{"id":53734,"date":"2026-09-30T16:31:57","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T16:31:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/darkseagreen-rook-345411.hostingersite.com\/liguria\/varigotti\/"},"modified":"2026-10-08T07:07:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T07:07:13","slug":"varigotti","status":"publish","type":"localita","link":"https:\/\/italian-riviera.com\/en\/riviera-di-ponente\/varigotti\/","title":{"rendered":"Varigotti"},"content":{"rendered":"

Varigotti is the “Saracen village” of the Italian Riviera di Ponente: a row of low, pastel-coloured houses built right on the sand, with fishing boats pulled up in front of the doors. It is part of Finale Ligure<\/a>, in the province of Savona, and sits at the eastern end of the municipality, between the headland of Punta Crena and Capo Noli. About 500 people live here, on a strip of land a few hundred metres wide between the sea and steep hills of olive trees and scrub.<\/p>\n

The “Saracen” nickname comes from local tradition and the look of the houses, not from historical records. The real history is older. On the headland above the village stood a Byzantine castrum guarding a natural harbour, destroyed by the Lombard king Rothari in 643. In the Middle Ages Varigotti was a castle of the Del Carretto family, fought over with Noli, until Genoa destroyed it in 1341.<\/p>\n

Today it is above all a beach village: a Blue Flag 2026 beach in front of the old houses, the Baia dei Saraceni just to the east, and the Pilgrim’s Path walking trail over the cape to Noli<\/a>. If you know the Cinque Terre, think of a much smaller and quieter version on a sandy beach, about an hour by train from Genoa. The hard part in July and August is parking.<\/p>\n

What to see in Varigotti<\/h2>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

You can walk around the village in an hour. For the headland, the two churches of San Lorenzo and the Grotta dei Falsari, allow half a day and wear proper walking shoes.<\/p>\n

The old village and the beach houses<\/h3>\n
\"Pastel<\/figure>\n

The historic centre is a compact cluster of low houses painted yellow, pink, ochre and blue, with small terraces and flat roofs. The seaward fa\u00e7ades open straight onto the beach; behind them runs a narrow lane (carruggio) with small squares, arches and passages down to the water. It is a limited traffic zone, so it is pleasant on foot.<\/p>\n

The classic photo is taken from the pier or the shoreline looking east, with the coloured houses and the hill of Punta Crena behind.<\/p>\n

The pier<\/h3>\n

The small pier, named after the film director Renato Castellani, closes the village beach and is the place to see Varigotti from the sea. The fireworks for the feast of San Lorenzo in August are launched from here.<\/p>\n

Punta Crena and the tower<\/h3>\n
\"Headland<\/figure>\n

The headland closing Varigotti to the east is Punta Crena: an old olive grove above the cliffs, with a watchtower on top. The squat, square two-storey tower you see today dates from the early 19th century and was built on the remains of older towers, with a semicircular platform for cannons in front. It watched over the sea between Noli and Finale.<\/p>\n

It is about a 15-minute walk up from the Via Aurelia, starting where the mule track to San Lorenzo begins. The path is easy but uneven: not suitable for pushchairs.<\/p>\n

The Byzantine castrum and the castle<\/h3>\n
\"Watchtower<\/figure>\n

The plateau on the headland holds the remains of the first Varigotti. Excavations in recent decades confirmed a Byzantine castrum of the 6th\u20137th century and a medieval castle with several rings of walls. The castrum protected the natural harbour in the bay to the east, today’s Baia dei Saraceni. According to the chronicles, Rothari destroyed it in 643, when the Lombards took Liguria from Byzantium.<\/p>\n

Stretches of Byzantine wall survive on the north-west side of the plateau, with 12th\u201314th-century walls on the east side. In the dry-stone walls you will spot large green stones, thought to have arrived as ships’ ballast. Tradition says that in 1341 Genoa destroyed the castle and filled in the harbour. Entry is free; for guided visits ask the Museo Archeologico del Finale<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Old San Lorenzo<\/h3>\n
\"Church<\/figure>\n

Halfway up the headland, above the Baia dei Saraceni, stands the oldest church in the area. Late Roman burials were found here, together with a 6th\u20137th-century inscription bearing the name Anatolius and a 4th-century Roman sarcophagus reworked in the 8th century, now on display in the Archaeological Museum in Finalborgo. In 1127 the bishop of Albenga gave the church to the monks of L\u00e9rins Abbey in Provence; it remained Varigotti’s parish church until 1586.<\/p>\n

It takes about 20 minutes on the mule track marked with a red X, the same waymark as the Pilgrim’s Path. The church is usually seen from outside only: the interior is bare, but the position above the bay is worth the climb.<\/p>\n

New San Lorenzo<\/h3>\n

When the village moved down to the beach for good, the parish followed. The church of San Lorenzo on the Via Aurelia was built between 1634 and 1659, under Spanish rule, and consecrated in 1690. Inside are a polyptych by a local painter dated 1584, recently restored, a gilded wooden tabernacle from 1645 and a high altar in coloured marble from 1716.<\/p>\n

The Cerisola memorial<\/h3>\n

Along the Pilgrim’s Path, shortly after San Lorenzo, you pass a wall covered in coloured tiles and ceramics. It is not a tomb: it remembers Giuseppe Cerisola, known as “the Australian”, born in Varigotti, who lived for years in Australia and was a strong swimmer credited with saving many lives at sea.<\/p>\n

Torre delle Streghe and Capo Noli<\/h3>\n

Further on, on the ridge of Capo Noli, the Torre delle Streghe (Witches’ Tower) is a Genoese tower built in 1582 on the old border between the Republic of Noli and the Marquisate of Finale. From here you look east over the Gulf of Spotorno and Bergeggi island, and west back to Punta Crena and Varigotti.<\/p>\n

Grotta dei Falsari<\/h3>\n
\"Grotta<\/figure>\n

This is the headland’s signature photo: a large natural cave in the cliff, with a round opening framing the sea. Tradition says smugglers and counterfeiters hid here, hence the name (“Forgers’ Cave”); it is also called Grotta dei Briganti. It is not on the main trail: you reach it by a side path marked with unofficial painted signs, then a steep, uneven descent with fixed ropes on the trickiest parts. The drop is sheer: no beach shoes, and keep children close.<\/p>\n

Beaches in Varigotti<\/h2>\n
\"Sandy<\/figure>\n

The beaches run from the village beach in the west to the coves under Capo Noli in the east. For every beach in the municipality, from Finalmarina to Malpasso, see our guide to the beaches of Finale Ligure<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Varigotti beach<\/h3>\n

The long beach in front of the village is sand mixed with small pebbles and holds the Blue Flag in 2026. Most of it is taken by beach clubs (stabilimenti) renting umbrellas and loungers, with a few free stretches. At both ends the seabed turns rocky, good for snorkelling straight from the shore. In summer it is one of the busiest beaches around Finale: arrive early for a free spot.<\/p>\n

Baia dei Saraceni<\/h3>\n
\"Baia<\/figure>\n

Just past Punta Crena, along the Via Aurelia towards Noli, the Baia dei Saraceni is Varigotti’s ancient harbour. It is a beach of fine sand and small pebbles between two headlands, almost entirely free, with few facilities and very clear water. Near the rocks it is good for mask and fins. Roadside parking along the Aurelia is limited and paid: in high season walk from Varigotti or take the bus.<\/p>\n

Punta Crena<\/h3>\n
\"Punta<\/figure>\n

Below the point, between the rocks, is a tiny cove of pebbles and sand. The path down from land is steep and exposed, with one section on a rope: we do not recommend it. The right way in is from the sea, swimming if you are fit, or by kayak, SUP or pedalo from the village beach. The shallow, rocky seabed on either side is some of the best snorkelling in the area.<\/p>\n

Malpasso<\/h3>\n
\"Malpasso<\/figure>\n

Beyond the Malpasso road tunnel, towards Capo Noli, Malpasso beach also has the Blue Flag in 2026. It is sand and pebbles under the cliff, and the TPL Linea buses stop nearby. Further on, the coves towards Capo Noli can only be reached by steep paths or by boat.<\/p>\n

Things to do in Varigotti<\/h2>\n
\"Sunset<\/figure>\n