Ligurian Love: A 1928 Clifftop Villa on the Italian Riviera

Travel Journal | Signature Escapes Luxury Collection

Some villas are simply a nice place to sleep. Others shape the whole holiday. Ligurian Love, on the Italian Riviera, falls firmly into the second category.

The villa sits on a cliff above the Gulf of Tigullio, on the stretch of coast between Portofino and the Cinque Terre. It was built in 1928, and it still carries the Art Deco character of that era. Sea views appear in almost every window, and Rapallo is around ten minutes away by car.

It sleeps up to 12 guests across five bedrooms, which makes it a strong option for a family celebration, a group of friends, or two or three couples travelling together.

The villa

The infinity pool is the focal point, positioned so the water appears to run straight out towards the sea. It is the sort of spot where a morning swim quietly turns into the whole morning.

Inside, the 1928 Art Deco architecture is paired with classic Italian interiors. Across roughly 3,272 sq ft there are five bedrooms, seven beds and six and a half bathrooms. The main suite has his-and-hers en-suites, one with a bath and one with a shower.

Outside, there are several terraces, a Mediterranean garden planted with citrus and herbs, an outdoor kitchen, and a table beneath the bougainvillaea that is made for long lunches. There is also a gym, air conditioning and wi-fi.

Daily housekeeping is included (dishwashing excepted), with a mid-week linen change. The villa is run directly by its owner, Riccardo, whose Milanese family has been connected to this coastline for over a century. That kind of local knowledge tends to show in the small things.

Who it suits, and the detail that matters

This is a villa for groups who want space, privacy and a proper sense of place. Children are welcome, and small, well-behaved dogs can come on request.

The listing is refreshingly candid about the practical points, and they are worth knowing before you book:

• Stairs: there are many, inside and out, so it is not suitable for anyone with limited mobility.
• Sleeping 12: at full capacity, two guests sleep on a sofa bed in the main suite. That works well for two children, less so for adults.
• Flexible third bedroom: set up as either a super king or two singles.
• Parking: there is no parking at the villa itself. There is a luggage drop-off point and a partner garage nearby.
• Road noise: a road runs below the villa, so some traffic can be heard from the outdoor areas.

None of these is a deal-breaker for the right group, but they are exactly the sort of detail I check before recommending a property. A beautiful villa is only the right villa if it works for the people staying in it.

Days out on the Ligurian Riviera

The location is the real luxury here. Rapallo, with its seafront promenade and cafés, is a ten-minute drive. Portofino lies one way along the coast and the Cinque Terre the other, so both are within easy reach for a day out.

The nearest public beach, San Michele, is around 11 minutes away. For travel, Pisa is the closest international airport at roughly an hour and 35 minutes, with Milan Linate and Malpensa a little further.

The owners can also arrange extras at an additional cost, including:

• airport pick-ups and private transfers
• grocery deliveries and fridge fills
• restaurant reservations and beach club access
• boat hire, bicycle and motorbike rental
• private chefs, in-villa yoga and personal trainers

A private chef for one evening and a day on the water are, in my view, the two extras most likely to turn a lovely week into a memorable one.

My take

Ligurian Love is a special-occasion villa: a milestone birthday, an anniversary with the family, or a week away with close friends. Split between couples, a property of this calibre can represent far better value than several separate hotel rooms, with a great deal more space and privacy.

One detail I would always flag is the cancellation policy. Cancelling at least 60 days before arrival returns 50% of the cost, and there is no refund after that. That makes appropriate travel insurance essential, and it is worth agreeing dates firmly with everyone in the group before booking.

If you are planning a group trip to the Italian Riviera, I would be happy to check availability and pricing for your dates, arrange flights and transfers, and look at comparable villas in the area so you can see how it measures up.

Send me your preferred dates, group size and departure airport, and I will take it from there.

Anna Signature Escapes by Anna at Bradley Travelstore

signatureescapes.co | anna@signatureescapes.co | Facebook | Instagram @signaturescapesuk

Details taken from the Ligurian Love listing (PG) in October 2026. Prices and availability are subject to change until booked.