Ventimiglia is a small port city in Italy. Its history goes very far back, already in 1261, and according to some sources even earlier. But that's not the point. And the fact that over the years of its existence this Italian city managed to survive several conquests, ruin and decline, the rule of different rulers and emperors, their ups and downs.
There is definitely something to see here. It is not for nothing that in Italy Ventimiglia is called a city that got stuck in the Middle Ages. Old streets, houses, architecture - everything was preserved in its original form, and the locals really appreciate it.
By the way, the population of Ventimiglia is not so big. It is only about 25 thousand people, and at the height of the tourist season, the situation does not change much. So for those who do not like noisy places with crowds of vacationers, this is a great option.
Where is
Ventimiglia is located in Liguria (region), in the province of Empire. The city is considered the westernmost part of Italy. The people called him the "western gate". Nearby, just 7 km away, is the border with France, from where the main tourist flow goes.
Also nearby (16 km to the east) is another Italian city, San Remo, with which Ventimiglia is connected by a trolley line. If you wish, you can travel a bit and enjoy the views of the Mediterranean coast.
How to get there
There are two ways to get to Ventimiglia: through France and via Italy.
From France
In this case, you first have to fly by plane to Nice. Then from the airport you will need to get to the train station and there you will already have to buy a train ticket to Ventimiglia. The fare is a little over 7 euros per adult. For children, the price is lower, about 4 euros, and for teenagers a little more - 5.
The exact travel time cannot be said, since it varies depending on the flight and the number of stops, but in any case no more than 50-55 minutes.
From Italy
As for the trip from Italy to Ventimiglia, then everything, in principle, is similar. By plane you need to fly to Genoa, and then get to the local train station to buy a train ticket there. The cost, by the way, is higher than in Nice, but the distance is much greater.
The fare for one adult is from 12 to 21 euros. As for the children's ticket, its cost also varies from 7 to 21 euros.
Since the distance from Genoa to Ventimiglia is much greater than from Nice, the travel time is approximately 2 hours 40 minutes. But then again, it all depends on the train and the number of stops on the flight. The fastest route takes 1 hour 50 minutes, and the longest 3 hours.
Housing and prices
Now is the time to move on to the issue of accommodation, or rather, where you can stay and how much it will cost.
Unfortunately, the entire selection of accommodation in Ventimiglia (Italy) is represented only by apartments and hotels. There are, of course, vacation homes and guest houses, but their number is extremely small. By the way, it is best to book a room in advance, because cheap options fly like hot cakes.
So, the most affordable price that we managed to find is almost 26 thousand rubles. for a seven-day vacation for two. For this money you can get the following:
- Studio
- one bunk bed;
- one large double bed;
- the kitchen;
- TV
- Wi-Fi
- air conditioning;
- a private bathroom with all amenities;
- washing machine;
- refrigerator;
- a balcony with a gorgeous view of the mountains, city or sea;
- dining area;
- dressing room and much more.
A very worthy option for fairly little money. By the way, in the apartment you can check in with any pet. This is not prohibited here. The only negative is the language. The staff speaks only Italian and English, which, in principle, is logical. Unfortunately, today far from everyone speaks a foreign language, even at a minimum level.
Well, as an example, another option is a guest house. The cost for 7 days for two here is above 29.5 thousand rubles. But for the money, a room with a king bed and a balcony is offered. As for the other amenities, here is the list:
- air conditioning;
- TV
- Wi-Fi
- fan;
- kitchen;
- a very large bed;
- a private bathroom with all amenities;
- dinner Zone;
- balcony;
- mini-wardrobe and more.
Quite reasonable price per room. In addition, the location is simply gorgeous. The nearest beach can be reached in just 3-4 minutes, and the distance to the city center is about 200 m, from the train station only 350 m. Thanks to this, you don’t have to spend money on a taxi or any other transport upon arrival in the city.
Relaxation
As mentioned above, the main tourist flow comes from France, but vacationers from Germany, the Netherlands and the UK are often found. You can also see Russian tourists here, but much less often.
If we talk about the rest itself, then it all comes down to having a good and relaxed vacation. There are pretty good beaches where you can sunbathe, a warm and clear sea, inexpensive cafes and restaurants where you can try real Italian food and excellent coffee.
In addition, interesting excursions are carried out in Ventimiglia both around the neighborhood and around the city. Do not forget about the sights that have retained their appearance since ancient times. However, it’s probably worth telling a little more about everything.
Beaches
The beaches in Ventimiglia are pretty good and are popular with vacationers. Most of them are pebble, but there is one sandy. Entrance to most of them is free, but it is worth noting that there are paid places here too.
Another interesting feature of the beaches of Ventimiglia is that each of them has its own direction, so to speak.
For example, Roya beach is located near the highway and is named after the local river. This place is popular among fans of surfing, because in the days of the surf and the autumn-winter period, you can easily catch a wave. However, you should not think that ordinary people do not swim here - they bathe, and surfers do not bother them at all.
Or here's another example - Le Calandre beach. The only sand on the entire coast of the city. This place attracts vacationers in the first place because it is allowed to have picnics and barbecue, but there are also enough lovers to sunbathe and swim here.
sights
So it's time to talk about what are the attractions in Ventimiglia in Italy. I immediately want to note that there are not as many of them as we would like, but still they are.
Old city
The visiting card of Ventimiglia is the old town of Alta, which contains all the interesting places. The first thing that catches your eye when visiting Alta is the condition of the structures. In places, everything looks neglected, but nonetheless, life in the old city continues.
In addition to walking along the narrow streets and labyrinths of Alta, there are several cathedrals in the city that tourists like to visit, such as the Church of St. Michael the Archangel and the Cathedral of Virgin Mary. The buildings were built a long time ago, but services are still being held in them to this day.
Botanical Garden
In addition to the old city, the attention of tourists is attracted by the local Hanbury Botanical Garden, named after the founder. The year of its foundation is 1860. Over the entire period of its existence, a considerable number of various plant species have accumulated.
And, of course, you should definitely visit the local town hall, which houses a museum with a unique collection of archaeological finds.
Excursions
There are excursions in Ventimiglia, which in a short time can perfectly introduce a tourist to the city and immerse them in the history of this place. However, there are two problems: there are few excursions, they are not conducted in Russian.
You can hear your native speech in the nearest San Remo, which is considered more attractive for vacationers. The benefit is to go to the city nearby. Therefore, a couple of times you can go on excursions.
Reviews
As the reviews of those who rested here show, Ventimiglia is a beautiful Italian town where you can have a great vacation. Even in the midst of the season, there are not very many tourists here, which is only a plus. Low prices for accommodation and food, local attractions and beautiful nature make this place just perfect.