Travel & Gourmet

Santa Margherita Ligure: A Jewel On the Ligurian Coast

History, sea, culture and nature combined - travel tips and information about a small harbour town in Liguria that you will fall in love with immediately.

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Santa Margherita Ligure

Hot days, mild evenings, the scent of the sea in your nose - that describes the ultimate summer feeling. Santa Margherita Ligure is exactly the kind of place that evokes this feeling. Picturesquely nestled on the Ligurian coast, this beautiful little harbour town is certainly no more an insider's tip, but definitely worth a visit. Colourful houses, narrow alleys in the town centre and boats in the harbour invite you to forget everyday life and enjoy the moment. A mental excursion to Italy...

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The history of the city

Santa Margherita Ligure is about 35 kilometres from Genoa, the capital of the Italian region Liguria. Although it is a relatively small seaside town, it attracts countless tourists every year, especially in the summer months (and people who want to escape the scorching heat of Italy's inland cities). Even if it is not obvious at first sight, this place is very rich in history. According to speculation, there was already a settlement here during the Roman Empire. The reason for this assumption is an urn with a Latin inscription dating from around the 3rd century AD. Today, however, there is no longer any talk of a settlement, but rather of an exclusive holiday resort.

But what can you experience if you're visiting the Ligurian coast?

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Inspirations for a day in Santa Margherita Ligure

Enjoying the panorama

Looking at the sea from the harbour is beautiful, but the panorama is even more breathtaking when you see it from higher up. Hiking and walking trails make that possible. Along the coast, one picturesque place follows the next. In between, there are paths that invite you to take walks with a great view over the sea. For instance, you can take the bus to Paraggi and then walk to Portofino along the "Passeggiata dei Baci".

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Shopping in the town centre

The great thing about the town centre is that there are not only nice cafés and restaurants, but also numerous small shops and boutiques that you can browse for special pieces. Great for fashionistas who are still looking for one or two special pieces for summer, as well as for everyone who likes to take home fashionable souvenirs.

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Eating Focaccia

An absolute must! Because nowhere else does the traditional Italian pastry taste as good as where it comes from - namely in Liguria. Insider tips for bakeries: Pinamonti (Largo Amendola 15) or Fiordiponti (Via Ruffini 26) offer particularly delicious focaccia.

Visiting San Fruttuoso

If you have more time, you should definitely also consider visiting San Fruttuoso - a tiny "place" with an old abbey (Abbazia di San Fruttuoso) that can only be reached by ferry.

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Aperitivo by the harbour

The best way to end the day is with a glass of wine or an Aperol Spritz in one of the bars directly by the harbour, while you watch the boats rocking in the water and a light summer breeze blows through your hair...

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Santa Margherita Ligure from above.

Photos: Shutterstock

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