Santa  Margherita  Ligure

Latest page update: 23 February 2025
By: Dion Protani
​Situated along the Gulf of Tigullio, Santa Margherita Ligure is one of the most pristine seaside resorts along the Riviera di Levante. 

In an area of unparalleled beauty, Santa Margherita occupies the eastern side of the Portofino Peninsula with some of the Liguria region's most glamorous towns on its doorstep. 
​
Once a small, fairly insignificant fishing port, Santa Margherita Ligure sprang to life in the 19th century when the two neighbouring villages of Corte and Pescino were united. 
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Seaside elegance
The point at which the two villages were traditionally separated is currently marked by one of the town's most notable landmarks: the 16th century Villa Durazzo. The beautiful villa is now a centre of creativity and culture, hosting a number of events, including weddings, both within its palace rooms and outside in its elegant gardens. 

Elegance really is a by-word here; wide boulevards fringed with palm-trees split the area between the grandiose Art Nouveau buildings with their trompe l'oeil frescoes on one side, with a series of beaches and marinas on the other.

​Santa Margherita's harbour is split into two areas: at the northern end there are a series of hotels that lead down to a seafront of beaches, while heading south along the promenade eventually brings you to the marina with its collection of glistening yachts. ​
Highlights
The dividing point between the two areas of the harbour is the tiny 16th century Castello di Santa Margherita Ligure which leads up to the aforementioned Villa Durazzo. In this same part of town lies the beautiful ​Santuario di Nostra Signora della Lettera up on a little hill, just above the 17th century Chiesa Frati Capuccini with its distinctive black and white-striped facade.

​The largest and most important church in the town, however, is the Santuario della Madonna della Rosa which sits on Piazza Caprera. The imposing Baroque edifice crowns the busiest area of the town: an intersection of well-appointed shopping streets sprinkled with places to eat and drink. ​
Accommodation and travel
Perhaps Santa Margherita Ligure's greatest advantage is its affordability compared to some of its more illustrious neighbours. Run a quick search of hotels in Santa Margherita and you'll find an abundance of more affordable options compared to the likes of Portofino or to some degree, Rapallo.

​The greater accessibility of accommodation coupled with some convenient travel options marks Santa Margherita out as one of the most popular bases from which to explore this part of Liguria. The town's train station is centrally-located while there are also a surfeit of excursions available from the port with the most popular including trips to Portofino and the Abbey of San Fruttuoso, further around the peninsula's headland. ​
Comune di Santa Margherita Ligure
Province: Metropolitan City of Genoa

Region: Liguria

Population: 8,452 (in 2024 - source)

​​Size: 10 km²
​
Highlights: Villa Durazzo, Castello di Santa Margherita Ligure

​​​​​​​​Water quality: Blue Flag Beach 2024 - 2025

Close by: Portofino, Rapallo, Camogli, Bogliasco, Sestri Levante

​Recommended accommodation: Hotel Blu di Te

Santa  Margherita  Ligure​​  Gallery

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