Levanto, the beach town the Cinque Terre couldn't overshadow
Most don't realize that Levanto is one of the premier surf spots in all of Italy. When the mistral winds kick up in winter, waves in the bay can reach four meters (about 13 feet), drawing surfers from across Northern Europe. The rest of the year, this Ligurian town of 5,000 residents takes on a different role as a strategic home base for visiting the Cinque Terre, which are just a four-minute train ride away.
Reducing Levanto to a budget-friendly dorm would mean missing out on a place with its own distinct character. Its sandy beach, medieval center with trompe-l'œil facades, and gattafin (herbed, fried ravioli) enjoyed on a street corner tell a story quite different from its five famous neighbors.
Levanto: the smart alternative to the Cinque Terre
This village is built for travelers who want the best of both worlds. On one hand, you have express access to the five UNESCO-listed villages, with Monterosso just one train stop away. On the other, you get an authentic village atmosphere with restaurants that aren't calibrated for cruise ship crowds, a wide beach, and a significantly slower pace of life.
Levanto is actually a certified Città Slow, a label for towns that prioritize quality of life. Families, couples, hikers, and cyclists will feel right at home here. If you are looking for high-octane nightlife or a dense cultural scene, look elsewhere. Evenings here usually end with gelato on the lungomare (seafront promenade).
A practical setting without surprises
Levanto is safe, easy to navigate, and entirely walkable or bikeable. The train station is five minutes from the center, shops line the Via Garibaldi and Via Roma, and the beach is right at the bottom of town.
Accessible pricing compared to the rest of the region
This is Levanto's biggest advantage. Expect to pay 70 to 130 € a night ($75 to $140) for a double room depending on the season, which is 30 to 50 percent less than in the Cinque Terre. A full restaurant meal runs 20 to 35 € per person ($22 to $38). A realistic daily budget is 80 to 120 € per person ($85 to $130).
The beach and the surf
The beach of Levanto is a happy anomaly on the Ligurian coast: large, sandy, and easy to reach. Public sections coexist with private bagni (beach clubs) where lounge chairs and umbrellas rent for around 15 € ($16) a day. The water entry is gradual, making it ideal for families.
Surfing is a serious business here. The Blackwave Surf School welcomes beginners, while the Casino, Pietra, and Nadia breaks satisfy the experts. The Surfestival, held between May and June, draws competitors from across the peninsula.
The MareMonti bike path and neighboring villages
This is arguably the most enjoyable activity in Levanto. The piste cyclable MareMonti follows an old 19th-century railway line for nearly 6 km (about 3.7 miles), passing through former train tunnels that open up to coastal vistas. The flat, paved route connects Levanto to Bonassola and Framura, two villages worth a stop for their beaches and cafes.
Local tip: rent your bikes at Surf Levanto on the Piazza del Popolo. The owner, an Australian who has lived here for years, gives excellent advice on lunch stops along the way. Rental shops generally close between 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM.
Hiking and the medieval center
The trail from Levanto to Monterosso, part of the Sentiero Verde Azzurro, winds for 7 km (about 4.3 miles) through olive groves, vineyards, and Mediterranean scrub. Allow 2 to 2.5 hours for the hike and take the four-minute train ride back. The detour to Punta Mesco offers one of the finest viewpoints on the Ligurian coast.
The medieval center takes about an hour to explore but is well worth it. The 13th-century église Sant'Andrea features a facade of dark green and white marble stripes typical of Ligurian Gothic architecture. The loggia médiévale on the Piazza del Popolo, dating back to 1405, serves as a reminder that Levanto was a prosperous merchant town long before the tourists arrived.
Where to eat and drink in Levanto?
The most local specialty is gattafin: ravioli stuffed with herbs and then fried, making them crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. You eat them on the street, fingers a little greasy. As in all of the Ligurian Levante, focaccia, farinata (chickpea pancake), and pesto sur trofie (pasta with pesto) are everywhere.
The Trattoria Tumelin, located in a 12th-century Gothic house on Via Grillo, has been serving traditional seafood since 1970. For a no-frills pizza, Da Rino on Via Garibaldi is a local favorite. The Ristorante Casinò, housed in the Art Deco municipal casino building facing the sea, offers a more elaborate menu in a 1920s setting.
Where to stay in and around Levanto?
The historic center and the streets near the train station offer the best balance of convenience and price, with B&Bs, small family-run hotels, and apartments. The surrounding hills are home to agriturismo farm stays with valley views, though you will need a car to reach them. Bonassola, one train stop away, is an even quieter alternative if you find Levanto too busy in August.
How to get to and around Levanto?
The closest airports are Gênes-Christophe Colomb (1.5 hours by train) and Pise-Galileo Galilei (about 2 hours with a change in La Spezia). If driving from France, expect a 5-hour trip from Nice via the A12. By train, Levanto is 30 minutes from La Spezia and 1 to 1.5 hours from Gênes.
If you have a car, parking is easier here than in the Cinque Terre: about 2 € ($2.15) per hour, with a 15 € ($16) daily maximum. Once you arrive, everything is accessible on foot or by bike. The Cinque Terre Express runs every 20 to 30 minutes.
When to visit?
From April to June and September to October, you will enjoy pleasant temperatures, accessible trails, and beaches without the crowds. In September, the Festival della Sciacchetrà celebrates the local sweet wine of the Cinque Terre. July and August are hot and very busy, while autumn and winter attract the surfing crowd.
