and its surroundings
The first settlements are from the Roman period, the old name is Pescino due to more widespread activity that was fishing.
Still today, Santa Margherita Ligure, has his life all around the harbour with events, festivals, sailing, water-skiing, canoeing, diving and fishing, Bar and Restaurants.
In Santa Margherita Ligure there are a lot things to do, for example you can take a tour into the cultural and religious heritage by visiting Basilica di Santa Margherita d'Antiochia, San Giacomo di Corte Church, Castello di Santa Margherita Ligure.
Don't miss Villa Durazzo, a building of XVII century, situated in a dominating position over the sea.
The Villa belongs to the Town Council of SML, and is open to the public.
Along the road towards Portofino, you can see also the Cervara Abbey with his monastery both date back to 1300.
Cervara Abbey today is a private property, open for weddings, private party and guidedtours; it is in a magnificent position, immersed in Mediterranean scrub, sourronded by his beautiful gardens.
Santa Margherita Ligure also offers classic music concerts, antique exhibits, and an extraordinary night life.
It has everything that a refined tourism town can offer as well as high fashion events and all which the present demands.
Is a nice town for couples, friends and Family with children.
In our town you can find Love for nature, art and culture!
The "Pearl of Tigullio" is an enchanting and famous fishing village with tall and colorful houses, which has remained unchanged for centuries, and has always attracted and welcomed tourists from all over the world. Borgus Delphini was the ancient name of this magical place, which had even enchanted Petrarch, who in De Africa celebrated it with its sea, the splendor of the vegetation, the Abbey of San Fruttuoso, and the Cervara.
Its scenery has attracted the attention and passion of figures in the past such as the writer and passionate sailor Guy de Maupassant, Baron Mumm, Lord Carnavon, the famous collector and Egyptologist who financed important excavations like the tomb of Tutankhamon.
Portofino, favored by kings and famous actors, in the 1950s and 1960s, experienced the extraordinary scenario with stars such as Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra, Rex Harrison who owned a villa on the Monte, Callas, Onassis and authors such as Ezra Pound who lived in Rapallo, Hemingway, Truman Capote.
Even today, it is a favorite destination of the international elite; from Madonna to the multi-award winning Denzel Washington, from kings like King Juan Carlos of Bourbon, to Queen Rānia of Jordan, who frequently visits the village, and many others.
Only one day is needed to travel to the famous Cinque Terre, a beautiful destination situated east of Moneglia towards La Spezia.
It consists of five small villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore) set along the high and jagged coastline, where grape cultivations produce wines of great prestige.
Don’t miss out on the walk connecting the villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola known as “Via dell’Amore”.
It is a 20-minute walk, peaceful and spectacular etched into the rock high above the sea, suitable for everyone.
The mild climate and beauty of the landscape makes it a popular tourist destination in summer and winter.
" ... you will see a royal city, built against a mountainous hill, proud of its men and walls, whose very appearance indicates that it is the lady of the sea", thus Francesco Petrarch describes Genoa in a travel report of 1358.
A powerful Maritime Republic, for many centuries the heart of Mediterranean sea trade, Genoa is today a city of art and culture, as well as important maritime trade, which has managed to revalue its immense artistic and cultural heritage.
Camogli is located in a cove of the Golfo Paradiso, at the far end of the Monte di Portofino. A fishermen village, whith his multi-coloured houses and cheery fishing boats.
A small marina full of wooden fishing boats and colourful houses clinging to each other on the waterfront characterise the Ligurian village, the inhabitants of which have a seafaring tradition that dates back centuries.
Paraggi was a small village of fishermen, today is become a seaside resort located between Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino.
The area is one of the most beautiful bays of Liguria with its clear waters.
The Monastic complex, small paradise, was donated to the Italian Environmental Protection Foundation by the Doria family.
It includes an 11th century church with octagonal bell tower, Romanesque cloister, a 13th century palazzo supported by sturdy arches with noble triple-lancet windows and the Doria family crypt.
Rent a characteristic fishing boat to admire the statue of the “Cristo degli abissi” lowered into the bay by locals on 29 August 1954 from an idea by the Genovese scuba diver Duilio Marcante.
The two and a half meter and 260 kilogram bronze statue is the work of Guido Galletti.
To allow everyone to admire it even in bad sea conditions, a copy of the Christ statue was placed in the chapel adjoining the Church of San Fruttuoso in 1974.
The first historically significant pre-Roman settlements date back to the third century B.C.
After the fifth century, the city—known then as Clavaro—came under the Maritime Republic of Genoa, to which it promised an ironclad alliance.
Part of the historical city walls that the Genoese consuls built in 1167 to defend the city are still visible today.
In subsequent centuries, Clavaro became actively involved in Genoa’s maritime trade and in new artisanal activities.
In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, there was a great deal of emigration out of Chiavari towards South America, due mainly to a severe economic crisis in the city and, in fact, throughout the valley in which it was founded; many of the families that emigrated then still reside in South America today. A large number of important religious, civil, and military buildings make it a city of great historical and commercial importance. Many historical names refer to this town as Nino Bixio, Giuseppe Mazzini, Giuseppe Garibaldi.
Chiavari today has a pleasan promenade with numerous bars and restaurants and equipped beaches.
Is very nice to walk along his historical and beautiful arcades or "caruggi" lit by windows of many shops, patisseries and bakeries where you can enjoy the delicious Focaccia and typical Panissa.
Dont' miss the famous antique market which attract many visitors, and also Palazzo Rocca, which is a Villa with beautiful gardens and a valuable Museum with paintings of the seventeenth century.
