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Levanto isn’t technically in the Cinque Terre, but a small part of its municipality is in the national park.

The advantage of Levanto? It has the charm of the other villages but without the dreaded crowd!

Due to this position at the gate of Cinque Terre, Levanto is also an excellent starting point to discover the area. And there are plenty of things to do (including a long sandy beach!) to keep you busy. 

Let’s visit it together through this post! 

 

Where is Levanto?

Levanto is right next to the Cinque Terre in the northwest of Italy, between Genoa and Pisa. It belongs to the province of La Spezia in the Liguria region.

Located north of the Cinque Terre, Levanto is right after the village of Monterosso.

map of levanto

 

Is Levanto Worth Visiting? 

If you’re in the Cinque Terre and are lucky to have more than 2 days, then visiting Levanto is definitely worth it for many reasons. 

Levanto has an interesting city center filled with shops and restaurants you’ll like to visit. But most importantly, Levanto has a long beautiful sand beach perfect for swimming or enjoying water activities such as paddling or kayaking. In fact, Levanto’s beach is known as one of the best places in Italy for surfers due to its smooth waves! 

Like in the 5 villages of the Cinque Terre, there are also several hiking trails available to discover the region.

So I agree Levanto shouldn’t be on your priority list when visiting the Cinque Terre, but it’s an amazing addition for beach lovers and families.  

 

 

Things to do in Levanto

Unlike the villages of the Cinque Terre, there isn’t that much information about Levanto. I wasn’t sure what to see, or where to go. So, we just got off the train, captured the beautiful view from the train station, and started exploring randomly. 

Discover our exploration of Levanto below: 

 

1. Wander the old town

After enjoying the view for a while, we headed to the center of the village, to discover more of the village. I loved the streets of Levanto so much!

On the Via Garibaldi, Levanto’s main street, you’ll find lots of shops lined up with beautiful colorful facades. Make sure to stop in one of the many coffees or restaurants to try some Italian specialties!

 

2. Check out Sant’Andrea Church

chiesa di sant andrea in levanto

 

Its striking striped exterior makes it easily identifiable, similar to numerous other churches in Liguria. The combination of white Carrara marble and green serpentine is a common feature found in many religious buildings throughout the region.

Chiesa di Sant’Andrea is also surprising from the inside, as the indoor columns are also striped and the floor black and white. 

 

3. Get a panoramic view of Levanto

If you want to get the best view over the village, I recommend climbing a bit, going south from the village.

After the church, keep going towards the San Giorgio Castle (Castello San Giorgio). When you reach the castle, go uphill (with the village in your back). You will reach a fence at the top of the hill; keep climbing on the right side, and go after the bend in the path.  There, turn back, and enjoy the best view over Levanto!

 

4. Enjoy the beach

the beach of levanto cinque terre italy

Head back down toward the beach to have a relaxing moment, watch the sunset, or simply bathe if you’re there during the warm season. 

Unlike most beaches in the Cinque Terre and the Liguria region, Levanto’s beach is sandy and very large. The beach is free to access, but there are also private parts where you can rent umbrellas and sunbeds if you like. You can also rent water equipment such as kayaks and paddles in the city center, or take a boat trip to discover the coast. 

From the beach, you also have a view of the village, and the mountain in the background.

 

5. Hike the Punta Mesco

 

the village of levanto from above

 

One of the trails from Levanto that I recommend is the Punta Mesco trail. Starting at the seafront promenade, the route leads to a castle. A part of the way down is through the woods. 

Throughout the hike to Punta Mesco, the views are breathtaking, especially the final panoramic view of the whole Cinque Terre coastline. 

 

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Before leaving, and taking the train to Monterosso, take the time to enjoy the view at the train station. Below are a few photos, all taken from outside the train station.

 

birds over levanto

 

levanto cinque terre in black and white

 

 

sunset in levanto cinque terre

 

sunset clouds in levanto italy

 

From the train station (and from other parts of the village as well), look towards the hills. You will see beautiful colorful villages, nestled in the mountains.

 

colorful houses of neighbor village of levanto

 

view from levanto

 

How to Get to Levanto

To get to Levanto and the Cinque Terre, the best choice is to fly either to Genoa, Florence, or Pisa.

Which city to fly to depends on where you can get the cheapest flight! Personally, I found a very cheap flight to Pisa (30€ round trip from Paris) so I flew to Pisa.

Once you’re in Italy, simply take the train to reach the village. The train system in Italy is very developed, and tickets are cheap!

A train ticket from Pisa to Levanto costs between 10€ and 20€ in 2024. Of course, like everywhere else, the earlier you book the cheaper! The whole journey takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.

If you’re already in the Cinque Terre, getting from one village to the other is easy. Just go to the train station, buy a ticket there (2.40€ in 2024), and hop on the train. It takes around 3 minutes to go from one village to the next.

Book your train tickets here: Trenitalia

 

fire sunset in levanto italy

 

Tips for Visiting Levanto

To help you make the most out of your trip to this cute little village, you can find below a few tips:

  • Levanto is the perfect place to start your visit to the Cinque Terre: just take the train from Levanto to Monterosso
  • To go up to the church and the view from the beach, the stairs are under the porch of Villa Celeste
  • To get the best view of the village itself, go uphill on the path from the castle San Giorgio
 

Where to Stay in Levanto

I think staying in Levanto is smart when visiting the Cinque Terre because it’s right outside, and you escape the crowds. Yet it’s close enough to easily reach the other 5 villages in minutes with the train!

Ready to make Levanto your home base? Here are the best accommodations in Levanto according to your travel style:

✅ Best Hotel – Hotel Palazzo Vannoni: Located almost on the beachfront, this hotel provides fully equipped modern-style rooms and serves a delicious breakfast every day. Don’t hesitate, this place has an outstanding rate of 9.3! 

💰 Budget Pick – Agriturismo La Collina Verde: This beautiful villa is surrounded by olive trees and a wonderful garden with beautiful views. Close to the train station, this relaxing place offers simple but handy facilities for you to have a great stay.

⭐️ Luxury Pick – Park Hotel Argento: This 4-star hotel located in the city center has everything to please you, including a wellness center with a Turkish bath and a sauna. Rooms are large and well-equipped and the breakfast is tasty. 

Not satisfied with this selection? Check out my guide to the best hotels in Levanto for more. Or check out the full list of the best hotels in Cinque Terre (in all villages).

 

🔍 Read More:

Planning a trip to the Cinque Terre? You can find below several other articles about this wonderful part of Italy to help you plan your trip:

 

I hope you enjoy your trip to Levanto and the Cinque Terre! If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below, I always reply.