Savona is undoubtedly one of the lesser-known Italian cities.
Right in the heart of the Italian Riviera, the city is often neglected by tourists who focus their attention on the more attractive seaside locations. After all, most of the tourists come to the area for its beaches and pristine waters and do not even think that Savona might be an interesting place to visit.
However, as it happens frequently with little-known places, Savona hides some true gems in terms of art, history, and culture and it is totally worth visiting. If you spend a few hours there, you’ll discover a lot of interesting things – and eat amazing food, as it always happens in Italy.
To tell the truth, the city has experienced some sort of awakening lately because it has become a very important cruise hub. Many Mediterranean cruises arrive and depart from its port, bringing lots of tourists to the city. Therefore, it is common for people on a cruise to have a few hours to spend in Savona and I thought it might be useful to write a blog post focusing on what to see and do if you visit Savona in one day or less, since I think this is the average time visitors spend in the city.
I am a local, I live just a few kilometers from the city and I love Savona from the bottom of my heart, so I’d love to take you with me to visit this enchanting little town, telling you more about it and making you discover its hidden treasures.
some palaces in the city center
Shall we take a tour around Savona, then?
If you are visiting Savona while on a cruise, you’ll most likely start your visit from the port. Actually, you might do the same even if you are an independent traveler, as some of the biggest parking places are there, so it’s convenient to begin our tour from there.
The first thing you’ll see, when at the port, is a nice little tower. Such tower, the Torre Leon Pancaldo or Torre della Quarda, is commonly known as La Torretta and it is the symbol of the city. The tower dates back to Medieval times and carries the name of Leon Pancaldo, a mariner who explored the world with Magellan. It also holds a little statue of the Nostra Signora della Misericordia, who is the patron saint of the city.
la Torretta, the symbol of Savona
But there is actually another important tower, not far from the Torretta, and it’s the Torre del Brandale. This tower is part of a bigger complex of buildings, known as the Complesso del Brandale. The tower dates back to the 12th century and was the biggest of the 50 towers on the city walls. It holds a big bell called the Campanassa, whose tolls highlight all the most important events in the city.
the harbor with the Brandale Tower in the distance
Just a few steps away from the Torre del Brandale, there is one of the most important monuments in the city. It is the Priamar, a huge fortress built by the Genovese people between 1542 and 1544 while trying to enslave the city of Savona. The fortress is the biggest in the area and it is a nice spot to visit for its historical interest and for the great views of the city and the port.
The Priamar now hosts the Archeological Museum, the Sandro Pertini and Renata Cuneo Museum, with amazing works of art, and it is a location for temporary exhibitions and events. There, you can also visit the prison cell of Giuseppe Mazzini, an Italian politician who contributed to the unification of the country and who was imprisoned there in 1830-1831.
the Priamar seen from the harbor
We have stayed by the sea so far, but it’s now time to move into the heart of the city.
Savona has a Medieval hub of streets and narrow alleys, which are articulated around Via Pia, a pedestrian street lined with trendy shops and bars. The area is quite small, yet it’s packed with things to see and do.
First of all, you must look for the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta and visit the Cappella Sistina. Yes, you’ve read it right: there’s a Sistine Chapel in Savona as well. As a matter of fact, Savona is the birthplace of two Popes, Sisto IV and Giulio II, and is known as “la città dei Papi” (the city of Popes). Sisto IV, who was the promoter of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, had another Chapel built in Savona as a mausoleum for its parents and the Chapel is an amazing example of rococo style frescoes.
the old town at Christmas time
If you are interested in art and feel like visiting museums, there are two important museums in the area: the Museo della Ceramica and the Pinacoteca Civica, both hosted in the historic Palazzo Gavotti. The Museo della Ceramica is one of the most important museums of ceramic art in the world and testimonies a local tradition which has been active for more than six centuries now,
The Pinacoteca Civica, the City Art Museum, is now directly connected to the Museo della Ceramica, giving visitors the opportunity of seeing Renaissance paintings but also an amazing selection contemporary art, with masterpieces by famous artists such as Picasso, Miro, Magritte, De Chirico, Twombly, Jorn, Capogrossi, and Fontana.
Now I am sure that all this walking and visiting monuments and museums made you a bit hungry.
You are in the right place as in the oldest part of Savona you can find some of the best food in the city and actually taste some dishes you’ll hardly find somewhere else. As a matter of fact, two are the specialties of Savona: panissa and farinata bianca.
Panissa is some sort of polenta-like dough, made with chickpea flour, water, and salt, which is cut into slices and then eaten either raw or deep fried. The perfect place where you can taste this delicacy is a small shop, with no sign on the door, hidden in a narrow alley called Vico Crema. If you don’t know how to find it, just ask people where you can buy “il panino con le fette” (the sandwich with slices) and everybody will know. In that little, busy shop passed down from generation to generation two ladies will serve you a sandwich filled with some slices of panissa, which is just the best street food ever.
a few slices of farinata
The other delicacy you’ll find in Savona – and in Savona only – is farinata bianca. Farinata is a thin, unleavened pancake made with chickpea flour, which can be found everywhere in Liguria. Farinata bianca, instead, is made with wheat flour and the legend says that it was born in 1528, when the Genoese Andrea Doria destroyed Savona and imposed a ban on chickpea flour, forcing people to use wheat flour for their farinata. The best farinata in town can be eaten in Via Pia, in a restaurant called Vino e Farinata.
After filling your stomach, I am sure you are ready for another nice walk. Just a few steps away from Via Pia, you’ll find Via Paleocapa and its covered walkways, the commercial hub of the city and probably the best-known street in town. There you’ll find lots of nice shops and bars but there’s something you must not miss: il Palazzo dei Pavoni (the Palace of the Peacocks), built in 1910, an amazing example of Art Nouveau architecture, especially influenced by the Viennese Secession Movement.
Actually, there are many examples of Art Nouveau around town and if you are interested in seeing more of them, you can walk down Corso Italia, another main street in town, and get to Palazzo delle Piane, commonly known as Palazzo delle Palle (the Palace of the Balls). one of the best examples of Art Nouveau style in town. The building is known as “the palace of balls” because it has six big copper balls on the roof. It is awesome in terms of decoration and style, both inside and outside.
the Palazzo dei Pavoni, in the city center
No matter what you want to do now, there’s a place you absolutely can’t miss.
As a matter of fact, there’s something quite unique happening in Savona every day. Every day at 6 pm sharp, the bell of the Monumento ai Caduti, the Monument devoted to the dead in the wars, starts ringing. It rings 21 times, as the 21 letters in the Italian alphabet, one for each name of the dead. What is peculiar, though, is that when the bell starts ringing everybody stops: passersby and cars stop where they are and wait for the bell to stop ringing to move again. It’s an incredibly moving thing and something I am very proud of. If you want to see for yourself, you can either come to Savona or check this video on YouTube.
The Monumento ai Caduti is in Piazza Mameli and while there you can take the opportunity for some shopping. In Piazza Mameli there’s one of the oldest shops in Savona, Bar Confetteria Besio, where you can find a lot of gourmet foods and specialties. In particular, Besio is famous for its products made using the chinotto di Savona, some sort of sour orange typical of the city. The most popular product is the Chinotto, a beverage made with the zests of the fruit, but the chinotti canditi (candied chinotto oranges) and the chinotti al Maraschino are a must-try.
fried fish at Alalunga
After a full day in Savona, it might be time for you to end your day. If you go back to the port and still have some time and energy, you may visit another peculiar place in Savona: the All About Apple Museum. Founded in 2002, this unique place is currently the most comprehensive museum in the world containing nearly almost all the personal computers, peripherals, accessories, prototypes made by Apple since the beginning in 1976 to the present day.
If you feel like relaxing and having an aperitivo at the end of your day, you are in the right place. The old port of Savona is the center of nightlife in the city and the area is literally bustling with trendy bars and cool restaurants, where you can have typical food and amazing cocktails. If you want to try something unique, though, search for Alalunga, a boat run by three young guys who cook the fish they have caught during the day.
we would love to have a few hours in Savone with a private person- how much do you charge
Hello! I am happy you are interested in a tour with me. I’ll send you a private message at the email address you provided.
Thanks
Cinzia
We are on Costa Cruiser arriving 15 May for 1 day only
Wow, nice! Please send me an email if you need more information about the city!
Ciao
Cinzia
Hello, Im going from usa and the ship stop in Venezia, how i can move from venezia to savona ? Thanks
You can take the train, that’s the easiest option. Check Trenitalia website to get details and information.
Hi Cinzia How much walking do you have to do on your tour and what is the cost per person?
I’ll send you an email!
Ciao
Cinzia
Could you please pm me about a day tour on the 8 September
we are a family of 6
Thanks for your interest. I’ll reply to your email!
Hi Cinzia,
I’m Mr. Mathoor from Mauritius and will arrive in Savona on the 28.03.2019 comprising of my wife and two children. I will be very grateful if you can give us an information about how much you charges for a one day tour for my family so that i can work on my budget.
Hello Mathoor,
thank you so much for your comment. I will send you an email.
Ciao,
Cinzia
Hello Mr Mathoor,
The town is small and you can take a leisurely stroll with the children. Give yourself plenty of time and it is important that you do not rush. Ms Cinzia’s highlights of the town are spot on
Some lovely family run eateries that caters for families like your own.
Enjoy your cruise.
Mr Krish Goodary
That’s really great advice! Thanks Krish!
Cinzia
Hi we are there 28th of April just the two of us and would love a tour .
Ciao Emma!
I am so happy you’d like to visit Savona with me. Unfortunately, I have to work that day and I am not available.
Have fun in Savona!
Cinzia
Cinzia, I am also very interested in a tour of your fabulous city. Could you please send me information on prices. We will be there Saturday April 13th.
Thanks for your interest! I will send you an email.
Ciao
Cinzia
We would love to know if you are available for a private tour for February 16th and what you charge.
We are traveling with 14 adult family members
Thanks for your interest, I will send you an email!
Ciao,
Cinzia
Hi, I’m very interested in visiting the Cappella Sistina. I’ve read that the cost is 2 euros per person and I’m wondering where you buy the tickets? Do they collect the money right at the entrance of the chapel or do I walk to another location to buy a ticket?
Yes, you can buy the ticket at the entrance of the chapel. If you are a big group, it’s better to book in advance.
Here you can find more information:
http://www.cattedralesavona.it/cappella-sistina/?lang=en
Ciao,
Cinzia
Looking for a tour guide
I am sorry but I don’t do tours!
Cinzia
Thank you for all the recommendations! especially for Vino & farinata, i would never notice the place as a tourist, it’s completely hidden, small and mostly for locals 😉
Amazing !
Oh, I am so happy to hear that! Thank you so much for letting me know.
Grazie mille
Cinzia
Hello Cinzia,
Just been reading your interesting words. I am very interested in visiting the Sistine chapel. I was fortunate enough to visit Savona on a cruise ship back in December 2011. Quite by accident I found myself in the chapel and I was rendered speechless. Unfortunately I had left my dear wife sitting on a wall in Piazza Brandial. I ran back to collect her but by the time we returned (my wife cannot walk as fast as me) the doors had been closed. Now, 8 years later we are due back in Savona on another cruise docking on Saturday, 4th May, 2019. Could you tell me what the opening hours would be on that day. I would not like her to miss it again. Thank you for your efforts.
Hello Colin!
I am so happy to hear that you have enjoyed the Sistine Chapel! It is really stunning.
The opening times on Saturdays are: from 10,00 am to 12,30 pm and then from 16,00 pm to 18,00 pm.
Enjoy your stay in Savona!
Cinzia
Hi we, a group of 9, will be on a cruise on October 26th and would live to be taken around the city. Could you email me please. Thank you.
I will send you an email, thanks!
Ciao
Cinzia
Hello Cinzia,
We will be doing the typical one-day cruise ship visit to your beautiful city.
I am interested in finding one or two restaurants that you might recommend that the locals go and not the tourists! Do you have any suggestions. Restaurants that has meals for no more than 25-30 Euros, please. Thank you in advance for your assistance!
All the best,
Susan
Ciao Susan!
When will you be visiting? My favorite restaurant is Vino e Farinata (via Pia 15/r) but it’s closed for restoration at the moment. They will reopen at the end of June. Another favorite is Osteria delle Mancine (via Baglietto 26), right in the old harbor.
Please let me know if you need more info and tips.
Ciao
Cinzia
Hi Cinzia,
We are a group of 10 who will be on a cruise on Jan. 11, 2020. Is it possible for you to guide us the city tour on that day? Please give me an email drop.
Thanks
Young
I will send you an email!
Ciao
Cinzia
Hey cinzia,
Love the write up. Myself with family (wife + 2 kids) will be in savona for sometime before our cruise in October 2019.
I would love you to guide us and give us more into the places. And I love those hidden gems you gave in your article.
Please let me know how much you charge so I can check and plan.
Thank you
I will send you an email!
Ciao
Cinzia
Hello Cinzia
Enjoyed reading your blog.
We are 3 families group of 14 coming to Savona on a cruise from Barcelona next month. We will be in Savona on Nov 24th. How much would you charge for a half day tour of Savona?
I will send you an email!
Thank you
Cinzia
Dear Cinzia,
Thank you for your blog post and information for Savona. We are excited to explore your beautiful region in Italy. We are a group of 13 arriving by cruise on March 21, 2020. I’d love to learn more about how to explore your city and area and if you have availability that day to be a guide for our group.
Thank you,
Gina
I will send you an email!
Ciao
Cinzia
We hope to be traveling to Savona in 2022, from Australia on a Costa cruise, would love a personal tour with you, please quote me a price, we will be there on the 21st February 2020 from 6 am till 5 pm.
Ciao Lori, thank you so much for your interest. Actually, I don’t understand the date: do you mean February 2022?
Thanks
Cinzia
Hi, can you send me an email on tour with you? From there we can discuss our travel dates and so on. Thank you
Hello Lela,
I am sorry but I am not a tour guide. I don’t do tours, I am sorry.
Cinzia
Hi Cinzia, My husband and I are travelling to Savona on a cruise arriving Monday 26th September 2022. How long would a walking tour be for and how much please? Kind regards Kathy Jeffreys
Ciao Kathy,
thank you so much for your interest! Actually, I am not a professional tour guide and I don’t do tours. Sometimes, I take tourists around for free at the weekends but I work on Mondays, so I am sorry I can’t help you.
However, Savona is a small city and you can definitely enjoy it on your own if you follow the recommendations on the blog post.
Have a nice holiday!
Cinzia
Ciao Cinzia! Mi piace il tuo blog e tutte le cose interesante di Savona. Mio marito ed io saremmo li, sabato il 24 febraio, dalle Otto di mattina fino a 18:00. Non so se stia libera quel giorno, ma sarebbe bello di incontrarci per fare una occhiata della citta insieme se abbia un po di tempo.
Ciao Jo! Mi farebbe molto piacere, ma non so ancora se ci sono quel giorno.
Ci sentiamo via mail!
Cinzia
please send me info for tour of Savona June 8 2023
Hello,
Thanks for your interest! I am not a professional tour guide. I don’t do tours regularly.
A presto,
Cinzia
Thanks for this blog about one day in Savona. I’m on a costa cruise with my 85 year old mum who can’t walk far. We have a wheelchair if she gets tired. She can walk a bit. My sister and brother in law will also be with us. We arrive in port at 9am on Wednesday 11th October 2023. We leave at 16:30. It’s not long for my first trip to Italy so I would love to know if we can walk to places from the ship. We will only have about 4-5 hours in Savona. I would love to see the Sistine chapel and the old port. Also eat either at vino farinata or osteria in the old harbour. Would this be too much to do in the time we have? Would we need to get public transport? Many thanks.
You can absolutely do it! There is a pedestrian bridge that takes you directly to the center of town and you can walk easily around. Take Via Paleocapa instead of smaller alleys (it is better with a wheelchair) and you’ll get to the center in 10 minutes max. You’ll have plenty of time to do everything and do not need to use public transport. I’d book lunch at Vino e Farinata, so that you don’t have to wait in line. Send me an email if you need more information, I’d be happy to help you!
Hello!! Nice blog! I am thinking of passing by Savona on the way to the south of France, so will be there one afternoon and one night. It will be on 1st of November. is everything closed or do you think I can still do several of the things that appear in your blog? Thanks!
Hello Karla,
November 1st is a tricky day because many things are closed on that day. I think you’ll be able to visit museums and churches but shops will be closed, unfortunately.
I think you’ll still be able to have a nice time though!
Please let me know if you need more detailed information.
A presto,
Cinzia
Hello Cinzia
We are 3 families of 14 people coming to Savone on a cruise ship on 30 November 2024. I have read your blog and it is very interesting. I wanted to visit Sistine Chapel and wanted to know if I buy the tickets in advance or buy it when I arrive there. Do we have to take public transport or can we walk everywhere? Would really like your recommendations and tips for that day. Is it possible to get a map of the city?
Thank You
Vidia
I’ll get back to you via email!
Thanks,
Cinzia