{"id":53944,"date":"2026-09-30T17:28:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T17:28:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/darkseagreen-rook-345411.hostingersite.com\/liguria\/moneglia\/"},"modified":"2026-10-08T07:17:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T07:17:53","slug":"moneglia","status":"publish","type":"localita","link":"https:\/\/italian-riviera.com\/en\/riviera-di-levante\/moneglia\/","title":{"rendered":"Moneglia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Moneglia is a seaside village on the Riviera di Levante, in the province of Genoa, between Sestri Levante<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

It is one of the Borghi pi\u00f9 belli d’Italia (the “most beautiful villages in Italy” association), and in 2026 three of its beaches \u2013 La Secca, Levante and Centrale \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

What to see in Moneglia<\/h2>\n
\"Moneglia<\/figure>\n

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 \u2013 San Giorgio to the west and Santa Croce to the east \u2013 and two fortresses, one on each side.<\/p>\n

The carruggio and the old centre<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Santa Croce church and the chains of Pisa<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

San Giorgio church<\/h3>\n
\"Church<\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Oratorio dei Disciplinanti<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Villafranca fortress<\/h3>\n
\"Castello<\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Monleone fortress<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The seafront promenade<\/h3>\n
\"Seaside<\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Punta Moneglia<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Lemeglio<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Beaches in Moneglia<\/h2>\n
\"The<\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

To choose the right beach, find calm water for children and reach the coves, read our guide to the beaches of Moneglia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Things to do in Moneglia<\/h2>\n