discover the city

The historic center of Varazze is certainly one of the most interesting and characteristic of the Ligurian Riviera. A cobweb of narrow streets and alleys that are lost among the thousand pastel colors of its historic buildings. Be fooled by the numerous trompe-l'œil that decorate the facades, many still dating back to the Renaissance.

As evidence of the medieval history of Varazze there are still the Old City Walls that protected the city. You can still see the old façade of Sant'Ambrogio church, together with some of the doors that allowed access to the town: Porta di Ponte Vecchio, Porta dei Busci, Porta del Torrione and Porta della Loggia.

Known to the Varazzini as the Church of St. Catherine, it was built in 1377 in honor of the saint of Siena.

On October 3, 1376 Caterina, returning from Avignon, arrived in the village of Varazze to visit the birthplace of Beato Jacopo da Varagine . The saint, impressed by the desolation caused by the plague who had decimated the population, stopped to pray at a Marian newsstand asking for and obtaining the liberation of the city from the plague. The elders of the village promised to erect a church in honor of the Holy Trinity .

Between 1645 and 1743 the church was enlarged and restructured until the building visible today, with its small bell tower, was completed.

Inside there are wonderful 19th century frescoes and paintings depicting episodes from the life of S. Caterina.

With its red brick bell tower (U Campanin Russu) and its neo-Renaissance style facade, the Parish of Sant'Ambrogio is certainly a point of interest not to be missed.

The first building dates back to 1200, built by the Bethlehem Bishops in Romanesque style, conforming to the bell tower still visible. The current layout dates back to 1655 when, with radical renovation work, the choir and the entrance were vulctured. Today's façade is the work of the architect Luigi Guglielmo Camogli who built it between 1912 and 1916.

To end the visit in beauty enjoy a drink in the beautiful square made with stones collected directly from the beach of Varazze.

This stunning cycle-pedestrian path develops along a coastal stretch of the Western Ligurian Riviera for about 4 km between the town of Varazze and Cogoleto. Included in the Piani d'Invrea Coastal Park, it occupies the former railway station of the late 1800s.

It is an enchanting stretch of coast, characterized by a dense presence of rocky coves that jump into the water full of life and colors. Behind, the marvellous maritime pines offer a suggestive panorama, suspended between sea and hills.

Recently renovated, the marina of Varazze is distinguished by the unusual conformation of the buildings, which make it seem almost a mountain village by the sea.

Bars, restaurants and an elegant shopping arcade surround a unique location, overlooking the sea and embraced by the Ligurian mountains.

Varazze has many other points of interest that are definitely worth a visit: from the Parish of S. Domenico, which contains the relics of Blessed Jacopo da Varagine, to Piazza Dante, the meeting point of Varazzina life not far from the B&B il Caruggio.

Then there are the Church of Sts. Nazario and Celso, the Oratory of the Assumption, the Church of S. Bartolomeo, Piazza Bovani and Piazza Beato Jacopo.

Not to forget the numerous boutiques of typical products where you can, among other things, enjoy a nice piece of fügassa, the focaccia ligure.