The Villas of the Riviera
The Villas of the Riviera There are those special moments on the Ligurian Riviera when, for a brief instant, you forget why you’re actually here. Perhaps you’re standing on a narrow coastal road, the sea glistening far below, the air scented with salt and pine, and suddenly, behind a wall, a view opens up of a villa that seems to have fallen out of time.
The Riviera can be loud and lively, colorful and bustling. Yet just around the next bend, another world often begins: quieter, more elegant, a little mysterious. Nestled among palm trees, old citrus groves, and terraced gardens lie villas that are more than just beautiful buildings. They are retreats, summer dreams, and sometimes even a stage for great personalities.
Here, noble families spent the warm months; here, inventors experimented; here, artists lived, seeking that special light. And sometimes you can still sense it in an enchanted garden, in an open loggia, in the quiet creak of an old door.
The best part: many of these places are accessible today. You can walk through rooms where history doesn’t feel like a museum exhibit, but is almost tangible. You stroll through gardens that are still laid out in such a way that they naturally draw your gaze toward the sea.
This little guide is an invitation to discover precisely these places. No rush, no ticking boxes, but a slow exploration along the coast. The following villas are among the most beautiful on the Riviera, and each tells its own story of what makes this region so special.
Villa Faraggiana – Albissola Marina
The elegant Villa Faraggiana is a magnificent example of a 17th-century Ligurian country residence. Once owned by the Durazzo family, it impresses with its Baroque interior, ornate furniture, and a harmoniously landscaped garden typical of the era.
📍 Address: Loc.tà Villa Faraggiana 1, 17012 Albissola Marina
🌐 www.villafaraggiana.it
🕒 Hours: daily except Monday, 3:00 PM–7:00 PM
Villa Nobel – Sanremo
Villa Nobel in Sanremo was the final residence of Alfred Nobel, the founder of the Nobel Prizes. Today it houses the exhibition “Scopri l’Ottocento,” which brings the great inventions of the 19th century to life—from telegraphy to synthetic materials. The magnificent façade and well-kept gardens make a visit particularly charming.
📍 Address: Corso Cavallotti 116, 18038 Sanremo
🌐 www.villanobel.provincia.imperia.it
📞 Tel: +39 0184 507380
🕒 Hours: Tue–Sun: 10:00 AM–12:30 PM Fri–Sun additionally: 3:00 PM–6:00 PM
Villa Grock – Imperia
The extraordinary Villa Grock is an architectural masterpiece and the personal statement of the famous clown Adrien Wettach (“Grock”). Exotic forms, oriental details, and a fairytale garden reflect his creative personality.
📍 Address: Via Fanny Roncati Carli 38, 18100 Imperia
🌐http://www.museodelclown.it/de
🎟️ Admission: free
🕒 Opening hours: Fri–Sat: 3:00 PM–5:00 PM Sun: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM and 3:00 PM–5:00 PM
Villa Hanbury – Ventimiglia
A botanical paradise: Villa Hanbury is best known for its spectacular gardens, which cascade down in terraces toward the sea. Over 6,000 plant species from all over the world thrive here.
📍 Address: Corso Montecarlo 43, La Mortola, 18039 Ventimiglia
🌐 www.giardinihanbury.com
🕒 Hours: daily, approx. 9:30 AM–5:00 PM (varies by season)
Villa Durazzo – Santa Margherita Ligure
This Baroque villa towers over Santa Margherita Ligure and offers a magnificent view of the coast. The artfully designed gardens and historic salons are particularly worth seeing.
📍 Address: Via San Francesco d’Assisi 3, 16038 Santa Margherita Ligure
🌐 www.villadurazzo.it
🕒 Opening hours: daily, usually 10:00–18:00 (depending on the season)
Villa Tigullio – Rapallo
Located right on the sea, Villa Tigullio is now a cultural center and library. It combines historic elegance with a unique location in Rapallo’s city park.
📍 Address: Via Castello 1, 16035 Rapallo
🌐 https://hellorapallo.it/en/what-to-see/villa-tigullio/
🕒 Opening hours: vary depending on the exhibition and event
Please note: Many villas have seasonal opening hours or are only partially accessible. It’s worth checking the current hours online or calling ahead before your visit. If you’d like to explore several villas, you can easily combine this with a coastal drive along the Riviera—from Ventimiglia to the Gulf of Tigullio.