SML or Camogli?
 

We are travelling with a 2 year old. Happiness is a big open space to run in and lots of pizza and gelato. We will be in the area for the first week of June. As a guide, were in Sorrento last year and it wasnt our favorite place - a bit too touristy. Thanks for the input, it is appreciated.

I am very partial to Camogli, and one of the reasons I am is that the half-mile long promenade that fronts the beach is completely pedestrianized (and flat). Jutting out from the promenade are several small piazzetti where everyday, between 4 and 7pm, all the children of Camogli gather to play, overseen by rotating shifts of dads and moms. It's a bit chaotic, with toddlers chasing balls, and small fry whizzing about on trikes and a soccer game or two all in the same space, but nobody gets hurt.

Another advantage of Camogli is its proximity to Genoa (25 mins by train) which means that if you get a rain day, you can visit the aquarium there.

Camogli is a fishing village that still fishes quite a bit. It has a tourist presence (and a 4-star hotel) but it is far from being touisty.

Santa Marherita Ligure is a larger town, dominated by its yacht marina and filled with people day tripping to Cinque Terre and Portofino. I only spent an afternoon there so didn't see much, but my recollection is that there is a large shady park in the center of town and no doubt there are places for children to play.

Both Camogli and Santa Margherita Ligure offer pleasant boat excursions to Portofino and other destinations.

But I would also enourage you to check out the very family friendly town of Sestri Levante, also on the train line. It has a very expansive seaside promenade and park, with many children's areas, PLUS it has true sand beach in a protected cove. While many Italians go there, and apparently some Germans too, not many Americans do (although obviously there are some of us).

Sestri Levante does not have the classic look of Ligurian seaside town, except in one small and lovely part of it. It also has many modern construction apartment buildings. So while it is not a picture postcard, I find it unpretentious and fun, because it's where Italian families go for a holiday. and it might work for you.

PS: Camogli also has a very nice and waveless beach for swimming, but bring aqua shoes because it is very pebbly.

We were in Camogli last year at this time (early June). It was pretty busy with Italian day-trippers. (I believe June 2 is a national holiday.) Camogli is built on a steep hillside, though we spent most of our time near the bottom of the hill and the beach.

Maybe SML would be better. Both are conveniently located for train trips north to Genoa and south to Cinque Terre.

Thanks for the info. I can picture the piazza and toddlers now!

How long is the train trip from Rome? Do I need to go through Genoa?