Santa Margherita Ligure is a small town resort located in the Liguria region, on the Eastern Ligurian Riviera in the inner part of the Gulf of Tigullio, between Rapallo and Portofino.
On the West side of the city of Santa Margherita is surrounded by hills covered with Mediterranean vegetation, and from the East the waters of the Ligurian sea.
The coastline of Santa Margherita Ligure stretches almost 4 kilometers along the sea and is characterized by the existence of a long beach strip with the lack of secluded coves and steep shores, and port, located in the Central part of the coast.
The city has a Blue Flag award for quality beaches.
The beaches of Santa Margherita Ligure are public, which are also attended by private beach clubs (Bangui), as on many other beaches of the Riviera, providing a full range of beach services: sun loungers and parasols, showers and toilets, changing cabins and chambers for storage of small items, beach cafes, bars, floorings for ease of movement, children's play areas, rescue centers and first aid. Some paid beach areas have pools.
The cost of renting chairs and umbrellas from the sun varies depending on Bangui and the line on which the sunbeds (the closer to the sea, the more expensive). Chaise lounge from 6 - 10 Euro umbrella from 5 - 8 euros. The daily pass is valid from 25 to 100 Euros.
On the coast of allocated and free areas of the beach where you can stay with your towel or beach Mat.
The beaches are mostly pebble, there are also concrete and (or) rocky areas and areas where there is a large gray sand, sometimes mixed with pebbles.
On the North side of the coast, where Santa Margherita Ligure is bordered by Rapallo, are the Central beaches of the city, it is here along the coastline lies a promenade, near which stretches the city center.
On the border of Rapallo and Santa Margherita, on a small hill, in the walls of the former Villa of the 19th century is situated 5-star hotel Imperiale Palace with a private part of the beach, sea water swimming pool and a sun terrace. Link to the hotel
At the beginning of the seaside promenade, near the hotel Imperiale Palace hotel is a 4-star hotel Metropole has a private beach, green area with an outdoor pool and a Wellness centre. Link to the hotel
Then originates the Central part of the coast of Santa Margherita Ligure, where a fairly large free section of the beach is replaced by a paid Bangui, and along the beach lies the promenade with vacation spots, sculptures and a fountain.
Further along the coast is the port of Santa Margherita Ligure, separated by jetties and breakwaters of stone from the main part of the coast and designed in the mid 19th century to ensure mainly the safety of navigation, gradually developed a tourist destination and over the years to become one of the main berths for pleasure craft without abandoning its original assignment.
On the quays of the port offers many services that can be at anchor about 600 vessels of different sizes and types: traditional Ligurian boats, fishing boats, sailboats and mega-yachts.
The port is also equipped with structures for the landing of passengers from cruise ships.
In spring and autumn the pier is the venue for prestigious sailing regattas.
From the port you can take a boat trip to Portofino or the national Park Cinque Terre.
The closest to the Central beaches of the pier port of Maloncello (Molo Maloncello) is a tourist, where landing and disembarkation on boats and ferries is made.
On the pier site there is a sculpture dedicated to Saint Margherite of Antioch, the patroness of the city, who turned her face to the sea waters.
Along the port lie the embankment and the driveway, along which cafes and restaurants are located. Read more about the promenade in Santa Margherita Ligure...
Also along the waterfront of the port are some of the important sights of the city:
- castle of Santa Margherita Ligure 16th century;
- the Church of the Capuchin friars of the 17th century;
- Church of Sant Erasmo (Oratorio di Sant'erasmo), which contains models of ships and collected items that belonged to the fishermen who inhabited this area;
- parish Church of San Giacomo di Corte or the Church of our lady of letters (Chiesa di S. Giacomo / Santuario di Nostra Signora della Lettera) 17th century;
- the complex of Villa Durazzo, which includes two historic homes, one of which is a Museum and an Italian Park like garden. Read more about Villa Durazzo...
Mol Foraneo separates the port from the southern part of the coast of Santa Margherita Ligure. Boats moor on one side of the pier, there are cafes and restaurants, and on the other there are beaches.
Monument Umberto I, located behind the mol Foraneo.
Behind the monument, on a hill, a snow-white spot stands the 4-star Grand Hotel Miramare with a sun terrace and a salt water pool surrounded by a garden. Link to the hotel
Further on the coast, and up to the gulf Paraggi, beaches (free sites and paid zones of Bangui) are replaced by nekupabelny sites of the coast. Along the coast is a road leading to Portofino.
Another attractive hotel located near the beach - 4 star hotel Best Western Regina Elena with an additional building which consists of a 4-star hotel Regina Elena Dependance.
The hotels have a private beach area, a rooftop pool and a hot tub overlooking the Ligurian coast, a restaurant, a terrace and a gym.
The beaches and coastline of Santa Margherita Ligure next
Near the coast, on a hill, lies the complex of Cervara Abbey (L'abbazia della Cervara) is a former monastery.
The complex consists of Church, monastery and large Park with garden. In 1912 it was declared an Italian national monument. Currently at the Abbey, which is in private ownership, wedding ceremonies are held.
Further along the coast there are two beaches of the Bay of Paraggi, one and a half kilometers from which is "star" Portofino.
All accommodation in Santa Margherita Ligure it is possible to look and book here
