Comparing Two Beaches on the Ligurian Sea: Savona vs Quinto
The Ligurian Sea offers a diverse range of coasts and attractions. In this post, I will highlight two towns located just a few kilometers apart to showcase this variety.
I'm on vacation this week, spending my days at the beach of the Ligurian Sea. As I live quite far from the sea in Biella, I rarely have the opportunity to indulge in swimming, a beloved activity of mine. Despite having 5 cats that require my care, I managed to plan short daily trips to the beach to enjoy a mini getaway. The journey involves a 4-hour train ride in the morning and another 4 hours to return home. But it is more convenient than going with a car.
Driving for 2–3 hours is tiring, especially when facing heat inside the car. Holiday travelers often endure long highway queues due to traffic or accidents. Additionally, finding parking in seaside cities can be a day-long challenge. Overall, there are numerous concerns.
Trains are consistently late, causing missed connections and ruining plans. Today, my train to Savona was delayed by two minutes, resulting in me missing the Turin-Savona connection. Opting for a train to Genoa shortly after, I contemplated returning home to illustrate the contrast between the two Ligurian coastal areas.
Savona, a renowned town on the Ligurian Sea
Savona's expansive sandy beach is a short 15-minute walk from the train station. On the right side, there is a supermarket. The beach area has both free and paid sections. The paid area offers amenities such as umbrellas, deckchairs, hot water, and personal cabins for storage. Free beaches may be less tidy, but in this case, provide fresh water showers for rinsing off salt after a swim.
I felt uncomfortable at Savona Beach due to a group of disrespectful men near me, persistent numerous beach sellers, and some shady individuals. This famous town attracts many tourists and various not very recommendable “services”. Overall, it's not ideal for solo women travelers right now; September was a better time to visit it (a year ago). There were even people camping on the beach.
In July and August, the sun is scorching and if possible it is better to come early in the morning or afternoon like many people do. Since I had to turn home, I did not have this possibility. And in the evening I felt sick despite all my efforts to cover myself.
It's wise to check the lunch closing times of the numerous cafés and small restaurants to avoid being hungry until evening if you want to stay all day on the beach.
I enjoy strolling on the long sandy beaches with my feet in the water, finding it both relaxing and pleasant. For a more vigorous workout, wading in the water up to knee or waist level and walking is very beneficial for health.
Located three train stops from Genoa Central Station (Piazza Principe), this spot is just a 5-minute walk from the railway station. Being close to the train allows me to spend more time relaxing on the beach before I depart, which is significant to me. The small beach has free amenities like changing rooms and showers, which is all I need.
It exudes a romantic atmosphere, evident in the photos, I think. The refreshing and clean water adds to its allure. The “community” consists of like-minded individuals who respect each other's cultures without trying to enforce their own beliefs on others (as it was in Savona a day before).
The cozy beachside cafés offer a perfect setting to unwind with a glass of local wine or a cup of espresso, allowing visitors to soak in the serene surroundings. One of the bars (a blue building) is located over the beach.
The gentle sea breeze carries the faint scent of freshly baked focaccia from nearby bakeries, adding to the sensory experience. It's a place where time seems to slow down, inviting you to savor each moment before your journey continues.
Tomorrow is my last day of the holiday, and I'm heading to Quinto in Liguria. I loved this beach.
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