Best beaches to visit if you are in northern Italy: Riviera Ligure

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What makes special and unique the coastside of Italy is the shape of  some resorts and beaches, old coloured and flowered villages set like diamonds among the rocky cliffs. After a stop in the Emerald coast, today turned in a VIP lounge bar, and in the worldwide famous Amalfi coast, our next destinations in this travel to the discovery of the beauty of Italy are two typical italian lifestyle beach resort in the Riviera Ligure: Rapallo and Santa Margherita Ligure.

Rapallo

The bright-blue changing cabins lining Rapallo’s palm-fringed beach and its little 16th-century castle by the sea (hosting temporary art exhibitions) give the town of Riviera Ligure a nostalgic air, but it is also a lively, friendly place.

Rapallo’s size gives it a less elite atmosphere than its jet-set neighbours. It’s at its busiest on Thursdays when colourful market stalls fill central Piazza Cile.

Since 1934 a cable car has threaded its way up to Santuario Basilica di Montallegro (612 meters), a sanctuary built on the spot where, on 2 July 1557, the Virgin Mary was reportedly sighted. Walkers and mountain bikers can follow an old mule track of 5 km to the hilltop site.

Santa Margherita Ligure

Placed along the Gulf of Tigullio between Rapallo and Portofino in Liguria, the resort of Santa Margherita Ligure couldn’t be located in a more beautiful place. Equally fashionable but quieter than Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure’s life focuses around the enchanting harbor bordered by palm trees, where the excursions, or simply sunbathing are the daily routine.

The town has some interesting shops and trendy bars and interesting places to visit such as the castle of the sixteenth century and the Basilica of Santa Margherita, dating from the seventeenth century.

PS. If you are planning a trip to these destinations, you can check out available hotels clicking here!