Corniglia
The balcony overlooking Cinque Terre is Corniglia, a romantic inland village with unparalleled views of the sea. Those dream beaches are not so far away!
Do you live in the north and want to dive into a beautiful sea without travelling too far? Live in the south and want a change of scenery without giving up crystal-clear waters? Liguria is the perfect destination for your seaside holidays!
All the ingredients for a perfect beach break are here: mild climate year-round (more like that of southern regions than the damp and rather unpleasant climate of the Po Valley), sparkling azure waters, top-quality tourist facilities, and enchanting landscapes.
It’s easy to reach from anywhere in Italy thanks to rapid road and rail connections to all the main towns in central and northern Italy, an airport with low-cost flights from across Italy, and ports served by ferries to and from Sicily and Sardinia.
The beaches of Liguria are wonderfully varied, despite a common (and mistaken) belief that Liguria only has very small beaches. There’s something for everyone! But where can you find the beach that suits your tastes best?
The Ligurian Riviera, or the coast of Liguria, is divided into the Riviera di Levante (eastern Liguria) and the Riviera di Ponente (western Liguria). Conventionally, the first extends from the Tuscany border to the city of Genoa; the second runs from Genoa’s western districts to France. Both riviera are united by their mild climate and abundance of beautiful beaches, but the landscape is very different.
Is the Riviera di Levante or Riviera di Ponente better? The answer depends on the type of holiday you want: broadly speaking, if you love deep water, cliff diving, and beaches nestled against small fishing villages, choose the former; if you have young children or prefer equipped beaches, go for the latter.
Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics of the two riviera and the most beautiful locations in each: among these you’ll certainly find the perfect spot for your dream holiday.
The Riviera di Levante includes (from west to east): the Golfo Paradiso, the Golfo del Tigullio, the Baie del Levante, the Cinque Terre, the Golfo dei Poeti and the Litorale sarzanese.
It’s the typical image of Liguria – sea and mountains – with a high, jagged coastline characterised by cliffs, promontories and rocky outcrops. The beaches in this area are often tiny: pebble coves or strips of sand nestled in hidden coves and bays accessible by sea or via steep paths; there are, however, some larger beaches, especially along the Golfo del Tigullio.
Let’s look at the three best areas for seaside holidays.
The Cinque Terre are not exactly beach resorts, but their unique beauty attracts a great number of visitors at any time of year; among them are plenty of people who, in addition to admiring the charm of these romantic villages, want to take a dip in Liguria’s blue sea.
With the exception of Corniglia, all the Cinque Terre villages overlook the sea directly. Monterosso is the only one that boasts a large sandy beach, suitable for those travelling with children.
In the other villages (Vernazza, Riomaggiore and Manarola) you’ll find pebble beaches, sometimes very small and sometimes larger, and rocky outcrops; you can also follow the locals’ example and lay your towel on the breakwater cliffs or on the harbour walls.
Just a short distance from the Cinque Terre, often chosen for its slightly more affordable prices and proximity to these wonderful villages, is Levanto.
The Golfo del Tigullio is the largest inlet of the Riviera di Levante: to the west it is bounded by the promontory of Monte di Portofino, which separates it from the Golfo Paradiso, while to the east it extends to Punta di Manara. Along this inlet there are several smaller inlets.
It’s the best area on the Riviera di Levante for a classic seaside holiday. Here are concentrated the most famous and popular beach resorts of eastern Liguria, suitable for both families and young people looking for entertainment: Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo, Chiavari, Sestri Levante.
VIP tourism also loves the Golfo del Tigullio: celebrities and would-be celebrities meet up in Portofino.
In the 19th century, Liguria was one of the destinations included in the grand tours of European intellectuals. English writers who visited it, particularly Lord Byron and the Shelleys, fell in love with an enchanting stretch of coastline along the Golfo della Spezia that is known today, precisely in their memory, as the Golfo dei Poeti.
The places that captivated these sensitive souls are La Spezia, Portovenere and Lerici. Much has changed since the 19th century, but the charm of these seaside towns remains intact. Perfect for a couples’ break, they’re recommended to anyone who wants to combine hours of seaside relaxation with cultural visits… or simply dolce vita!
The Riviera di Ponente includes (from east to west): the Riviera delle Palme, in turn subdivided into the Riviera del Beigua, Finalese and Albenganese, and the Riviera dei Fiori (Imperiese, Sanremese and Ventimigliese).
The landscape changes dramatically compared to the east: the mountains are set back inland, with few exceptions, so the coastline profile is much gentler.
It’s the best area for those wanting a comfortable seaside holiday, with beaches that are easy to reach and equipped with all facilities.
The Riviera delle Palme coincides with the coastal towns of the province of Savona and extends from the mouth of the Arrestra stream, in the locality of Varazze, to the border with the province of Imperia.
Along this stretch of coast are very well-known places that attract a large number of devoted admirers and new visitors every year; among these are Pietra Ligure, Finalmarina (a district of the municipality of Finale Ligure) and Alassio.
Much loved by divers are the island of Bergeggi, off the coast of the village of the same name, and the Gallinara Island off Albenga.
The Riviera dei Fiori coincides with the coastal towns of the province of Imperia and extends from Capo Mimosa in the municipality of Cervo to the border with France. It thus represents the most western stretch of the Ligurian Riviera.
Sanremo, the city of flowers, is ideally its capital and represents a perfect destination for those who want to combine beach time with urban atmosphere; you can swim on the city beaches or easily head to the beach resorts in the surrounding areas.
If instead you prefer a classic seaside resort with equipped sandy beaches, head straight for Arma di Taggia or San Lorenzo al Mare. A gem not to be missed is the picturesque Spiaggia dei Balzi Rossi in Ventimiglia.
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