The best markets of Liguria where to find the most authentic typical products, such as pesto, olives and olive oil, ideal souvenirs to enrich the table of the holidays.
In Liguria the emotions run every month of the year and, with the approach of the Christmas holidays, the magic of tradition warms the atmosphere and the spirit. From Levante to Ponente is a succession of exquisite events, such as markets and events organized in the different Ligurian towns, where you can not only find the unique atmosphere of this land, but also discover tasty and original gift ideas "Made in Liguria".
Index of Article
Market of San Nicola, Genoa
In Genoa, for example, the Mercatino di San Nicola is characterized by the medieval theme, which this year will be further emphasized in the new headquarters of Piazza Sarzano, medieval heart of the capital located a few steps from the house of Christopher Columbus. Appointment from 2 to 23 December with the artisans of the Mercatino di San Nicola, where you can see at work from the puppet shop to the sculptor, surrounded by many stands dedicated to food specialties.
GiuEle, the Christmas Village, Finale Ligure
In the savonese, in Finale Ligure, it goes on stage until 7 January GiuEle, the Christmas Village. The event is located in a unique location, the splendid valley of Calvisio, along the ancient Roman street Julia Augusta, able to conquer eyes and hearts of young and old. In particular, Santa will welcome the children in his home. There will also be many recreational workshops and attractions, such as the ecological ice rink, the miniature city, the Santa Claus sub-plane, pony games and the Tartaruga Express train, which connects the Village with Finalborgo, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
The Christmas Markets offer includes handicrafts, typical Ligurian products and classic Christmas sweets, trendy items and much more. Forty exhibitors in traditional wooden chalets will amaze visitors with original proposals and tradition. GiuEle, the Christmas Village, is open until 21 December, from 10 to 20, only during the weekend. From 22 December to 7 January, it will be open every day from 10 to 20, while Friday 8 December the Village will welcome guests all day from 10 to 20.
Santa's Elve Village, Levanto (SP)
Moving to Levanto (SP), the Santa Claus Elve Village opens to the public on December 8. From the House of Santa Claus, ready to welcome young and old people, to the workshop of elves, with creative and playful-didactic activities free of charge, to the village of elves with the unmissable Christmas market that will count on the presence of traders, artisans, shows and animations.
Food and wine gifts and where to find them
Pesto
In addition to the markets and events organized throughout the Region on the occasion of the Holidays, Liguria offers many ideas for delicious gift ideas: unique products, which enclose a great value in terms of history and traditions.
Among the most recognized and appreciated symbols of Ligurian cuisine, the Pesto is a great gift idea that you can now take home. In fact, if you are leaving from Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport you can enter the package in the hand luggage, even if the jar exceeds 100 ml.
It is enough to buy a sticker on the jar, giving 50 cents in favor of Flying Angels Onlus, to help children suffering from serious illnesses to fly to the hospital that can cure them. It is an initiative of Genoa Airport and ASCOM for the Flying Angels Onlus Foundation. A double valence on Christmas, for a product already delicious... that also does good!
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Continuing in the groove of tradition, you can not mention the Extra Virgin Olive Riviera Ligure DOP, which is born from the Taggiasca olive cultivated on the hills of the Ligurian Ponente, between the provinces of Imperia and Savona, symbol of the values and flavors of the territory. There are many producers of excellence who, precisely on the occasion of Christmas, offer Christmas packages and baskets declined on this product in their stores.
For example, in Badalucco (IM) we find Oil Roi, in the savonese Frantoio Sommariva and the Frantoio Arnasco, while in Sestri Levante (GE), we find the Società Cooperativa Agricola Olivicoltori Sestresi. In the Riviera di Levante, Santo Stefano Magra (SP) hosts the Frantoio Lucchi and Guastalli.
And to those for whom the purchase of gifts means stress and running from one store to another, many of the above mentioned manufacturers offer an efficient e-commerce service, so the gifts will arrive comfortably at home, effortlessly. Taggiasca olive is the protagonist of the campaign #lataggiascasiamonoi: a program of Liguria Region, aimed at the valorization of an excellence that encompasses in itself the values and flavors of the territory.
Genovese Pandolce
That's the case, dulcis in fundo! Each Italian region has its own sweet tradition for Christmas and Ligurian white art includes the famous Genovese Pandolce. This leccornia is found in all pastries and Ligurian ovens all year round, but giving it or receiving it as a gift to Christmas definitely has another taste.
In the capital there are several historic premises that offer this speciality; in keeping with tradition, some producers have adapted to the demands and needs of their customers, such as Panarello, which offers the gluten-free low Pandolce. And since at Christmas there is room for some extra throat sin, there can be no shortage of Sassello's bitters and canestrelli's; the municipalities of the Beigua Park produce them artisanally and distribute them with the brand "Gustosi per Natura".
