Gardens and Villas of Liguria

September 2026

Liguria has a way of winning you over quietly and this tour of the gardens and villas will be certain to captivate you. One moment you’re looking out across a glittering sweep of sea; the next you’re tucked into a shaded courtyard where lemon trees scent the air and the sound of the city fades to a murmur. It’s that contrast I love most: the bustle of historic ports and piazzas set against the calm of villas and gardens that feel like private worlds. The region sits in north-west Italy, a slender crescent of coastline between the Mediterranean and the mountains, where pastel towns cling to the shore and terraces of olives and vines climb the slopes behind. It has been shaped by trade, art and horticulture — and I’m genuinely excited to share the places that, for me, capture the very best of la dolce vita.

We begin in Genoa, Liguria’s great maritime capital, where the architecture rises in layers and every turn seems to reveal another palazzo façade or hidden church. From there, our journey becomes a gentle hunt for tranquillity: Renaissance gardens tucked behind stone walls, coastal villas restored to their former elegance, and botanical collections that remind us just how diverse Mediterranean planting can be. Expect frescoes and fountains, terraces and pergolas, and plenty of moments where you’ll simply want to stop, breathe, and take it all in.

Among the many memorable moments, we’ll discover the Secret Garden at Palazzo Lomellino, a beautiful and surprisingly rare example of an Italian Renaissance garden in Genoa. We’ll also enjoy a guided walking tour of Genoa itself, taking in medieval buildings, vibrant piazzas, majestic palaces and the city’s narrow, winding alleys known as caruggi. Along the coast, we’ll admire the gardens of Villa la Pergola, meticulously restored by the renowned landscape architect Paolo Pejrone. And in Lerici, we’ll step inside the exquisite Villa Marigola, where grand halls, intricate decorations and period furnishings transport us back in time.

A hidden Renaissance garden

A local guide will take us on a walking tour of Genoa’s historic centre — and I always think this is the perfect way to understand the city. We’ll pass medieval buildings and lively piazzas, and weave through the narrow, winding alleys known as caruggi, where laundry lines criss-cross above your head and little shops open onto the street like stage sets. Highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Palazzi dei Rolli, the grand Cathedral of San Lorenzo, and the ever-photogenic Porto Antico.

One of the great joys of Genoa is that its beauty often sits behind closed doors. That’s why Palazzo Lomellino is such a treat. Dating back to the 16th century and part of the Rolli Palaces, it’s rich in architecture and atmosphere — opulent interiors, grand frescoes, and an impressive collection of artworks. Yet for gardeners, the real revelation is the adjoining Secret Garden: a rare example of an Italian Renaissance garden in the city. I love the way it feels like a deep breath after the caruggi — lush greenery, elegant paths and decorative details creating a serene, enclosed world. It’s a reminder that gardens have always been places of refuge as well as display.

Later, we continue to Villa del Principe, built in the 16th century and intended as a powerful statement of wealth and influence by Andrea Doria, the admiral and statesman. The villa’s frescoes by Perin del Vaga (a pupil of Raphael) are extraordinary, and the rooms are filled with art and ornament. Step outside, though, and you feel the Renaissance ideal in full: a garden designed with structure and symmetry, enlivened by exotic plants, ornamental fountains and carefully composed spaces.

Gardens with sea views

From Genoa, we travel to Alassio to visit the gardens of Villa la Pergola. Built in the late 19th century, the villa is a charming blend of English and Italian style, and the gardens are a masterclass in atmosphere — winding paths, terraces, and planting that makes the most of Liguria’s mild climate. The restoration by landscape architect Paolo Pejrone is meticulous, and you can sense the care in every view line and every transition from sun to shade. There’s a calm, cultivated confidence to the place, and I find it wonderfully inspiring for anyone interested in how Mediterranean and exotic plants can be used with restraint and elegance.

In the early afternoon we return to Genoa for time at leisure. You may choose one of our optional excursions to either the renowned Aquarium and the Biosphere or the Galata Museum — or simply enjoy a slow wander and a coffee in a piazza, watching the city go by.

Another day takes us to Santa Margherita to visit Villa Durazzo, originally built by the Durazzo family. The salmon-pink hues of the villa are a delight against the blue of the gulf, and the surrounding park is beautifully landscaped, with scenic paths, fountains and sculptures. I particularly enjoy how the garden frames the views of the Gulf of Tigullio — it’s a place where art, nature and history feel completely intertwined.

We then continue to La Cervara Abbey, a monastery founded in the 14th century by Camaldolese monks. It’s known for its peaceful setting and gardens that combine formal Italian layouts with ancient olive trees, herbs and vibrant flowers. The panoramic coastal views are superb, but it’s the atmosphere that stays with you: a sense of stillness, and the feeling that the garden here was always meant to nourish both body and spirit.

English gardens and a botanical finale

In Lerici we enjoy a guided tour of Villa Marigola, a historic villa surrounded by gardens overlooking the Ligurian Sea. Inside, the grand halls, intricate decorations and period furnishings really do transport you back in time — and I love how the elegance of the interiors is echoed outside in the calm of the park. The walking paths and Mediterranean planting are beautifully maintained, and the views across the Gulf of La Spezia are the kind you’ll want to photograph again and again.

That afternoon we visit Villa Rezzola, carefully preserved to maintain its original charm. The architecture blends classic and modern influences, and the interiors hold plenty of treasures. For gardeners, though, the exceptional English garden is the star: a long pergola dividing groves and cultivated areas, with a rose garden, vegetable garden and orchard. There’s also a monumental lawn, furrowed by a walkway, bordered by hedges with flower pots, and finished with basins and fountains — a wonderfully composed space that shows how structure can make a garden feel both grand and restful.

We round off with a guided tour of the Caneva Botanical Gardens in Sarzana, home to over 2,200 plant species, including rare and exotic plants from around the world, with a particular focus on prehistoric plants. It’s a fitting finale: a celebration of plant diversity and the deep history of horticulture. We return to La Spezia for leisure time, before gathering for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant — a chance to reflect on the week, swap favourite moments, and toast a Ligurian journey that I hope will stay with you long after we’ve come home.