La Villa Italiana
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View of the Mediterranean sea through the villa's arched seafront loggia with painted columns and a mosaic terraceThe ornate frescoed facade of La Villa Italiana with arched windows, coral shutters and a grand external staircase against a blue sky

A Restored Italian Riviera Estate

La Villa Italiana

A timeless seaside retreat where a century of history meets modern luxury, perched above the Mediterranean on the Italian Riviera.

Benvenuti

Your home in the heart of Italy

La Villa Italiana is a lovingly restored estate offering an intimate escape for families, friends, and gatherings. Wake to golden light over the sea and dine al fresco beneath the wisteria as the sun sets over the Italian Riviera.

Bedrooms
7

Bedrooms

Baths
6

Baths

Guests
16

Guests

sq ft
6,000

sq ft

Year restored
2024

Year restored

Dining nook with woven rattan chairs framed by the villa's tall arched windows overlooking a glowing sunset over the Mediterranean

Comfort & Care

Everything you need for an unforgettable stay

Expansive Seaview

Expansive Seaview

Sweeping views of the Mediterranean from every room.

Chef’s Kitchen

Chef’s Kitchen

Fully equipped kitchen with private chef on request.

Beautiful Garden

Beautiful Garden

Lush gardens with vibrant flowers and exotic trees and plants.

Private Parking

Secure on-site parking for 10+ vehicles.

Climate Control

Every room and bathroom is equipped with individual AC, supported by a powerful HVAC system that quickly heats or cools each space for comfort in every season.

Convenient Location

Ideally located just 3 minutes from the train station, 10–30 minutes from highlights of the Italian Riviera such as Portofino, Camogli, and Genova, and 30 minutes from Genova Airport.

Guest Reviews

Loved by guests from around the world

4.75· 12 reviews

Rated 4.75 out of 5 across 12 reviews on Airbnb.

  • We fell in love with the Villa! A dream. The ocean views and the peaceful surroundings. The house is super comfortable for a family of 6. And Sorah was very helpful with local recommendations! She even made a reservation for us at a restaurant herself. We liked it so much that we wanted to add 2 more days, but unfortunately we couldn’t.

    A

    Abril

    Buenos Aires, Argentina · 2025 · Stayed with kids

  • We had 13 guests staying for a wedding in Bogliasco. Everyone was impressed by the “castle”. The property managers (Paola and Sorah) went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed. For a large group this was an ideal place to enjoy the area. The train station was a five minute walk.

    J

    Jeff

    Portland, Oregon · June 2025 · Group trip

  • What a find! Not only is the home spectacular, but the helpful advice and support from Paolo and Sorah makes you feel right at home. We were pointed to wonderful restaurants and outings. The train is right across the street and we used it all the time. My grandsons enjoyed watching the trains go past and they loved all the toys and play areas. This was a stunning stay in a stunning part of Italy.

    M

    Melissa

    Grand Rapids, Michigan · June 2025 · Stayed with kids

  • Eric connected us with a local friend and manager that was incredibly helpful on everything from itinerary development, restaurant reservations, grocery stocking, any cleaning needs, and even cooking a dinner for the whole family one evening. The surroundings of this estate are pristine and beautiful, the grounds are beautiful (with a perfect playground for kids) and the house itself is beautiful. We simply couldn’t have asked for a better vacation.

    H

    Harris

    New York, New York · August 2024 · Stayed with kids

  • This was a beautiful villa where we stayed, super spacious, good furnishings, AMAZING kitchen — super well equipped. Supermarkets and other stores are nearby, and we had a car to explore other towns nearby, like Portofino. The hosts were very helpful and kind, very on point. 100% recommend.

    J

    Juan

    Naples, Florida · August 2024 · Group trip

Reserve

Book your stay

Select your dates and reserve directly. Availability is kept in sync with Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com.

Up to 16 guests.

The Villa

Rooms & spaces, floor by floor

Explore how the villa unfolds across its floors, each with its own character, comfort, and views.

Level 1

Ground Floor

The heart of the villa, Level 1 is the historic Primo Piano Nobile, or Primary Noble Floor — traditionally the principal level of Renaissance Italian palaces, designed for entertaining, elegant daily living, and memorable arrivals. At La Villa Italiana, this heritage is beautifully preserved through two exterior staircases, a covered arched loggia, soaring 13-foot ceilings, large arched windows, and gracious sea-facing rooms where elegant living and dining spaces, a chef-worthy kitchen, and two welcoming bedrooms unfold beneath frescoed and coffered ceilings.

Entrance Hall — photo 1Entrance Hall — photo 21/2

Entrance Hall

A grand entrance hall with intricate terrazzo flooring and a sweeping curved wooden staircase that sets the tone for the whole villa.

Living Room — photo 1Living Room — photo 2Living Room — photo 31/3

Living Room

A refined living room centered on a carved stone Renaissance fireplace, with herringbone parquet, frescoed ceilings, and antique furnishings.

Dining Room — photo 1Dining Room — photo 2Dining Room — photo 3Dining Room — photo 41/4

Dining Room

A formal dining room beneath a coffered ceiling and blue Murano glass chandelier, with a sea-view arched window. The painted ceiling celebrates Italy's four historic Maritime Republics — Genoa, Venice, Pisa, and Amalfi — adding a layer of heritage and character.

Kitchen — photo 1Kitchen — photo 2Kitchen — photo 3Kitchen — photo 41/4

Kitchen

A bright, fully equipped kitchen featuring a custom-made Officine Gullo range from Florence, classic black-and-white checkered surfaces, and a generous kitchen island that comfortably seats up to 10 guests.

First Bedroom — photo 1First Bedroom — photo 2First Bedroom — photo 31/3

First Bedroom

An elegant double bedroom dressed in red damask, with a coffered ceiling and a tall arched window overlooking the garden.

Second Bedroom — photo 1Second Bedroom — photo 2Second Bedroom — photo 31/3

Second Bedroom

A richly atmospheric double bedroom with deep red walls and an ornately painted wooden coffered ceiling.

Half Bath — photo 1Half Bath — photo 21/2

Half Bath

A stylish powder room with botanical wallpaper, a marble vessel sink, and polished brass fixtures.

Full Bath — photo 1Full Bath — photo 21/2

Full Bath

A full bathroom in marble with a walk-in glass shower, gilded mirror, and a hand-painted porcelain basin.

Level 2

First Floor

The Secondo Piano Nobile, or second noble floor, offers a more private and intimate retreat within the villa. This level is home to the main sleeping quarters, with sea-view bedrooms, private terraces, a graceful loggia, and elegantly renovated bathrooms featuring large-format tile, a clawfoot tub, designer lighting, and custom counters.

Upstairs Living Room — photo 1Upstairs Living Room — photo 2Upstairs Living Room — photo 3Upstairs Living Room — photo 4Upstairs Living Room — photo 5Upstairs Living Room — photo 61/6

Upstairs Living Room

A spacious upstairs sitting room with a dark coffered beam ceiling and tall arched windows overlooking the sea. The queen-size pull-out sofa offers a comfortable sleeping option for two additional adults.

Master Bedroom & Terrace — photo 1Master Bedroom & Terrace — photo 2Master Bedroom & Terrace — photo 3Master Bedroom & Terrace — photo 4Master Bedroom & Terrace — photo 51/5

Master Bedroom & Terrace

An elegant master bedroom with super king size bed, antique crystal chandeliers and fine parquet, opening through French doors onto a private terrace with sweeping views of the turquoise sea.

Master Bath — photo 1Master Bath — photo 2Master Bath — photo 3Master Bath — photo 41/4

Master Bath

A dramatic master bathroom in dark blue and white marble, with a freestanding clawfoot tub, walk-in shower, and brass fixtures.

Bedroom 2 & Terrace — photo 1Bedroom 2 & Terrace — photo 2Bedroom 2 & Terrace — photo 3Bedroom 2 & Terrace — photo 4Bedroom 2 & Terrace — photo 5Bedroom 2 & Terrace — photo 6Bedroom 2 & Terrace — photo 71/7

Bedroom 2 & Terrace

A comfortable bedroom with a king size bed and antique furnishings, opening onto its own private terrace with a sweeping sea view.

Bedroom 3 — photo 1Bedroom 3 — photo 21/2

Bedroom 3

A cheerful family bedroom with an antique lantern, a large sea-view window, and a garden-view window. Designed for flexible sleeping arrangements, it features a double lower bunk, a single upper bunk, and a pull-out bed — ideal for two adults or three to four children.

Guest Bathroom — photo 1Guest Bathroom — photo 2Guest Bathroom — photo 3Guest Bathroom — photo 41/4

Guest Bathroom

A striking guest bathroom with glossy dark tile, a sunken tub and rain shower, double black glass vessel sinks, and a terrazzo floor.

Level 3

Attic Apartment

A private self-contained apartment with a separate entrance, kitchen, living room, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms — perfect for a visiting family or up to four additional guests who want added comfort and privacy.

Kitchen

Kitchen

A fully equipped kitchen tucked under the roofline, perfect for preparing meals during longer stays.

Living Room

Living Room

A bright living and dining area beneath sloped ceilings and exposed beams, with a sofa, a round table, and large skylights framing sea views.

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 1

A serene bedroom with a queen size bed.

Bedroom 2 — photo 1Bedroom 2 — photo 2Bedroom 2 — photo 31/3

Bedroom 2

A cozy bedroom beneath exposed timber rafters and a skylight overlooking the surrounding pines. The bed can be arranged as either a large queen bed or two single beds.

Full Bath — photo 1Full Bath — photo 2Full Bath — photo 3Full Bath — photo 4Full Bath — photo 51/5

Full Bath

A full bathroom serving the attic apartment, with shower, bidet, washer and dryer.

Half Bath — photo 1Half Bath — photo 21/2

Half Bath

A convenient powder room for the attic apartment.

Basement

Basement

A versatile lower level dedicated to wellness and play, sheltered and cool year-round.

Gym — photo 1Gym — photo 2Gym — photo 31/3

Gym

A private fitness room with space for cardio and strength training. Replace with details about equipment and amenities.

Kids Playroom

Kids Playroom

A cheerful playroom for younger guests, with room for games and activities. Replace with details about toys and features.

Laundry Room

Laundry Room

A practical laundry room with a stacked washer and dryer and a utility sink, keeping everything fresh during your stay.

The Villa

Exterior & Garden

Step outside into lush Mediterranean grounds — terraces, sea-view lawns, and shaded corners made for slow afternoons.

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Terrace 1

A sun-drenched terrace for morning coffee and open-air meals.

Terrace 2 — photo 1Terrace 2 — photo 21/2

Terrace 2

A second terrace offering a quiet vantage over the grounds.

Gazebo

Gazebo

A shaded gazebo, perfect for al fresco dining and afternoon shade.

Garden — photo 1Garden — photo 2Garden — photo 3Garden — photo 4Garden — photo 5Garden — photo 6Garden — photo 71/7

Garden

Mature Mediterranean gardens with olive, citrus, and fragrant flowering plants.

Grotto — photo 1Grotto — photo 21/2

Grotto

A cool, characterful grotto tucked into the grounds.

Playground — photo 1Playground — photo 21/2

Playground

An outdoor play area for younger guests to enjoy.

The Facades

The villa presents a different face on every side — each a study in Coppedè’s eclectic detail.

Western Facade of La Villa Italiana

Western Facade

Arched bifora windows and a carved crest, framed by palms with the sea beyond.

Front Facade of La Villa Italiana

Front Facade

The symmetric entrance front, with a central loggia and twin curving staircases.

Eastern Facade of La Villa Italiana

Eastern Facade

The ornate corner elevation, glowing in golden-hour light above the gardens.

Step Inside

Explore every room in 3D

Take an immersive virtual walkthrough of the villa before you arrive. Wander the halls, peek into the bedrooms, and stroll the grounds — all from wherever you are.

Concierge Services

Everything taken care of, so you can simply relax

From private dining to local know-how, our team curates every detail of your stay at the villa.

Catering & Private Chef

Book a private chef or full catering for an unforgettable dining experience — from intimate dinners to celebrations, with menus crafted around local Ligurian flavors.

Cleaning Services

Professional housekeeping arranged on your schedule, including mid-stay refreshes and additional linens, so the villa stays effortless throughout your visit.

Concierge

Our concierge shares trusted local recommendations and handles the details: reserving restaurants, beach clubs, and arranging taxis and transfers.

A taste of private chef

Fregola with confit cherry tomatoes and herb sauce

Fregola with confit cherry tomatoes and herb sauce

Fish and fig rolls with herb powder and dark sauce

Fish and fig rolls with herb powder and dark sauce

Seared fish over sautéed greens with cream sauce

Seared fish over sautéed greens with cream sauce

Gatherings

Events & Retreats

From corporate offsites to yoga retreats and weddings, La Villa Italiana is an unforgettable setting for any occasion.

Celebrations at the villa

A couple exchanging vows framed in a grand doorway, silhouetted against the sea and a balustraded terrace, with guests seated on either side
A violinist and cellist performing in an ornate salon with a Murano glass chandelier and frescoed ceiling, before an arched window with a sea view
A speaker presenting on the villa’s history beside a projector screen in a wood-paneled room with herringbone parquet floors and beamed ceiling

See the villa in motion

Location & Transportation

Perfectly connected on the Riviera

The villa offers easy access to public transport, nearby towns, beaches, restaurants, and airports.

Transportation

The train station is a 5-minute walk, with connections to Genova, Milan, Camogli, Recco, Portofino, Cinque Terre, and beyond. Regional and local bus stops are just a 2-minute walk, linking Genova, Recco, Camogli, and nearby towns.

Parking

Private on-site parking for up to 10 cars.

Airports

Genova Airport is about 30 minutes by car. Pisa is roughly 1.5 hours, the Milan airports 2–2.5 hours, and Nice/Monaco around 2.5 hours.

Towns, Beaches & Swimming

Sori is a 12-minute walk and Bogliasco about 20 minutes. A beautiful swimming and snorkeling spot is only a 3-minute walk away.

Restaurants & Dining

Restaurants are within a 5-minute walk, and many local spots also deliver through Just Eat.

Groceries

The nearest grocery store is about 3 minutes away by car, with delivery available through the COOP app.

Please note that the villa is over 100 years old. Although it has been upgraded with double-glazed windows and additional insulation to help reduce outside noise, you may occasionally hear passing trains. The railway follows much of the Italian and French Riviera coastline, so train sounds are common in many seaside locations throughout the region.

Explore the Area

A coastline of unforgettable villages

The villa sits on the Riviera di Levante, within easy reach of some of Liguria’s most beloved seaside towns.

Portofino
30 min
Explore the Area

Portofino

The glamorous harbor of Portofino, a little over a 30-minute drive from the villa, or reachable by train and bus.

Camogli
15 min

Camogli

A quaint fishing village of pastel houses, just 15 minutes from the villa by car or train.

San Fruttuoso
15 min + boat or hike

San Fruttuoso

A hidden abbey bay reached by a scenic boat ride from nearby Camogli — one of the coast’s most secluded gems.

Sori
3 min

Sori

A relaxed seaside town with a sandy beach, only a 3-minute drive or a 12–15 minute walk from the villa.

Bogliasco
3 min

Bogliasco

A charming Ligurian fishing village with a picturesque cove, just 3 minutes from the villa or a 15–20 minute walk.

Genova
10–20 min

Genova

The historic maritime capital of Liguria, a 10–20 minute drive or 20 minutes by train, with its grand old town and vibrant harbor.

Cinque Terre
1 hour

Cinque Terre

Five storybook fishing villages of pastel houses clinging to dramatic cliffs above the sea — 1 hour by car or 1 hour 15 minutes by train, and a UNESCO World Heritage gem.

Road Trips & Day Escapes

Iconic destinations within a scenic drive

La Villa Italiana makes an ideal base for road trips. From the French Riviera to Italy’s style capitals and Tuscany’s art cities, world-famous destinations are all within a half-day drive.

French Riviera / Côte d’Azur

Monaco
2.5 hours drive

Monaco

The glamorous seaside principality of high-stakes casinos, the Monte-Carlo Grand Prix, and a harbor lined with superyachts.

Nice
2.5 hours drive

Nice

The sun-soaked capital of the French Riviera, famed for its azure bay, old-town charm, and the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais.

Italian Fashion & Economic Capitals

Milan
2 hours drive

Milan

Italy’s fashion and finance powerhouse, home to the soaring Gothic Duomo, La Scala opera house, and Leonardo’s Last Supper.

Turin
2 hr 15 min drive

Turin

An elegant former royal capital of arcaded boulevards, historic cafés, and the landmark Mole Antonelliana against the Alps.

Tuscan Cultural Centers

Pisa
1.5 hours drive

Pisa

Home to the iconic Leaning Tower and the marble marvels of the Piazza dei Miracoli.

Florence
2.5 hours drive

Florence

The cradle of the Renaissance, crowned by Brunelleschi’s dome and brimming with world-class art and architecture.

The frescoed eastern facade of the villa at golden hour, designed by Gino Coppedè, with arched windows, a marble staircase, and warm sunset light across the stonework

Our Story

A Gino Coppedè masterpiece by the sea

Designed around 1915 and completed in 1924 as Villa Becchi, the residence was built for the Becchi family — prominent financiers of Pieve Ligure — by the celebrated Florentine architect Gino Coppedè. Home to the Becchi family until 1976 and the Cecchi family thereafter, it has kept its original character through every era. In 2024 it was reborn as La Villa Italiana, restored to honour Coppedè’s singular vision.

  1. 1915

    Gino Coppedè draws the original plans for the residence.

  2. 1924

    Villa Becchi is completed for the Becchi family, financiers of Pieve Ligure.

  3. 1976

    The Cecchi family become the villa’s custodians for nearly half a century.

  4. 2024

    Reborn as La Villa Italiana, restored with its Coppedè character intact.

Villa Gaeta on Lake Como, a castellated villa designed by the Coppedè brothers, set on a green promontory over the blue lake
Villa Gaeta on Lake Como, designed by the Coppedè brothers and featured in Casino Royale

The Coppedè signature

Gino Coppedè and his brothers left their mark across Italy. In Rome, an entire district bears his name — the Quartiere Coppedè, where every building and the whole quarter were conceived by the architect, a fantastical ensemble of turrets, arches and sculpted façades. On Lake Como, the Coppedè brothers designed Villa Gaeta, whose fairy-tale silhouette appeared in the James Bond film Casino Royale. At La Villa Italiana, guests have the rare opportunity to live within this same extraordinary architectural lineage.

Coat of arms of the Cecchi, a noble Tuscan family from Lucca dating to the 15th century

The Cecchi family

The villa carries the arms of the Cecchi, a noble family descended from Lucca in Tuscany whose lineage reaches back to the fifteenth century. Their painted coat of arms — a red chief above three golden stars and a rising mount of stone — still presides over the villa.

The villa's sweeping Coppedè staircase rising above a decorative terrazzo floor

Architecture

The vision of Gino Coppedè

Never severing the roots of his Florentine training, Gino Coppedè rose to fame in 1893 with the Castello Mackenzie in Genoa — a work that opened a new era for Genoese architecture. At Villa Becchi he worked in his own Neo-Renaissance idiom, a true revolution within the Liberty (Art Nouveau) movement.

An unbridled, hyperbolic artist, Coppedè shaped luxury architecture for a wealthy clientele. The façades — modelled in lime and bastard mortar to imitate travertine stone — overflow with projected detail, giving the building a plastic, almost sculptural richness that borders on the grotesque.

Signature elements

Coppedè wove a vocabulary of historic motifs into every elevation and ceiling. Each detail at the villa echoes a precedent from architectural history.

  • The loggia of the main entrance
    At the villa
    The loggia of the main entrance
    Classical engraving of the Serliana motif
    Historical reference
    Classical engraving of the Serliana motif
    01

    Palladian motif

    Serliana

    A round arch symmetrically flanked by two architraved openings and a pair of columns, crowning the loggia of the main entrance — a motif rooted in Roman and Byzantine architecture.

  • Seafront loggia
    At the villa
    Seafront loggia
    Loggia of a Venetian Gothic palace, Grand Canal
    Historical reference
    Loggia of a Venetian Gothic palace, Grand Canal
    02

    Open gallery

    Loggia

    A gallery open on at least one side, raised and covered, supported by columns and arches — a hallmark of Italian villas of the 16th and 17th centuries.

  • Windows of the façade
    At the villa
    Windows of the façade
    Medieval Mullioned Window
    Historical reference
    Medieval Mullioned Window
    03

    Mullioned window

    Bifora

    Two round-arched openings divided by a slender column, often framed by a further arch enclosing a coat of arms — a Gothic and Renaissance form revived in the Liberty era.

  • Columns of the loggia
    At the villa
    Columns of the loggia
    The classical Corinthian order
    Historical reference
    The classical Corinthian order
    04

    Corinthian capital

    Capitello Corinzio

    The most ornate of the classical orders, its capital wreathed in acanthus leaves — carried from antiquity into Coppedè’s figurative repertoire.

  • Colonnettes framing the windows
    At the villa
    Colonnettes framing the windows
    Antique spiral (cochlear) column
    Historical reference
    Antique spiral (cochlear) column
    05

    Spiral column

    Colonna Coclide

    A twisting column whose spiral evokes cyclic continuity, creation and the flow of time — its dynamic form later revived in the neoclassical age.

  • Frescoed panels of the façade
    At the villa
    Frescoed panels of the façade
    Coat of arms of Florence
    Historical reference
    Coat of arms of Florence
    06

    Florentine fleur-de-lis

    Giglio Fiorentino

    The blossomed lily of Florence, emblem of Coppedè’s native city and a symbol of purity, candour and boldness, set across the elevations.

  • Friezes of the façade
    At the villa
    Friezes of the façade
    Ionic egg-and-dart moulding
    Historical reference
    Ionic egg-and-dart moulding
    07

    Ionic kymation

    Kymation Ionico

    The quintessential Ionic moulding, an ovolo profile carved with the “egg-and-dart” motif crowning friezes and architraves.

  • Painted foliate scrollwork within the villa
    At the villa
    Painted foliate scrollwork within the villa
    Staircase design by Gino Coppedè
    Historical reference
    Staircase design by Gino Coppedè
    08

    Phytomorphic scrollwork

    Girali

    Decorative motifs of Roman origin — leafy stems and branches coiled into spirals — giving the surfaces a living, vegetal rhythm.

  • Carved wooden ceilings
    At the villa
    Carved wooden ceilings
    The dome of the Pantheon, Rome
    Historical reference
    The dome of the Pantheon, Rome
    09

    Coffered ceiling

    Cassettoni

    Regular sunken panels set in a chessboard, as in the dome of the Pantheon — at once lightening the vault and enriching it.

  • Shield set on the façade
    At the villa
    Shield set on the façade
    Arms of the Republic of Genoa
    Historical reference
    Arms of the Republic of Genoa
    10

    Crusader shield

    Stemma di Genova

    The cross of Saint George, protector of Genoa since the first crusade, joined by the azure shield bearing LIBERTAS — the city’s freedom carved in stone.

La Villa Italiana

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