What do I remember most about Chiavari? There were bright and colorful palatial villas that looked like they belonged in an episode of the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Did anyone live in them, I wondered? Were they a lingering tribute to a glamorous life long past? Perhaps, they were now museums.

Then I remember strong feelings of melancholy walking through the town on an unseasonably warm October day. Wandering aimlessly, I took photos of the mostly empty streets and felt a sense of loneliness. I pondered whether or not Chiavari came to life during the spring and summer months when tourists came to experience the Ligurian coast and swim in the clean, blue waters. Maybe people come for the famous Chiavari chairs?

And I tasted wine so unbelievably good that I wanted to cry tears of joy. Not knowing when I’d try something so perfect again, I kept drinking more, even though my liver was already at its limit.

Finally, I discovered the most romantic place in Italy to watch the sunset over the Mediterranean. Golden blue hues, sunrays bursting through the clouds, light reflecting off the sea: a moment so beautiful that I was rendered speechless.

Spotlight on Italy With These Chiavari Italy Photos

A while back, I toured through Liguria and created a series of Instagram destination features that included Porto Venere, Varese Ligure, Chiavari, and Camogli. Each town was delightfully unique and it was hard to pick a favourite.

Recommended reading: Read more about day-to-day life in Chiavari on the travel blog This Italian Life. 

I always thought that Porto Venere had won my heart over all the others. I even wrote about Porto Venere, as seen from the sea. I often dreamed of visiting there again, walking in the footsteps of Lord Byron, eating more of their locally harvested mussels, wandering through the castle by the sea, and pretending that I was an extra in a scene from Game of Thrones.

Then sorting through my photo archives, I came across my travel photos of Chiavari and felt a certain joy revisiting my images. I was immediately compelled to share them here.

The Colourful Streets of Chiavari

Chiavari is a small fishing town on the Ligurian coast. Its streets are cheerful, full of color and character. Almost seems like a perfect location to film a Pharrell Williams Happy inspired video.

Stereotypical Italy in Chiavari

What’s an Italian town if it doesn’t embody some of the country’s most stereotypical clichés? Narrow cobblestoned streets, cathedrals, laundry hanging outside to dry, and parked vespas.

Fancy Pants Villas in Chiavari

Apparently, the citizens of Chiavari were ardent explorers who made their way to South America in the 19th century. They later brought home their wealth (and ostentatious tastes) and built these palatial villas. These bad-ass villas are perfect for taking Chiavari Italy photos.

Chiavari Golden Hour

While you may be expecting photos of that sunset I described, I’m saving that for a later article. For now, enjoy these dreamy-filled urban photos of Chiavari.

Chiavari by Night

At night, my friends and I walked through Chiavari and found it to be virtually empty. It was certainly so different from Genoa where locals crowd the streets at night, chatting, drinking, and celebrating life. Perhaps it was the time of year or day of the week. Maybe it was Italy’s rather somber economic plight. While the night walk was a bit eerie, the town was truly stunning by night.

The Final Word

So is Chiavari worth a visit? Heck, ya! Or as Walter White of Breaking Bad would say? It’s a gorgeous town, as most places in Italy actually are. Like me, you can wander and feel the spirit of the place. The regional wine is top-notch. It has fewer tourists than Cinque Terre, which means it’s probably cheaper. There’s no way you can go wrong.

Do you like our Chiavari Italy photos? Do you have any tips for Chiavari? Let us know in the comments below.

Good To Know

1) Some general information about my time in Chiavari:

• While in Chiavari, I stayed at Hotel Monte Rosa, a family-run hotel that’s been around since 1909.
• I had that unbelievably good wine and equally good dinner at the Lord Nelson restaurant.
• Grab a seat near the waterfront during sunset to have one of the most incredibly beautiful experiences of your life.

2) Get a deal on your stay in Chiavari:

Booking.com

3) While in Chiavari, book a tour to further experience Liguria:

4) If you love Italy as much as I do, check out our archives and some of our favorite posts:

• Visit Burano Italy: A Guide About What To Do, Where To Eat, & Where To Sleep – Visit Burano Italy, one of the most colorful places out there. Let this photo-filled guide be your inspiration about what to do, where to eat, & where to sleep.
• Dreamy Amalfi Coast Photos That Will Convince You to Go There Now – Looking to travel to Italy? Then check out these 15 Amalfi Coast photos that will convince you to visit as soon as possible.
• Visit Brescia: How to Spend a Perfect 24 Hours in Brescia – Only 24 hours to visit Brescia? What to do, where to stay, and where to eat if you only have a day in beautiful Brescia, Italy.

*Disclosure – This post contains some affiliate links. If you book a tour or hotel through any of these links, I’ll earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!