Savona between Fortress, Museums and the Ligurian Coast

Savona combines an impressive urban history with sea views, museums, Zinola Beach and excursions along the Ligurian coast. Fortezza del Priamar, the Old Port, the monumental cathedral complex and Zinola Beach each give the city its own distinct character. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you mainly want to experience culture, historic architecture, time at the beach or activities on the water and in the surrounding landscape.

Priamar Fortress: History with Views of the Sea and Port

Fortezza del Priamar is a large 16th-century military fortress on the coast. Its complex features paths, ramparts and balconies overlooking the sea, mountains, city and port. The underground rooms were built in several phases during the fortress’s period of use between 1542 and 1943. Palazzo della Loggia within the fortress houses the Archaeological and Civic Museum of Savona, as well as the Sandro Pertini and Renata Cuneo Museum.

Màr offers guided tours of the monumental Priamar complex and the fortress’s underground passageways. On request, these tours can be conducted in English, French and German. The Archaeological and Civic Museum presents an exhibition across two floors in which ceramics are the central theme and introduces the most important archaeological sites uncovered to date in the Savona area.

Archaeology, Ceramics and Art in the City

The Archaeological and Civic Museum contains a visible Byzantine necropolis dating from the 4th to the 7th century AD. The Umbrella Hall displays excavations from Savona’s medieval cathedral. Imported ceramics illustrate the intensive maritime trade of medieval cities in the Mediterranean, while local ceramic production can be traced back to the late 12th century AD. The collection also includes finely crafted pharmacy vessels from the former San Paolo Hospital in Savona.

The Ceramics Museum presents more than 1,000 works across four floors, ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary design. Seminars and workshops for children complement the exhibits. Museo del Santuario also offers creative educational workshops. Since 2003, Palazzo Gavotti has housed the collections of Savona’s Pinacoteca Civica. The palazzo was built over medieval structures and transformed into a Renaissance palace at the end of the 16th century. The Pinacoteca has lifts, is accessible to people with disabilities or reduced mobility, and features tactile 3D reliefs. The Archaeological and Civic Museum also offers a route with Braille labels and archaeological objects that visitors who are blind or visually impaired can touch.

Cathedral Complex and Sacred Art

Savona’s monumental cathedral complex comprises the cathedral, the Sistine Chapel, the Cathedral Treasury Museum and the apartment of Pope Pius VII. Savona’s Sistine Chapel was begun in 1481 as a burial chapel for the parents of Pope Sixtus IV. Between 1762 and 1764, it was restored and transformed from a Renaissance burial chapel into a Baroque church. The cathedral contains an ornate 15th-century baptistery, while the presbytery features Renaissance wooden choir stalls.

The Cathedral Treasury Museum is located in the rooms of the former Masseria and preserves paintings, sculptures, goldsmiths’ work and sacred vestments. The vestments include pieces that belonged to the bishops of Savona, including a chasuble belonging to Cardinal Vegerio from the 15th century. The museum’s oldest object is a reliquary cross from the mid-13th century. The “Savona città dei papi” route connects the Pinacoteca Civica, the cathedral’s cultural heritage and six oratories in the city.

Old Port, Towers and Unusual Museums

Savona’s Old Port is lined with historic palaces, medieval towers and artisans’ workshops. The 50-metre-high Brandale Tower contains rooms with paintings, sculptures and panels tracing the history from the Middle Ages to 1800. From its summit, views extend across the port, city and Ligurian coast towards Genoa and Portofino.

The municipal museum system MUSA distributes its collections across several locations. It covers archaeology, art, sculpture, local history and technology. The MUSA network connects museums in Savona’s historic city centre with the museums of Priamar Fortress. A different perspective is offered by the interactive All About Apple Museum in Savona, at Piazza De André: it presents the development of personal computers using working objects and welcomes visitors at weekends.

Beach, Water and Paths around the Gulf

Zinola Beach lies at the western end of Savona. It is a 1.2-kilometre-long sandy beach with shallow, calm Mediterranean waters. There are several free public beach sections as well as nine beach establishments. Boat trips along the Ligurian coast depart from the Old Port. A kayaking route starts at Fornaci Beach or Savona’s tourist marina and offers views of Priamar Fortress from the sea.

Walks and trails in the surrounding area also offer different experiences. An urban route follows an ancient Roman road from Savona along Via Ranco and, after a turn-off, descends towards Albissola Mare. The trail named Chiara Luce Badano begins on Via Scotti and climbs the green hill to the Madonna degli Angeli chapel. From the summit of the Chiara Luce Badano trail, views extend over Savona and its gulf to Vado Ligure and beyond.

A Port City with Regional Connections

The Savona–Vado Ligure passenger port offers year-round direct ferry connections to Sardinia, Sicily and Corsica, as well as selected destinations in Spain, Malta and North Africa. Savona is also the official port of the cruise company Costa Cruises. Bus lines 7, 7/ and 30 run between Savona railway station and the port. These connections make the port an important part of navigating the city, while the museums, cathedral complex and Old Port provide cultural focal points.

A Taste of the Ligurian City

Panissa is part of the local cuisine. It can be served cold in cubes or fried as thin slices known in the dialect as Tavelette or Fette. This distinctive speciality complements the historic, artistic and maritime impressions that define Savona between its fortress, old town port and coast.

Other places in the surrounding area: Quiliano, Mioglia, Cisano Sul Neva, Finale Ligure, Laigueglia, Loano, Stellanello, Varazze, Vellego, Vezzi San Giorgio, Garlenda, Andora, Varigotti, Spotorno, Spinetta, Savona, Celle Ligure, Alassio, Piani, Bardino Vecchio, Balestrino, Erli, Bardineto, Castelbianco, Ranzi, Ellera, Bergeggi, Calizzano, Toirano, Castelvecchio Di Rocca Barbena, Dego, Zuccarello, Testico, Calice Ligure, Vezzi Portio, Bormida, Altare, Dogli, Brasi, Voze, Borghetto Santo Spirito, San Bartolomeo, Coasco, Tovo San Giacomo, Pontinvrea, Capitolo-costa, Pianazzo, Ortovero, Vara Inferiore, Bormida-Genepro, Albissola Marina, Bossaneto, Rialto, Giusvalla, Noli, Orco Feglino, Piana Crixia, Stella, Vendone, Vado Ligure, Millesimo, Villalunga, Albenga, Cairo Montenotte, Pietra Ligure, Carbuta, Campochiesa, Sassello, Nasino-Borgo, Pero, Albisola Superiore, Villanova D'albenga, Casanova Lerrone, Bardino Nuovo, Cosseria, Menosio, Pallare, Borghi, Carcare, Marina di Andora, Gorra, Teglia, San Pietro D'olba, Palo-pataré, Borgio Verezzi, Ceriale, Magliolo.

For the broader travel overview: Liguria.