Via Aurelia - a sense of Roman culture - Scenic Route - Romany
Multistage tour
Via Aurelia - a sense of Roman culture
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/ "Gigante", a stunning sculpture at Monterosso al Mare.Photo: giomodica, CC BY, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Amphitheater of ArlesPhoto: Rolf Süssbrich, CC BY, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Noli, a precious spot on the Italian coastlinePhoto: Alessandro Vecchi, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Views of Corniglia seasidePhoto: Martin Abegglen, CC BY-SA, wikipedia.org
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/ Ancient road sign at the botanic gardens of HanburyPhoto: Tangopaso, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Riomaggiore seasidePhoto: Massimilianogalardi, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ At the center of ManarolaPhoto: Kevin Gabbert, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ The sunny coast at VernazzaPhoto: sailko, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Views of Genoa from the portPhoto: Hedwig Storch, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Sanremo, a popular tourist destination at Italian RivieraPhoto: Jose Antonio, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
This historic trade route takes you along the Italian coastline with an irresistible charm: Discover one of the most important roads of the former Roman Empire, spanning from central Italy to Southern France.
Via Aurelia was constructed back in 100 BC in order to connect Rome, the city of the vast Roman Empire, with Pisa in Tuscany.
With a widespread network of paths and streets, Via Aurelia was also connected with other important trade routes such as Via Appia and Via Aemilia Scaura. Nowadays, it leads from the heart of the Roman Empire to Southern France alongside a picturesque coastal route.
This tour is packed with lots of different impressions: Starting from the busy city center of Rome, we get to the sunny coast of Latium heading for North Italy. Stopping by the National Park Cinque Terre and the stunning port cities of Genoa and Sanremo you can get a sense of what living at the Italian coast feels like. Quite different, though, is the small town of Noli. It’s on the official list of Italy’s ”borghi più belli” (Italy’s most beautiful small towns), but abroad it’s still among Italy’s inside tips.
The route leads to the French city of Arles, one of the countrie’s oldest cities. As Friedrich Barbarossa’s former seat of government, Arles has a lot of cultural spots to offer. However, if you feel like making a field trip, you can go for a stroll through the Camargue, a regional park with picturesque lagoons.
Author’s recommendation
You should schedule sufficient time for a stay at Cinque Terre in order to explore the Italian Riviera. Those small fishing towns have still preserved their particular charm and are still far from mass tourism.
Safety information
Please check road conditions before starting the tour.
Equipment
For the stopovers along the road you’ll need sturdy shoes with a good profile, warm clothes and rainwear.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Starting from Via Sant’Agatone Papa in Rome we head westwards and after about 1 km we get onto Via Aurelia (officially signposted as state road “SS 1“). We follow the road in northwestern direction and reach the coastline on the outskirts of Ladispoli. Still following SS1 we pass by Tarquinia, Venturina Terme and Livorno until we reach Pisa after 300 km. On the outskirts of La Spezia we turn onto the provincial road “SP 1“. At that point there are only about 55 km left until Sestri Levante, the destination of the first stage.
From Sestri Levante we heading north and change onto SS 1 which leads along the coastline. After 8 km we pass by Lavagna and Chiavari, reaching Rapallo after further 15 km. By Recco (9 km) we reach Genoa which is at about 30 km from Recco. We pass by Arenzano and Cogoleto and reach the small town of Noli after further 35 km. At that point, Finale Ligure lies just 12 km ahead of us. We keep on following SS 1 and reach Sanremo after about 80 km. After 25 km, SS 1 leads us straight to the French border. Now we change onto “D 6007“ and pass by Menton, then we change onto the motorway A 8. Crossing La Trinité, we head further into the French heartland. After 20 km we turn southwards onto M 6202. After further 5 km we return to A 8 and follow the motorway for about 30 km until Mandelieu-la-Napoule. Then we change onto the D 6098 which leads us straight onto D 599 which reaches Saint-Raphaël, the second stage, after 20 km approximately.
At Saint-Raphaël we take D N7 northwards and change onto A 8 after nearly 10 km in western direction. After 55 km we pass by Brignones, reach Aix-en-Provence and after further 70 km we change onto the motorway A7 heading north. 12 km ahead, on the outskirts of Salon-de-Provence we change westwards onto A 54 ab and circumnavigate “Parc naturel régional des Alpilles“ on D 569 and D 17. Following D 17 in western direction, we reach our destination Arles after 40 km, passing by Maussane-les-Alpilles and Fontveille.
Public transport
Public transport friendly
From the bus station Fioranello/appia at the airport of Rome-Ciampino you need no take the bus line 720 to Laurentina until the last station (duration: about 40 min.), then change to line 31 in direction of Clodio until Anastasio li/ richelmy (duration: further 40 min.). Then you have to walk about 200 meters until Via Sant‘Agatone Papa (total duration: 85 minutes).
Getting there
Starting from the airport of Rome-Ciampino, we take Via Appia Nuova (SS 7) and Viale di Porta Ardeatina heading for Piazzale Ostiense, then we continue by Via Anastasio II until Via Sant’Agatone Papa (total duration: about one hour; total length: 20 km approx.).
Parking
You’ll find parking lots at the airport and within the cities and small towns along the route.
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- 3 Stages
From Rome to Sestri Levante
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From Sestri Levante to Saint-Raphaël
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From Saint-Raphaël to Arles
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