Hotel Residence Mondial
Moneglia - Via Venino 16
Offering an indoor pool and accommodation with a balcony or patio, Hotel Residence Mondial is set in Moneglia, with panoramic sea views.
Book now
The name Moneglia has a gentle ring to it, almost like a term of endearment or a caress. It suits one of Italy’s most beautiful villages perfectly, nestled between verdant hills and a bay framed by two striking promontories: to the west the wild Punta Moneglia, crossed by trails with breathtaking panoramic views, and to the east Punta Rospo, where charming little villas peek through the vegetation here and there.
We’re in the heart of the Riviera di Levante: from here you can easily reach the Gulf of Tigullio with its chic and fashionable resorts, or the romantic Cinque Terre.
There’s no need to venture far from the village, though, to find the best that a holiday in Liguria has to offer. Magnificent beaches, characterful houses with colourful facades, fortresses perched dramatically above the sea, enchanting slate portals and evocative coastal roads with tunnels that suddenly open onto azure waters are all concentrated within just a few kilometres of the village heart.
The historic centre is divided in two by a typical medieval caruggio—a narrow, steep alleyway. Once traversed by fishermen, farmers and pilgrims, today it’s the social hub for locals and tourists who flock here to browse the shops, meet up and watch the world go by.
Just a few steps down and you’ll find the seafront and beach, Moneglia’s pride and joy: with over 20 consecutive Blue Flags, this Ligurian village has achieved record status. This is thanks to quality services, but also the order and cleanliness that earned Moneglia the Green Key certification—which recognises eco-sustainable destinations—way back in 2008.
The Moneglia town beach1 is a narrow strip of coarse-grained sand stretching for about 1 km at the foot of the historic centre, running parallel to the seafront promenade. It’s an equipped beach famous for its cleanliness and the excellent standard of services provided by the beach clubs, particularly recommended for families and those who prefer well-organised beaches.
Heading west from the centre, after just 200 metres you’ll come across La Secca2, a cove that stretches from the Sant’Erasmo promontory to Punta Moneglia. There’s a sandy stretch here too and the sea is calm, but there are fewer facilities than at the main beach. La Secca is easily accessible by car or on a pleasant walk.
If you prefer a wilder setting, continue west or head east from the centre and you’ll discover numerous secluded coves, ideal for those who love soaking up the sun away from busier beaches, plus rocky outcrops perfect for diving into incredibly turquoise waters. There are also small pebble beaches to be found tucked beneath the pine groves.
The beaches in this area are much loved by snorkelling and diving enthusiasts, though they’re not recommended for families with young children.
If you’re after entertainment and nightlife rather than peace and communion with nature, you can head to the nearby Deiva Marina beaches.
There are no major famous attractions in Moneglia. It’s one of those villages that charms through its atmosphere and the splendid natural setting in which it sits: perfect for those who love wandering aimlessly and unhurried in search of romantic corners and characteristic spots. That said, there are interesting points of note.
Moneglia’s number one attraction for everyone is the Lungomare Dante Alighieri, more simply “the seafront promenade”: it’s the pedestrian avenue that connects the centre to small settlements along the coast.
The building that symbolises the city is Villafranca Castle, perched on the hills at the eastern tip of Levante in a dramatic position high above the sea.
It was built in the 12th century to defend the city from attacks by the Malaspina, a family of rivals to the Genoese, and later served as a defensive fortress against Saracen pirates; it comprises a defensive tower protected by a pentagonal wall.
The castle is set within a beautiful Mediterranean park from which you can enjoy enchanting sea views; whilst it’s not always well maintained, it’s still worth a visit.
In the 19th century Villafranca Castle was purchased by the Romani family and became a noble residence. Among the house’s residents was Felice Romani, the librettist who wrote the texts for some of the most important operas composed by Bellini, Rossini, Verdi and other famous composers. A man of great culture, he was a poet and journalist and became a friend of Foscolo and other Italian writers of the era.
A study centre dedicated to him is located within the castle and houses numerous manuscripts, historical documents and memorabilia. The homonymous musical association is based in central Moneglia and organises numerous concerts and cultural events (including some within the castle itself).
If you love historic churches, make note of these two: Church of San Giorgio5, in typical Genoese style with white and black stripes, was built in the late 14th century and perfectly restored in the 18th century; Church of Santa Croce6 takes its name from the Byzantine crucifix it houses, which arrived on Moneglia’s beach following a shipwreck.
The piazza of the Church of Santa Croce is decorated with a magnificent mosaic that’s much photographed.
From Moneglia you can visit all of the finest spots on the Riviera di Levante in a day trip, including the Cinque Terre, Levanto, Chiavari, Portofino and Camogli; all these destinations are less than 50 km from central Moneglia.
You can also visit Genoa in a day trip and its must-see attractions such as the Aquarium or the Maritime Museum.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Trails around Moneglia and its surroundings are plentiful, suitable both for those wanting a gentle leg-stretch and those preferring a more challenging hike, whether on foot or by bike.
A lovely scenic trail with splendid sea views starts from steps near the station and leads to Riva Trigoso via Punta Baffe. The full route takes at least 4 hours (one way) and is therefore only for well-trained hikers, but if you’re not up for it you can just do the first section. Either way, wear appropriate footwear.
Easier and shorter is the trail to Punta Moneglia: again, though, you’re guaranteed panoramic views. The first section coincides with the previous trail, after which you’ll take the fork towards Punta Moneglia.
The most famous trail is the Moneglia–Deiva Marina route, which is part of the celebrated Green-Blue Trail, the coastal path that runs from Genoa all the way to Portovenere.
The hills around Moneglia are also perfect for exploring by bike. The cycling routes vary in difficulty: ranging from easy seafront rides to challenging mountain bike trails suited to enduro and freeride enthusiasts.
Again, one of the most popular routes goes from Moneglia to Deiva, though via a different route from the Blue Trail: it’s a freeride route of around 24 km (one way, train return is possible) with 700 metres of climbing.
For your stay in Moneglia you can choose between splendid apartments and studios right on the beach, holiday homes nestled in the green hills less than 2 km from the historic centre, and comfortable 3-star hotels.
Prices are slightly cheaper than other Riviera di Levante resorts, but bear in mind that Liguria generally isn’t an inexpensive destination: book as early as possible so you don’t miss out on the best deals.
If you can’t find suitable accommodation in Moneglia, try the nearby town of Deiva Marina, about 4 km away. It’s a well-known seaside resort: here the choice of hotels, bed & breakfasts and apartments is more extensive.
We offer a selection of hotels at Moneglia to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Moneglia, sorted by number of reviews.
If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Moneglia. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Moneglia are in high demand.
There are two ways to reach Moneglia by car, but in either case it’s best to take the A12 Genoa–Livorno motorway and exit at Sestri Levante. Once you’ve left the motorway you can opt for the tunnel road (the quicker option) or the scenic road (a more fascinating journey).
The tunnel road follows the old railway tunnels, now open to two-way motor traffic. For this reason you should expect possible waits (10 to 20 minutes) at the traffic light controlling vehicle flow through the tunnels: despite this, it’s the fastest option.
The scenic road, which is considerably longer, allows you to pass through very charming small villages and enjoy breathtaking sea views.
The best way to reach Moneglia by public transport is by train. The railway station is located on the Genoa–La Spezia line, served by frequent regional and intercity trains. Moneglia is well connected by local buses to Sestri Levante and Deiva Marina.
The nearest airport is Genoa, served by low-cost flights from numerous Italian cities.
What's the weather at Moneglia? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Moneglia for the next few days.
Moneglia is a municipality in the Province of Genoa, situated east of the provincial capital and roughly equidistant from Portofino and Monterosso al Mare (the westernmost village of Cinque Terre). It lies approximately 50 km from Genoa.
Hotel 
Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel 
Resorts