Santa and surroundings
What to see in Santa Margherita LigureSanta Margherita Ligure, known as “Santa”, is one of those places that make Italy the most beautiful country in the world. The delightful historic center, with its pastel-colored facades and the flower beds always blooming, develops in a maze of Ligurian caruggi overlooked by local craft shops and fashionable boutiques. In addition to numerous premises with outdoor tables that swarm with tourists at breakfast and aperitivo time. There are also groceries, such as the historic Seghezzo, and bakeries that constantly produce one of the regional gastronomic excellences: the focaccia Genovese (also try the cheese focaccia, a legacy of the nearby town of Recco). Dominating the small town from above is Villa Durazzo, which can be reached along gentle uphill paths that lead to an Italian garden with an open view of the Santa marina and the Sanctuary of San Giacomo di Corte in Baroque style. In the heart of the center is Nostra Signora della Rosa with the churchyard from the typical Ligurian risseu cobblestone. The walk that laps the sea leads on one side towards the “piazzetta del sole“, a roundabout on the sea with an adjoining beach that can be reached through Ghiaia, the beach of the village; on the other side, passing the statue of Columbus with its look at the Americas, the promenade leads to the Castle, a sixteenth-century bulwark to defend the Saracen raids. In close proximity, you can reach the small port of the village from which ferries leave for Portofino and San Fruttuoso, for the 5 Terre and the pearls of the Gulf of Poets (Portovenere and Lerici). While a little further on, past the dock of the fishing boats, you can reach the beaches of stones and sand that follow one after the other, like the famous Bay of Paraggi. In the direction of Portofino, you will then meet the Covo di nord est, a historic club carved into the rock from which passed the biggest names of the international jet-set and, looking up, the Abbazia della Cervara, currently open by appointment, overlooking the so-called Costa dei Delfini: the only way of communication between Santa and Portofino.
Santa and surroundings
What to see in Santa Margherita LigureSanta Margherita Ligure, known as “Santa”, is one of those places that make Italy the most beautiful country in the world. The delightful historic center, with its pastel-colored facades and the flower beds always blooming, develops in a maze of Ligurian caruggi overlooked by local craft shops and fashionable boutiques. In addition to numerous premises with outdoor tables that swarm with tourists at breakfast and aperitivo time. There are also groceries, such as the historic Seghezzo, and bakeries that constantly produce one of the regional gastronomic excellences: the focaccia Genovese (also try the cheese focaccia, a legacy of the nearby town of Recco). Dominating the small town from above is Villa Durazzo, which can be reached along gentle uphill paths that lead to an Italian garden with an open view of the Santa marina and the Sanctuary of San Giacomo di Corte in Baroque style. In the heart of the center is Nostra Signora della Rosa with the churchyard from the typical Ligurian risseu cobblestone. The walk that laps the sea leads on one side towards the “piazzetta del sole“, a roundabout on the sea with an adjoining beach that can be reached through Ghiaia, the beach of the village; on the other side, passing the statue of Columbus with its look at the Americas, the promenade leads to the Castle, a sixteenth-century bulwark to defend the Saracen raids. In close proximity, you can reach the small port of the village from which ferries leave for Portofino and San Fruttuoso, for the 5 Terre and the pearls of the Gulf of Poets (Portovenere and Lerici). While a little further on, past the dock of the fishing boats, you can reach the beaches of stones and sand that follow one after the other, like the famous Bay of Paraggi. In the direction of Portofino, you will then meet the Covo di nord est, a historic club carved into the rock from which passed the biggest names of the international jet-set and, looking up, the Abbazia della Cervara, currently open by appointment, overlooking the so-called Costa dei Delfini: the only way of communication between Santa and Portofino.
Santa Margherita is in an enviable position. Portofino, an exclusive town that has never betrayed its origin as a fishing village, is just 3 km away, to be covered on foot immersed in the Mediterranean maquis or by own or public transport, by sea and by land. The entire municipal territory is included in the Regional Natural Park of Portofino and in the Natural Protected Marine Area Portofino. Another essential stop is San Fruttuoso with the Abbey close to the beach accessible only by sea or along scenic paths, and the beautiful Bay that houses the famous statue of the Christ of the Abysses. Moreover, the metropolitan city of Genova is just 30 km away from Santa, and with its historic center, the largest in Europe, offers many opportunities for recreation, from cultural ones (Porta Soprana, Casa di Cristoforo Colombo, Palazzo Ducale, Basilica di San Lorenzo, Porto Antico, Aquarium, Galata Museo del Mare, la Lanterna, via Garibaldi…) to those food and wine (trattorias, wine shops, focaccerie, friggitorie…), to outdoor activities (whale watching from Porto Antico). Wandering among the caruggi with a “slerfa” of focaccia to make everything even more authentic, is an experience to be lived. Also the Cinque Terre, mythical villages in precarious balance between terraces planted with vineyards and the clear sea, are worth a day trip and are easily reachable by train and, in high season, by sea with the ferry line.
Santa Margherita is in an enviable position. Portofino, an exclusive town that has never betrayed its origin as a fishing village, is just 3 km away, to be covered on foot immersed in the Mediterranean maquis or by own or public transport, by sea and by land. The entire municipal territory is included in the Regional Natural Park of Portofino and in the Natural Protected Marine Area Portofino. Another essential stop is San Fruttuoso with the Abbey close to the beach accessible only by sea or along scenic paths, and the beautiful Bay that houses the famous statue of the Christ of the Abysses. Moreover, the metropolitan city of Genova is just 30 km away from Santa, and with its historic center, the largest in Europe, offers many opportunities for recreation, from cultural ones (Porta Soprana, Casa di Cristoforo Colombo, Palazzo Ducale, Basilica di San Lorenzo, Porto Antico, Aquarium, Galata Museo del Mare, la Lanterna, via Garibaldi…) to those food and wine (trattorias, wine shops, focaccerie, friggitorie…), to outdoor activities (whale watching from Porto Antico). Wandering among the caruggi with a “slerfa” of focaccia to make everything even more authentic, is an experience to be lived. Also the Cinque Terre, mythical villages in precarious balance between terraces planted with vineyards and the clear sea, are worth a day trip and are easily reachable by train and, in high season, by sea with the ferry line.
SANTA FOR SEA LOVERS
Per chi ama trascorre tanto tempo in spiaggia, a For those who love spending a lot of time on the beach, in Santa Margherita there is plenty of choice. The coastline offers a wide choice of rocky and sandy coves and cliffs, both free and equipped. And there is also a dog beach. The beach of Paraggi is a must!
SANTA FOR TREKKING LOVERS
Santa Margherita is a very popular destination for those who love to take long walks in nature and sea view. The paths in nature are the best way to appreciate the wonders of the Park of Portofino (the network of trails develops for more than 60 km).
Santa FOR GOOD FOOD LOVERS
Ligurian cuisine offers a variety of poor but tasty dishes. In addition to pasta with pesto, try the pansoti with walnut sauce, fried panissa, vegetable cakes, minestrone alla genovese, rabbit alla ligure and seafood dishes, such as “muscoli” (mussels) and anchovies. Even the desserts do not disappoint, as the “margheritine”, Santa typical biscuits, the pandolce Genovese and the excellent homemade ice cream. A separate chapter deserves the Ligurian wines, increasingly appreciated in Italy and abroad: Vermentino, Pigato, Rossese di Dolceacqua, Ormeasco di Pornassio and Metodo Classico sparkling wines, in some cases aged in the deep sea and in suggestive karst cavities (on
www.liguriawineshop.com a wide selection of Ligurian wines).
SANTA FOR SEA LOVERS
Santa Margherita is a very popular destination for those who love to take long walks in nature and sea view. The paths in nature are the best way to appreciate the wonders of the Park of Portofino (the network of trails develops for more than 60 km)
SANTA FOR TREKKING LOVERS
Santa Margherita is a very popular destination for those who love to take long walks in nature and sea view. The paths in nature are the best way to appreciate the wonders of the Park of Portofino (the network of trails develops for more than 60 km).
Santa FOR GOOD FOOD LOVERS
Ligurian cuisine offers a variety of poor but tasty dishes. In addition to pasta with pesto, try the pansoti with walnut sauce, fried panissa, vegetable cakes, minestrone alla genovese, rabbit alla ligure and seafood dishes, such as “muscoli” (mussels) and anchovies. Even the desserts do not disappoint, as the “margheritine”, Santa typical biscuits, the pandolce Genovese and the excellent homemade ice cream. A separate chapter deserves the Ligurian wines, increasingly appreciated in Italy and abroad: Vermentino, Pigato, Rossese di Dolceacqua, Ormeasco di Pornassio and Metodo Classico sparkling wines, in some cases aged in the deep sea and in suggestive karst cavities (on
www.liguriawineshop.com a wide selection of Ligurian wines).
