We are traveling to the Italian Rivera in early October. We have 2 days to stay somewhere near Genoa. We would like to be on the coast with an accessible beach and a small town feel. We will have a car to park. We are looking for some place intimate where we would get a coastal town feel. Any Hotel or vacation rentals would be great. I have Rick's Italy 2016 and am looking through it now. Thanks everyone!
Posted by
Houston, TX
244 posts
I liked Levanto. Not as packed as Cinque Terre, and not as big as Genoa. But its minutes away by train to everything. Its really a nice compromise.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15269 posts
Moneglia.
If you need to be closer to Genoa, then Camogli.
Posted by
Kamloops, BC, Canada
405 posts
Camogli, as Roberto suggested, would probably suit your needs. It is small and closer to Genoa than Levanto. You can take a ferry from Camogli to the nearby San Fruttuoso monastery which is worth visiting. Camogli is very picturesque; just google it and you will find some stunning photos of the seaside. One of my favourite vacation photos from 3 years ago was taken of the Camogli coastline after a storm. However, there isn't much to do in Camogli itself other than explore its quaint streets, lounge on the beach or at a caffe'. So if you're looking for more to do, try Santa Margherita Ligure. It's quite a bit larger than Camogli.
Posted by
6 posts
I love Camoglia. Santa Margherita Ligure would also be a good choice. It seems to have more trains than Camogli. They are only about 15 min. apart so it would be an easy day trip to Camoglia and Portofino from Santa Margherita. Hotel Metropole is a good hotel choice in Santa Margherita and has car parking. Close to lots of good restaurants, shopping, the bus to Portofino ( do not drive as parking is non existent). Easy walk to the train station. Easy access to the Hwy to go to Genoa.
Posted by
Kamloops, BC, Canada
405 posts
If you are planning to visit Portofino, take the ferry to get a spectacular view of the town as you approach. Also, when in Portofino, walk up the path which winds up the hill for another great view down into the harbour.
Posted by
5 posts
We had the same question and picked Sestri Levante. Can't give you any feedback yet as we're still a week and a half away from visiting.
Posted by
Boston
1710 posts
Depends on your meaning of small town, and how far from Genova you want to be. Levanto and Santa Margherita Ligure are more like small cities, and Camogli and SML are tough places to park. Have a look at Noli and Moneglia, they're small, historic, and along the beach.
Posted by
Burlington, Vermont USA
114 posts
some nice photos and descriptions of the towns
Posted by
South Carolina
54 posts
We are staying in Moneglia at the Hotel Magggiore. (I know, should be hotel Moneglia) We just arrived and I'm checking emails and and the Italy forum from my room right now. We drove in from Pienza today. It helps that they have a parking garage because parking is very hard to find. You have to reserve the parking when you reserve the room, it's extra. So far we like the hotel. Cannot tell you much about the town but it I can tell you it is based around beaching tourists and it not exactly laid back. Not crazy either. Think of Cinque Terre light. Not quite as pretty but not nearly as crowded. We are hoping it will be a good base to explore the other towns (by train) then relax here when CT gets crazy with the crowds.