When planning a trip to Liguria, the five villages of Cinque Terre most famously spring to mind. But with nearly 2.4 million people wandering through these towns every year, it can make the scenery a little less enjoyable.

Liguria’s long stretch of coastline from the French border to Tuscany encompasses so much more than just these five hot spots, and with towns ranging from 1,000 to 30,000 residents, there is a wealth of history, charm, delicious cuisine, and sea views waiting to be discovered that is also free of intense crowds.