Monday 26th June 2023

Genoa: Nervi : Capolunga Beach : Porticciola Di Nervi Marina : Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi : Boccadasse

This morning, a short train journey took us to Nervi, once an old fishing village; it is now considered to be one of the most beautiful places on the Italian Riviera.

A narrow path above the sea hugs the coastline and winds its way for around two kilometers linking Capolunga Beach to Porticciola Di Nervi Marina.  Joining the pathway, we walked in the direction of the beach.

The ‘Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi’ promenade is named after the wife of the famous freedom fighter Giuseppe Garibaldi.

 

 

 

 

 

The pretty walk has spectacular sea views. Periodically there are rocky steps cut out of the cliff offering access either to the sea or to enormous flat rocks where people sunbathe.

Some of these rocks have sun loungers and parasols, small cafés serve the sun worshippers relaxing there.  Once just a footpath for fishermen, it is now a popular walk with cafes and gelaterias. Sunset in particular, is apparently a favoured time for romantic strollers.

 Small buildings, once the abodes of fishermen are now used as storage for their supplies.

Grand houses with spectacular gardens are dotted above the pathway,

 

 

Once we reached the small pebbly Capolunga beach, we turned around and walked in the other direction, completing the walk at the Porticciola Di Nervi Marina.

 

 

 

 

 

Boarding a bus to Boccadasse, we tried to purchase tickets but the young female driver just shook her head and indicated to us to take a seat.  Research had made us believe that tickets were either available on the bus or at a ticket machine at the bus stop.  It was a good job that the driver was kind and friendly!

A couple of older Italian ladies explained to us where to get off the bus, with their extremely limited English (and our unhelpful lack of Italian!).

Boccadasse is another old fishing village.  It is a rugged little place and quite quaint.

There are a couple of small holiday rental accommodation places and a couple of bars and eateries.

 

 

Over the years, as the city of Genoa has grown, the small village has now become just a few miles south of the centre of the busy metropolis.

Perching on a couple of barstools we ordered a couple of drinks and two ‘stuffed crunchy crushed buns’ which had delicious Italian fillings and watched the world go slowly by.

The bus we caught to return us to Genoa Brignole Station, took us through many parts of the city that we hadn’t previously seen. We originally planned to visit Genoa and to use it as a base to see places along the coast.  But the city itself has many interesting sightseeing opportunities.

Tomorrow we return home.  Our time spent here in Italy has been amazing; we thoroughly enjoyed visiting the cities of Milan, Florence and Pisa. It has also been fabulous to explore some of the stunning towns and villages on the Italian Riviera.

 

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