Santa Margherita Ligure, in the heart of the Gulf of Tigullio, with some precautions, can be within everyone's reach for a weekend of food and breathtaking views, this is our typical day.
Santa Margherita is a hamlet, located on the west coast of the famous Gulf of Tigullio, which is well prepared to welcome the most demanding tourists and it is clear how much the weekend Milanese emigration becomes a magnet.
Despite this, with some precautions, it can be within everyone's reach: walking along Via della Spiga in Milan or Via Condotti in Rome does not necessarily mean having to go shopping, just as visiting the most elegant city districts does not force anyone to spend staggering amounts, in the same way, enjoying the view and the sea of Santa Margherita Ligure is not necessarily prohibitive.
Here are some suggestions on what to do and where to enjoy great food and enchanting views, as far as the eye can see Ligurian Sea, at affordable prices.
Walk
That you start from Rapallo or from Santa Margherita Ligure (more expensive for accommodation), it is possible to skirt the western promontory of the Gulf of Tigullio until reaching the extreme point of Portofino thanks to the continuity of sidewalks and pedestrian areas.
It is 9 kilometers (this is the Rapallo-Portofino distance) spread over a hilly stretch with not too demanding passages. You will save the cost and stress of parking and enjoy a unique panorama overlooking the sea, with imperceptible views from the car or bus. In some points it is possible to stop along public beaches, bars and services.
Where to eat
You can find the sweet and savory breakfast to get your day going at Il Cristallo coffee of Rapallo. Fresh brioches, pies, cakes, biscuits and cream puffs are a product of the pastry division of Il Cristallo, while focaccia, vol-au-vent and the savory brioches are fresh products from our own bakery. Not to be missed for anything in the world; then stroll along the seafront to Santa Margherita Ligure and burn off the calories acquired.
For dinner, I suggest leaving out the restaurants in the center of Santa Margherita Ligure to favor the more particular and renowned Skipper, located beyond the port. Despite the dislocated and quieter position, the guaranteed space between the tables, the possibility of dine on the floating stilts on the sea, the elegance of the restaurant, you will not meet dizzying prices: I have compared them personally and I guarantee you that they are in line with those of the restaurants in the center. The food is exquisite and the service very good; try the Ligurian sea bass, it is very simple and tasty, you will be satisfied.
Where to relax
The weekend has at least two evenings to start with a fair happy hour, the first you must absolutely do it a The Great Blue Churrascaria of Santa Margherita, towards Portofino. It is located right after the Il Covo nightclub which is preceded by a convenient free parking.
Along the cliff, overlooking the sea, runs a long wooden counter from which nice tables for two have been obtained with coverage guaranteed by bamboo umbrellas. Each table has a reserved situation recreated by colored candles, from the maritime pines and the undertow of the waves on the rocks. For larger companies, tables with director's canvas chairs and the elegant cover of a summer gazebo are available. The cocktails served are excellent and the accompanying food is of quality, but not exaggerated in quantity, so you can continue with dinner at the adjacent Churrascaria.
If you are a lover of wine, its colors and scents, I would like to point out a regenerated place in the square in Portofino: the Jolly Wine Bar. The frame is the host, enchants and distracts a little from the wallet that we can keep it a little less closed for one evening! The food is appreciable, while I cannot express myself on the cocktails, but if it is called a wine bar we follow its identity expressed by such a talking name.
