The
Italian Riviera (
Italian Riviera ligure) is the narrow coastal strip which lies between the
Ligurian Sea and the mountain chain formed by the
Maritime Alps and the
Apennines. Longitudinally it extends from the border with
France and the
French Riviera (or
Côte d'Azur) near
Ventimiglia (a former
customs post) to Capo Corvo (also known as Punta Bianca) which marks the eastern end of the
Gulf of La Spezia and is close to the border with
Tuscany. The Italian Riviera thus includes nearly all of the coastline of
Liguria. (Historically it extended further to the west, through what is now French territory as far as
Monaco.)
The Riviera is centred on the port of Genoa, which divides it into two main sections the Riviera di Ponente, extending westwards from Genoa to the French border; and the Riviera di Levante between Genoa and Capo Corva.
It is famous for its particularly mild climate which, together with the charm of its old fishing ports and the beauty of its landscape, has made it a popular destination for travellers and tourists since the time of Byron and Shelley.
Many villages and towns in the area are internationally known, such as Portofino, Bordighera, Lerici, and the Cinque Terre.