Lavagna and Cavi beaches: the seafront with beach clubs and free stretches, Cavi di Lavagna towards Sestri, the Blue Flag and accessible beaches.
The beaches of Lavagna form a single shoreline over 3 kilometres long, from the marina to Cavi, on the border with Sestri Levante. It is one of the longest sandy stretches on the Riviera di Levante, with gently shelving water and beach clubs alternating with free beaches, separated by breakwaters. Here are the stretches one by one, from west to east.
The shoreline is divided into two parts. The first runs east from the marina, in front of the centre and the seafront. The second is the beach of Cavi di Lavagna, which reaches the border with Sestri Levante. Behind the beach run the seafront promenade and, towards Cavi, the Aurelia road. The railway passes a few metres from the sea: the two stations are practically on the beach.
At the western end, along the Lungomare Durand de la Penne, the beach begins next to the marina. Here, in piazza Milano, is one of the two town beaches equipped for people with disabilities, reachable from the marina. There are beach clubs with bars and family facilities.
The central stretch, on the Lungomare Labonia, is the beach closest to the old town and Lavagna station. On the 2026 Blue Flag list, Lavagna’s beach appears as “Lungomare”. Beach clubs alternate with free stretches; on the seafront you’ll find bars and ice-cream shops. The second accessible town beach is in front of the Parco Tigullio swimming pool. In July and August the free stretches fill up by mid-morning: if you don’t want to pay for an umbrella, arrive early.
Heading east, the beach continues below the Aurelia road, in the area called Lo Scoglio. Here the centre is further away and beach clubs dominate, many with a restaurant. The promenade is not continuous all the way to Cavi: in places you walk on the beach or along the road.
The hamlet of Cavi has a long, wide beach with a mixed sand and shingle bottom. The beach clubs line via Lombardia and the Aurelia road, up to the border with Sestri Levante. Its strong point is Cavi station, on the Genoa–La Spezia line: get off the train and through the underpass you are on the beach. It has a seaside-village feel, with lots of families and less evening strolling than in the centre.
The town’s tourism website lists more than twenty beach clubs, about half of them in Cavi. Many have a bar or restaurant, some a children’s area and canoe or SUP hire. One beach club in Cavi is reserved for Defence personnel. The free beaches lie between one beach club and the next. For this season’s services and prices, call the beach club directly: the details change every year.
The two town beaches in piazza Milano and at Parco Tigullio are equipped with beach wheelchairs for getting into the water, raised loungers, changing rooms, toilets and showers. They are run by a cooperative, with a staff member present during opening hours, and no booking is needed. Before you go, ask the tourist office for this season’s opening times.
We have not found an up-to-date official source on dog areas in Lavagna. The rules on animals on the beach change with each season’s ordinances. Before you go, ask the tourist office (IAT in piazza della Libertà 47, tel. 0185 3671) which stretches are open to dogs and at what times.
The easiest way is the train: Lavagna and Cavi each have their own station on the Genoa–La Spezia line, a few steps from the beach. By car, leave the A12 at the Lavagna exit, about 2 km from the sea. In summer the car parks near the sea are almost all paid and in August finding a space is hard; the town’s tourism website lists the public car park in piazza Taviani as free.
The bathing season runs from June to September; in late May and early October the sea is often still good and the beaches half empty. The Gulf of Tigullio is open to the south: with libeccio and scirocco winds come strong waves and the red flag. Check the forecast on the Lavagna weather page before you set off.
Across the Entella, a few minutes on foot, Chiavari has its harbour beach, also a 2026 Blue Flag beach. To the east, Sestri Levante has the Baia delle Favole (Bay of Fables) and the Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence), one train stop from Cavi. Further on, Moneglia has a wide beach at the foot of the village, reachable by train.
FAQ
Yes, almost the whole shoreline is sand. In some parts of Cavi the bottom is a mix of sand and shingle.
Yes, there are free stretches between the beach clubs, both in front of the centre and in Cavi. In August, aim to arrive by mid-morning.
Yes. On the official 2026 list the awarded beach is the Lungomare.
Almost the whole shoreline is fine, because the water shelves gently. Cavi is the quietest choice, with many beach clubs geared to families.
Yes, two equipped town beaches: in piazza Milano, near the marina, and in front of the Parco Tigullio swimming pool.
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