Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy, people and piazzas

There are some famous, beautiful, seaside towns along the Mediterranean shores of northwest Italy, but you might be surprised and delighted by the less well-known, but ever glamorous Santa Margherita Ligue, or as the locals call it, Santa. In many ways it's every bit as impressive as the more famous sites such as Portofino and Cinque Terre - in some ways it's even better.
It's a little bit less touristic than many, so it offers an authentic slice of Italian life, as you'll see. The main piazza, as usual, is the center of life in the city. There are just locals, there's families, there's young couples out, eating and drinking, having a good time. Here's an example of the low prices and warm hospitality of the area, with this spritz, and all the snacks that came with it, for just six euro. You pay for the drink and the snacks are free. And there's a big supply of hotels and restaurants which are a bit less expensive than in the more famous places of the region. Mostly locals out today. We were here in the off-season, in October, so we had nice weather and the town was not crowded - easy to get a table at a restaurant, and always lots of things to keep us busy, exploring the little pedestrian lanes, piazzas and the waterfront of this charming city.
In that casual Italian style, the laundry hangs out the window, even on the main piazza. And notice the paintings on the buildings -- it looks like three-dimensional carvings but it's all painted on in exquisite detail to trick the eyes. It's a trompe l'oeil kind of effect, making the buildings look stately and elegant, even with the laundry hanging in front. And there is no graffiti, which is quite remarkable for an Italian city.
Extending directly in from the piazza are the two main pedestrian lanes of town, Via Cavour and Via Palestro, and they are lined with shops, and restaurants, and cafés, and lots of people out for a stroll, especially now in late afternoon. It's the passeggiata, a time-honored tradition in which nearly the whole town participates, out for a stroll. But it is not just any old walk. It's more of an art form. People are not necessarily shopping, or going anywhere in particular. It's a leisurely stroll to see their friends, and see who's wearing what, and maybe stop for a chat. It's an expression of the feeling of having plenty of time, with leisure, and ease in a relaxing way - something Italians learn to do from an early age.
The south end of town by the waterfront is a little bit more for the locals rather than the visitors, but you can see this is definitely worth walking down to - get away from the main tourist center by that main piazza we saw earlier and come on over. It's only about 600 meters away -- easy to get here, walk around. You might see the fishermen bringing in the days catch to the local customers on the dock.
There is a charming waterfront park and promenade with benches and landscaping, beautiful palm trees, statues and fountains. It's a safe place for the local biker gang to hang out. Just be careful not to get in their way.
The waterfront is a center of social life, like an outdoor living room. It's a place to relax, or to kick a soccer ball around. And it's a venue for folk shows and events associated with competition, such as the half marathon.
With its affordable hotels and many delightful attractions, Santa Margherita makes a good place to stay when you're visiting Portofino, just three miles away, and Cinque Terre, easily reached in a one-hour train ride. We have other videos about those two places which are wonderful to visit and we've got two other movies about Santa Margherita, but this program is different, focusing more on the people, piazzas pedestrian lanes and the waterfront.
Many visitors to Santa Margherita arrive by rail. The train station is located right in the town itself, and so if you're traveling light, you could most likely just walk from the train station to your hotel. Most of the hotels are within 1/2 a mile, or at most, one mile away.
And to complete our walk through this wonderful pedestrian zone, I'll bring you to my personal favorite restaurant in the city, where I enjoyed a lovely meal, Ristorante da Michele.
We are staying at the Laurin Hotel, and it's four stars, and it's right on the waterfront, great location just a hundred meters away from the center of town where you got all the restaurants, and the piazza, the pedestrian lanes, the passeggiata in the evening.
The hotel breakfast is just what you would hope to find in a very nice four-star hotel in Italy - a big spread there, with their cold cuts, your meats and cheeses, there's rolls and fruits of course, there's yogurts and coffee.
This visit to Santa Margherita Ligue is part of our larger tour that also visits Portofino and Cinque Terre, and we have many more episodes showing you those wonderful places, providing an in-depth look at this beautiful region.

[@effiekavai5837]

I’m honored to be living here. Thanks for the video

[@danasandlin2435]

I visited this little town almost 40 years ago, as a college student. It was the very quiet highlight of my European journey. It was warm and welcoming without being overrun by tourists in other areas. It is not high tech, but is a reminder of a much simpler life and time. I can highly recommend it. I have often thought of this small place in the sun. dts

[@denniscallan]

Dana, it is still the same unspoiled town! I first visited 20 years ago, and not much has changed. I can understand why your memories from 40 years ago are so vivid. It is that kind of rare place.

[@danasandlin2435]

@@denniscallan ...there is a rare light along the northern Italian coast...dts

[@lifeinfrenchriviera2332]

Such a beautiful memories from Santa Margherita Ligure and Cinque Terre!

[@Uruguay23]

I was studying in Santa Margherita Ligure in Palazzo Villa Durazzo in year 2005!! Wonderful place!! Thanks for this video! Greetings from URUGUAY!!

[@fatoslanaj6135]

Il Dio ha dato tanto bellezza nelle questi parte , io visto e frequento quasi per 10 anni. E di più , sono rimasto felice di conoscere queste perle di Natura credetemi , da uno a dieci , lo merita 9 ,,,,,

[@denniscallan]

google translate: The God has given so much beauty in these parts, I have seen and frequented for almost 10 years. And more, I was happy to know these pearls of Nature believe me, from one to ten, it deserves it 9 ,,,,

[@bfoz]

Beautiful video of Italy.

[@conpsalios1278]

Crossed it off my bucket list in July 2017. Wonderful place.

[@paraskeuianagnwstopoylou8097]

Bravo Very good video.I visited all the Ligurian Riviera last summer. It's amazing.

[@mamachingchannel8848]

Nice beautiful place love it god bless watching from japan 🇯🇵

[@hugolafhugolaf]

« A bit less touristic »? Perfect. I’ve been to Italy a couple of times and we purposely stayed in less touristic places, and it was amazing.

[@lobruttolaw]

Was fortunate enough to visit October 2019, beautiful

[@nicolelazotravel]

Beautiful! Thanks for the video!

[@Travel.with.jafari.]

Hello my friend 🙋‍♂️🤝🙋‍♂️💕💕 Super vidéo 👍🔔👍⚘⚘🇨🇭🇨🇭

[@aliaksandranikovich6300]

The beautiful coast, the cozy streets, stylish buildings.

[@christierichardson2841]

Beautiful place ❤

[@pennymcguire8865]

Went there 50 years ago and it's always been in my heart ❤ wonder if Alphonsos is still there 😋

[@denniscallan]

It is such an indelible place it can create those long memories.

[@celiomota6739]

Belissima ...a Liguria é muito bela , tive o praser de estar neste lugar por duas veses.

[@CristinaVanBlommesteim]

Great video, you convince me to stay there, thank you for doing that video, it was great, well done!

[@denniscallan]

You will not regret that. Here's another tip, take a 7-minute train ride to Camogli, a beautiful seaside town...townsofeurope.com/Italy/north/Camogli.html

[@elenasekmedina3708]

Dennis, I just accidentally ran into your video, and I am delighted from what I watched! Thanks a lot for a great tour & excellent language! Looking forward to watch more videos from your travel list!

[@ombroruim]

True gem of a place that just confirms Liguria is in my bucket list when back to Italy. Quite informative channel, excellent narration! Hope to see more Italian hidden gems in your channel in the near future!

[@denniscallan]

There are too many to mention

[@brendamagic2223]

We were there 2010 I fell madly in love with the place!!!💓🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@denniscallan]

It is those under-the-radar places that make travel so worthwhile.

[@itsmetaran]

Wonderful video... brings back a lot of memories. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheStargoose]

Another beautifully produced and narrated short film, with well balanced and useful information - professionalism and long experience in evidence I feel here.

[@jankokpit]

I always enjoy your videos. Thanks Dennis.

[@yog07]

Beautifully shot and narrated!

[@Logan5five5]

Thank you Dennis Callan, for these brilliant travel videos and narrations, my "Bucket List" for places to travel has increased with the watching of your beautiful videos. Thank you for Sydney, Australia.

[@NomadShifu]

The resort of Santa Margherita Ligure is one of the most attractive and charming in the Riviera di Levante - the eastern half of the Ligurian coast in north-west Italy - and is also well placed to explore local highlights such as Portofino.

[@goldenlambrecht7795]

Que lugar lindo

[@abdullaqaed2277]

Nice .. there are always hidden gems ..

[@neilkorn786]

Awesome! Very informative and professionally done. Keep on keeping on! From Bend, Oregon.

[@user-tk9ln3cv4h]

beautiful places👍👍👍👍

[@janetyoung623]

Adore your video's.. they've helped a lot through lockdown..and help you escape..to beautiful places that you take us..I love all your video's..this one was also wonderful..Keep waiting for the next one..it's such a joy.. and I love your gentle calming way, showing us all around..Thank you..

[@HPN2012]

Hello Dennis, thank you for the video. We are dining at da Gennaro as I’m writing this note. Both the food and the service are great. This is our first day at SML and it is a charming and beautiful coastal town. We just showed the owner this video and he’s very delighted.

[@pinkvelvet3865]

This will be in my list of places to visit in Italy. Thank you for this very informative & beautiful video Sir.

[@IranTourism_official]

Awesome walk as always. Great views

[@leifblom652]

härligt och se gamla gänget njutbart som vanligt man blir aldrig besviken the wiking

[@1billwill]

THANK YOU GREAT VIDEO.

[@raffacapelouto8024]

Had some lovely holiday

[@patriciawond4382]

Nice, informative video, I will make a point of going there once the pandemic is over

[@anjaliparanjape9582]

Deniss Sir, Video on Santa Margarita is Awesome and is very Informative as well.. ! I liked the way of Filming the Video.. ! 👍

[@bishanwelgama4674]

very useful thanks

[@erikalacerda9845]

Love Itália😍😍😍💖💕💞💖

[@philipde]

Yes forgot about da Michele also fantastic!

[@marciacober2701]

Io amo mia Itália 🇮🇹❤️🇮🇹

[@sh.sh.3802]

Wow

[@shinanne5606]

I can understand your words so well because of your standard pronunciation

[@sherryishaksay151]

so happy to see no mask wearing and social distance. It shows what is the true essence of community and being care free!

[@denniscallan]

It was filmed last year.

[@djudjamarinkovic9337]

Lepa italija🙋🌁✈️🇷🇸👍

[@bryansullivan]

my mothers birth place

[@chelseybarrow3018]

I want to go this beautiful place... when we will be able to trip freely?

[@philipde]

Likely mid 2021..I live here it’s a paradise ..great food , good for 2 day visit ..also go to Portofino and Rapallo only 2 miles away

[@philipde]

On Via Palestro great restaurant called ANGOLO 48 , Fish, pasta and a great fillet..

[@christopherk7920]

Does anyone know if the cafes and restaurants closed during winter ? thanks for sharing... so in love with Italy

[@joseroeder5492]

I say no. You have to go to the alps to find that.

[@philipde]

November some close ..other than that most are open , have been here 5 years ..awesome place ..try cafe del Porto for lunch, ANGOLO 48 for dinner or also Santa Lucia restaurant

[@christopherk7920]

@@philipde Gracie Mille 😊

[@joseroeder5492]

Dennis when did you filmed this?

[@denniscallan]

last October

[@rohitb2644]

Do show us some pizza and the hot spots at the place

[@nicolelazotravel]

That pizza place seemed great! Did you eat there?

[@conpsalios1278]

Was this taken in October 2020? I happily notice no Covid precautions.

[@sweyne6710]

Perhaps the absence of masks is why Europe has suffered so much!

[@denniscallan]

It was last year.

[@sweyne6710]

in Europe!@@sergeisukhoruchenkov2915 Idiot! That's why so many are dying in Europe!

[@doccal5896]

@@sweyne6710 Strunz!

[@pennymcguire8865]

Actually, looking at video....it's a lot different 😔

[@balwa999]

I spotted an Indian 🇮🇳 man with mustache, that's not considered local!