Santo Stefano di Magra

Day Trips

Arrive in Santo Stefano di Magra and settle into a charming B&B nestled among olive groves. Wander through cobblestone alleys to soak in the peaceful atmosphere and admire stone arches framed by pastel facades. Capture your first glimpses of the Magra river shimmering under the Ligurian sun.

Head to the town’s central piazza to sip an espresso at a sun-drenched café, listening to locals chat animatedly. Browse tiny artisan shops brimming with handmade ceramics and regional delicacies like squacquerone cheese. Lose track of time as you meander along the riverbank path, spotting swans gliding just offshore.

Dine at a family-run trattoria specializing in fresh pasta tossed with basil-laced pesto alla genovese. Toast the start of your journey with a glass of Vermentino while lanterns glow overhead. Drift back to your accommodation lulled by the distant hum of cicadas and river currents.

Catch a short train ride to Sarzana, the historic citadel known for its star-shaped fortress. Explore Fortezza Firmafede’s ramparts for panoramic views over the canal and medieval rooftops. Pop into artisan stalls selling hand-rolled panigacci and fragrant Ligurian olive oil.

Stroll through the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta to admire its Romanesque façade and frescoed interior. Wander across the Ponte del Moro, then sample local focaccia and salumi at a sunlit bistro. Discover hidden courtyards lined with bougainvillea as you explore the old town’s labyrinthine streets.

Return to Santo Stefano di Magra and freshen up for an aperitivo at a riverside bar. Sip on prosecco tinged with local lemon liqueur while watching fishermen cast nets. Later, indulge in grilled seafood at a rustic osteria illuminated by oil lanterns.

Board a regional train bound for Monterosso al Mare and feel the thrill of pins of cliffs rising from the sea. Hike the iconic trail to Vernazza, pausing to admire terraced vineyards and the glittering Ligurian coast. Dip your toes in a secluded cove to cool off before continuing your trek.

Arrive in Corniglia, perched on a rim of cliffs, and savor a pesto-topped bruschetta at a cliffside café. Wander the narrow lanes adorned with vibrant bougainvillea, then catch the next train to Manarola. Watch fishermen unload their catch while the pastel houses reflect in the harbor.

Return to Santo Stefano di Magra and unwind with a hearty minestrone made from local garden vegetables. Visit a wine bar to sample Sciacchetrà, the sweet dessert wine of nearby Vineyards. Let the gentle hum of night insects serenade you back to your accommodations.

Drive into the Lunigiana Valley, dotted with medieval castles and olive groves. Pause at the Fortress of Castiglione del Terziere to roam ancient battlements and peer across wooded hills. Breathe in the crisp mountain air as church bells echo through the stone streets.

Lunch at an agriturismo where farm-fresh pappardelle is served with wild boar ragù. Chat with the owners about their centuries-old methods for curing lard and cheese. Take a scenic hike along shaded mule tracks lined with fragrant heather and rosemary.

Return to Santo Stefano di Magra for an olive oil tasting at a family-run frantoio. Learn how cold-pressed oils capture green pepper and artichoke notes, then sample them on crusty bread. End your evening under the stars in the grove’s warm glow.

Catch a ferry from La Spezia to charming Portovenere, where colorful houses cascade toward the sea. Explore the Church of San Pietro perched on a rocky promontory and admire Byron’s Grotto. Pause for a cappuccino while watching fishing boats drift through the harbor.

Hop aboard a water taxi to the unspoiled Palmaria Island and hike through pine-scented forests. Find a hidden cove for a refreshing swim in crystalline waters. Pack a picnic of focaccia and local olives to enjoy on the sun-warmed rocks.

Return by ferry to Porto Venere for a seaside dinner of spaghetti alle vongole. Toast to ocean views with a glass of chilled Rossese di Dolceacqua. Take a moonlit stroll along the waterfront before heading back to Santo Stefano di Magra.

Begin at the weekly market in Sarzana, browsing stalls of vibrant produce and handwoven linens. Chat with vendors about the region’s slow-food movement and taste freshly pressed olive oil. Pick up a jar of Ligurian pesto to take home as a souvenir.

Join a pottery workshop in an Ortonovo studio, learning to shape clay into bowls decorated with traditional motifs. Listen to the potter’s tales of local legends as you spin your wheel. Enjoy a light lunch of vegetable frittata and rustic bread made on-site.

Sample cicchetti and small plates at a lively bacaro-style wine bar. Pair local white wines with anchovy-studded pizzas and marinated artichokes. Return to your lodgings via quiet lanes lit by amber streetlamps.

Visit a biodynamic olive estate on the slopes above Santo Stefano di Magra for a guided grove tour. Learn pruning techniques passed down through generations and smell the resinous scent of new shoots. Spot migratory birds flitting among gnarled trunks.

Sit down to a tasting of freshly harvested oils drizzled over tomatoes and bruschetta. Feast on a farm-to-table lunch featuring heirloom beans stewed with garlic and sage. Wander through fields of sunflowers before a brief nap in the shade.

Participate in a hands-on evening cooking session where you prepare trofie pasta with walnut pesto. Savor the fruits of your labor by candlelight in an ancient stone barn. Drift to sleep to the distant chorus of owls and cicadas.

Catch the coastal bus to Lerici and explore its imposing castle overlooking the Gulf of Poets. Meander along the pastel waterfront as fishing boats bob gently. Stop for an espresso on Piazza Garibaldi, soaking in the laid-back seaside vibe.

Follow the scenic footpath to Tellaro, passing olive orchards and cliffside coves. Pack a picnic of local focaccia and salty anchovies to enjoy by the water. Photograph the medieval tower rising above the sea, then cool off with a spontaneous swim.

Return to Santo Stefano di Magra for a sunset aperitivo in the olive grove. Taste local focaccia topped with olives, cherry tomatoes, and rosemary. End the day with grilled branzino and a crisp local white wine beneath a star-studded sky.

Join a local chef for a hands-on cooking class in a historic villa’s sunlit kitchen. Roll out fresh pasta dough and learn to prepare pesto from homegrown basil. Sample your creations alongside sun-ripened tomatoes and aged Parmigiano.

Travel to a family-run cantina to tour underground cellars cool with moss. Learn about the terroir that gives Vermentino and Pigato their crisp minerality. Pair cheeses and cured meats with barrel-aged reds at a tasting table.

Gather for a convivial feast in a candlelit courtyard, sharing plates of lasagne al forno and slow-cooked rabbit. Swap stories with fellow travelers as lanterns swing overhead. Savor a final glass of sweet Moscato before retiring.

Rise early for a gentle riverside jog or rent a bike and follow the Magra’s path past olive groves. Pause to breathe in dewy fields and listen to the lullaby of flowing water. Return to town for a leisurely espresso at your favorite café.

Spend your final hours shopping for souvenirs: bottles of extra-virgin olive oil, jars of pesto, and hand-painted ceramics. Treat yourself to a scoop of artisanal gelato in a bright citrus or wild berry flavor. Reflect on the journey while seated on a sunlit terrace overlooking the valley.

Enjoy a farewell dinner at a riverside trattoria, indulging in mushroom risotto and tiramisu made from the region’s robust espresso. Toast to new friendships with a final glass of local amber-hued Passito. Stroll back under the glow of streetlamps, carrying memories of Liguria’s gentle rhythms.