virgin olive oil.

Taggia’s old town sits on a hillside in the Argentina Valley. Narrow carrugi, historic palaces and churches make for an engaging walk; the Ponte Antico across the Argentina River is especially striking. The paths are not all level, so wear comfortable shoes and allow plenty of time for your visit rather than just passing through between two journeys.

An important cultural landmark is the Convento di San Domenico. The complex is known for its artworks and gives a visit to the town a specific art-historical focus alongside its lanes and architecture. If you are interested in religious buildings and frescoes, take time to explore the area around the monastery and combine your visit with a walk through the historic centre. Access to and opening hours of individual indoor spaces should not be confused with general access to the town.

Arma di Taggia is the municipality’s seaside area. The beach, promenade and newer coastal settlement are concentrated here; Villa Boselli and Piazza Tiziano Chierotti are useful landmarks. The municipality describes Taggia and Arma as separate districts, so you can combine a historic walk in Taggia with a separate seaside stay in Arma, rather than expecting to find a beach right beside the old town.

Beach services and access points may change with the season. Plan the coast as a separate part of your itinerary and choose between a beach break and a walk along the promenade once you are there. If your main focus is a beach holiday, compare Arma with the coastal town of Cervo; for local history and views over the valley, start with Taggia’s historic centre.

The station is named Taggia-Arma, but it is located in Levà. The municipality describes Levà as the link between the built-up area of Arma and historic Taggia. The station should therefore not be mistaken for either the beach centre or the old town’s lanes. If you are travelling by train, plan the journey from the station to your destination in town separately.

The current RFI timetable for Taggia-Arma is valid from 14 June to 12 December 2026; departures for individual days can be checked on the live monitor. RFI lists five platform tracks at the station and does not show an assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility. If you rely on organised boarding assistance, take this limitation into account when deciding how to travel. Live departures from Taggia-Arma station

The Taggiasca olive takes its name from Taggia. The variety is used for olive oil and as a table olive, and is closely associated with agriculture in the Argentina Valley. When shopping, pay attention to the wording on the label: “Taggiasca” is first and foremost the name of a variety. Extra virgin olive oil with protected origin may carry the Riviera Ligure DOP designation with the geographical qualifier Riviera dei Fiori; in 2025, a separate PGI, “Olive taggiasche liguri IGP”, was recognised for table olives.

This distinction helps you avoid confusing local tradition with certified origin. If you want to taste oil or preserved olives, ask about the specific product and its designation. For more on the variety, cuisine and origin, see the page on the Taggiasca olive of Liguria; the overview of the Province of Imperia also places Taggia in the context of nearby towns and the hinterland.

For a first day, start with the historic centre in the morning: begin at the Ponte Antico, follow the carrugi and take time to visit the Convento di San Domenico. You can then use Levà to make the journey between the districts and spend the afternoon by the sea in Arma. This is an editorial itinerary suggestion, not a set walking time; routes and breaks depend on your starting point.

If you plan to stay in the area, decide whether the old town, the station or the beach is your main base when looking for accommodation. Compare accommodation in Taggia by location, depending on whether you are planning historic sightseeing or a seaside stay. If you want to stay right by the sea, check whether the specific property is in Arma rather than in the higher-lying historic town of Taggia.

Is Taggia right by the beach?

No. Taggia is the historic town in the Argentina Valley; Arma di Taggia is the municipality’s coastal settlement. Levà links the two built-up areas.

Where is Taggia-Arma railway station?

The station is in Levà. It serves the municipality by rail, but is not right by the beach centre or the old town.

What does the Taggiasca olive have to do with Taggia?

The olive takes its name from the town and is used both for oil and as a table olive. For protected products, distinguish the Riviera Ligure DOP designation for olive oil from the PGI “Olive taggiasche liguri IGP” for table olives.

Can you visit Taggia and Arma in one day?

Yes. You can spend one part of the day exploring historic Taggia and another by the coast in Arma. When planning the journey between the areas, take the location of your accommodation and the route via Levà into account.