Priamar: fortress and views

The Fortezza del Priamar is a large 16th-century military fortress on the coast of Savona. The complex has paths, ramparts and balconies overlooking the sea, mountains, city and port. Its maritime setting and cityscape are thus both in view. The underground rooms also tell the story of the fortress's long use: they were created in several phases between 1542 and 1943.

Màr offers guided tours of the monumental complex and its underground passageways. Tours can be held in English, French and German on request. As conditions and language availability may change, check current dates and options before your visit.

Ceramics tell Savona's story

The Palazzo della Loggia in the Fortezza del Priamar houses Savona's Civic Archaeological Museum and City Museum, as well as the Sandro Pertini and Renata Cuneo Museum. The city's archaeological museum uses ceramics as the central theme of its exhibition across two floors and presents important archaeological sites excavated to date in the Savona area. Among the finds on display is a Byzantine necropolis dating from the 4th to 7th centuries AD; excavations of Savona's medieval cathedral can be seen in the Umbrella Hall.

Ceramics reveal two sides of the city's history: imported pieces illustrate the intensive maritime trade of medieval cities in the Mediterranean, while local ceramic production has been documented since the late 12th century AD. The ceramics museum also spans a broad period. Its collection covers four floors and includes more than 1,000 works, from the Renaissance to contemporary design. These include finely crafted pharmacy jars from the former San Paolo Hospital. Seminars and workshops for children are also offered; check the current programme in advance.

Palaces, art gallery and cathedral treasures

The Palazzo Gavotti was built over medieval structures and transformed into a Renaissance palace at the end of the 16th century. Since 2003, it has housed the collections of Savona's Pinacoteca Civica. Features listed there include lifts, accessibility for people with disabilities or reduced mobility, and tactile 3D reliefs.

The monumental cathedral complex comprises the cathedral, the Sistine Chapel, the Cathedral Treasury Museum and Pope Pius VII's apartment. Construction of the Sistine Chapel began in 1481 as a funerary chapel for the parents of Pope Sixtus IV. A restoration from 1762 to 1764 transformed it from a Renaissance funerary chapel into a Baroque church. The cathedral features an elaborate 15th-century baptistery and Renaissance choir stalls in the presbytery.

The Cathedral Treasury Museum is housed in the rooms of the former Masseria. Its collections include paintings, sculptures, goldsmiths' work and sacred vestments, including a 15th-century chasuble belonging to Cardinal Vegerio. The oldest item is a reliquary cross dating from the mid-13th century. These varied objects offer visitors a tangible insight into religious art and traditional crafts.

Savona's municipal museum system, MUSA, distributes its collections across several locations and covers archaeology, art, sculpture, local history and technology. The network connects museums in the historic city centre with those in the Priamar fortress. As museum facilities and access conditions may change, check the latest information before your visit.

Harbour, coast and local discoveries

Historic palaces, medieval towers and artisans' workshops line the Old Harbour. Boat trips along the Ligurian coast depart from here. The route named after Chiara Luce Badano offers a different perspective on the city: it starts on Via Scotti and climbs the tree-covered hill to the Madonna degli Angeli chapel. From the summit, the view extends across Savona and its gulf to Vado Ligure and beyond.

The coastline also offers a range of different experiences. Zinola Beach, at Savona's western end, is 1.2 kilometres long and sandy; the Mediterranean water there is shallow and calm. Several free public beach sections sit alongside nine beach clubs. Facilities and access conditions at the beach clubs may vary by season.

With panissa, you can choose between two preparations: it is served cold in cubes or fried in thin slices. In dialect, these are called tavelette or fette. For a different kind of museum visit, the All About Apple Museum welcomes visitors every weekend in Piazza De André. As an interactive museum, it traces the development of personal computers through working exhibits. As visiting arrangements may change, check the current opening hours in advance.

For travel to the area, the Savona–Vado Ligure passenger port offers year-round direct ferry connections to Sardinia, Sicily and Corsica, as well as to selected destinations in Spain, Malta and North Africa. Routes may change, so check the timetable for your trip. Bus routes 7, 7/ and 30 run between Savona railway station and the port. It is also worth checking the latest services here.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bardineto, Castelbianco, Cosseria, Mioglia, Albenga, Bardino Nuovo, Borgio Verezzi, Ceriale, Cisano Sul Neva, Finale Ligure, Laigueglia, Loano, Pietra Ligure, Stellanello, Varazze, Vellego, Vezzi San Giorgio, Garlenda, Andora, Varigotti, Spotorno, Spinetta, Savona, Celle Ligure, Alassio, Piani, Bardino Vecchio, Quiliano, Balestrino, Casanova Lerrone, Magliolo, Erli, Pero, Albisola Superiore, Villanova D'albenga, Calice Ligure, Vezzi Portio, Cairo Montenotte, Rialto, Giusvalla, Noli, Orco Feglino, Piana Crixia, Stella, Vendone, Vado Ligure, Millesimo, Villalunga, Bossaneto, Albissola Marina, Bergeggi, Calizzano, Toirano, Castelvecchio Di Rocca Barbena, Dego, Zuccarello, Testico, Carcare, Bormida, Altare, Dogli, Borghetto Santo Spirito, San Bartolomeo, Coasco, Ortovero, Vara Inferiore, Bormida-Genepro, Carbuta, Campochiesa, Menosio, Pallare, Borghi, Ellera, Sassello, Nasino-Borgo, Brasi, Voze, Marina di Andora, Gorra, Teglia, San Pietro D'olba, Tovo San Giacomo, Pontinvrea, Capitolo-costa, Pianazzo, Palo-pataré and Ranzi.

For the broader travel overview: Liguria.