An experienced yachtsman sent us his personal ranking of the five best “urban” ports in the Tyrrhenian Sea
“This summer I approached my long summer cruise in the Tyrrhenian Sea (four weeks, long live retirement!) in the most ‘covid-free’ way possible,” Umberto Lambertini, a 68-year-old retired architect, owner of an Oceanis Clipper 523 and experienced yachtsman, wrote us.
“When it has not been possible for me to give bottom in the roadstead, I have always chosen ports ‘nestled’ in the heart of historic cities and towns: my family and I love to visit them when we are on a cruise, but this year we wanted to avoid taking buses and crowded transportation and enjoy the charm of the places by simply taking a walk.” So Umberto thought he would send us his personal ranking of the five best ports that fit perfectly into the urban context, from north to south.
FIVE “URBAN” PORTS TOP IN THE IRISH
MARINA PORTO ANTICO, GENOA
“It’s a bit long to reach from the sea, once you enter the port of Genoa it takes about 25 minutes, but Marina Porto Antico is just the ideal facility if you’re looking for a mooring ‘inside’ the city. The Aquarium is a stone’s throw away, as is the old port and the old town with its maze of alleys, patrician palaces and typical trattorias.”
Berths: 270
VHF channel: 74
Tel.: 010 2470039
LIVORNO YACHT CLUB PIER, LIVORNO
“Those who say Livorno has little to offer from a tourism standpoint are very wrong. I found a lively city this summer, full of stalls and street events. I moored at the Yacht Club Livorno marina: it’s not a Marina, so don’t expect concrete piers, fingers and shopping malls. But it is very good value for money and the staff is very friendly, facilities clean and in good numbers. In a ten-minute walk I reached the historic center, which reminded me in a small way of Venice, where I enjoyed an excellent cacciucco at the trattoria La Barrocciaia.”
Berths: 120 (draft 4 m)
VHF channel: 9
Tel.: 0586 894123
FLAVIO GIOIA NAUTICAL BASE, GAETA (LATINA)
“Gaeta for those who sail is a really must-see destination. I stopped at the Flavio Gioia Nautical Base, which is nestled between the ‘new’ town and the medieval village, one of the most beautiful in Italy: a privileged location, no doubt about it. In a few minutes’ walk I was at the splendid Aragonese Castle: and if you happen to be there, try the octopus tiella in one of the various restaurants!”
Berths: 250
VHF channel: 9
Tel: 0771 311013
PORTUS KARALIS, CAGLIARI
“Once I arrived in southern Sardinia, I could not help but stop in Cagliari, one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean, with its historic center perched around the ‘casteddu.’ Fortunately, I managed to find a place at Portus Karalis, which is really in the heart of the city: it pays to make reservations because there are not many moorings, but it is worth it. In the evening, in five minutes, my family and I reached the famous trattoria Lillicu in the alleys of the center, great fish!”
Berths: 118
VHF channel: 9
Tel: 070 653535
SANTA LUCIA NAUTICAL SERVICES COOPERATIVE, NAPLES
“Just below the Castel dell’Ovo in Naples is Borgo Marinari; I stopped at the dock of Cooperativa Servizi Nautici S.Lucia. Better place I could not have found: I found a family atmosphere and exquisitely Neapolitan hospitality. A few minutes away is the heart of Naples, but we were tired and treated ourselves to dinner at Transatlantico Restaurant in the borgo: we ate ‘feet in the water’!”
Berths: 100
VHF channel: 16 and 72
Tel: 081 7645517
And do you have any recommendations on “top” ports nestled in the heart of cities? Write to us, telling about your experience, with a nice comment to this article!
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