Savona is a provincial capital on the Italian Riviera, a working port city of about 58,000 people some 40 kilometres west of Genoa. It is not a picture-postcard village: it is a real city, with a commercial harbour, a compact old town and a 16th-century fortress overlooking the seafront. That is exactly what makes it easy: everything worth seeing is within walking distance and fits into a single day.
For many visitors Savona is first of all a cruise port. Costa Cruises’ Palacrociere terminal sits on the Calata delle Vele, right next to the old harbour: step off the ship and in five to ten minutes on foot you are under the Torretta at the start of via Paleocapa. If you only have a few hours ashore, follow our step-by-step plan in Savona in one day on a cruise stop.
Stay longer and you find an art city that few guidebooks cover properly. Two Della Rovere popes, Sixtus IV and Julius II, left their mark here, including a funeral chapel locals call the “Sistine Chapel”; ceramics have been made here for centuries; and the food has two specialities you will hardly find anywhere else, white farinata and chinotto. Savona is also a practical base by train: Varazze, Noli and Finale Ligure are a short ride away, and Genoa about an hour.
By Italian Riviera editorial team·Updated on ·11 min read
Where is Savona?
Savona is in Liguria (Riviera di Ponente, Riviera delle Palme, province of Savona).
The old town lies between the old harbour, the Priamar Fortress and piazza Mameli. Distances are short: from the Torretta to the Priamar takes less than ten minutes on foot. Always check opening times for the museums and the Sistine Chapel before you go, as they change often and some sites open only at weekends.
Priamar Fortress
The huge fortress on the headland west of the harbour is the city’s landmark. The Republic of Genoa started building it in 1542, after conquering Savona in 1528, and flattened the medieval quarter on the hill to make room for it, old cathedral included. It was built less to defend Savona than to keep it under control.
In the 19th century the Priamar became a prison. Giuseppe Mazzini, one of the fathers of Italian unification, was held here in 1830–1831. Today the bastions, courtyards and walkways host museums, exhibitions and summer events, and the ramparts give one of the best views over the port and the sea.
The Priamar museums
There are two museums inside the fortress. The Archaeological and City Museum tells the story of Savona from prehistory to the Middle Ages through finds dug up on the headland itself, ceramics included. In the Palazzo della Loggia, the Sandro Pertini and Renata Cuneo Museum shows the art collection donated by the Italian president, born in the province of Savona, together with sculptures by the Savona artist Renata Cuneo.
Opening times, tickets and guided tours of the fortress are on the Savona Archaeological Museum website. Note that the civic art gallery is not here, but at Palazzo Gavotti in the town centre.
Leon Pancaldo Tower (the Torretta)
The small tower on the harbour, known simply as the “Torretta”, is the last piece of the medieval walls that closed the city towards the sea. It is documented from 1392 and was spared in 1527, when Genoa pulled down the walls. On the façade you can see the coat of arms of the Republic of Genoa, painted in the 18th century.
It is named after Leon Pancaldo, a Savona navigator who sailed with Magellan on the first voyage around the world. It is the natural starting point for a visit: via Paleocapa begins here, and the old harbour is a few steps away.
Old harbour and Brandale Tower
The Vecchia Darsena is the historic harbour, with fishing boats, pleasure craft, bars and restaurants along the quays. It is where locals come for an evening aperitivo and where many open-air events are held in summer.
Behind the quays rise the medieval towers. The tallest is the Brandale Tower, from the 12th century and about 50 metres high: it holds the “Campanassa”, the bell that once called the city together, and with the Corsi and Guarnieri towers and the Palazzo degli Anziani it forms the heart of medieval Savona.
Via Paleocapa and via Pia
Via Paleocapa is the main street: it runs from the Torretta up towards piazza del Popolo under long arcades lined with shops and old cafés. Look up, as many buildings are Art Nouveau. The best known is the Palazzo dei Pavoni from 1912, decorated with peacocks and floral motifs. Along the street stands the 18th-century church of Sant’Andrea, with an onion-domed bell tower.
Running parallel to the harbour, via Pia is the medieval lane of the old town: narrow, with small shops, focaccia bakeries and carved stone doorways. It links the cathedral area with the towers.
Cathedral of Nostra Signora Assunta
The cathedral was built between 1589 and 1605 to replace the one demolished on the Priamar; the façade and dome were only completed in the 19th century. Inside are a Renaissance marble pulpit, works from the old cathedral and the wooden choir commissioned by Pope Julius II and finished in 1521.
Sistine Chapel of Savona
Next to the cathedral, on the cloister of the former San Francesco convent, is the chapel that Pope Sixtus IV, Francesco Della Rovere, had built in 1481–1483 as a mausoleum for his parents. It is far smaller than the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, which is named after the same pope, and has nothing to do with Michelangelo.
The 15th-century marble tomb of the pope’s parents survives intact. The rest was redone in 1762–1764 in Rococo style, with stucco, light-coloured frescoes and an organ from 1764. Opening hours are limited, mostly at weekends, with special openings on some summer evenings: check before you go.
Civic Art Gallery
At Palazzo Gavotti, in piazza Chabrol, the Pinacoteca civica traces art in Savona and Liguria from the 14th to the 20th century, from medieval panels to Renaissance and Baroque paintings and a modern section. It shares its entrance and ticket office with the Ceramics Museum.
Ceramics Museum
On via Aonzo, a few steps from the gallery, the Ceramics Museum opened in 2014 and displays majolica and pottery from Savona and Albisola from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. If you like ceramics, it is the right stop before heading to Albisola. Opening times and tickets are on the Ceramics Museum website.
Piazza Mameli and the 6 pm ritual
Every day at 6 pm something surprising happens in piazza Mameli: the bell of the war memorial strikes 21 times and the square comes to a halt. Pedestrians, cyclists and often drivers stay still until the last stroke, in memory of the fallen of all wars. If you are in town at that hour, be there.
Sanctuary of Nostra Signora di Misericordia
About 6 kilometres from the centre, in the Letimbro valley, the sanctuary stands where, according to tradition, the Virgin appeared to a farmer, Antonio Botta, on 18 March 1536. It is the shrine of Savona’s patron saint, celebrated every year on 18 March. Reach it by car or city bus: it makes a good half-day once you have seen the centre.
Sea
Beaches in Savona
Savona has several kilometres of coast with free beaches and beach clubs. There are three main areas: the beach below the Priamar, the closest to the centre; Fornaci, to the south-west, with a long stretch of sand and a seafront promenade; and Zinola, towards Vado Ligure, with a free beach equipped with a bar, showers and accessible changing rooms. In summer the free beaches have toilets.
The sand is mixed with shingle and beach clubs fill up at summer weekends. For clearer water on a day trip, take the train or drive to Bergeggi, with its island and marine reserve, or to Varigotti.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Savona
The centre, between via Paleocapa, piazza Sisto IV and the old harbour, is the best choice if you arrive by train or are boarding a cruise: you can walk everywhere, port included, and have restaurants and bars in the evening. You will find city hotels, B&Bs and apartments.
For the beach, look at the Fornaci seafront and Zinola: quieter, close to the sand and a few minutes by bus from the centre. Many travellers prefer to stay in a nearby beach town such as Varazze, Celle Ligure or Noli and visit Savona for the day. Before a cruise, spend the night before in the centre to avoid port traffic on embarkation morning.
Savona is on the A10 Genoa–Ventimiglia motorway (Savona exit) and linked to Turin by the A6. From Genoa it is about 45 kilometres of motorway. Traffic is heavy on cruise embarkation days and on summer weekends.
By train
Savona station is on the coastal Genoa–Ventimiglia line and on the line to Turin. Regional trains from Genoa take about an hour. From the station to the centre is a 10–15 minute walk or a short bus ride. Timetables and tickets on Trenitalia.
By bus
City and regional buses are run by TPL Linea: they link the station with the centre, the port, the beaches at Zinola and Fornaci and the sanctuary, as well as the towns along the coast.
By ship
Savona is one of the main cruise ports in the Mediterranean: Costa ships berth at the Palacrociere in the new harbour, a few minutes’ walk from the centre. Terminal logistics are on the Port Authority page.
By air
The nearest airport is Genoa, about 40 kilometres away: 35–45 minutes by car, or by train with a change in Genoa. Alternatives are Nice Côte d’Azur, about 150 kilometres away, and the larger airports of Milan and Turin.
Parking
The old town is best explored on foot and street parking is scarce: leave the car in a pay car park on the edge of the centre or near the station and walk. If you are boarding a cruise, Costa usually runs a shuttle from an off-site car park to the terminal: prices and booking are in your travel documents. Do not leave your car for days in the centre’s blue-line street parking.
A10 Genoa–Ventimiglia (Savona exit) and A6 from Turin; about 45 km from Genoa
By train
Savona station, Genoa–Ventimiglia and Turin lines: about an hour from Genoa by regional train
By plane
Genoa (about 40 km, 35–45 minutes); Nice Côte d'Azur about 150 km
The guide
What to eat in Savona
White farinata: Savona’s version of the Ligurian “fainâ”, made with wheat flour instead of chickpea flour. Tradition links it to the duties Genoa put on chickpea flour in the 16th century. It is paler and crisper; look for it in the focaccia shops and farinata bakeries of the centre.
Chinotto di Savona: a small bitter citrus that arrived from China around 1500 and grows only on the coast between Varazze and Pietra Ligure. It is a Slow Food Presidium: eaten candied or in syrup, once served in maraschino liqueur, and it gave its name to the soft drink.
Focaccia and vegetable pies: as everywhere in Liguria, ideal for a quick lunch between museums.
Fish: around the old harbour and in the lanes you find trattorias serving the catch of the day and fritto misto.
Day trips from Savona
Albisola (a few kilometres east): the ceramics town, with the Passeggiata degli Artisti, a seafront paved with mosaics opened in 1963, with works by Lucio Fontana and Wifredo Lam.
Varazze: long beaches, a seafront path and a lively small town all year round.
Celle Ligure: colourful houses on the sea; Pope Sixtus IV was born in Pecorile, in its hills.
Bergeggi: the island, the sea cave and one of the best beaches between Savona and Noli.
Noli: a former maritime republic with towers, medieval lanes and a beach right in front of the village.
Varigotti and Finale Ligure: the “Saracen” houses on the beach, the walled Finalborgo and a hub for climbing and mountain biking.
Genoa: about an hour by train, for the Aquarium, the old town and the Palazzi dei Rolli. Portofino and the Cinque Terre are much further east: too far for a short stay.
Weather
Weather and best time to visit Savona
All year; spring and autumn for the city, June–September for the sea
🌙
15°CNow · wind 12 km/h
Sat 10⛅21° 14°
Sun 11🌦️21° 14°1 mm
Mon 12🌤️22° 16°
Tue 13☀️22° 15°
Wed 14🌤️22° 14°
Thu 15☀️24° 15°
Forecast: MET Norway (Yr), CC BY 4.0 licence. Updated hourly.
Savona and its harbour from abovePriamar Fortress in Savona with a contemporary sculptureOld Darsena of SavonaSavona harbour and cruise terminal from aboveLeon Pancaldo Tower and statue on Savona harbourExhibition room of the Ceramics Museum in SavonaLeon Pancaldo Tower on Savona harbour
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Savona
What can I see in Savona in one day?
The Torretta and the old harbour, the medieval towers, via Paleocapa, the cathedral with the Sistine Chapel, the Priamar Fortress and its museums and, if there is time, the art gallery and Ceramics Museum. Be in piazza Mameli at 6 pm.
Is the Savona cruise terminal far from the town centre?
No. The Palacrociere is in the new harbour: in five to ten minutes on foot you reach the Torretta and via Paleocapa, with no need for shuttles or taxis.
What is the Sistine Chapel of Savona?
The chapel Pope Sixtus IV built in 1481–1483 as a mausoleum for his parents, next to the cathedral. It keeps the original 15th-century tomb and was redecorated in Rococo style in the 18th century.
How long does a visit to the Priamar Fortress take?
Allow 45 minutes for the bastions and the view; with the Archaeological Museum and the Pertini-Cuneo Museum, at least two hours.
Does Savona have good beaches?
It has convenient city beaches at the Priamar, Fornaci and Zinola, with free and paid sections. For clearer water, head to Bergeggi, Noli or Varigotti.
What is chinotto di Savona?
A bitter citrus grown only on the coast between Varazze and Pietra Ligure, now a Slow Food Presidium. It is eaten candied or in syrup and gave its name to the Italian soft drink.
What is white farinata?
Savona’s farinata made with wheat flour instead of chickpea flour: paler, thinner and crisper. It is a speciality of Savona and the surrounding towns.
What is the 6 pm ritual in Savona?
Every day at 6 pm the war memorial bell in piazza Mameli strikes 21 times and people in the square stop in silence, in memory of the fallen of all wars.
How do I get from Genoa to Savona?
By regional train on the Genoa–Ventimiglia line in about an hour, or by car on the A10, about 45 kilometres.
Can I reach Portofino or the Cinque Terre from Savona?
Technically yes, but they are well east of Genoa and take two hours or more each way: not realistic on a short stay or a cruise stop. From Savona, the closest seaside highlights are Varazze, Noli, Varigotti and Finale Ligure.
