Santa Margherita Ligure and surroundings - BW Hotel Regina Elena

The Roman origins of the town are evidenced by some of the artefacts found in the area, but the history of Santa Margherita, as has been documented, really began in the Middle Ages.

Having become a fief of the Fieschi family in the XIII century it passed into the hands of Genoa until the end of the eighteenth century.

On 18 July 1798 the village was still divided into two autonomous hamlets: Corte was situated in front of the port area, with Pescino by the sea next to the parish church on the Ghiaia beach. On that day, however, the "Municipalists" took control of Pescino, now presiding over the canton of Santa Margherita and the canton of San Giacomo - two cantons that were often in fierce rivalry with each other.

On 22 December 1812 Napoleon, through an imperial decree, definitively united Santa Margherita and San Giacomo in a single municipality, Port Napoleon (Porto Napoleone), but after the fall of the empire a governor was appointed in Genoa and each individual village passed into provisional administration.

In 1818, in accordance with the wishes of the governor, the city of Santa Margherita di Rapallo was founded, and was run by a Council of Elders, headed by Gerolamo Costaguta.

Finally, 45 years later in 1863, Vittorio Emanuele II decreed that the town be called Santa Margherita Ligure

The town is located just a few kilometres from S.Margherita Ligure, in a bay on the tip of the promontory of the same name, in the Gulf of Tigullio.

Portofino, together with six other Ligurian towns, is part of the Portofino regional nature park and the Portofino marine reserve.

Visit the website of the Regional Natural Park of Portofino

Around 45 km from Santa Margherita Ligure, there is one of the most beautiful parts of the Levant coast, described in poetry by twentieth century writers such as Eugenio Montale.

Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are traversed by the famous "Via dell'Amore" path with its view of the sheer drop to the ocean.

The Ligurian capital is around 30 km from Santa Margherita Ligure and sees itself not only as the economic heart of the region but also as an area of significant cultural interest.

• The Ducal Palace of Genoa experienced centuries of history as a location of power for the Republic and the residence of the Doges. Now, after a long structural restoration project lasting ten years, it exists not only as an historical structure but as a centre of ideas and cultural and social initiatives for the city and the surrounding areas.
• A key stop during a trip to Genoa is Galata the Sea Museum and the submarine Nazario Sauro.
• In the Porto Antico area of Genoa is the second-largest Aquarium in the world, hosting numerous species of fish coming from all continents.

Into the hotel you can admire some of the manufact of the sculptor Lustig, to create a wonderful atmosphere dedicated to the art.

At Best Western Hotel Regina Elena every single day can become memorable thanks to the many activities that you can play directly on the beach!

Within our diving center you can find many sports activities to try out: experienced instructors will be ready and excited to get to experience so many new emotions and adrenaline-pumping activities!

The Best Western Hotel Regina Elena offers numerous guided tours, by land or by sea, organized daily by expert guides.

Departure from the hotel many guided trips on the Promontory of Portofino and Full Day Excursion to reach the small charming villages in Liguria! Bike tours, whale watch and boat trips also available!

In a little bay situated between Camogli and Portofino, it is possible to discover one of Liguria's treasures: San Fruttuoso, reachable only by sea or walk, thanks to the paths of Mout Portofino.

The bay of San Fruttuoso is also known worldwide for the Christ of the Abyss, a bronze sculpture placed 15 meters in the sea bottom.