Balzi Rossi

Prehistoric caves and museum on the French border: finds from 230,000 to 12,000 years ago, the triple burial and rocks by the sea.

Sunset over the Balzi Rossi, Riviera di Ponente

Where: via Balzi RossiGrimaldi, Ventimiglia, on the border with France
Museum: Tuesday–Sunday 8.30am–7.30pmclosed Monday
Tickets: full 4 €, reduced 2 €free for under-18s
Age of the finds: from about 230,000 to 12,000 years ago
Grotta del Caviglione: open 11am–12pm and 3pm–4pmweather permitting
Booking: not required

Directions Official website

The Balzi Rossi are the reddish rock cliffs that close off the Italian coast right by the Ponte San Ludovico border crossing, in the village of Grimaldi in Ventimiglia. People lived in the caves at their foot for hundreds of thousands of years: it is one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe, with a state museum. Below the cliffs the sea is crystal clear, with rocks and small stretches of pebbles.

By Italian Riviera editorial team·Updated on October 5, 2026·2 min read

The prehistoric site and the caves

The caves open at the base of a dolomitic limestone cliff. Excavations have uncovered animal remains and stone tools made by Palaeolithic people, who used these shelters between about 230,000 and 12,000 years ago, as well as several burials.

Some of the caves can be visited, such as the Barma Grande. In the Grotta del Caviglione, open in two time slots, you can see Palaeolithic engravings, including the figure of a horse.

The Balzi Rossi Prehistoric Museum

The museum was founded in 1898 at the wish of Sir Thomas Hanbury, of the nearby Hanbury Gardens, who was struck by the discovery of the triple burial, still the most famous find today. The rooms display stone tools and animal remains, copies of the “Venuses”, small carved female figurines, and a reconstruction of the face of the Dama del Caviglione.

The sea at the Balzi Rossi

Below the cliffs there are rocks and small stretches of flat pebbles, with deep, clear water. Not far away, towards Capo Mortola, is the Spiaggia delle Uova, with its round, pale pebbles. Next to the rocks is La Spiaggetta dei Balzi Rossi, a private beach club with sunbeds and a restaurant, which you need to book. All the beaches in the area are in the guide to Ventimiglia’s beaches.

Where it is

Balzi Rossi is in Ventimiglia (Riviera di Ponente, Riviera dei Fiori).

Boundaries: ISTAT, Natural Earth · Interactive map →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the Balzi Rossi

When is the Balzi Rossi museum open?

Tuesday to Sunday, from 8.30am to 7.30pm, with the ticket office open until 7pm. It is closed on Mondays.

How much is a ticket?

A full ticket costs 4 euros and a reduced one 2 euros. Under-18s go free.

Can you swim at the Balzi Rossi?

Yes, off the rocks and from the small stretches of pebbles below the cliffs. Bring water shoes: there is no sand.

How do you get to the Balzi Rossi?

From Ventimiglia, follow the coast towards France as far as the Ponte San Ludovico border crossing: it is about 8 kilometres, a quarter of an hour by car.

Where to stay