Nervi

The identity of this stately late-19th-century resort, famous for its 1½-km-long (1-mile-long) seaside Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi, its palm-lined roads, and its 300 acres of parks rich in orange trees, is given away only by the sign on the sleepy train station. Although Nervi is technically part of Genoa, its peace and quiet are as different from the city's hustle and bustle as its clear blue water is from the crowded port. From the centrally located train station, walk east along the seaside promenade to reach the beaches, a cliffside restaurant, and the 2,000 varieties of rose in the public Parco Villa Grimaldi, all the while enjoying one of the most breathtaking views on the Riviera. Nervi and the road between it and Genoa are known for their nightlife in summer.