A holiday home in Western Liguria – La Riviera dei Fiori

Introducing LiguriaHomes Casamare

We are delighted to say that Matteo Scandolera, the charming and approachable Director of LiguriaHomes Casamare has agreed to help us with our Goodlife Property project. Matteo will be sharing with us some of the fabulous properties that he has for sale in Western Liguria, one of our favourite places.

Matteo’s agency, LiguriaHomes Casamare, was founded in 1991. It covers the beautiful province of Imperia and it’s Riviera dei Fiori. The stunning part of the Mediterranean coast that runs from the classy seaside resort of Alassio to the border with France and the Cote d’Azur.

LiguriaHomes has offices in Ospedaletti, Bordighera, Sanremo and Imperia. They have a large, multi-lingual team of expert agents who specialise in looking after overseas clients. They cover the luscious Riviera coast, with its beaches, harbours and pretty towns. As well as the spectacular hinterland of the Ligurian Alps.

The company is the local partner of the leading worldwide residential property agency, Hamptons International.

Sun, Sand & Fun

La Provincia di Imperia and its Riviera dei Fiori – the coast of flowers, is the perfect place for an all year-round Italian holiday home near the sea.

According to Il Sole 24 ore, the province of Imperia enjoys the best year-round climate in Italy.

Added to that, of the 30 Blue Flag beaches in Liguria (the most of any region in Italy), La Riviera dei Fiori accounts for 16 of them.

Within a hour’s drive of Nice airport

Access wise, this part of Italy is within about an hour’s comfortable drive of Nice Airport. Nice is France’s second international airport hub. That makes it very easy to get here for people arriving from outside Europe. Genova and Torino airports are also convenient, for flights within Europe.

An easy going version of the Cote d’Azur

As well as being extremely beautiful, this stretch of the Italian Riviera is an easy going and charming place. Whilst it is certainly fully geared up for tourism, visitors here are welcomed and treated with respect and kindness.

Yes, the beaches can get crowded in July and especially August, but not unbearably so. And with holiday crowds comes the holiday buzz after all! Away from these two peak summer months things are generally a lot calmer. But thanks to a long and varied calendar of events and festivals the energy of the place never dies. Weather-wise, spring and autumn are just glorious times to be on the Med.

And the prices of everything are reasonable

Of course, the food and wine for sale in the restaurants is fabulous, but everything (well nearly everything!) is also reasonably priced for such a popular place. A beer or even a cocktail overlooking the beach won’t break the bank. And best of all, the waiters are friendly and kind.

Lots to do – a healthy outdoor lifestyle

Aside from the obvious water-sports that you can enjoy; boating, surfing and wind surfing, fishing, swimming etc, Western Liguria is a wonderful place for an active and healthy outdoor lifestyle. The coastal paths and the endless trails up in the hills are perfect for cycling and hiking, even running.

Ligurian holiday property choices – an apartment by the sea or a cottage in the hills

Desirable holiday properties that one can buy in the area fall into two main categories.

Apartments in the coastal towns. Within walking distance of the beach, ideally with a decent sized balcony and a sea view.

Or houses up in the hills. Either traditional village houses or more secluded rural properties with a garden, terrace and hopefully a pool. Close enough to the seaside to be able to enjoy an easy day trip.

Lifelong family holiday home as well as a good little earner

Investing in a home anywhere in the Province of Imperia / on the Riviera dei Fiori will not only provide you and your family and friends with superb holidays. You should also be able to generate a decent amount of rental income from it by letting it out when you are not using it. The rental market is quite strong for most of the year, but especially of course in the peak months of July & August.

Western Liguria is classic Italy, with an international flavour.

Western Liguria attracts people from many different countries who are either living here full time, own second homes here or who are holidaying here. On market days the towns and villages are full of visitors from neighbouring France who hop over the border to enjoy a lovely day out and some delicious Italian food. At any time of year you will also meet people from all over the world but especially from Scandinavia, UK, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Russia, USA, Canada, Australia and Japan.

To give you a taste of the kind of properties you can find here…

Today, Matteo has sent us a little selection of properties within the euro 300,000 to 450,000 price bracket. Including some nice apartments on the coast with sea views and some peaceful houses a little bit in-land, up in the hills.

A choice of 3 very nice apartments in Sanremo, all with awesome holiday rental income earning potential.

A lovely light and airy penthouse apartment looking out over the marina. Just 80m form the sandy beach and from the walking and cycling Promenade. Spacious living room, kitchen, two bedrooms with two bathrooms and a lovely 45 m2 terrace with sea view. Price euro 450,000

In the heart of San Remo, on Via Gaudio – one of the most beautiful and characteristic streets, a few steps from the sea and from the high street, Via Matteotti. A classical apartment situated in an ancient Palazzo, on the 2nd floor with elevator (very rare to find). Entrance hall, large living room, kitchen, laundry room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a convenient storage room. Price euro 420,000

A fantastic 2 bedroom penthouse apartment situated in a gated community called “Collina Fiorita”, a modern complex with shared swimming-pool and tennis court. Enjoys an unbeatable panoramic view over the Ligurian sea and over the town. On two levels, large living room with spacious terrace, kitchen, master bedroom with another spacious terrace perfect for sunbathing, a further double bedroom and two bathrooms. A private car space and a garage are also included.
10 minutes walk from downtown. Price euro 320,000

And 3 tranquil little houses up in the hills, but within easy reach of the coast – the best of both worlds

A recently built villa in the splendid surroundings of Costarainera, half way between Imperia and Sanremo. Outdoor dining area and a lovely swimming pool! Just a few minutes from the sea at San Lorenzo al mare. Living room, kitchen, 2-3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Plus there is a large garage of more than 40 square meters. The pretty gardens and terraces are sun-lit and offer stunning views over to the glittering Mediterranean Sea. Price euro 435,000

A classic, nicely renovated old house in the village Prela, up in the hills behind Imperia, surrounded by gorgeous countryside. But less than 20 minutes from the sea. It offers 240sqm of accommodation over 3 floors, including 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms It has a splendid 25sqm terrace with 360° views over the lush hills and pristine valley. Parking for several cars. Price euro 355,000

A pretty house with small garden and heavenly terrace in the hills behind Bordighera/Ventimiglia, near France. Walking distance from all the amenities of the lovely village of Perinaldo. The accommodation includes a living room, kitchen, bathroom and terrace on the first floor, with 2 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a huge covered terrace on the ground floor. It has a small garden with BBQ area and a cute and well-equipped summer kitchen. Price euro 290,000

Find out more about these and other properties in Western Liguria please contact Matteo at: LiguriaHomes Casamare

Find out more about property purchasing process and costs in Italy.