Vacation in Diano Marina, an Italian Riviera resort built into a valley of green hills. The town’s beautiful beaches are only part of its appeal. There are also ancient buildings and a historic center to discover.
If you’ve come to Diano Marina for seaside fun, you won’t be disappointed. Many fine sandy beaches decorate the coastline. The sand shelves slowly into the sea and the water is shallow for some distance, making it a safe swimming environment for children and novice swimmers. Unwind in one of the well-equipped bathing establishments, which feature bars, restaurants, beach volleyball courts and swimming pools.
In addition to sunbathing, carve out some time to see more of the small town. You’ll notice many orange trees lining the streets which is why Diano Marina is also known as the City of Orange Trees.
Walk through the historic center to uncover some of its history. Visit the Archeological Civic Museum in the Palazzo del Parco. See fossils and tools from the area that date back to the Paleolithic. Visit the Baroque-style Church of St. Anne and the 17th-century Church of St. Anthony Abbot.
Admire the façade of the 19th-century Villa Scarsella, formerly a convent and now a school. There are more fascinating sites to see in the city of Imperia, about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) west of Diano Marina.
Tour the sumptuous house and garden of Villa Grock, the former home of Adrien Wettach, the King of Clowns. He was an international star in the first half of the 20th century. The house has a whimsical design, inspired by the works of Gaudi and Picasso. Nearby is the Collegiate Church of St. John the Baptist, built in a late Baroque Genovese style.
Arrive by plane into Nice Cote d’Azur Airport or Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport, which are 60 miles (100 kilometers) to the west and east respectively.
With a mild climate, Diano Marina is a year-round vacation destination. One of the nicest times to be here is in June for the flower festival when the streets are covered in thousands of petals.
