Piani Paorelli: Coast, Trails and Cultural Heritage

A holiday apartment in Piani Paorelli takes you to a landscape where the coast, nature, trails and history offer distinct holiday themes. On the seabed lies a biologically significant habitat, while on land former sanatoriums recall the history of the area, and loop trails and developed routes provide practical opportunities for walks and cycling trips. If you like to vary your holiday days, you can choose between experiencing the landscape, culture and physical activity.

Coast, nature and the location of Piani Paorelli

In front of Parco Novaro, the seabed is home to an underwater meadow of Posidonia oceanica, classified as an area of particular biological importance. The former “Giacomo Filippo Novaro” hospital offers a different perspective. It stands in Piani Paorelli on a hill facing the sea near the coast, above the SS1 Via Aurelia, which provides access, at an altitude of around 240 metres. In the Middle Ages, the fertile plain of Piani Paorelli included extensive vegetable and agricultural fields, vineyards, orchards and olive groves.

Historical traces between sanatoriums and the coast

The former “Giuseppe Barellai” heliotherapy surgery institute in Piani Paorelli was built from 1930 to 1932 as a centre specialising in the treatment of bone tuberculosis. The “Giacomo Filippo Novaro” sanatorium was built from 1932 to 1934 as an advanced centre for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. The former building of the Giuseppe Barellai Institute is considered an important example of an anti-tuberculosis sanatorium from the first half of the 20th century and, together with the surrounding park and beach, has been placed under special landscape protection. The Torre dei Marmi is also one of the watchtowers built in the coastal area of Piani Paorelli to protect the coast from pirates.

On foot through gardens and olive terraces

The Anello di Costarainera loop trail begins at the former “Giuseppe Barellai” hospital and follows a long paved ascent to Piani Paorelli. It then passes through cultivated gardens, olive terraces and Mediterranean vegetation, offering views of the sea. After re-emerging onto Via Pagano, the loop trail leads to the parish church of Piani Paorelli. In this way, the route combines scenic impressions with several specific points of interest in the town.

Cycling and walking routes by the sea

The cycling and walking route from San Lorenzo al Mare to Aregai di Cipressa passes below the former “Giuseppe Barellai” heliotherapy hospital along the coast of Piani Paorelli and through a railway tunnel approximately 1,500 metres long. From Piani Paorelli, you can also reach pebble beaches or cycle towards the Marina del Valle del San Lorenzo. The former Genoa–Ventimiglia railway line is now a developed route for walking and cycling, protected from traffic on the Aurelia.

Choose a holiday apartment in Piani Paorelli to suit your travel rhythm

When choosing your holiday apartment in Piani Paorelli, the different focuses of your trip may be decisive. If you would like to combine walks with historical impressions, the Anello di Costarainera leads to gardens, olive terraces and the parish church. For days by the sea, the pebble beaches and the route towards the Marina del Valle del San Lorenzo are the main attractions. Those who prefer to plan longer routes by bicycle or on foot will find two clearly distinct options for structuring their days in the former railway line and the connection to Aregai di Cipressa.

For more ideas for places to visit in the surrounding area, you can also include Dolceacqua, Isolabona, Bussana, Cipressa, Cesio, Vessalico, Glori and Montalto Ligure.

For the broader travel overview: Imperia.