Varazze: Discover the Old Town, Nature and Coast

Varazze combines its historic centre with caruggi, colourful façades and a typically Ligurian atmosphere. At the same time, hiking trails, cycling routes, surfing and sailing activities, as well as excursions at sea, come together here. If you would like to combine culture and active days on your trip to Italy, Varazze offers several different ways to do so.

Old Town, Architecture and Local History

In the historic centre, caruggi, colourful façades and the typically Ligurian atmosphere shape the townscape. The Collegiata di Sant’Ambrogio has a Romanesque-Gothic tower dating from the 14th century. Jacopo da Varagine was born in Varazze and wrote the Legenda Aurea. Every year on 30 April, Varazze celebrates its patron saint Santa Caterina with a religious festival.

Archaeology and Trails in Alpicella

In Alpicella, a district of the municipality of Varazze, La strada Megalitica runs as a paved path. Beech trees, stone walls and trilithic structures line it. The permanent archaeological exhibition “Mario Fenoglio” displays unique finds from excavations carried out between 1979 and 1987 in Fenestrelle (Rocca Due Teste) and Alpicella. For schools and families, the exhibition organises educational workshops in which prehistoric artefacts such as statuettes and jewellery are recreated. It is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00.

The Beigua Area and Geological Features

Parco del Beigua is a UNESCO Geopark. Its territory has a dense network of hiking trails totalling around 500 kilometres; the approximate length helps you gauge the range of hiking options. Near the Eremo del Deserto di Varazze, a botanical circular trail of almost 2.5 kilometres passes through Mediterranean species, typical trees of montane forests, and numerous European and non-European ornamental plants. At the “I metagabbri di Varazze” site, light-coloured metagabbros occur that appear yellowish when superficially weathered. There are also peridotites rich in iron and manganese, which were partially transformed into serpentinites during the formation of the Alps.

Sea, Sailing and Cycling Routes

Varazze’s surf wave is considered powerful and tubular. The Varazze Club Nautico, founded in 1919, and the Lega Navale Italiana promote sailing courses, regattas and inclusive activities for all age groups in Varazze. Every year, excursions with marine biologists set off from the coast of Varazze into the protected Pelagos Sanctuary marine protected area. The Varazze Trail Area offers more than 70 mountain bike and e-bike routes. The Ciclovia del Beigua is a 78-kilometre paved cycle route between Cogoleto, Varazze, Stella and Sassello.

Getting There and Choosing Your Accommodation

You can reach Varazze via the Varazze exit of the A10 Genoa–Ventimiglia motorway or via the SS1 Aurelia state road, which connects Varazze with Celle Ligure and Cogoleto. Varazze railway station is on the Genoa–Ventimiglia railway line and is served by regional and fast regional trains; frequent connections run to Genoa, Savona and Milan. When choosing accommodation in Varazze, you can therefore focus on the historic centre, the hiking trail network, cycling options or activities along the coast.

More Destinations

For further travel planning: Vellego, Ranzi, Gorra, Balestrino, Ellera, Stellanello, Bormida-Genepro, Laigueglia

For the higher-level travel overview: Savona.