Santo  Stefano  d'Aveto​

Latest page update: 25 May 2025
By: Dion Protani

Where to Stay

Where to Stay in Santo Stefano d'Aveto
Santo Stefano d’Aveto has a small but genuine mountain hotel scene, reflecting its role as a base for hiking, skiing and exploring the Aveto Natural Regional Park. The village caters mainly to visitors interested in outdoor activities and fresh-air stays, with a few established properties that focus on practicality, comfort and traditional hospitality rather than resort-style facilities.
​
Among the best-reviewed options, Hotel Miramonti offers comfortable rooms, warm service and a convenient central location that works well for both summer and winter stays (€€). Hotel San Lorenzo, close to the village centre, provides a traditional alpine atmosphere with welcoming staff and steady guest satisfaction for cleanliness and value (€€). For those seeking more space and amenities nearby, Grand Hotel Siva on the Aveto slopes offers a peaceful setting, expansive views and facilities suited to visitors who prioritise proximity to the mountains (€€€).

Where is

Where is Santo Stefano d'Aveto?
​The town of Santo Stefano d'Aveto is situated in the Metropolitan City of Genoa province and stands at an elevation of 1,012 metres above sea level. It has a population of around 1,000 inhabitants.

Places of interest nearby include the towns of Chiavari, Lavagna, Zoagli, Rapallo and Sestri Levante while the recommended accommodation is the Hotel Residence Sant'Anna in Bedonia.
Comune di Santo Stefano d'Aveto
Province: Metropolitan City of Genoa

Region: Liguria

Population: 982​ (in 2024 - source)

Size: 55 km²

​Elevation: 1,012 metres

​​​​​​Close by: Chiavari, Lavagna, Zoagli, Rapallo, Sestri Levante​

Recommended stay: ​Hotel Residence Sant'Anna (30 km)​
Awarded the Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag)

Since: 2000

1 of 15 in Liguria listed by Touring Club Italiano

What People Ask About Santo Stefano d'Aveto, Liguria

Is Santo Stefano d'Aveto worth visiting?
Yes, Santo Stefano d'Aveto is worth visiting for its location in the Aveto Valley, surrounded by the Ligurian Apennines. It offers a medieval castle, alpine-style buildings, and access to hiking and skiing areas.
How do I get to Santo Stefano d'Aveto?
Santo Stefano d'Aveto is about 60 km from Chiavari on the Ligurian coast. The nearest train station is in Chiavari, from where buses and roads connect to the Aveto Valley. Driving takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
What are the main attractions in Santo Stefano d'Aveto?
Key attractions include the Malaspina Castle, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the surrounding Apennine peaks such as Monte Maggiorasca. In winter, the nearby ski facilities are popular with visitors.
When is the best time to visit Santo Stefano d'Aveto?
The best time to visit is in summer for hiking and exploring the mountains, or in winter for skiing. Spring and autumn also provide good weather and fewer crowds for outdoor activities.
How long should I stay in Santo Stefano d'Aveto?
A two-day stay is ideal to explore the castle, enjoy local food, and take a hike or ski trip. Longer stays are recommended for those wanting to explore the Aveto Valley and surrounding Apennine peaks in more depth.
Related links

Discover

Discover Santo Stefano d'Aveto
Santo Stefano d’Aveto lies in the upper Aveto Valley, surrounded by the Ligurian Apennines near the border with Emilia-Romagna. The town is overlooked by the Castello Malaspina-Fieschi Doria, a medieval fortress that reflects its strategic importance in earlier centuries. Its compact centre is set among alpine-style houses, giving it the atmosphere of a mountain settlement rather than a coastal Ligurian town.
​
The surrounding landscape forms part of the Parco Naturale Regionale dell’Aveto, with peaks such as Monte Maggiorasca providing opportunities for hiking, skiing, and seasonal outdoor activities. Local traditions and food, including mountain cheeses and mushroom dishes, highlight its cultural ties to the interior. Despite its highland setting, Santo Stefano d’Aveto remains accessible by road from the Riviera di Levante and serves as a gateway to the valleys and passes of the Apennines.

Things to Do

Things to Do in Santo Stefano d'Aveto
  • Castello Malaspina Doria stands above Santo Stefano d’Aveto, its stone walls and towers recalling centuries of strategic importance. The fortress has sections open to visitors, offering views of the village and wooded valleys below. Inside are occasional exhibitions on local history. Its presence gives the village a distinctive medieval atmosphere.
  • Parrocchiale di Santo Stefano is the village’s main church, notable for its simple stone façade and interior artworks. The building reflects the area’s religious traditions and long history. Visitors often pop in for a quiet moment or to admire the decorative details. It’s located conveniently in the heart of the village centre.
  • Forests of Monte Penna spread close to Santo Stefano d’Aveto and are criss-crossed with walking trails. These woods are dense with beech and fir trees, providing cool shade in summer. Paths lead to high viewpoints overlooking Ligurian and Emilian landscapes. The area is also valued for its diverse flora and seasonal mushrooms.
  • Piazza Livellara serves as the social hub of Santo Stefano d’Aveto, surrounded by cafés and small shops. It’s an inviting place to sit and enjoy local life passing by. The square often hosts markets or events, especially during summer weekends. Traditional food products like cheeses and cured meats are sold here.
  • Guided hiking or snowshoeing tours start from Santo Stefano d’Aveto and explore nearby peaks or wooded paths. Local guides tailor routes to fitness levels and interests, sharing knowledge of local wildlife and plant life. In winter, snow-covered trails are accessible with snowshoes. These outings reveal the region’s mountain charm in every season.

Tours and Activities

Santo Stefano d'Aveto Tours and Activities

Photo Gallery

Liguria Top 10 - My Recommended Destinations in Liguria

1. Cinque Terre
2. Portofino
3. Sestri Levante
4. Camogli
5. Rapallo 
6. Portovenere
7. ​Lerici
8. Santa Margherita Ligure
9. ​Genoa
10. Finalborgo

​👉 Explore the Top 10 Places to Visit in Liguria

How to Get to [Place Name]

How to Get to Santo Stefano d'Aveto
By Rail: Santo Stefano d’Aveto does not have its own train station. The nearest station is in Chiavari, about 45 kilometres away, on the Genoa–La Spezia line operated by Trenitalia. From Genoa, trains to Chiavari take around 40 minutes, while from La Spezia the journey is about 1 hour. From Chiavari, Santo Stefano d’Aveto can be reached in about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car or local bus through the Aveto Valley.

By Road: Santo Stefano d’Aveto is located in the Ligurian Apennines, near the borders with Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. From Chiavari, the distance is about 45 kilometres, with a driving time of around 1 hour and 15 minutes. From Genoa, the journey is approximately 85 kilometres and takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes. Parking is available near the village centre and close to the ski area and hiking trailheads.

Nearest International Airports:
​
  • Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport: About 95 kilometres from Santo Stefano d’Aveto, with a drive of around 1 hour and 50 minutes. The closest airport, offering both domestic and European flights.
  • Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport: Approximately 160 kilometres away, with a driving time of about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Provides extensive domestic and international services.
  • Milan Linate Airport: Roughly 170 kilometres from Santo Stefano d’Aveto, taking about 2 hours and 40 minutes by car. Offers a wide range of domestic and international connections.

Private Transfers

Santo Stefano d'Aveto Private Transfers
A private transfer is the easiest way to reach Santo Stefano d’Aveto or continue your journey onwards, offering a direct and reliable service without the need to drive mountain roads yourself. You’ll be collected at your chosen location and taken comfortably to your destination by a professional driver.

From Santo Stefano d’Aveto, Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport is about 75 km away, with a journey time of around 1 hour 40 minutes. Pisa International Airport lies 140 km to the south, taking about 2 hours 15 minutes, while Milan Malpensa Airport is roughly 200 km north, reached in about 3 hours. The city of Genoa can be reached in around 1 hour 30 minutes, while Chiavari and Lavagna on the Ligurian coast are both about 1 hour 10 minutes away.
​
To request a quote or check availability for a private transfer, just fill out the short form below and we’ll get back to you with all the details.

    Private  Transfer  Request

    WE OFFER PRIVATE TRANSFERS ACROSS THE WHOLE OF ITALY!
    To request the price and availability of any transfer route in Italy please use the form below or contact us via the [email protected] mailbox. Make sure you've included details such as the name of the hotel, name of the town/city or which airport/train station where relevant. Our English booking team will get back to you ASAP to assist with your enquiry.
To book one of our private transfers you can contact us via the [email protected] mailbox or use the Whatsapp button above for live chat and general advice about your upcoming trip to Italy. 

SITE SEARCH

If you want to find a page quickly and you're not sure where to look you can use the Site Search box below and it'll point you in the right direction. 

YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO ITALY

Italy Review is an independent guide to Italy, showcasing the very best that the country has to offer. Throughout the four thousand pages of the website you'll find comprehensive tourist information, opinion and original photos.

​Alongside the major tourist destinations that you've already heard of, there are thousands of others that may come as a surprise with the intention of the website to provide inspiration for your future trips to the country. 

The photos and descriptions on the website are all my own work and are the fruit of my extensive travels around the country. I've visited every place that's listed on the website which means I'm able to give useful advice for first-time visitors. 

​You can keep in touch with the latest developments in Italy via  my Facebook and Instagram pages. 

If you'd just like to start your exploration of Italy with some ideas of places to go then I'd recommend starting at the highlighted must see Italy page.  Or using the grid to your right you can click a photo to enter  the main menus.                 

THE ITALY REVIEW NETWORK SISTER SITES:

​All photos and images on the site that are marked with the © copyright symbol or with the Italy Review series logos are the property of Italy Review and must not be used elsewhere without prior permission. All written content on the website is also the property of Italy Review and its use is strictly limited to this website alone. 
Chat with us on WhatsApp