The Italian Riviera is the narrow stretch of coast tucked between the sea and mountains in the Italian northwest region of Liguria. Extending from the border of France to Capo Corvo and the border of Tuscany, the Italian Riviera includes gems like Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo on the Gulf of Tigullio; and Portovenere and Lerici on the Gulf of La Spezia (also known as the Gulf of Poets, because English poets Byron and Shelley resided there).
The western side of the Riviera, also called Riviera dei Fiori (the Coast of Flowers), to the west of Genoa is equally beautiful, with charming seaside towns like Sanremo, Alassio and Bordighera.
The Ligurian coast is steep and rocky, with capes and coves, old fishing villages often perched on mountains, and terraced vineyards and olive groves. This Italian Riveria's character is best observed on the most famous stretch of the Ligurian coast, Cinque Terre National Park.
