Diano San Pietro

Ligurian hill village above Diano Marina, overlooking the coast from olive groves and old mule tracks.

Diano San Pietro is a small village in the hills above Diano Marina on the Ligurian coast. The village sits at around 200 metres elevation, offering views over the sea and the coastal strip below, and has the quiet, unhurried character typical of the Ligurian hinterland. It is primarily of interest as a base for walking the local hill trails or as a quieter alternative to staying on the coast itself.

The Ligurian hill network of old mule tracks connects the scattered hill villages and passes through olive groves and Mediterranean scrub. The nearby medieval village of Cervo, about 8 kilometres east, is one of the best-preserved historic villages on the Riviera and worth an afternoon. The beach at Diano Marina, 3 kilometres downhill, gives access to the sea.

Guide

Getting There

Diano San Pietro is in the hills above the coastal town of Diano Marina, which has a station on the main coastal railway line between Genoa and the French border. From Diano Marina station, the village is about 3 kilometres uphill — there is a local bus service (infrequent), or a taxi from the station.

By car from the A10 motorway, take the Imperia Est exit and follow signs toward Diano Marina and then Diano San Pietro. The roads through the hills are narrow but well signposted.

From San Remo (about 20 kilometres west), the drive along the coastal road or via the motorway takes about 20 minutes. From Genoa, the drive is about 1 hour 20 minutes.

Guide

Things to Do

Diano San Pietro itself is a small village for exploring the Ligurian hill country on foot. The real draws are the nearby medieval hilltop village of Cervo and the coast at Diano Marina below, both easily reached by car or bicycle.