The Italian Riviera, or also called Ligurian Riviera (Italian Riviera ligure) is the coastal strip between the Ligurian Sea and the mountain chain of the Maritime Alps and the Apennines. It extends from the France border and the French Riviera (Côte d'Azur) near Ventimiglia to Capo Corvo (aka Punta Bianca) which marks the eastern end of the Gulf of La Spezia close to the border with Tuscany. The Italian Riviera includes nearly all of the coast of Liguria.The Italy Riviera is centred on the port of Genova, which divides it into 2 main sections: the Riviera di Ponente, from Genoa to the French border; and the Riviera di Levante which is between Genoa and Capo Corvo.
There is particularly mild climate which, together with the charm of old fishing ports and the beauty of country landscape, it became a very popular destination for travellers and tourists from around the world since the time of Byron and Shelley.
Many villages and towns in the riviera area are internationally well known, such as Portofino, Bordighera, Lerici or the Cinque Terre.
The part of the Italian Riviera di Ponente located on Savona, is called the "Riviera delle Palme" (which means the Riviera of palms); the part located on Sanremo, is named the "Riviera dei Fiori", after the long-established flower growing industry.
