Zoagli between Coast, Churches and Textile Craft

Zoagli combines a striking coastal landscape with buildings, churches and a weaving tradition that is still carefully maintained today. If you are looking for a place for your stay in Italy with walking paths, historic sites and regional craftsmanship, you can spend your days between the sea, the town centre and wooded paths.

Coast and Paths by the Sea

The Passeggiata a mare Canevaro runs between rocks and coves on both sides of Zoagli’s central beach. From this path, the view extends far across the Gulf of Tigullio; at night, the Passeggiata can be walked along as an atmospherically illuminated path. The Levante section of the Lungomare Canevaro leads from Piazza XXVII Dicembre along the coast in front of Zoagli.

Away from the coast, Zoagli also has a dense network of different paths. Wooded nature trails, typical Ligurian crêuze and mule tracks connect the town centre with the districts and other places in the municipality. A regular opportunity to discover this landscape on foot is the Marcia dei Cinque Campanili: it takes place every third weekend in May on an easy circular route in Zoagli. The programme includes a competitive race, an amateur race and a walk open to all age groups. The third weekend in May and the easy circular route give the Marcia a clear time frame and level of physical difficulty.

Towers, Churches and Local History

Today, the Castello Canevaro architectural complex is regarded as a site that developed and grew over centuries around a watchtower. Construction work on the tower began in 1550. East of the town centre, the Torre Saracena stands on a rocky promontory directly above the sea, adding a distinctive landmark visible from afar to the historic townscape.

The Chiesa di Sant'Ambrogio was first mentioned in a document dating from 984. It has a forecourt with black-and-white pebble mosaics typical of Liguria, a so-called risseu designed by the architect Pietro Porcinai. The Chiesa di San Martino is also located in the town centre; it was built between 1726 and 1728 based on a design by the architect Antonio Maria Ricca.

Textile Craft from Zoagli

The local craft tradition in Zoagli has not merely been handed down through history. Local artisans continue to produce silk, damask and velvet on 19th-century looms according to traditional methods as part of niche production. For groups of at least four people, a tour of the historic looms at the Seterie di Zoagli can be arranged from Monday to Friday. The fabrics that continue to be produced and the historic looms thus provide two distinct ways of exploring the local textile tradition.

Planning Your Stay

When planning your day in Zoagli, you can choose between the Passeggiata, illuminated at night, the paths to the districts and the historic looms. The Ufficio informazione e accoglienza turistica IAT is located on the ground floor; there is a lift to the upper floor.

Further Destinations

Further destinations to discover: Statale, Savignone, Nervi, Sanguineto, Favale Di Malvaro, Campo Ligure, Sella, Montebruno.

To the higher-level travel overview: Genoa.