Apricale​

By Dion Protani
Latest update: 1 March 2022
The medieval hill town of Apricale is situated with the Imperia Province of in the northern Italian region of Liguria.

​It has a charming main square called Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and lots of fascinating stone alleyways to explore. A favourite sight just off the Piazza is the Castello della Lucertola, while throughout the town are paintings on buildings which characterise its history.
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The Borghi Più Belli d'Italia association include Apricale on their list of Italy's most beautiful villages under the heading Il Bacio della Pietra con Il Sole, "The Kiss of the Stone with the Sun". Another association that promotes small Italian towns and villages, the Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag), have included Apricale on their own list of places to visit since 2016. 

The town is best reached by car and as you approach from a distance you get stunning views of its seemingly precarious location, perched overlooking the valley below.

Apricale is one of a series of fascinating small towns and villages located around ten kilometres inland of the Riviera di Ponente, Liguria's western coastline. Within a short drive of Apricale are the likes of Perinaldo, Dolceacqua, Isolabona and Pigna slightly further north, all with a similar type of historic charm. The coastal resorts around Sanremo understandably enjoy the main focus of tourism in the summer but for those who like to explore a little bit off the beaten path, Apricale and its neighbouring villages are well worth the effort. 
Comune di Apricale
Province: Imperia

Region: Liguria

Population: 643​ (source: ISTAT 1 January 2022)

Size: 20 km²

Elevation: 291 metres

​Highlights: Castello della Lucertola, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II

​Close by: Isolabona, Dolceacqua, Perinaldo, Ventimiglia, Pigna

​​​​​​​​​​​​Recommended accommodation: Apricus Locanda
One of I Borghi più belli d'Italia (Italy's Most Beautiful Villages)

Listing headline: Il Bacio della Pietra con il Sole

​ (The Kiss of the Stone with the Sun)
Awarded the Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag)

Since: 2016

1 of 15 in Liguria listed by Touring Club Italiano

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