Dolceacqua
©
Dolceacqua

Dolceacqua

Medieval Ligurian village in the Nervia Valley, known for its Doria castle, stone lanes, and Monet-painted bridge.

Dolceacqua is a beautiful medieval village in the Nervia Valley, a short drive inland from Ventimiglia. The old town (Terra) climbs up the hillside in a tangle of covered alleyways and stone staircases, topped by the ruins of the Doria castle. Below, a single-arch medieval bridge — the one Monet painted in 1884 — spans the river to connect the old quarter with the newer Borgo.

The baroque church of Sant'Antonio Abate is worth a look, and the surrounding valley produces Rossese di Dolceacqua, one of Liguria's best red wines. It is an easy half-day trip from the coast, or a pleasant stop on the way into the mountains.

Guide

Eating Out

Dolceacqua cooking sits between Liguria and Provence — Genoese pasta and pesto, Niçois socca and stuffed vegetables, plenty of rabbit and snails. The Rossese di Dolceacqua red wine, produced from vines in the surrounding valley, is the local match for almost everything. A few honest trattorias, no luxury places, all in walking distance of the bridge.

Guide

Things to Do

Dolceacqua is small and walking is the point. Cross the medieval bridge, climb the stone-paved alleys of the Terra quarter, look in at the parish church, and continue up to the ruined castle for the view over the village and the Nervia valley vineyards. A circuit takes a couple of hours, more if you stop for wine.

nerviavalley