Best villages to stay in Riviera di Levante (eastern area)
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| Best cities to stay in Liguria |
- Camogli
- Portofino
- Portovenere e il Golfo dei Poeti
- Sestri Levante
- Rapallo
- Lerici
- Santa Margherita Ligure
- Cinque terre
- Bogliasco
- Sori
- Recco
- Avegno
- Uscio
- Lavagna
WHICH IS THE BEST AREA TO STAY IN LIGURIA?
Today we are talking about the Eastern Riviera of Liguria, starting from Genoa to the Tuscan border.
This area is called Riviera di Levante and it includs famous and suggestive places and villages such as: Golfo Paradiso, Golfo del Tigullio, Cinque Terre and Golfo dei Poeti.
Liguria is not only a destination for summer holiday and beautiful beaches where to sunbathe, but you can dedicate yourself to other activities all year long like hiking and cultural tourism especially in very well-known places like Cinque Terre, Portofino and Porto Venere.
IMPORTANT: in this area it is need to pay attention to the limited traffic zone (ZTL) and the lack of parking spaces. To avoid problem, it is better to stay in a hotel or B&B that can provide you the "pass" to enter in ZTL zone without taking fines and a private park, if you travel by car.
Best area to stay in Liguria
Camogli
Camogli can be easily reached by train. It is a nice fishing village famous for the Fish festival which takes place every year on the second Sunday of May (a huge pan where tons of fish are cooked for all people).
The small stony beach is surrounded by typical colorful ligurian houses with narrow streets where you can discover flavors and glimpses of this beautiful enchanted village. If you get hungry, I suggest you to taste the famous focaccia for sale in many local "focaccerie" (the most popular and famous is the Revello focacceria in Via Giuseppe Garibaldi) and/or even a mixed fried cone.
From the marina you can take ferries to San Fruttuoso abbey.
Camogli is situated in a convenient position for visit both the east and the west part of Liguria and it is also ideal for enjoy the sea and the beautiful surroundings.
Portofino
Portofino is a pearl set in a small inlet.
There is only a busy road that runs along the sea and few expensive car parks, so it is better to reach Portofino by sea.
This pretty port is small and can be visited in a few hours, without rushing, getting lost in its narrow streets.
There are many boats and yachts, restaurants and a breathtaking view across the bay.
This pretty port is small and can be visited in a few hours, without rushing, getting lost in its narrow streets.
There are many boats and yachts, restaurants and a breathtaking view across the bay.
I recommend staying there until the sunset when the village acquires charm and romance.
Portovenere and the Gulf of Poets
The Gulf of Poets, also known as the Gulf of La Spezia, starts from Monte Marcello up to Portovenere and includes Lerici and the other 12 villages.
If you are looking for a place to visit this suggestive part of Liguria, you can stay in Portovenere (very touristic and characteristic) or in some cheaper accommodations in the port city of La Spezia (see map below).
Portovenere is an obligatory stop: beautiful and suggestive with its roman church overlooking the sea where you can enter to cool off a bit especially in the summer.
Portovenere is also crossed by narrow streets, restaurants and small shops where you can buy typical products.
Panorama Porto Venere credited by Tripadvisor.
Which hotels are the best ones to stay at in Portovenere?
Grand Hotel Portovenere, Hotel Belvedere, and Albergo Ristorante Paradiso are some of the popular hotels in Portovenere.
From Portovenere start the Path of Poets (about 45 km), you must follow the white and red sign of the Alta Via del Golfo. The path is suitable for all trekking lovers who want enjoy magnificent views.
Booking.com
Sestri Levante
Another ideal place to stay in Liguria: Sestri Levante which has a hollow beach surrounded by colorful historic buildings that make it suggestive.
From the railway station it is possible to take a train to visit Monterosso and the other villages included in the "Cinque Terre".
Trains are direct and frequent every 20 and 30 minutes.
Sestri Levante credited by Tripadvisor.
Trains are direct and frequent every 20 and 30 minutes.
Which hotels are the best ones to stay at in Sestri Levante?
Villa Agnese, Hotel Genova, and Relais San Rocco are some of the popular hotels in Sestri Levante.
Rapallo
If you are looking for a nice place, with a relaxing beach, a well-preserved historical center and quite affordable prices, you can choose Rapallo as a base for your trips in Liguria.
Outside the historic center the city is quite urbanized but the pedestrian area full of historic shops and the promenade worth a visit.
Which hotels in Rapallo have nice views?
Outside the historic center the city is quite urbanized but the pedestrian area full of historic shops and the promenade worth a visit.
Which hotels in Rapallo have nice views?
Hotel Vesuvio, Hotel Primo Sole, and Excelsior Palace Hotel got great room view-related reviews from travelers in Rapallo.
Rapallo credited by Tripadvisor.
Santa Margherita Ligure
A few kilometers from Rapallo there is Santa Margherita Ligure, an elegant seaside resort between Rapallo and Portofino.
The historical houses surround the stony beach and there are good level of restaurants and shops.
If you love walking, you can easily get to Portofino (about 30 minutes on foot): the coastal road offers breathtaking views.
If you love walking, you can easily get to Portofino (about 30 minutes on foot): the coastal road offers breathtaking views.
Which hotels in Santa Margherita Ligure have nice views?
Hotel Laurin, Hotel Continental, and Grand Hotel Miramare got great room view-related reviews from travelers in Santa Margherita Ligure.
Santa Margherita Ligure by Tripadvisor
Lerici
Another seaside resort stormed in summer but ideal to visit in other periods mostly during the spring.
Questa foto di Lerici è offerta da TripAdvisor
I point out that in the summer months arriving by car in Lerici can be a problem since there is a ZTL (transit ban). If you go by car to Lerici, you can park in the large car park of the Venere Azzurra or La Vallata (both for a fee).
From Lerici there is a beautiful promenade that runs along the sea from which it is possible to admire the castle of San Terenzo in the distance. The fine sandy beach and the gently sloping sea make it an ideal place for tourists traveling with children.
Which hotels in Lerici have nice views?Piccolo Hotel Del Lido got great room view-related reviews from travelers in Lerici.
Which hotels in Lerici are good for families?Many families visiting Lerici loved staying at Hotel Il Giglio.
Cinque Terre
This short stretch of coast called "Cinque Terre" is made up of five famous villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. They can be visited by train or ferry buying a single ticket valid all day long.
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| Monterosso beach |
These villages are different to each other but with a common charm: coloured buildings, nice small squares, typical shops, wondeful landscape and small characteristic beaches.
I visited them a torrid day in July and I must say that it was really full of tourists. I think it is better to visit these villages in May, June, September and October.
To see the famous "Cinque Terre" you can stay in Monterosso as a base that has a beautiful beach.
Which hotels in Monterosso al Mare have nice views?
To see the famous "Cinque Terre" you can stay in Monterosso as a base that has a beautiful beach.
Which hotels in Monterosso al Mare have nice views?
Hotel Meublè Agavi, Stella Della Marina, and Albergo Suisse Bellevue got great room view-related reviews from travelers in Monterosso al Mare.
Lavagna
Seaside resort with beautiful beaches and its own railway station.
You can stay here if you are looking for an area with more affordable prices than other places listed in this article that are more "renowned" and therefore expensive.
You can stay here if you are looking for an area with more affordable prices than other places listed in this article that are more "renowned" and therefore expensive.
Questa foto di Lungomare di Lavagna è offerta da TripAdvisor
It has a beautiful historic center and a shopping street (via Roma). From the avenue that runs along the sea (towards the Cavi di Lavagna hamlet) you can see the promontory of Portofino and Sestri Levante
In Cavi di Lavagna there is the largest beach in Riviera di Levante.
Booking.com
Bogliasco
In the eastern part of Genoa there is a little knowed place: Bogliasco, a seaside resort surrounded by colorful Ligurian houses. It has small hollow beaches and several clubs and restaurants.
In front of the nautical club of Bogliasco there are 2 beaches, one of sand and one of pebbles, both with free showers.
In front of the nautical club of Bogliasco there are 2 beaches, one of sand and one of pebbles, both with free showers.
Country House Agriturismo Le Pale
The Pontetto cliff (town between Bogliasco and Pieve Ligure) is full of tourists during the summer season.
How to reach the Pontetto cliff?
It is necessary to reach the Pontetto railway station, take a characteristic Ligurian "crêuza" (typical narrow path or mule track) that go down towards the sea.
Sori
A seaside resort located in the bay of Golfo Paradiso. If you want to enjoy the sea this is the right place: there is entertainment, sports and music for everyone, including the famous Jazz Festival.
In Sori there are some free beaches, equipped with showers and 3 bathing establishments. There is the municipal swimming pool and the Sailing Club.
Sori overlooks a pebble beach and is the second largest beach after Cavi di Lavagna.
For trekking lovers there are two panoramic routes: one path leads to the top of Mount Sant'Apollinare and another to Pieve Alta.
👉 Bed and Breakfast Villa sul Mare Great for Two Travelers. Beachfront
Recco
From Sori, the Aurelia state road continues to Recco, a town located west of the Portofino promontory. During the Second World War it was destroyed by bombing then it was rebuilted.
Recco has earned the title of "gastronomic capital of Liguria", with 3,000 seats at the table in restaurants, trattorias and "focaccerie" (similar to pizzerias but selling the typical focaccia). The credit goes to the famous "focaccia di Recco" with cheese, celebrated with a party on the fourth Sunday of May, with free focaccia for all participants!
There are two bathing establishments in the center of the waterfront.
Recco beach is made of pebbles and not of sand.
Do you want to ride the waves? On this beach, with the construction of an underwater artifact, they created special conditions that form waves suitable for surfing.
Hotel Da O Vittorio. Great for Two Travelers.
Avegno
From Recco, a road climbs to Avegno (8 km away) is a discovery in the green hinterland.
If you prefer to escape from the coastal crowding of the summer months you can consider staying here.
If you prefer to escape from the coastal crowding of the summer months you can consider staying here.
The climate is mitigated by the sea and the breeze so it is suitable for promenade to the shadow of the olive trees.
Rooms and Breakfast Casa Balin: Less than 1.9 mi from Recco Train Station and the beach.
Uscio
From Avegno the road continues to Uscio. A hill town known for the Arnaldi colony: a large health and tourist complex with a magnificent view. An idea also for a romantic weekend.
Uscio is located on a tourist route that connects the animation of the coast with the quiet of the hill and offers easy access to peaceful holidays enjoying a good traditional cuisine. Ideal place for those who love to take long walks in nature among the green Tuscan hills remaining a few kilometers from the sea.
Bed and Breakfast La Margherita 2
Well, I hope have helped you in the choice. All the places listed are enchanting, so now you can only depart to discover this part of Italy full of wonderful villages.
If the article is useful to you, or you want to suggest this area to your friends and relatives, you can share the article with them.
We will update you on the next travel guide. 😉
Updated March 2020
