Chiavari is the third largest center in the metropolitan area of Genoa, after the capital and Rapallo. Chiavari is located in the Eastern Riviera, overlooking the Ligurian Sea in the center of the Gulf of Tigullio.
The town develops on the right of the Entella river, which forms the border with Lavagna. In the western part Chiavari borders with Zoagli, while in the north, the Chiavari hinterland, with Carasco, Cogorno and Leivi.
The hilly part involves the middle and lower Fontanabuona valley, the Sturla valley, the Graveglia valley and the Aveto valley, which in the 13th century were part of the captaincy of Chiavari under the Republic of Genoa.
History
Chiavari was the site of prehistoric and Roman settlements, as evidenced by the discovery of a necropolis from the 8th and 7th centuries BC. Known by the name of Tigullia, like the rest of the area, it saw the passage of the Byzantines and the Lombards of Rotari in 641.
In the 10th century the influence of the Republic of Genoa began, which in the 12th century expanded the village, protecting it with defensive walls, in some cases still visible. The castle dates back to the same period. In 1243 it became the seat of the vicariate of the Eastern Riviera. After a brief dominion of the Fieschi di Lavagna, it was reconquered in 1332. Urban renewal began in the sixteenth century, with the construction of new noble palaces in Renaissance style. From 1648 it received the title of City from the Republic of Genoa.
At the end of the eighteenth century Napoleon subjugated Genoa and with it Chiavari, which became the capital of the Apennines department. It then followed the national events after the fall of Napoleon, the annexation to the Kingdom of Sardinia and then to the Kingdom of Italy.
What to see
Chiavari is a town with many monuments to visit, with a large center of about 3 kilometers with medieval porticoes, churches, monuments and squares. The most important ones to visit are:
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Garden: patron saint of the city, built in 1613 after a Marian apparition in 1610. Imposing nineteenth-century marble pronaos completed in 1907.
Church of San Giovanni Battista or sanctuary of the Black Christ: in the historic center, founded in the 12th century and rebuilt between 1624 and 1631. Marble facade from 1935.
Palazzo Rocca: surrounded by the Rocca municipal park. Built in 1629-1630, enlarged in the 18th century. Municipal property since 1912, it houses the archaeological museum and the civic gallery.
Chiavari Castle: built in the 12th century by order of the Republic of Genoa. Dismembered in the 16th century, the tower on the hill remains, reachable on foot.
Palace of Justice: built in 1886 in Piazza Mazzini. In medieval style with Gothic forms.
Where to sleep
Chiavari has a wide quality and quantity of tourist facilities, both for the summer period and for the rest of the year. The sea, the beaches, the typical dishes, the monuments are an irresistible attraction for visitors.
Please find here where to stay in Chiavari.
Where to eat
Here are some of the most recommended restaurants in Chiavari:
Il Besugo Innamorato: romantic restaurant in the center of Chiavari, based on fish.
Osteria Moderna: in the historic center, intimate setting, traditional Ligurian dishes.
La Buga: small restaurant with open kitchen, fish dishes.
Boccon Divino: in the centre, dedicated to the refined Ligurian cuisine of sea and land.
Ostaia Ca' da Gurpe al mare: directly on the beach with sea view, Ligurian culinary tradition.
The beaches
The coast of Chiavari is about two km long, divided asymmetrically by the port. To the west is almost the entire beach, almost a kilometer and a half long; to the east, a small part on the border with the Entella river and the municipality of Lavagna. The beautiful seaside promenade runs completely along the beach.
The beach is narrow, characterized by sand and pebbles, with several free beaches and bathing establishments. Breakwater cliffs prevent erosion in front of the coast and make the sea calm. The seabed is sloping.
Detailed information on the Chiavari beaches and how to get there.
Typical products
What to eat in Chiavari? The typical dishes of the town are common to other places in Tigullio.
From focaccia to farinata, salted anchovies, pasta with pesto such as trenette and trofie, lean pansoti, fried and grilled fish. And also the artichokes in "cheat", with oil, butter, eggs, grated cheese and milk, the cuculli, the cuttlefish in zimino.
Traditional holidays
There are many festivals and events in Chiavari, the most important are:
Chiavari in Fiore: on the third weekend of May the historic center is filled with plants and flowers with a market exhibition dedicated to all the players in the sector.
The patronal feast of Our Lady of the Garden: 2 and 3 July, with fair, stalls and religious procession.
Confeugo: usually the day before Christmas, an ancient event with the traditional masks U Rebellu and A Rebellunna, which satirically wish the mayor best wishes, underlining the problems of the town.
Festival of the Word: event linked to poetry and literature with testimonies from famous people.
How to get there and parking
Chiavari can be reached by car by taking the A12 motorway and exiting at the Chiavari toll booth, one km from the beaches.
Arriving by train is very convenient, along the Genoa-La Spezia line, with the station in front of the port and 500 meters from the beaches.
In summer Chiavari is well connected by a boat service that takes you to the Cinque Terre, Santa Margherita, Rapallo, Lavagna, Sestri Levante.
Discover detailed information on how to get to Chiavari.
There are numerous car parks in Chiavari, especially in the Colmata and Colmatina areas and the Cattaneo car park. In the center of the town there are other on-street car parks such as in Via Trieste and Piazza Roma, while further away there are the Parco Rocca car park, the stadium car park and the San Pier di Canne car park.
Detailed information on prices for parking in Chiavari.
Boat trips
Normally from April to September, the services of the Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio company are active with departures and arrivals from Chiavari.
There is also the possibility of renting a boat, catamaran or inflatable boat in Chiavari, to visit the surrounding areas:
Welcome Charter
Tourist port of Chiavari, Corso Cristoforo Colombo, 16043 Chiavari
Telephone: 0039 348 7150626
The Blue Corsair
Tourist port of Chiavari, Corso Cristoforo Colombo, 1, 16043 Chiavari
Telephone: 0039 347 8393700
MAScharter Marine&Services
Tourist Port of Chiavari, Via Porto Turistico, 46, 16043 Chiavari
Telephone: 0039 345 7640579
Weather forecast
As for the rest of Tigullio, the proximity to the sea makes the climate of Chiavari mild, with warm, pleasant and windy summers and mild winters, with an average annual temperature of 16 degrees.
The weather forecast for Chiavari in the coming days, to organize your trip or vacation to Chiavari.
