Moneglia: Beach, History and Nature Trails

Beach, Town Center and Sea

Moneglia combines a narrow sandy coastline, historic buildings, paths through the hills and a typical Moneglia fish appetizer.

The central Spiaggia di Moneglia is a narrow, approximately 1 km-long sandy beach with coarse-grained sand. It stretches at the foot of the historic center, parallel to the waterfront promenade. It can be accessed from several points, including the panoramic Lungomare Dante Alighieri road and the entrances along Corso Libero Longhi at the foot of the town.

Castles, Churches and Local History

In 1173, the Castello di Villafranca was built by Genoese military architects as a watchtower on the hill east of Moneglia. It stands in a panoramic location and dominates the entire curve of the gulf. The tower can be reached via a gentle staircase that has a few higher steps in its upper section.

The Oratorio dei Disciplinanti is accessed via a staircase. The Chiesa di San Giorgio dates back to the 15th century. The monastery and the two cloisters adjoining the Chiesa di San Giorgio acquired their present form around 1600.

The Chiesa di San Giorgio houses, among other works, the wooden group of figures “San Giorgio e il Drago” from the Maragliano school; the polyptych dedicated to Saint Lawrence by Giovanni da Pisa, dating from the late 14th century to the early years of the 15th century; the polyptych dedicated to Saint Louis of Toulouse, created by Giovanni Barbagelata in the early years of the 16th century; “L'adorazione dei Magi” by Luca Cambiaso; and the painting “San Giorgio che uccide il drago” in the upper vault of the presbytery, attributed to Rubens.

The permanent exhibition “Munegia antiga” at the Castello di Villafranca displays historical evidence of the town, as well as numerous old objects from fishing, agriculture, weaving, woodworking and other crafts.

Nature Trails, Climbing Crags and Seabed

There are numerous nature trails in the hills around Moneglia. The Sentiero Liguria passes through the historic center and runs there through the old Caruggi. A branch of the route leads to the crags of Punta Moneglia, a climbing area high above the sea and a destination for sport climbers. Certain sections of Moneglia’s rocky coast are known for their climbing walls. The seabed off Moneglia offers diving enthusiasts a variety of attractions, particularly along the rocky coast. For route planning, the old Caruggi and the climbing area high above the sea differ significantly in location.

A Moneglia Specialty

Scabeggio is a typical Moneglia fish-based appetizer.

More Destinations

More destinations to discover: Busalla, Mele, Bargagli, Ne, Casarza Ligure, Prato, Stibiveri and San Lorenzo della Costa.

Back to the overarching travel overview: Genoa.