The Riviera of Flowers: towns, beaches and trips in western Liguria

• The name Riviera dei Fiori is used for the western coastal area around the province of Imperia.
• Sanremo, Bordighera, Ventimiglia and Diano are among the region’s best-known coastal towns.
• Gardens and flower-growing culture shape the area’s character, alongside harbours, old towns and promenades.
• Olive groves, terraces and smaller villages extend inland from the coast.
• Beaches and access to the sea vary from place to place; the regional name alone tells you little about them.

The Riviera di Ponente is the larger western coastal area of Liguria. The Riviera of Flowers, or Riviera dei Fiori, refers in particular to the stretch around Imperia and the coast towards the French border; it is not simply another name for the whole Riviera di Ponente. Regional tourism guides group places such as Ventimiglia, Sanremo, Imperia and Diano together in this context. When planning a trip, it is therefore more useful to choose specific coastal towns and their surroundings than to look for a supposedly precise boundary.

Sanremo is a good choice if you want to combine a larger city with an old town, a promenade and cultural attractions. Bordighera pairs a historic upper town with gardens and the sea. Ventimiglia lies near the French border, where the elevated old town is distinctly different from the newer part of the city. Imperia has two historic centres, Oneglia and Porto Maurizio, and a strong connection to olive oil culture. These differences can help you choose a holiday base that matches the balance you want between a town stroll, the coast and day trips.

The Riviera of Flowers owes its name to more than just a promotional label for the coast: flower growing has shaped Sanremo and the region since the late 19th century. Near Ventimiglia, the Hanbury Botanical Gardens offer another perspective on the region’s gardening tradition. Opening hours and visitor arrangements may vary by season, so no fixed times are promised here.

Olive groves and olive oil are also part of western Liguria’s cultural landscape. The Taggiasca olive is a distinctive local variety, linking the coast, villages and agriculture in the hinterland. If you want to enjoy regional cuisine as well as visiting gardens and towns, you can include this culinary highlight when choosing your excursions.

The coast is not one continuous stretch of beach: depending on the town, you will find promenades, bathing establishments, small coves or stretches with different terrain. So choose the coastal town you want to visit first, then check access to the beach at that specific spot. For a trip inland, individual valleys and villages offer a change of pace from the sea. When planning your day, take account of elevation changes and routes between the coast and the hinterland rather than stringing together lots of stops based only on the map.

Your choice of town shapes the character of your stay: Sanremo brings together urban attractions and flower-growing culture; Bordighera combines its upper town with gardens; and Ventimiglia has a historic centre on higher ground alongside a more modern part of town. Imperia, meanwhile, consists of the two centres of Oneglia and Porto Maurizio. Rather than cramming all these places into a single day along the coast, choose a base that suits your main interests and add no more than one trip inland. This makes it easier to balance travel time, elevation changes and time by the sea.

On a longer stay, you can pair the coastal towns with a single village in the hinterland. Narrow roads and steep terrain make these trips an outing in their own right; it is better to choose one valley or village than to connect several stops based only on the straight-line distance.

If you want to use the Riviera of Flowers as a base for exploring both the coast and the hinterland, compare accommodation in the province of Imperia by location. A base near Sanremo, Bordighera or Ventimiglia will give your stay a different focus; the best choice depends on the places you plan to visit and how you want to spend your days.