Enchanting Apricale
A visit to Apricale is like stepping back in time and into a real-life Disney fairytale land. With records dating back to the 1090s, Apricale is a pristinely preserved jewel of history. But what makes Apricale truly remarkable are the friendly, neighborly people who make this village of 600 a truly lovely community.
Jump to: Photos of Apricale • Attractions & Activities • Location
Magic: In Photos
Here are a few images which capture just a fraction of Apricale’s boundless beauty and brilliance.
Top-10 Apricale Activities
Here’s an “amuse-bouche” of the many things we love about romantic Apricale.
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#10: Getting lost
Getting lost in the labyrinths of Apricale’s winding cobblestone streets (whether you intend to or not)
#9: Shopping
Shopping in the local stores, like La Bottega delle Meraviglie, for unique and thoughtful gift ideas.
#8: Olive Oil Tasting
Tasting olive oils, particularly those grown from the Taggiasca olive orchards of Apricale—where La Strada dell’Olio begins. Once you taste the farm-fresh olive oils of Apricale, you’ll never go back to your run-of-the-mill olive oil.
#7: Castle Tour
Touring the Castello della Lucertola, learning about its rich French and Italian history from the museum docent, and soaking in the views from the rooftop gardens overlooking the town square.
#6: Wine Tasting
Savoring the fine wines of the Ligurian region which easily give Tuscany a run for its money. This region of Liguria is famous for its Rossese and Vermentino varietals.
#5: Architecture
Appreciating the designs like the medieval architecture and the arts and murals that adorn the village.
#4: Hiking
Hiking the trails along the mountains and taking a swim in the Nervia River meandering along the base of the beautiful Nervia Valley.
#3: Guided Tour
Guided tour of Apricale: Learn about the village’s rich—and sometimes disturbingly savage—history from city staff and gain access to some of the most precious, preserved monuments. Tours are available for groups of at least 4 people on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Be sure to book your reservations in advance.
#2: Festivals + Events
Attending events on the piazza including live concerts, festivals, dances, and theater performances like Il Teatro della Tosse in August. See the Apricale government website for the full list of upcoming events.
#1: the People
Meeting the people of Apricale and tourists from around the world, listening to their stories ripe with passion and fascination.
Centrally Located
Situated about 5 km east of the France-Italy border, Apricale is a smooth and scenic one-hour drive from the Côte d'Azur International Airport in Nice, France. (And with the EU's open borders, crossing borders is a breeze.) There are many ways to get to Apricale.
The iconic seaside cities of Monaco, Èze, Menton, and Sanremo are all within a 60-minute drive. And the dining, sightseeing, shopping, wine tasting, spa pampering, museum tours, and outdoor excursions are spectacular and full of many Instagram-able moments! 🤳
Apricale is at the midpoint of many top destinations. Inspire your vacation with these fascinating ideas.
Photo Credit: Tobi 87 [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
