Loano

With its palm-lined streets, sun-kissed beaches, and vibrant atmosphere, Loano is an enchanting coastal paradise on the Riviera di Ponente.

This cozy town combines small-town charm, delicious cuisine, rich cultural heritage and verdant landscapes, promising an unforgettable vacation.

Loano’s coastline treats beach lovers to an idyllic stretch of golden sand, offering ample room for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports.

For a more comfortable beach experience, private bathing facilities offer well-appointed amenities, including sunbeds, umbrellas, and beach dining services.

The wonderfully maintained waterfront promenade offers splendid views for leisurely walks and bike rides. Enriched by green Mediterranean vegetation, lively bars and small restaurants, this shady waterfront brings Loano’s coastal charm to life.

The heart of Loano’s history beats within its well-preserved old town, marked by quaint narrow alleys, charming squares, and curious frescoes.

Piazza Italia, the city’s central square, sets the perfect stage for exploring architectural gems such as the Palazzo Doria and the church of San Giovanni Battista. Loano’s historic castle, now repurposed as an exhibition space, offers a glimpse into the city’s rich past.

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The municipality of Loano hides within its borders numerous attractions and places of interest, including:

Rich in history, art and full of captivating stories of a bygone era, this noble residence is a testament to the city’s historic past.

Palazzo Doria, built in the 16th century, served as a prestigious seat of power for the Doria family, one of the most influential and prominent aristocratic families of the Maritime Republic of Genoa. The opulent palace was built as their summer retreat, a symbol of their power and wealth.

The Palazzo Doria stands out among Loano’s charming, narrow alleys with its unique facade, which bears the hallmark of the distinctive Genoese architectural style. A first glance at the exterior reveals intricate patterns and delicate frescoes, gracefully adorning the palace walls.

Through a sequence of interconnected rooms and halls adorned with frescoes, tapestries, and exquisite works of art, the palace showcases the artistic mastery and refinement of 16th-century Liguria.

Built by the influential Doria Family in the 12th century, this medieval fortress was intended as a line of defense against potential maritime invasions. Perched on a hill with panoramic views of the sea and the surrounding region, the stronghold played a key role in the city’s historical chronology.

Despite enduring centuries and the weight of many sieges, the Ancient Doria Castle remains a beloved architectural marvel. Its sturdy stone walls, majestic central tower, and remnants of ancient fighting paint a vivid picture of medieval building aesthetics.

A visit to the Ancient Doria Castle reveals precious fragments of Loano’s past. The perimeter of the castle contains traces of old dwellings and artifacts dating back to the century. You can imagine the fortress living on energy during the Middle Ages, full of stories of valor and resilience.

The Antico Castello Doria, over the years, has undergone thoughtful restoration to preserve its historical fabric and grant it a new lease on life. It now serves as a compelling exhibition space that houses regular displays showing history, culture, archaeology, and more.

The city strategically displays seven beautiful artistic fountains that not only beautify its picturesque landscape, but also serve as a testament to the cultural richness of this region.

• The Measures, The Sky by Walter Sabatini
• The Fountain Of Hours by Sandro Lorenzin
• Fulvio Filidei’s Loanese Rhythmic Vibration
• At the Top of the World by Ugo Nespolo
• Conversation At the Source by Bruno Chersicla
• Bruno Chersicla’s Neptune
• Joan Fountain at Doria Palace

The Fountains of Art project is a contemporary art project that draws inspiration from the rich history of Loano during the reign of the Doria family.

In the period of the Doria family’s rule, in fact, the choice to beautify the city space through the construction of fountains became established.

Today, the decision to continue along that road has not only an architectural value, closely related to street furniture, but is also and above all a cultural and tourism investment that is directly related to the city’s image.

In a side street, which connects the waterfront and the old town, you can cross Porta Passorino, one of the four gates that opened in the city walls and closed off Via Cavour to the west.

The gate was built under the rule of Gio Andrea I and was called “Porta dell’Orologio,” because in 1774 a turret, decorated with Savoy coats of arms, with a clock and bell, was erected above it to warn the inhabitants of Loano of dangers.

The sea workers’ cottage is a century-old building in the center of Loano’s waterfront, built in the late 19th century as a “Maritime Health Station.”

This is where customs and health checks were carried out on maritime traffic, which took place directly on the beach.

It later became the headquarters of the Guardia di Finanza beach delegation and then the social headquarters of the Sea Workers Association.

Today it has been transformed into a small museum, housing memorabilia and mementos of life on the sea and the history of Loano, made available or donated by Loano families.

The Lodanum Association has created, a small museum in which it preserves and exhibits objects and documentation on the maritime tradition of Loano and, in general, the Western Riviera.

The Association has collected numerous cultural-historical materials such as books, documents, photographs, and models testifying to the region’s seafaring past.

The exhibition brings together original period photographs, scale reproduced ship models, maritime paraphernalia and equipment.

The photographs represent a cultural and historical journey from the second half of the 1800s to the first half of the 1900s.

Caves of Toirano

Upon entering the realm of Toirano Caves, visitors are transported to an ancient sculpted world millions of years old.

Comprising a fascinating network of caves, remarkable stalactite and stalagmite formations draw the eyes upward and downward, creating a natural wonder that appears almost supernatural.

Born of nature’s tireless work, these caves reveal intriguing stories of the prehistoric era.

In addition to their incredible scenic value, the Toirano caves also have significant archaeological importance: the largest deposit of cave bear bones in all of Europe is found here.

Toirano Caves also hold evidence of Homo Sapiens who lived here more than ten thousand years ago.

Varatella Valley Ethnographic Museum

In the heart of Toirano, the Varatella Valley Ethnographic Museum stands as a vibrant celebration of local culture and heritage. Housing a comprehensive collection of traditional crafts, tools and artifacts, the museum provides a lens into the life and work of the region’s past era.

The beach in Loano runs for more than two kilometers parallel to the historic center this sandy beach mixed with pebbles is ideal for all types of visitors who want to enjoy the beauty of the Ligurian Sea. Along the beach alternate areas of free beach with bathing establishments equipped with all services and Comfort including pare the play for children not law of sports equipment bar service and restaurant.

For the adventurous at heart, Loano’s beaches are well equipped to offer thrilling water sports activities. From snorkeling to paddle boarding, these beaches offer various opportunities for sportsmen and women.

Like many other locations in Liguria, lo have also been awarded the blue flag for the cleanliness of its sea.

In addition to its lovely beaches, Loano is a strategic base for exploring some of the most beautiful locations in western Liguria, such as Bordighera, San Remo, Diano Marina, and Alassio.

Soak up the sun and enjoy exploring the Ligurian Riviera when you visit Loano.

In Loano there is a wide choice of hotels, many B&Bs, room rentals, vacation homes and apartments for tourists.

This makes Loano’s hotels and apartments especially popular for sea view rooms.

Here too, as in many places in Liguria, it is definitely advisable to book early to have the best possible choice.

Reaching Loano is very easy.

Along the A10, the Genoa-Ventimiglia highway, it is advisable to take the Borghetto Santo Spirito exit coming from the Ponente or the Pietra Ligure exit coming from the Levante. From the toll gate, the city center can be reached in a few minutes.

The train is just as comfortable. Virtually all regional trains on the Genoa-Ventimiglia Line stop in Loano, and the station is in the center of town.

The nearest airport is Genoa airport.