What are the notable sights/towns and in particular places to stay between Monaco and Genoa? My wife and I will be landing in Nice from the US in a few weeks and considering maybe an "out and back" road trip by car into the Italian Riviera toward Genoa, staying at interesting locales along the way. My thought was to go as far as Portofino and potentially stay in or near there before heading back. We're thinking of roughly 10 days in the Cote D'azure/Riviera.
Posted by
4320 posts
At this time of year, I’d be more interested in Genoa itself. Camogli and Santa Margarita Ligure are nice. For the towns to the west of Genoa, I recall the DK book having good coverage.
Posted by
Virginia
232 posts
Sanremo is a nice town -- resort town but big enough to be interesting. Picturesque old town, Alfred Nobel's villa, a Russian church to see. I wouldn't go out of my way to go there as a vacation destination compared to many other places in Italy, but if you are passing that way it's very pleasant. I was there for work some years back, for a week, and enjoyed my stay (yes, I know, tough gig!).
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thank you for the suggestions! Will definitely look into those spots.
Posted by
745 posts
We really liked Menton as a low-key stop. We literally enjoyed sipping beer on the beach watching the sunset, so this is not a recommendation for tons of things to do and see. But it is a lovely town, and the 1600s bastion is quite picturesque. Inside is a museum dedicated to French artist and poet Jean Cocteau; although we didn't go inside (again, sunset. beer). But Menton is definitely one of those classic vistas you image along the coast of Southern France.
Posted by
Nice, France & San Francisco
674 posts
Menton has the Fete du Citron in February (Lemon Festival, 11th to the 26th) and Nice has Carnaval (10th to the 26th). These are large events so you will experience more people in Menton than usual.
Sanremo is nice but I prefer Bordighera, a smaller resort. It is the off season so perhaps Sanremo is the better choice. Note there is the main highway but the stretch along the coast (esp between Finale Ligure and Savone) can be super nice on a decent day. The highway hugs the coast, often along a cliff and is the best part of the route.
At the border, heading north from gritty Ventimiglia, the villages of Dolceacqua and Apricale are so nice.