Someone might think it’s a bit too early for summer thoughts, but relaxing on the beach with a book is already part of my daily routine here in the Cinque Terre. Therefore, I wanted to talk a bit about my Liguria, better known as the Italian Riviera, and its beautiful coves and particularly picturesque beaches, which seem created to give emotions and escape daily life.
The coast’s verticality, a succession of bays, cliffs, and promontories dotted with typical pastel-coloured houses, offers various views. Crystal-clear waters reflect Mediterranean nature, and backdrops delight scuba divers.
The countless beaches that follow each other, village after village, alternating sand and pebbles, are often separated by cliffs overlooking the sea.
Among the most famous and poetic, these twelve are my favourite. Yes, I know that the canonical rankings usually stop at ten, but I couldn’t skip two amazing beaches only cause of this… so here are my top 12 Italian Riviera beaches 🙂
San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte
A small pearl set among the rocks separates Camogli and Portofino. It is reachable by boat, with a rental local fishing boat (free buoys), or along a beautiful footpath.
San Fruttuoso is a small village dominated by the Abbey and the Doria Tower, both worth visiting and with a fantastic sea view. The beach is tiny and stony, but it is exceptional. Relaxing on a lounger by the sea while enjoying freshly cooked mussels and sipping iced Vermentino are small bonuses that make it unique.
If you love diving, you can also swim around the Christ of the Abyss, the bronze statue placed on the seabed at 15 meters deep.
Santa Chiara in Genoa
The peninsula of Santa Chiara hides this little, truly magical rocky beach, one of Genoa’s many beauties.
If the tide is low, you can reach it via a steep staircase or walking along the coast. It is a blue and white pontoon where hours fly away and where the happy hour at sunset never disappoints.
Baia dei Saraceni in Varigotti
The Bay of the Saracens in Varigotti is one of the few free beaches of Liguria and one of the longest. Its fine white sand, crystal clear waters, and the scent of olive and lemon trees that line it are essential small details that make it a must.
Baia Blu in Lerici
The Blue Bay in Lerici is a small cove sheltered by Punta Santa Teresa and Punta Galera. It is within walking distance and just beautiful. Everything contributes to its magic: Caribbean-style water, olive trees and oak trees as a frame, and a stunning view.
Monterosso beach in Cinque Terre
Monterosso is the first of Cinque Terre, starting from the west. It is also the largest and the only one with a beach. The little corner I like the most is just below the tunnel connecting the new district of Fegina to the old town of Monterosso, near a rock I imagined as a kid to be my castle. The beach combines sand and pebbles, and the crystal-clear water makes people daydream.
Baia del Silenzio in Sestri Levante
Out of season, this narrow strip of fine sand framed by typical Ligurian pastel-coloured houses is a small paradise of peace and poetry. You can also enjoy delicious grilled fish directly on the beach, listening to the surf while scanning the horizon.
During high season, unfortunately, Silence Bay is overcrowded and very noisy …
Lido delle Sirene in Bergeggi
A long staircase separates the real world from this micro black gravel and movie-set water heaven. This beach is in a natural park, and if you love to snorkel, this is the place for you!
Paraggi beach in Portofino
It is in a beautiful bay surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation reflected in the sea, beautiful old villas, and endless silence. Heading towards Portofino, you come to a small beach called the Beach of Canoee, a small gem and a paradise for diving lovers.
Balzi Rossi Beach in Grimaldi di Ventimiglia
It’s also known as the Beach of the Eggs due to the thousands of eroded ovoid-shaped rocks. It’s located at the Italian-French border and is very popular with celebrities. The water is nothing to envy, as seen in Caribbean travel brochures, and the red rocks that protect it only increase its beauty.
Vallesanta Beach in Bonassola
The small beach is located after the bike path’s first tunnel, connecting Levanto to Bonassola. It is a small pebble beach surrounded by green-grey rocks and dominated by an imposing vertical wall dotted with pine trees. It is beautiful and easy to access.
Punta Crena Beach in Finale Ligure
It is beautiful, wild, and extremely difficult to access: You need to climb up and down using ropes, row, or swim there. So, to sum it up, you need to want to get there, but it’s worth the effort! Sheer vertical cliffs surround this small beach on a stretch of the emerald sea. I have been there in a canoe, and I recommend it.
Canuei, or the Eggs Beach in Levanto
You get there along a steep path that intersects the n° one trail between Levanto and Monterosso, or, for more romance, the ideal option is getting there on a typical wooden fishing boat, lulled by the muttering of a slow inboard engine.
As the homonymous beach of Ventimiglia, this one also owes its name to the ideally smooth oval stones.
Don’t you feel like visiting the Italian Riviera and relaxing on its beaches? In case you decide to plan a trip around here, do not hesitate to get in touch for more info and tips 😉
