Seaside village between Sestri Levante and the Cinque Terre: Blue Flag beach, medieval lane, the chains of Pisa, two fortresses, and how to get there now.
Welcome to Moneglia
Moneglia is a seaside village on the Riviera di Levante, in the province of Genoa, between Sestri Levante and Deiva Marina, about half an hour by train from the Cinque Terre. It has a beach roughly one kilometre long right in front of the houses, an old centre crossed by a medieval lane, two churches with important works of art and two Genoese fortresses on the hills at either end of the bay. Behind it rise terraced olive groves and small hamlets linked by footpaths.
It is one of the Borghi più belli d’Italia (the “most beautiful villages in Italy” association), and in 2026 three of its beaches – La Secca, Levante and Centrale – hold the Blue Flag. With around 2,500 residents, it lives mainly from beach tourism but feels calmer than the better-known towns nearby. It makes a practical base if you want an easy beach, a station a few minutes away and day trips to the Cinque Terre and Portofino.
One thing to know before you go: the coastal tunnel road that linked Moneglia to Riva Trigoso and Deiva Marina has been closed since 2025 for safety works, and it is not expected to reopen before 2027. Drivers now arrive on the hill road from the Via Aurelia; the train is by far the easiest option. Details are in the section on getting here.
Moneglia is in Liguria (Riviera di Levante, Golfo del Tigullio, province of Genoa).
What to see
You can see the village on foot in a couple of hours. It was once split in two by a stream, now covered over, which is why it has two parish churches – San Giorgio to the west and Santa Croce to the east – and two fortresses, one on each side.
The centre is crossed by a long carruggio, the narrow lane that runs through the village parallel to the sea. Along it you will find colourful houses, small squares and carved slate doorways typical of eastern Liguria. It is the main shopping street, and on summer evenings it fills up with people coming back from the beach.
Santa Croce, on the eastern side, was rebuilt in 1726 on the site of a 12th-century parish church. In front lies a 19th-century pebble mosaic churchyard, the “risseu” found outside many Ligurian churches. On the outside wall hang two links of the chain that once closed the harbour of Pisa, with a relief dated 1290. Genoa gave them to Moneglia after its victory over Pisa, a war in which Moneglia’s galleys also fought.
Inside are works by the painter Luca Cambiaso, born in Moneglia in 1527 in a house along the lane that leads to Santa Croce, statues of the Madonna attributed to Anton Maria Maragliano and a Byzantine crucifix that, according to legend, came in from the sea.
San Giorgio, on the western side, dates from 1396 and was founded by Benedictine monks. Next to it is a 15th-century Franciscan cloister. Inside are two Gothic polyptychs from the 1400s, a canvas attributed to Luca Cambiaso and a 17th-century high altar in coloured marble. Opening depends on services, so mornings are your best bet.
It looks Baroque, but it is considered the oldest building in the village, with origins around the year 1000. Inside are frescoes from the 13th to the 18th century, recently restored. It stands in the old centre, a few steps from the carruggio.
On the hill east of the village, above Santa Croce, the Villafranca fortress is Moneglia’s emblem. It is a Genoese fortress of medieval origin, strengthened over the centuries against pirate raids, with a tower overlooking the sea. It was wrecked by bombing in the Second World War and later made safe.
Today it houses a study centre dedicated to Felice Romani, the librettist of Bellini and Donizetti who lived and died in Moneglia, and next to it is a garden of Mediterranean plants. The climb is short and the view over the bay is worth it, especially at sunset.
On the opposite, western side of the bay, Genoa built the Monleone fortress in 1173; it was besieged soon afterwards by troops allied with the Malaspina family. In the early 20th century an Art Nouveau-style castle was built on its ruins. You can see it from the seafront; it is not open for regular visits.
The promenade runs the whole length of the beach, partly shaded by pine trees. Everyone uses it: early in the morning for a run, in the afternoon for an ice cream, in the evening to watch the sun go down behind Punta Moneglia. It is flat and fine for pushchairs.
The headland closing the bay to the west is wild and can only be reached on foot or by boat. Almost vertical layers of sandstone form natural jetties and narrow inlets, with a square sea stack offshore. It is the most photogenic stretch of Moneglia’s coast; see the hikes below for how to get there.
The hamlet of Lemeglio sits on the hill to the east, at about 150 metres, above Punta Rospo. Its church of Santa Maria Assunta holds a painting attributed to Giulio Cesare Procaccini, and the view over Moneglia and the sea is wide. The path to Deiva Marina passes through here.
Sea
The main beach is about a kilometre long, made of coarse sand and fine shingle, right in front of the village and a five-to-ten-minute walk from the station. The first half, between Punta Sant’Elmo and the mouth of the stream, is sheltered by artificial reefs offshore, so the water is calmer and good for children. Here you will find beach clubs (stabilimenti, with paid loungers and umbrellas) and a free public stretch with basic facilities. The eastern half is narrower and almost entirely taken by beach clubs.
Beyond Punta Sant’Elmo lies La Secca, about 300 metres of sand, pebbles and rocks, quieter and also Blue Flag. From there the coast continues free and rocky towards Punta Moneglia, with the pebble beaches of Vallegrande and Valletta. To the east, towards Punta Rospo, there are pebbly coves and rocks that are good for snorkelling, many reachable only by sea.
To choose the right beach, find calm water for children and reach the coves, read our guide to the beaches of Moneglia.
Where to stay
For a beach holiday, the best area is the centre, between the seafront and the carruggio: the beach is on your doorstep, the station is a few minutes away and you will not need a car. Holiday homes and apartments are the most common option, along with small and mid-sized hotels and B&Bs.
If you want peace and a view, the hill hamlets such as Lemeglio or San Saturnino are a good choice, but you will need a car. At either end of the bay, towards La Secca and Punta Rospo, there are two campsites, reached through the first tunnels that have reopened. In August and over spring holidays book early: sea-view rooms go fast.
Getting there
Take the A12 Genoa–Livorno motorway and exit at Sestri Levante (from Genoa) or Deiva Marina (from La Spezia). The coastal tunnel road, single-lane with traffic lights, has been closed since 2025 and is not expected to reopen before 2027. Many websites still describe it as open: it is not.
Today you reach Moneglia on the hill road. From Sestri Levante follow the Via Aurelia (SS1) towards the Bracco pass and turn down to Moneglia via Casale or San Saturnino: about 13 kilometres and 25 minutes. From Deiva Marina climb to the Aurelia at Tagliamento, then head down towards Moneglia, again about 25 minutes. The road is narrow and full of bends. Check the status of the tunnels on the Pro Loco website before you leave.
This is the easiest way. Moneglia has a station on the Genoa–La Spezia line, five to ten minutes’ walk from the beach. From Genova Brignole it takes just over an hour by regional train; Sestri Levante is a few minutes away and the Cinque Terre about half an hour. Timetables and tickets on Trenitalia.
AMT buses link Moneglia with Sestri Levante, Deiva Marina and the hamlets. With the tunnels closed they go over the Bracco and take longer, so for travel along the coast the train is quicker. Timetables on the AMT Genova website.
In summer some tourist boats leave Moneglia for the Cinque Terre and Portovenere, and for Portofino and San Fruttuoso, but not every day. Check the current year’s schedule with the operators or at the Pro Loco.
The nearest airport is Genoa Cristoforo Colombo, about 65 kilometres away; Pisa is about 120 kilometres. From either, continue by train.
Parking is limited and car parks are small: in summer arrive early. On the seafront there are paid spaces and spaces with a parking disc, on Corso Longhi and Largo Europa there are blue (paid) bays, and there is a paid car park near the station. In summer, when it runs, the car park at the La Secca sports ground with a shuttle to the centre is the best option.
By car
A12, Sestri Levante or Deiva Marina exit, then the Aurelia over the Bracco: coastal tunnels closed
By train
Moneglia station (Genoa–La Spezia line), 5–10 minutes' walk from the beach
By plane
Genoa Cristoforo Colombo (about 65 km); Pisa about 120 km
The guide
Waymarked paths link the sea, the olive groves and the hamlets. In summer start early: many stretches have no shade.
From the station you climb towards the western headland and drop down to Valletta beach: allow an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half, with 150–250 metres of ascent depending on the variant. It is easy as far as the headland; the final descent to the beach follows a steep gully and is for experienced hikers only.
This is the classic hike: about 9–10 kilometres, 400 metres of ascent, 3–4 hours. Start at Riva Trigoso station, climb to the Genoese watchtower of Punta Baffe at about 255 metres, follow the ridge to Punta Moneglia and walk down into the village. Return by train. After a fire in 2004 some sections are exposed, and the sandstone can be slippery after rain.
About 6 kilometres and 2 hours: you climb to Lemeglio, reach the chapel of San Pantaleo at 325 metres and descend, steeply in places, to Deiva Marina. It is graded for experienced hikers; come back by train.
Before setting off, ask the Pro Loco tourist office on Corso Longhi whether the paths are open and in good condition.
The food is classic eastern Ligurian: trenette or trofie with pesto, pansoti (filled pasta) with walnut sauce, fried or marinated anchovies, stuffed mussels, the catch of the day and focaccia. Look out for scabeggio, fish that is fried and then marinated with vinegar, sage, lemon and onion. Try it with local olive oil and a glass of Bianco di Moneglia.
Some events come back every year. February brings the Pumpkin Carnival (Carnevale della Zucca); Easter Monday an olive oil fair; July the Santo Cristo feast and, usually, a crime-fiction festival; 14 September the feast of the Holy Cross. In summer the hamlets hold their patron saint festivals, and in late December the “Incanto di Natale” offers visits to nativity scenes and tastings. Check dates on the Pro Loco di Moneglia website.
Weather
June to September for the sea; May and October for trails and the village
Forecast: MET Norway (Yr), CC BY 4.0 licence. Updated hourly.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea | Off season | Off season | Off season | Off season | Possible | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Possible | Off season | Off season |
| Sightseeing and hiking | Possible | Possible | Good | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Possible | Possible |
| Crowds | Quiet | Quiet | Few people | Few people | Few people | Busy | Very busy | Very busy | Busy | Few people | Quiet | Few people |
| Don't miss | Pumpkin Carnival | Olive oil fair | Santo Cristo | Feast of the Holy Cross | Christmas nativity scenes | |||||||
IdealGoodPossibleOff season
Crowds:QuietFew peopleBusyVery busy
Gallery
FAQ
No. The tunnels towards Riva Trigoso and Deiva Marina have been closed since 2025 for safety works and are not expected to reopen before 2027. You arrive on the hill road from the Via Aurelia or by train.
Yes. In 2026 the Blue Flag was awarded to La Secca, Levante and Centrale beaches.
The main beach is coarse sand and fine shingle; La Secca mixes sand, pebbles and rocks; the beaches towards the headlands are pebbly.
Yes: the first half of the main beach is sheltered by artificial reefs and the promenade is flat.
The carruggio, Santa Croce with the chains of Pisa, San Giorgio and its cloister, the Oratorio dei Disciplinanti, the Villafranca fortress and a swim at La Secca or the main beach.
Yes, by train: Monterosso is about half an hour away. In summer there are also some boats, but not every day.
On the seafront, on Corso Longhi and near the station, almost always paid or with a parking disc. In summer spaces fill quickly: arrive in the morning.
June to September for the sea; May, June, September and October for walking and seeing the village with fewer people.
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