Bordighera

Bordighera is the perfect town for both a weekend getaway and a longer stay, even two or more weeks: here every day, with the right information, you can always do something new and exciting.

From here you can easily visit inland medieval villages, the French Riviera, and have a larger, bustling center like San Remo on your doorstep.

Bordighera is a man-made city, alive but not chaotic, where you easily make friends on the beach, the park or the cafes of the old town. It is a great place to play sports, organize excursions and cultural visits, or simply relax on the seashore.

Villas with large parks, beautiful gardens, stately buildings: the English colony of Bordighera is no longer that of the late nineteenth century, but its mark has remained intact. Claude Monet stayed here in 1884 and painted 38 paintings, fascinated by the unique light of this coast. Queen Margaret chose Bordighera as her residence, and National Geographic listed her sunset among the 10 most beautiful in the world.

Bordighera is different from the other centers of the Ponente and has managed to maintain an elegant appearance. Behind the waterfront lies a world to be discovered: the medieval charm of Bordighera Alta, enclosed within its pentagonal walls; the enchantment of Capo Sant’Ampelio, the southernmost point in Liguria, and its small Romanesque church; the little secrets that lurk at Arziglia and, further on, on the slopes of Monte Nero.

A pearl in an extraordinary territory

Bordighera is located in the mildest area in all of Liguria , probably from all over northern Italy. Far western Liguria is known for having a wonderful climate year-round: pleasant even in the coldest months and breezy even in the hottest summers. The mountains close to the coast create a natural protective effect from the cold northern winds, providing average temperatures of 10°C in January and 24°C in summer.

This beautiful resort town is nestled between the famous city of San Remo, where the Italian song festival is held, and the French Riviera. Bordighera is almost on the border between Italy and France.

This location makes the city a truly strategic base for those who want to experience a holiday full of beauty, things to see and points of interest. In just 10 minutes you can reach Menton, in 20 the Principality of Monaco, or explore the resorts of western Liguria and the extraordinary inland villages such as Dolceacqua and Apricale.

A wonderful destination 365 days a year.

Compared to other large tourist resorts, Bordighera is a destination that has a limited choice of hotels, and the best vacation rentals need to be booked well in advance.

High season begins from mid-June until the end of August-this is the peak tourist season. Beautiful, but prices rise slightly.

During the year the period of is also very popular Easter , the period of Christmas and there is a great influx also during the important events around: Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, Monaco Grand Prix, Sanremo Festival to name a few.

If you can choose when to go on vacation, the best times to visit Bordighera are spring, from April to early June, and fall. In these periods the temperatures are wonderful, the city is quieter and it is possible to swim in clear water.

If you love the sea in winter and want to relax for a week, Bordighera is definitely a suitable destination for you. During the day the temperature is often around 15-20 degrees, and you can visit the surroundings without traffic, do outdoor sports and enjoy local specialties without making restaurant reservations.

The beach is definitely the protagonist of the days of those who choose Bordighera for their vacation. On beautiful and sunny winter days, strolling along the Argentine seafront is relaxing and regenerating.

But, of course, it is in summer that Bordighera’s beaches are at their best: here a long line of bathing establishments equipped with umbrellas, sunbeds and deckchairs, cocktail bars and inviting restaurants enliven the lives of travelers.

For those looking for simply the tranquility of the beach there are numerous free beaches where to lie down in freedom and work on your tan.

To navigate the beaches, here is a short list from west to east:

• Rattaconigli beach : the largest beach in Bordighera. Almost completely free but served by several bars that organize parties with music in the summer. It has a nice bike path behind it and is an ideal choice for families looking for space.
• Beaches west of the station: on this side of Bordighera beaches can be reached by car and are served by many parking lots. Here too the establishments often organize beautiful evenings and offer many services.
• Beaches east of the station: on this side the promenade is pedestrian and the beach is easily reached by convenient underpasses from downtown. Perfect for those staying downtown who want the beach within walking distance.
• St. Ampelius Cliffs: this corner of the city, just below the small church of the same name, is sacred to the Bordigans. Here the water is very clean and it is very fun to dive from the rocks and explore the seabed with the mask. The best place in Bordighera for snorkeling.
• Arziglia : quiet and more isolated, this is the ancient fishermen’s beach. Those seeking peace and an authentic atmosphere will find it here.

In Bordighera there are no golden sandy beaches. The bottom consists of round gravel and, in some places, more or less coarse sand. The water, however, is very clear and the bottom slopes gently-a feature that makes Bordighera’s beaches suitable for children as well.

Find out more about the most beautiful beaches of Bordighera.

Bordighera is a town to be enjoyed at leisure, appreciating the quiet everyday life among the beautiful beaches, its gardens and refined architecture.

Do not expect great monuments as in art cities: here beauty is diffuse, discovered by walking, turning a corner, looking up at a painted facade or a monumental ficus 20 meters high. In this context there are several points of interest worth a visit.

At the southernmost point of Liguria and the whole of northern Italy stands the small and charming church of Sant’Ampelio, built in the 11th century in the Romanesque style.

Above the altar is a 17th-century statue depicting St. Ampelius, titular of the church and patron saint of Bordighera. It is often possible to visit the crypt beneath the church, where according to tradition the saint lived for 17 years after arriving from Thebaid, Egypt, bringing with him the date kernels that gave rise to Bordighera’s palm trees.

From the church of Sant’Ampelio one can walk along the Argentina promenade, the longest pedestrian promenade on the Riviera di Ponente at 2 km: so named in honor of Evita Perón who inaugurated it in 1947.

Tip: come at sunset. The light reflecting off the rocks below the little church is the same spectacle that captivated Monet.

The old town has retained its charm as a fortified village, enclosed by late medieval walls reinforced in the mid-16th century.

Leaving the car in the wide Piazza del Capo, one enters through Porta Sant’Ampelio and then gets lost in the maze of small squares and alleys, among tall, colorful houses connected by characteristic supporting arches. Inside the village, which is more or less pentagonal in shape, is the church of Santa Maria Maddalena, built in the early 17th century and renovated in 1866.

Bordighera Alta is also the heart of the town’s evening life: here you will find some of the best restaurants and the most quaint clubs, perfect for dinner with a view.

Not to be missed: the panoramic terrace on the upper square, from which on clear days you can see as far as Cap Ferrat in France.

Just above the village is Villa Mariani: once the residence of 19th-century painter Pompeo Mariani, it now houses the foundation dedicated to him.

Begun as a cottage and designed by architect Charles Garnier, the villa (with its beautiful park) was further expanded by Mariani, who also had the Specola, the large atelier-museum that can still be visited today, built. Inside the park it is still possible to see one of the olive trees portrayed by Claude Monet in his Bordeaux paintings.

Guided tours, organized weekly, allow visitors to discover the atelier exactly as the painter left it, with his working tools and works.

For visits Tel: +39 0184 265556
For info and updates: Villa Pompeo Mariani Facebook page

Villa Etelinda was built in Bordighera on the Via Romana by Raphaël Bischoffsheim, a German banker living in Paris.

The villa was designed by French architect Charles Garnier, the same as the Paris Opéra, who took some elements from his personal villa in Bordighera: the fine, slender turret and the polychrome mosaics on the facade. The gardens were designed by Ludwig Winter, the celebrated landscape architect who also created the Hanbury Gardens in Ventimiglia.

The villa was later sold to members of the English nobility and finally, in 1914, the villa and the immense garden were purchased by Queen Margaret of Savoy, who chose Bordighera as her residence and spent the last years of her life there.

For visits Tel: +39 392 321 4321

The Bicknell Museum was built in 1888 and is considered the oldest museum in Western Liguria. It houses books, drawings, naturalistic and geological artifacts that are the result of the intense research activities of Clarence Bicknell: an English mathematician, botanist, archaeologist and Esperanto scholar who lived in Bordighera in the late 1800s and studied the cave paintings of Mount Bego. Among his treasures is one of the most prestigious butterfly collections in Europe.

The museum is also home to the International Institute of Ligurian Studies and the International Civic Library, which holds more than 40,000 volumes in Italian, 20,000 in English, 6,000 in French and 3,000 in German.

Whether it is open or closed, it is always worth a visit to the Bicknell Museum if only for the extraordinary monumental plants near its entrance: a giant Ficus Macrophylla over 20 meters tall and a marvelous wisteria that covers the entire facade of the mansion.

The famous French architect Charles Garnier, creator of the Paris Opera and Monte-Carlo Casino, decided to build himself a villa in Bordighera in 1871.

A few meters from Bordighera Alta is Villa Garnier, a majestic building overlooking the sea that has three floors and is characterized by the delightful turret that the architect called “Mon Mirador.”

The rich garden surrounding the villa was designed by landscape architect Ludwig Winter, the same man who also designed the Hanbury Gardens in Ventimiglia.

Today Villa Garnier is a vacation home run by nuns who, by appointment, will be happy to let you visit the property. The view from the garden over the marina is one of the most beautiful in the city.

The Pallanca Exotic Garden is a must-see in Bordighera: it is the botanical garden with the largest variety of succulents in Italy and one of the most important in the world.

The garden is set on the slopes of the ancient volcano Mount Nero, on 10,000 square meters of cliffs overlooking the sea, with a splendid view of the bay. An evocative scenery accompanies you to discover the 3,000 succulent and cacti varieties collected and preserved here for four generations by the Pallanca family.

Tip: Visit it early in the morning, when the sun from the east illuminates the plants and the view of the sea is at its best. It is also an ideal time for photographs.

Discover all there is to see in Bordighera

Bordighera is an ideal place for those who enjoy outdoor sports in all seasons. The mild climate allows for year-round training, and the variety of the area offers options for all levels.

Cycling and bike path: the Ponente Ligure bike path runs along the sea and connects Bordighera to San Lorenzo al Mare via San Remo. Perfect for walking bikes, e-bikes and skates. Those looking for more challenging routes can climb inland on scenic roads with significant elevation gains.

Hiking and walking: hilly paths from Bordighera Alta lead toward Sasso and inland villages among olive groves and terraced belts. The path connecting Bordighera to Dolceacqua is one of the most beautiful in the area. The Argentina promenade, with its 2 km pedestrian promenade, is perfect for running and brisk walking.

Water sports: the reefs of Sant’Ampelio are a hotspot for snorkeling and diving. In summer you can rent SUPs, kayaks and small boats from the marina. The clear water and rocky seabed make Bordighera particularly suitable for those who like to explore the sea.

Tennis and padel: Bordighera has a historic tennis tradition, and several clubs offer courts available to visitors as well.

Bordighera has a calendar of events that enlivens the town in every season.

Feast of St. Amphelius (May 14): the patron saint’s festival is the most heartfelt event for Bordigans. The festivities last three days with processions, shows, stalls and the traditional fireworks over the sea, visible from the Marabutto terrace. It is one of the best times to experience the city’s authentic atmosphere.

Berlicata Festival (August): on the first Friday in August, the hamlet of Sasso celebrates “berlechìn,” a typical local drink similar to sangria, accompanied by traditional dishes and live music.

Bordighera Book Festival: annual event dedicated to literature and culture, with book presentations, meetings with authors and debates.

Christmas markets: between December and January, the center comes alive with stalls selling local products, local handicrafts and culinary specialties.

Summer: concerts, outdoor cinemas, evenings at bathhouses, and food festivals make summer evenings lively without ever being chaotic.

One of the best reasons to choose Bordighera as your base is its strategic location: from here you can easily reach some of the most beautiful destinations on the Riviera and the French Riviera.

Dolceacqua (15 minutes by car): the medieval village with the famous bridge painted by Monet, the Doria Castle and the wineries where you can taste Rossese di Dolceacqua DOC wine. One of the most beautiful trips you can take from Bordighera.

Apricale (25 minutes): medieval village perched on a hill, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. Stone alleys, craft stores and a square where time seems to stand still.

Balzi Rossi (10 minutes): on the border with France, the prehistoric caves and beach are a fascinating stop. The museum houses artifacts dating back 240,000 years.

Menton (15 minutes): the first French town across the border, famous for lemons, botanical gardens and the Jean Cocteau Museum.

Principality of Monaco (30 minutes): the Casino, the Oceanographic Museum, the Princes’ Palace and the Formula 1 circuit can all be reached in a half-day trip.

San Remo (15 minutes): the casino, the old town of Pigna, the harbor, and the flower market. Perfect for a day of shopping and strolling.

Bordighera offers different solutions for your stay: from hotels with sea views to vacation homes in the historic center, from family B&Bs to apartments with gardens. The offer is not as huge as in large tourist resorts, and that is precisely why it is advisable to book in advance, especially for the summer months and holiday periods.

To see all the facilities and book accommodation in Bordighera use the form below, entering the dates of your stay.

There are many restaurants in Bordighera where you can eat well, and each one offers very different specialties as well. Get advice from the locals you meet on the waterfront, but in the meantime let me give you some tips.

Every day from Bordighera’s small harbor, fishermen supply the town’s best restaurants-it is very easy, therefore, to find fresh, top-quality fish.

To order something really typical, the advice is to ask for “Cappon Magro,” an elaborate salad of fish and vegetables that is a dish of the great Ligurian tradition, or “Brandacujùn,” a cream of stockfish, potatoes and extra virgin olive oil that is the comfort food of this coast. Other typical dishes are Sardenaira, the seasoned focaccia that is the local version of pizza (but don’t say I told you so!), Barbagiuai, fried ravioli stuffed with pumpkin typical of the hinterland, Ligurian-style rabbit with Taggiasca olives, and borage ravioli.

Wines to order in Bordighera

As with many other towns in Liguria, the most popular wines are Pigato, Vermentino and especially Rossese di Dolceacqua DOC, an elegant and fragrant red wine produced in the hills a few kilometers from here. A real treat is Tenuta Selvadolce‘s biodynamic wine, produced directly in Bordighera.

The best-stocked wine cellar in town is, without a doubt, that of the Magiargè restaurant in Bordighera Alta.

Restaurants in Bordighera

In Bordighera the restaurants where eating well are very numerous. They range from the finer seaside restaurants such as Romolo Mare, the Alice Felice or Marina Beach (during the summer), to the more characteristic restaurants in the old town such as Magiargè and the Scibretta, or you can choose a small restaurant for quicker lunches such as Café Monet.

Discover the best restaurants in Bordighera

By car: the easiest way to reach Bordighera is by the A10 Genoa-Ventimiglia highway. After exiting at the Bordighera toll booth, there is a beautiful scenic road that leads to the center in a few minutes. From Milan the trip takes about 3 1/2 hours, from Turin about 2 1/2 hours.

By train: many trains from Milan, Genoa and France stop at Bordighera station. For some trains you have to change in Ventimiglia. In this case, it is advisable to take a cab, right outside the station: for a few extra euros you will avoid the wait and get taken in front of your hotel.

By air: the nearest airport is Nice-Côte d’Azur, which, by car and without traffic, is just 40 minutes away. Bordighera cabs (cheaper than French cabs) and car rental services with driver are recommended for transfers from the airport. Genoa airport is about 2 hours away.