Discovering Liguria through the eyes of Dante Alighieri means embarking on a journey that blends literature, history, and authentic flavors. This itinerary, from Sanremo to Sarzana via Genoa and the Valfontanabuona, takes travelers through medieval villages, landscapes that echo the verses of the Divine Comedy, and food traditions that reflect the soul of the region.
The presence of the Supreme Poet in Liguria is not just a historical and literary reference: it is an invitation to read the landscape as a source of inspiration, to listen to medieval legends that nurtured his imagination, and to be amazed by the cultural vitality of this land.
The route combines iconic and authentic stops: from the elegant atmosphere of the Riviera dei Fiori in Sanremo, to Genoa’s maritime and mercantile heritage, to the evocative nature and villages of the Valfontanabuona, guardians of ancient traditions. The conclusion in Sarzana opens the door to Lunigiana, a territory that still preserves Dante’s legacy.
To enrich the experience, travelers encounter the flavors of Liguria: Genoese pesto, extra virgin olive oil, hillside wines, and seafood dishes that carry centuries of knowledge and culinary culture. An itinerary that doesn’t just tell the story of Liguria, but lets you experience it with all your senses.
Arrival in Sanremo in the afternoon and check-in at the hotel. Guided tour of the capital of the Riviera dei Fiori, exploring the historic old town, called “Pigna”, with its typical medieval appearance, clustered houses, small squares, and steep narrow streets. Discover the modern part of Sanremo with its elegant buildings and parks extending towards the sea. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.
The day begins with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a meeting with the guide for a full-day tour exploring Dante-related sites in Triora and Albenga. Start in Triora, an ancient village famous for its witch trials. Visit the Church of San Bernardino, a 15th-century place of worship featuring frescoes of the Last Judgment with clear Dantean inspiration: at the top, Paradise depicts a celestial Jerusalem; below, Limbo with unbaptized children; and a dramatic Inferno, divided into seven sections representing the seven deadly sins. These frescoes are attributed to an unknown Tuscan painter. Beyond the church, the entire village, with its dark alleys (carugi), evokes a scene from Purgatory or even Inferno. Explore the main parish church and the ethnographic museum, which includes a section dedicated to the witches of Triora. Lunch is free. In the afternoon, transfer to Albenga to visit the Church of San Giorgio in Campochiesa, one of Liguria’s hidden treasures. Inside, a 1446 fresco of the Last Judgment depicts Dante and his guide, the poet Virgil, facing the infamous Count Ugolino della Gherardesca, a unique representation made just over a century after Dante’s death. Continue the guided tour of Albenga, including the archaeological area and the Via Julia Augusta, ascending towards Monte Bignone (over 500 meters). Along the route, see the ruins of a Roman necropolis, creating a haunting contrast with the stunning Gallinara Island in the background. The tour concludes with a visit to the Sanctuary of Madonna della Guardia, a 17th-century Marian sanctuary still visited by pilgrims today. Dinner is free and overnight stay at the hotel.
The day begins with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a meeting with the guide for a full-day tour exploring Dante-related sites in Triora and Albenga. Start in Triora, an ancient village famous for its witch trials. Visit the Church of San Bernardino, a 15th-century place of worship featuring frescoes of the Last Judgment with clear Dantean inspiration: at the top, Paradise depicts a celestial Jerusalem; below, Limbo with unbaptized children; and a dramatic Inferno, divided into seven sections representing the seven deadly sins. These frescoes are attributed to an unknown Tuscan painter. Beyond the church, the entire village, with its dark alleys (carugi), evokes a scene from Purgatory or even Inferno. Explore the main parish church and the ethnographic museum, which includes a section dedicated to the witches of Triora. Lunch is free. In the afternoon, transfer to Albenga to visit the Church of San Giorgio in Campochiesa, one of Liguria’s hidden treasures. Inside, a 1446 fresco of the Last Judgment depicts Dante and his guide, the poet Virgil, facing the infamous Count Ugolino della Gherardesca, a unique representation made just over a century after Dante’s death. Continue the guided tour of Albenga, including the archaeological area and the Via Julia Augusta, ascending towards Monte Bignone (over 500 meters). Along the route, see the ruins of a Roman necropolis, creating a haunting contrast with the stunning Gallinara Island in the background. The tour concludes with a visit to the Sanctuary of Madonna della Guardia, a 17th-century Marian sanctuary still visited by pilgrims today. Dinner is free and overnight stay at the hotel.
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel and preparation of your luggage. Meet your guide and transfer to Valfontanabuona. This valley is mentioned in Dante’s Divine Comedy, Purgatorio, Canto XIX, when Pope Adrian V of the Fieschi family speaks: "Intra Siestri e Chiaveri s'adima una fiumana bella, e del suo nome lo titol del mio sangue fa sua cima." The ruins of the ancient village of Siestri are located in Neirone, the heart of the valley. Although there is no evidence of Dante’s direct presence, he likely passed through on his way to Milan in 1311 after a mission in Lunigiana for the Malaspina family. Today, along the Val Fontanabuona road in San Colombano Certenoli, Scaruglia, a bridge commemorates the poet: the Ponte Dante Alighieri, inaugurated in 1981. Continue to Chiavari. Lunch is free. In the Purgatorio, Dante ascends the mountain, encountering souls atoning for their sins before entering Heaven. Among these illustrious souls, besides Manfred of Sicily and Oderisi da Gubbio, he meets Pope Adrian V (Ottobono Fieschi), placed in the circle of the avaricious. Adrian V was the 186th pope in 1276, from the wealthy and ancient Genoese Fieschi family, counts of Lavagna. The term Chiaveri is generally interpreted as present-day Chiavari, where the Entella River (“la Fiumana Bella”) flows. Enjoy a guided tour of Chiavari’s beautiful historic center, then transfer to a hotel in Sestri Levante. Dinner is free and overnight stay at the hotel.
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel and preparation of your luggage. Transfer to Sarzana. On one of his many journeys, Dante Alighieri arrived in Sarzana on October 6, 1306, called to mediate peace between the Malaspina family and the Bishop-Count of Luni, under the protection of the powerful Fieschi family. In Piazza della Calcandola (today Piazza Matteotti), Dante was formally appointed procurator of the Malaspina before the Sarzanese notary Giovanni di Parente di Stupio, in the presence of Marquis Franceschino di Mulazzo, signing the peace to resolve the long-standing conflict between the Malaspina of Spino Fiorito and the Bishop-Count of Luni. Enjoy a guided tour of the town, with lunch free on your own. After the appointment in Sarzana, Dante and the notary traveled to Castelnuovo Magra to finalize the peace agreement in the presence of the Bishop-Count of Luni, who had his seat there. The Val di Magra is mentioned in Dante’s works: in Inferno, Canto XXIV, verses 144-147: "Tragge Marte vapor di Val Di Magra/ ch’è di torbidi nuvoli involuto/e con tempesta impetuosa e agra" and in Purgatorio, Canto VIII, verses 115-117, when the soul of Corrado Malaspina asks Dante about the Val di Magra and surrounding territories: "Cominciò ella/di Val di Magra o di parte vicina/sai, dillo a me, che già grande là era…" Conclude with a guided visit to the local historical sites related to Dante before departure.
This itinerary is designed for groups with a minimum of 20 participants, but it can also be adapted for smaller groups or arranged as private individual services.
