Why This Charming Seaside Town in Italy is the Perfect Vacation

The French Riviera gets plenty of press. But what feels a bit more unknown is the Italian side, often called the Ligurian coast. Here you'll find fewer tourists, affordable food and drink, and just-as-stunning vistas. The seaside town of Ospedaletti, located about an hour over the French border with a population of just over 3,000 people, is a hidden gem and the ideal vacation destination. 

Here's our official travel guide to Ospedaletti.

How to Get to Ospedaletti

Getting to Ospedaletti was a bit of a challenge if you don't have a car, but it's worth the effort (i.e., schlepping our suitcases on public transit). After a lot of back and forth on travel forums, we devised a plan. First, we flew directly from Newark to Nice on La Compagnie airlines. Upon landing, we took the AirTrain from the Nice airport to Grand Arenas. From there, a short walk to St. Augustin train station took us to Ventimiglia (another charming town along the coast), where we got a cab to our Airbnb. Alternatively, you can take the bus from Ventimiglia to save a few dollars. On our return trip, we took a car/taxi from our Airbnb directly to the airport (about $120), which shaved off at least one hour. 

What to Do

Ospedaletti is more of a resort town that gets busier in the summer months, especially in August; it's mostly filled with Italians and a handful of French visitors. 

After just a few days in Ospedaletti, we settled into a routine: wake up with an espresso and pastry, walk or bike through the trail, swim in the clear and calm waters, have a panini sandwich, take meetings, and work. In the evenings, we'd enjoy long and leisurely late dinner. 

What to Eat 

A few favorites include Bar Alba Trattoria for a lovely courtyard setting;  for pizza; and 1909 for an upscale meal in the town square. Each Wednesday, there's a market in town where you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and even clothing and accessories.