Tigullio

Tigullio, or Golfo del Tigullio, is a coastal area on the Ligurian Sea in Liguria, northwestern Italy. It forms part of the Riviera di Levante and lies along the eastern shore of the Ligurian coast near Genoa. The name derives from the ancient Tigulli, a Ligurian people mentioned in classical sources, and the gulf is used to designate the coastal zone around its towns.

The gulf runs along the Ligurian coast from the Portofino promontory in the west to the area around Sestri Levante in the east. It encompasses several towns including Rapallo, Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino, Chiavari, Lavagna, and Recco, as well as Sestri Levante. The coastline features cliffs, coves, and beaches, backed by the Ligurian hills. The region is served by major roads, a coastal railway line, and regular ferries linking the gulf towns.

Historically, the Tigullio area has a strong maritime tradition and was part of the Republic of Genoa. In the 19th and early 20th centuries it developed as a popular tourist destination for Italian and foreign visitors, contributing to the rise of coastal resorts and historic town centers. Landmarks include Rapallo's waterfront and Castello sul Mare, and the Portofino promontory, which hosts the Portofino Regional Nature Park.

Today it remains a major tourist and cultural area, renowned for its scenic towns, beaches, and boating facilities. It forms part of the Riviera di Levante and remains connected by a dense transport network, including the Genoa–Pisa railway, the A12 motorway, and regular ferry services along the coast.