Baia dei Saraceni

The Bay of the Saracens is one of the most beautiful anchorages in Varigotti, a hamlet of Finale Ligure that has always stood on its own in terms of history and traditions. The anchorages are located at the foot of the promontory west of the Castle and are characterized by the splendid sea, sandy seabed, and old Mediterranean houses. More like a tropical beach with white sand and clear waters than a Ligurian bay: the long sandy beach is located east of the village in Malpasso.

It is a wildoasis where nature has been very generous with the vertical walls of landslide rock hundreds of meters high, of the hill above, the seabed emerging from the clear waters, olive groves and lemon groves that alternate among the colorful houses. Climatically, then, the area enjoys one of the mildest climates in the west thanks to the Manie plateau that protects the bay’s stretch from the cold northern winds.

The entire village of Varigotti is linked to both sea and land mainly because of the promontory from which the entire bay is overlooked. Reaching this anchorage is possible only by sea because, from land, there is no parking. The beach can be reached by a single small path that, starting from the Aurelia, slopes down via steps. In compensation for those who anchorage in this anchorage with a few euros can enjoy the services of a clean private beach with a bathroom, changing room, showers and a small bar.

The white sandy beach with small pebbles also includes a free part that, it is easy to imagine, gets crowded very easily in the summer time. Transparent sea and beach of small white pebbles, sheer rocks and vegetation behind, this has always been one of the most beautiful beaches in Liguria, unfortunately often overcrowded, but some coves on the beach of more difficult access allow you to enjoy the view a little more sheltered.

The name of the anchorages originates from the ‘imperial and Byzantine ages during which the peninsula was fortified, becoming a known site of a castrum The natural port below, called the Saracen port, became the main maritime base until it was totally silted up in 1341 following the first war with Genoa, mainly to prevent piracy attacks.

Today, the Saracen Bay for its crystal clear sea, clear waters with Caribbean colors is particularly protected by the Finale Ligure harbor master’s office, which fines any boat that anchors within a few dozen meters from the coast of the Saracen Bay and thus fails to comply with the ban on transit, mooring and anchoring within 200 meters from the coast, valid from May to September, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.