Noli and Varigotti day trip from Finale Ligure or Savona or Genoa
A day trip to Noli and Varigotti from Finale Ligure, Savona or Genoa: the Saracen borgo of Varigotti on its beach, the old church of San Lorenzo on Punta Crena and the cliff path to the Grotta dei Falsari, then Noli, with its beach and fishing boats, the Cathedral of San Pietro, the towers and Loggia of the old sea republic and the Romanesque church of San Paragorio. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Noli and Varigotti in 1 day
Day 1
Historic centre of Varigotti (the Saracen borgo)
Old fishing village of cube-shaped houses in warm colours, built right on the beach, with narrow lanes and boats on the sand.
Chiesa di San Lorenzo Vecchio at Punta Crena
Small old church on the Punta Crena headland above Varigotti, with views over the bay and the Saracen borgo.
Grotta dei Falsari (Sentiero del Pellegrino)
Sea cave on the cliffs of Capo Noli, said to have hidden counterfeiters, reached by the Sentiero del Pellegrino.
Noli beach and the fishing boats
The town beach below the old walls, where fishing boats are pulled up on the sand, good for a swim or a seafront walk.
Cathedral of San Pietro, Noli
Noli's cathedral in the heart of the old town, with a richly decorated Baroque interior.
Historic centre of Noli (Loggia della Repubblica and the towers)
The medieval town of the old Republic of Noli, with tall stone towers, arcaded lanes and the Loggia by the sea.
San Paragorio
Romanesque church of the 11th century just outside Noli's walls, one of the finest in Liguria, with a crypt and an old wooden crucifix.
Getting there
Buses run along the Aurelia coast road from Savona and from Finale Ligure; Varigotti is about 10 minutes from Finale. From Genoa, take a regional train to Savona or Finale Ligure and the bus on. By car, the A10 motorway exits at Spotorno and Finale Ligure.
Staying in Finale Ligure or Savona or Genoa? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Noli and Varigotti
May, June and September are ideal: warm sea, open beaches and fewer people than in July and August, when the coast fills with holidaymakers. Spring and autumn are good for the cliff path. Winters are mild, and the old towns are quiet but lived in.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Noli and Varigotti on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Noli and Varigotti on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Noli and Varigotti on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
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Tips for Noli and Varigotti
- Wear proper shoes for the Sentiero del Pellegrino over Capo Noli: the path along the cliffs is rocky, with steep stretches and little shade.
- Buses along the Aurelia coast road link Finale Ligure, Varigotti, Noli and Savona; in summer the road and car parks are busy, so the bus is easier.
- San Paragorio opens only a few hours a week; check the opening times and plan the end of the day around them.
- Take a swimsuit: Varigotti's Baia dei Saraceni and Noli's beach are good for a swim from late spring to early autumn.
- Try Noli's fried cicciarelli, small local fish, in a trattoria by the sea.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Chiesa di San Lorenzo Vecchio at Punta Crena: Prelvini, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Grotta dei Falsari (Sentiero del Pellegrino): Terensky, CC BY 3.0
- Historic centre of Noli (Loggia della Repubblica and the towers): Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Historic centre of Varigotti (the Saracen borgo): Twice25 & Rinina25, CC BY 2.5
- San Paragorio: Davide Papalini, CC BY-SA 2.5
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
