Levanto beaches

Levanto's beaches from east to west

The eastern coast towards Punta Mesco is rocky and drops steeply into the sea. The swimming area starts below the old town and continues past the mouth of the Ghiararo stream towards Bonassola. A promenade runs along the whole bay, so you can switch beaches on foot in minutes.

La Pietra and the beach behind the pier

SandPebblesRocksFree beach

At the eastern end, below Villa Agnelli, the rock of La Pietra closes the cove. Behind the pier is the first free beach, known in dialect as “Via au Mô”: pebbles and sand, water that gets deep quickly and rocks where you can snorkel. It is the closest beach to the old town.

Under the promenade arches

SandBeach clubs

Between the small fishermen’s pier and the first beach clubs, under the arches of the promenade, the beach is fine sand: Levanto’s softest stretch. Beach clubs with loungers and umbrellas dominate here.

The middle of the bay

SandFree beach

In the middle of the bay there is a large free beach with some facilities, flanked by two more free beaches. It is the liveliest area, with bars on the promenade and an open view of the whole bay. On big-swell days it is also the heart of the surf scene, with some of the busiest peaks over a mostly sandy bottom.

Vallesanta

RocksBeach clubsFamily friendly

Past the small harbour and the mouth of the Ghiararo, towards Bonassola, lies Vallesanta beach. In the middle stand the Bernardone rock and a breakwater of large boulders that breaks the waves and keeps the water shallow: this makes it the best beach for young children. Next to the free section there are a few beach clubs. It is also the quietest stretch, far from the centre and the station.

Free beaches and beach clubs

Levanto has four free beaches: behind the pier towards La Pietra, the two either side of the large free stretch in the middle of the bay, and Vallesanta. The rest is taken by beach clubs, many of which can be booked online. In July and August the free sections fill up by mid-morning, so arrive early if you don’t want a beach club.

Rules for dogs change from year to year, and some beach clubs accept them. Before you go, ask the town’s tourist office which stretches are open to pets this season.

Surfing in Levanto

Levanto is one of Italy’s best-known surf spots. The shape of the bay catches south-westerly and north-westerly swells and creates several peaks: some over sand, more forgiving for learners, others over rock, best left to experienced surfers. Good waves come mainly from October to spring; in summer the sea is often flat.

There are surf schools and board hire on the beach. If you are a beginner, take at least one lesson and ask which area suits the conditions on the day. In winter you need a thick wetsuit.

Nearby beaches

If Levanto is packed, the cycle path on the old railway takes you in minutes to Bonassola, with a wide and quieter beach, and on to Framura, with small coves among the rocks. To the east, beyond Punta Mesco, the coast lies within the Cinque Terre protected area and its coves are reachable almost only by sea. For a different beach day, take the train to Monterosso, which has the largest beaches in the Cinque Terre, a few minutes away, or to Vernazza, with its small beach in the harbour. Towards Genoa, the same railway line leads to the beaches of Moneglia and Sestri Levante, with its Bay of Silence.