Finale Ligure

Access

Finale Ligure is easily accessible thanks to the Genoa-Ventimiglia railway line, which has a station in the town centre. The Genoa-Ventimiglia motorway connects the municipality with the main cities in the region, with a dedicated exit. The nearest airport is Genoa Cristoforo Colombo, about 65 kilometres away, while the local transport network allows easy travel to Savona and the main towns in western Liguria.

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Introduction

Finale Ligure is located on the Riviera di Ponente, in the province of Savona, and occupies a picturesque position between the sea and the limestone reliefs that mark the beginning of the Ligurian hinterland. Its territory is divided into three main nuclei: Finale Marina, with its seafront promenade and sandy beaches; Finalpia, built around the Benedictine abbey of Santa Maria di Pia; and Finalborgo, an ancient walled medieval centre, today part of the circuit of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in Italy'. This urban mosaic, nestled between the hills and the sea, is rich in historical testimonies and natural landscapes that make it one of the most representative places in western Liguria.

Description

The origins of the town date back to the Iron Age, as attested by the numerous archaeological finds in the caves of the area, including the renowned Grotta delle Arene Candide. During the Middle Ages, Finale was the seat of the Del Carretto Marquisate and went through alternating phases under Spanish and Genoese domination, leaving behind a remarkable architectural heritage: the Gavone Castle that dominates Finalborgo, the Torre dei Diamanti (Diamond Tower) and the noble palaces with their frescoed façades are testimonies of its ancient prosperity. The 19th century marked a gradual decline of the military function and a gradual orientation towards maritime trade and seaside tourism.
Finalborgo's landscape is characterised by limestone cliffs, karst plateaus and valleys covered with Mediterranean scrub. The area is part of the Parco Naturale Regionale del Finalese, an area of great geological and botanical value where caves and rock faces are now frequented by climbing enthusiasts. The beaches along the coast, sandy and wide by Ligurian standards, alternate with more indented stretches towards Varigotti, a village of ochre-coloured houses squeezed between the sea and the promontory. The environment, combined with the mild and breezy climate, favours activities such as trekking, mountain biking and free climbing, making Finale an important pole for outdoor sports in Italy.
The local culture reflects a strong bond with maritime history and traditions. Numerous festivals punctuate the year: among the main ones are the Palio di San Giovanni, recalling epic medieval challenges, and celebrations dedicated to local patron saints. The typical cuisine includes dishes linked to the sea and the hinterland: blue fish, farinata, borage ravioli and Ligurian focaccia. Handicrafts, such as ceramics and wood carving, preserve identity traits that are deeply rooted in the community.
The municipality boasts a diversified economy. In addition to tourism, which represents a fundamental item, agricultural activities such as the cultivation of olive groves and vineyards with registered designations of origin, and quality craftsmanship alongside modern service enterprises remain alive. Thanks to its strategic location and the recovery of the ancient village, Finale is now a lively centre, attentive to its historical and natural heritage.

Information

Area: 34.6 km²
Altitude: 10 m a.s.l.
Maximum elevation: Monte Cucco, 379 m
Number of inhabitants: about 11.500 (2025)
Name in dialect: Finâ
Inhabitants' name: Finalesi
Patron Saint: St John the Baptist (24 June)
Neighbouring municipalities: Orco Feglino, Vezzi Portio, Calice Ligure, Tovo San Giacomo, Pietra Ligure, Spotorno
Website: www.comunefinaleligure.it