Liguria’s Best-Kept Secret Between Portofino and Cinque Terre

Along the Ligurian coast, the most famous names are quickly found: Portofino and Cinque Terre. But nestled between these celebrated hotspots lies a world of elegance, simplicity, and timeless beauty. This summer, I spent some time exploring this quieter stretch of the Riviera and discovered little gems hidden between the well-known towns. We stayed at the unique Casa Pernice and fell in love with this place. Therefore we would like to give you the chance to experience it for yourself with a free 2-night stay. Find out below how to enter below!

Casa Pernice – A Little Gem Above the Sea

Just outside Chiavari sits Casa Pernice, a former hunting lodge turned intimate guesthouse with only three rooms and breathtaking sea views. What I love most about travel is the inspiration it gives—the way places, interiors, and details can spark ideas and creativity. At Casa Pernice, this feeling hit me immediately: The interior is a love letter to the 1960s, filled with colorful vintage design classics. Seeing how Giorgia and Davide curated this unique mix as it brings so much personality and charm into a home.

There is also a small living room where in the cooler months, a cozy open fireplace adds warmth to the space. Breakfast is served outside (weather permitted), made with local products and it is simply the best; freshly baked focaccia, homemade jam, and creamy yogurt, a delight every morning!

The Perfect Beach Day at Bagni Mignon

Giorgia and Davide also run the accompanying beach club, Bagni Mignon—a charming 1950s-style wooden beach club on stilts, with a vibe reminiscent of Italy’s iconic Riva boats: elegant, nostalgic, and effortlessly stylish. Upstairs, a sunny terrace hosts Davide’s lovingly prepared organic dishes, where you can spend hours enjoying fresh food, a chilled bottle of wine, and the gentle sea breeze as sunlight dances across the water. Down on the beach, comfortable loungers invite you to relax, swim, read  and watch the day drift by. Bagni Mignon captures the timeless, unhurried spirit of the Italian Riviera: intimate, elegant, and utterly relaxed.

In the summer evenings, you can also stay for dinner, as the sun sets over the bay and the last sunbathers slowly leave the beach—it’s the perfect spot for a relaxed, memorable meal. On our walk back to Casa Pernice, we came across dozens of fireflies twinkling among the trees. I had never seen anything like it, but Giorgia told me it’s quite common here. Don’t miss this little fairytale moment on your way back to the cozy comfort of your room.

Discovering Nearby Places

Chiavari – The Unpolished Pearl of the Riviera

Chiavari, a coastal town that has remained delightfully itself. Not an international hotspot with luxury shops, but a city where life goes on at its own pace. This is precisely its charm.

Every morning, Piazza Mazzini fills with market stalls: vegetables, flowers, fresh fish—all of a quality rarely found elsewhere, and the scent of freshly baked focaccia mingles with the salty sea air. Locals take their time, as if shopping here is a ritual of connection. Beneath the medieval sotto i portici, the long covered arcades that define the city, people stroll gracefully, protected from sun or rain.

Where to Eat in Chiavari:

Duo (Via Senatore Dallorso 10) – A young couple with fine dining experience creates refined dishes highlighting the pure flavors of Liguria. Try the monkfish with a fragrant, herb-infused sauce or gnocchi with creamy, authentic pesto.

Luchin (Via Bighetti 73) – A local institution since 1909. The wood-fired oven works tirelessly to produce perfect farinata, a simple, savory chickpea pancake full of flavor.

Da Vittorio (Via Bighetti 33) – A Slow Food spot where local ingredients and traditional recipes take center stage.

The charm of Chiavari is it’s arcades, the Liberty-style boulevard, and the relaxed rhythm of a town that has retained its authentic Italian character.

Santa Margherita – Between Glamour and Ease

Often overshadowed by Portofino, locals simply call it Santa. Palms line the waterfront, pastel-colored facades brighten the streets, and cafés spill out into the harbor. While glamour is present, the town remains approachable and grounded in the sea. Here, a love for food is evident in every corner.

Top Tips for Food Lovers:

Casazza – A family-run pasta shop where generations of craftsmanship and passion are evident.

Panificio Pinamonti & Panificio Fiordiponti – Don’t miss their legendary focaccia di Genova. Order like a local: “una fetta di focaccia”, warm and fragrant with olive oil.

Bar Vittoria – Home of the Panera, a traditional semifreddo with coffee and whipped cream, recipe passed down through generations.

Gelateria Centrale – Try the Pinguino, a thin cone filled as you like, coated in a crisp layer of dark chocolate.

Portofino Gourmet Italy by Revelant – Exceptional delicacies.

Pasticceria Arte Dolce – Famous for Margheritine, buttery hazelnut cookies once created for a royal visit.

Antica Drogheria Seghezzo – A treasure trove of Ligurian products.

A cultural stop is Villa Durazzo-Centurione, a 17th-century villa on a hill with terraces, sculptures, and gardens offering sweeping views of the Gulf of Tigullio. Strolling the lanes of the villa, you feel transported to a time of noble families, scented with flowers and kissed by the salty breeze.

San Fruttuoso – The Bay of Silence

Accessible only by boat or foot, this secluded bay feels untouched and peaceful. The 13th-century abbey rises almost from the water, built on foundations dating back to the 10th century. Cloisters open to a small pebble beach where fishermen still pull their boats ashore as they have for centuries. Life here follows a calm rhythm, as if time itself has paused.

Underwater, a surprising world unfolds: Cristo degli Abissi, a bronze statue of Christ, rests 17 meters deep, overlooking the reef.

Where to Eat in the Bay:

Ristorante da Laura – The classic spot for trofie al pesto, simple, authentic, and unforgettable.

Da Giorgio – Right at the pier, serving the catch of the day in a charming, rustic setting.

Camogli – The Colorful Town

From San Fruttuoso, the journey continues to Camogli, a town where pastel-colored houses line the shore like a painted backdrop. Families gather on the beach, fishermen mend their nets, and cafés buzz softly with conversation. The pastels of the houses reflect in the sand and water, while the gentle murmur of cafés fills the streets.

Where to Eat & Explore:

La Camogliese – A wooden trattoria on stilts above the sand, perfect for a relaxed lunch.

Revello – Focaccia to go.

La Cremeria del Paradiso – Classic gelato.

Libreria Ultima Spiaggia – A charming local bookstore.

Cham Ceramica– Handmade ceramics 

Bar dai Muagetti – The perfect spot for aperitivo with a sunset over the Ligurian Sea.

Travel tip

Base yourself at Casa Pernice at discover all this places by train. (5 min walk to the train station) , it always surprises me that the train runs along the coast here, (prime real estate locations) but it also comes in very handy. You get everywhere super easy and no issues with parking. 

Give away 

In collaboration with Pien Wekking, we are giving away a 2-night stay at Casapernice on instagram 

Pien @pienlaathaaretenzien, is a Dutch foodie and storyteller and shares her favourite dishes and culinary (and travel) discoveries. Last week she stayed at Casapernice

How to enter:

1️⃣ Follow us: 

@pliniushomes + @casapernice + @pienlaathaaretenzien 

2️⃣ Like this post

3️⃣ Tag your travel buddy in the comments (1 tag = 1 entry, enter as often as you like!)

✨ Bonus: Share this post in your stories for an extra chance!