During my month-long stay in Florence, I took advantage of the weekends to explore different parts of Italy. One weekend, I decided to visit an Italian beach that wasn’t crowded or expensive. After some online research, I found Moneglia, a small comune with beautiful beaches and green mountains surrounding the town. It was so private that my friends and I seemed to be the only tourists there.

When we weren’t relaxing on the beach, we walked to local family-owned restaurants for meals. We discovered that the area was famous for its pesto, and I tried some of the best pesto pasta I’ve ever had. The freshness of the ingredients and the vibrant flavors were unforgettable. The locals were friendly and welcoming, adding to the charm of the place.

One afternoon, we hiked up a mountain to an old tower. The trail was a bit challenging, but the effort was well worth it. From the top, we enjoyed a breathtaking aerial view of the sea and the town. The panoramic view was stunning, with the turquoise waters contrasting beautifully with the greenery and the quaint buildings of Moneglia. We took a photo of that view, which became one of my favorites from the trip.

In addition to the beach and the food, we also explored some local shops, where I found unique souvenirs and local crafts. The experience in Moneglia was a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, making it one of the most memorable weekends of my time in Italy. I’ve attached my favorite photo from the trip to this post so you can see it too.