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    Moneglia - One of Italy's Prettiest Villages

    By Julia | Updated: Apr 12, 2019 | Published: Apr 09, 2019 | 1 Comment

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    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our affiliate policy.

    Moneglia is a beautiful, quiet, and laid-back beach town in the Italian region of Liguria.  Moneglia has a great historic town center with well-preserved medieval structures. It's a great place to stay and explore nearby Cinque Terre and Portofino.

    tower in Moneglia

     

    Quick Facts about Moneglia

    • Moneglia is located in Liguria, about 50 km southeast of Genoa.  It is conveniently situated between Portofino and Cinque Terre.
    • Moneglia has a typical Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and moderate winters.
    • Moneglia has been added to the list of Italian villages included in "I borghi più belli d'Italia" (which means "the most beautiful villages in Italy").
    • Moneglia is home to a beautiful Church of San Giorgio.  Right next to it is a spectacular Hotel Abbadia San Giorgio, which occupies a former monastery built by Franciscan monks.

    cafe in Moneglia

    Tower in Moneglia

    Things to do in Moneglia

    1. Shops and restaurants. Moneglia is a quiet, family-friendly town with lots of shops and great authentic restaurants.   The streets of Moneglia are lined with palm trees, and there are many beautiful alleys shaded by trees.
    2. Historic town center. Many structures in Moneglia date back to medieval times and are very well-preserved.   If you like history and historic architecture, you'll really enjoy Moneglia.
    3. Church of Santa Croce.  This beautiful church is a work of art.
    4. Church of San Giorgio.  This impressive structure dates back to 1396.  Next to the church is Franciscan Monastery San Giorgio that dates back to 1484.
    5. Day trips. The train station is located right in town and it will connect you to the five villages of Cinque Terre.  It also takes only 1 hour by car to get from Moneglia to Portofino.
    6. Beautiful beach. Moneglia boasts impressive scenery with a great beach.  Enjoy a relaxing day at the wonderful beach which is only steps away from the town center.

    beach in Moneglia

    Day Trips from Moneglia

    Day Trip from Moneglia to Cinque Terre

    • Moneglia is only 37 km away from Cinque Terre.
    • From Moneglia, it will take you only 30 minutes to get to Cinque Terre by train.
    • The five villages of Cinque Terre get really crowded with tourists during the peak tourist season (which is May to September).  Moneglia is a great place to stay and to take day trips to Cinque Terre.
    • When I stayed in Moneglia, I really enjoyed the peace and quietness of the area while being in very close proximity to Cinque Terre.  It's simply wonderful to make a day trip from Moneglia to Cinque Terre by train and then come back to this quiet town to relax without crowds.

    road sign in Moneglia

    Day Trip from Moneglia to Portofino

    • Moneglia is about 45 km away from Portofino.
    • It takes only 1 hour to get from Moneglia to Portofino by car.
    • Staying in Portofino is expensive.   If you want to visit Portofino without staying there, Moneglia is a great choice!
    • When we stayed in Moneglia, we made a day trip to Portofino by car.  It took us only 1 hour to get to Portofino.  We spent a whole day in Portofino, including having an amazing dinner, and then returned to Moneglia by car for the night.

    Moneglia

    Church of San Giorgio and Abbadia San Giorgio

    • The church of San Giorgio has been built in 1396 by Benedictine monks.
    • Abbadia San Giorgio was added in 1484 by Franciscan friars.   A beautiful open gallery runs along the walls of this ancient building.  A luxury hotel of the same name (Abbadia San Giorgio) is now part of it.
    • At the Abbadia, you will find the frescoes representing the scenes from the life of St. Francis of Assisi.

    Abbadia San Giorgio in Moneglia

    Church of Santa Croce

    • This beautiful church was built approximately around 1100 and most likely even earlier.

    Church of Santa Croce

    Conclusion

    Moneglia is a quiet and beautiful Italian village with so much to offer!   It's a great place to stay and relax away from the crowds, even during the busy season.    The historic town center, beautiful beach, and great restaurants will keep you busy at a relaxed pace.   Finally, because of Moneglia's strategic location, it's a perfect base for day trips to Cinque Terre and Portofino.

    « 5 Tips For Hiking The Cinque Terre + Stunning Photos
    Abbadia San Giorgio - Historic Hotel in Moneglia, Italy »
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    1. Chelsea

      May 19, 2020 at 6:52 pm

      Hello Julia! My fiance and I are planning a honeymoon to Tuscany and Cinque Terre in 2021. We have just begun researching accommodations for our stay in Cinque Terre and stumbled upon the Abbadia San Giorgio. After doing some further research I found your article and your review may have sealed the deal! You make Moneglia sound charming, quaint and romantic. We wanted to stay somewhere that felt upscale and quiet but conveniently located for trips to Cinque Terre. Is there a website that provides further information about the train station? Thank you so much!

      Reply

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    Julia is the author of JuliasAlbum.com (a food blog focused on easy dinner recipes, pasta dishes, salads made with seasonal ingredients). In this photo, Julia is pictured wearing a yellow sweater against an Autumn background.

    Hi, I'm Julia!

    I am a full-time food blogger living in beautiful Colorado. I focus primarily on savory recipes (protein-based & fiber-rich main dishes, pasta, salads) using fresh & seasonal ingredients. A food blogger since 2012, I help home cooks create well-balanced and visually appealing dinners (many of which are 30-minute ONE-PAN meals). Find out more about me and my cooking philosophy. 

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