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Driving & Parking in Liguria

New York City, New...
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31 posts
7 reviews
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Driving & Parking in Liguria
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We will be staying for two nights in Santa Margherita following a driving trip to Tuscany and two nights in Monterossa. We are in serious need of advice about the driving and parking situation in Santa Margherita.

Please know that my friend Barbara (the driver) and I (the navigator) did northern Italy the same time last year (early July) and nearly had heart attacks driving on the road to Bellagio on Lake Como. We do not want to repeat the experience of narrow, winding, water's edge roads with speedy Italian drivers honking at us, etc. Other than that bad experience and the nearly equally stressful road to Stresa from the autoroute, we survived two weeks of driving from Milan to Bologna, Venice, Verona, Bergamo and the Italian Lakes.

We would like this year to be a little less stressful and have already decided we'd better park the car in La Spezia during our visit to Cinque Terre, but I'm not sure how difficult the roads to Santa Margherita are, and would appreciate some advice and any ideas on where to park in Rapallo if that would be preferable.

Also, any thoughts on where to park in La Spezia (as opposed to Levanto) and on the difficulty of the roads in Tuscany would be appreciated. I am assuming that since Castellina, Montalicino and San Gimgignano are hill towns, they will not be any more difficult to get to than the old town in Bergamo.

Many thanks for any words of wisdom that our fellow Italy lovers might share!

Here & There
Destination Expert
for Sicily, Taormina
Level Contributor
135,740 posts
1. Re: Driving & Parking in Liguria
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Levanto may be less stressful for you to park, and also on the way to Santa Margherita.

In Levanto, there is day parking at the train station, and a lot near the hospital. For long term parking there are lots at Piazza Mazzini, and to the west of Tourist Information. It's a 6 minute train ride to Monterosso.

La Spezia is a larger town with a fair amount of traffic. Have never found it to be very convenient, because there's no parking at the train station. There's only street parking at the station. There is free parking at Piazza d'Armi, but it's a 20 minute walk from the train station. There is a shuttle from Piazza d'Armi to Piazza Brin, and then a 5 minute walk to the station. The shuttle costs a euro. In the opposite direction, there's paid parking at a guarded lot on Via Crispi.

Monterosso has two lots, a huge guarded (paid) lot at the waterfront, and a free lot above town with an hourly shuttle into town. Drive to Monterosso, exit the autostrada at Carrodano, and try to park in Monterosso with Levanto as a back-up if the lots are filled.

Santa Margherita is a resort town with the usual congestion, but the roads are not any challenging than Rapallo, and it would be much more convenient to have your car with you in Santa Margherita.

You will be fine on the roads in Tuscany. The only real challenge will be maneuvering through some of the narrow medieval streets in the little towns.

Hope you have a great trip!

Vagabonda

New York City, New...
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31 posts
7 reviews
6 helpful votes
2. Re: Driving & Parking in Liguria
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Thanks for your fast response about parking. I thought it might be easier to park in Levanto than in La Spezia, but I was leaning towards La Spezia because of something I read about the road to Levanto, i.e. an area where you have to be prepared for hairpin turns???

We are aiming to avoid roads like the one from Bellagio to Lecco that are narrow and full of twists and impatient drivers. It was a really bad experience last year and my friend who is driving doesn't not want to repeat it this year. Based on what we've read, the road to Monterosso is equally hairy so that's why we were planning to leave the car at either La Spezia or Levanto.

Any advice on the roads to Levanto and Santa Margherita?

Many thanks to you and the other TA members for sharing your thoughts!

Here & There
Destination Expert
for Sicily, Taormina
Level Contributor
135,740 posts
3. Re: Driving & Parking in Liguria
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We have never had any difficulties on the roads in this area, especially around Santa Margherita. We do find the roads around Lake Como more challenging.

Since you have such serious concerns, certainly go for your comfort level, and leave the car in La Spezia.

Vagabonda

Whitby, United...
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2,525 posts
383 reviews
503 helpful votes
4. Re: Driving & Parking in Liguria
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Vagabonda

Perhaps you could take a few moments to explain a little about parking bays in Italy. Is it right that if the bay is painted blue you have to pay for a ticket in the meter?

Is there a different colour bay for local residents? is that yellow? and what does white mean?

I must have been to Italy a couple of dozen times and I am still not sure.

We found it especially confusing last time we were in Lake Iseo when we thought it said free parking except for Sundays and festival days, Luckily even though it was a Wednesday we knew it was a festival day (25th May) so we knew to pay.

I suppose we could just pay anyway if we don't understand - better than a fine.

Here & There
Destination Expert
for Sicily, Taormina
Level Contributor
135,740 posts
5. Re: Driving & Parking in Liguria
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You are exactly correct Jeans!

Blue=Pay

Yellow=Resident

White=Free

Be sure to check signs carefully!

Even if it's free, it's customary to post the time of parking on your windshield.

Use the cardboard clock provided by the rental agency.

Vagabonda

6. Re: Driving & Parking in Liguria

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