In a nutshell
- The Ligurian coast runs for 350 kilometers — and we’ve picked the six best beaches so you don’t have to guess.
- Want to mix beach time with sightseeing? Head east of Genoa — that’s where you’ll find most of Liguria’s top highlights, including the Cinque Terre and Portofino.
- Prefer something quieter and more affordable? The Ponente coast in the west is your answer — fewer crowds, lower prices, longer beaches.
- For every beach, we’ve also picked the best-value hotel nearby — great reviews and close to the water.
The most beautiful beaches in Liguria on a map
We’ve marked our six top beaches in Liguria on a map so you can see exactly where they are.
The coast west of Genoa is called the Ponente, and the coast to the east is called the Levante. Further down, we break down the key differences between the two coastlines so you can pick the right one for your trip.
The Beaches of Lerici
- Perfect for: Going out, sightseeing, snorkeling
- Best time to visit: June through mid-July, September
- Distance from Genoa: 1.5 hours
Lerici is a quintessential Italian beach resort: a charming old town, a castle, and a real buzz in summer. The main beach is the Lido, which slopes very gently into the water — making it ideal for families. A small section is free, while the rest has paid umbrella rentals.
Around Lerici there are even more great spots: Spiaggia San Giorgio and Venere Azzurra are beautiful, free beaches just a short walk outside of town.
Our hotel pick in Lerici: Europa Grand Hotel. Not right on the beach, but with sea views and excellent value for money.
The Beach of Monterosso
- Perfect for: Sightseeing, snorkeling
- Best time to visit: June, September
- Distance from Genoa: 1.5 hours
Monterosso is the only one of the five Cinque Terre villages with a proper beach. For a beach vacation, we’d only recommend it at the beginning or end of the season — it gets seriously packed in peak summer. Late September or early May can still be surprisingly good.
Thanks to the rocky coastline and the Cinque Terre marine protected area, snorkeling here is absolutely fantastic.
Monterosso is also a great base if you want to mix beach time with some hiking. From here, you can reach all five Cinque Terre villages via stunning coastal trails.
Our hotel pick in Monterosso: I Tibei Guesthouse. A guesthouse with just five rooms, four of which have their own terraces with lounge chairs.
The Beach of Sestri Levante
- Perfect for: Relaxing, sightseeing
- Best time to visit: June–mid-July, September
- Distance from Genoa: 50 minutes
The beach at Sestri Levante is one of the most beautiful in all of Italy. It sits in a bay known as the Baia del Silenzio — the Bay of Silence — named for how sheltered from the wind it always is, which makes it perfect for swimming.
The water is crystal clear, and the colorful historic center of Sestri Levante begins right behind the sand. Together, they make for a genuinely stunning scene — seriously good for vacation photos.
The beach is quite narrow and fills up fast. If you want to stay here, we strongly recommend a hotel with a private beach so you always have a spot secured.
Our hotel pick in Sestri Levante: Suite Hotel Nettuno. Classic décor in an Art Nouveau villa with a private beach.
The Beach of Levanto
- Perfect for: Sightseeing, going out, snorkeling
- Best time to visit: June, September
- Distance from Genoa: 1 hour
Azure blue water, a long if narrow sandy beach, and plenty of beach umbrellas.
Levanto sits just outside the Cinque Terre National Park, right on the rail line between Genoa and La Spezia. The Cinque Terre Express also departs from here, so the villages are super easy to reach.
From mid-July through early September, the town gets very busy — but there’s a free section of beach, several beach bars, and the whole place buzzes with energy. Pure Riviera vibes!
Our hotel pick in Levanto: Palazzo Vannoni. A former manor house converted into a hotel. Stucco ceilings, modern furniture, and just two minutes from the beach.
The Beach of Santa Margherita Ligure
- Perfect for: Sightseeing, going out, snorkeling
- Best time to visit: June through September
- Distance from Genoa: 1 hour
Santa Margherita Ligure is super lively in summer, with a great mix of bars, restaurants, and clubs. It’s also one of the few places in Liguria where the town beach is completely free.
The location is hard to beat for day trips: Portofino is just five minutes away, and San Fruttuoso — one of the top highlights in Liguria — is reachable by boat directly from here.
Our hotel pick in Santa Margherita: Hotel Metropole. Great value for money, close to the beach, and with a pool.
The Baia dei Saraceni
- Perfect for: Snorkeling, cliff jumping
- Best time to visit: June through September
- Distance from Genoa: 1 hour
Although the Ponente coast is relatively flat, it hides one of Liguria’s most stunning beaches: the Baia dei Saraceni, the Bay of the Saracens. If you like things wild and undeveloped, this is your spot.
The bay is known for its crystal-clear water and the dramatic steep cliffs that frame it on all sides.
There are two beaches here — the Baia dei Saraceni beach and the Malpasso beach. Both are pebble beaches and can only be reached by scrambling over rocks, which is part of the adventure.
The sea is teeming with fish and coral, making this bay really popular with snorkelers. The beach is completely free, with no umbrella rentals in sight.
The nearest place to stay is the village of Vingotti, about a kilometer away, which has a lovely beach of its own.
Our hotel pick near the Baia dei Saraceni: Miramare Varigotti. With a private beach and great value for money.
Practical tips for a beach vacation in Liguria
The difference between Ponente and Levante
Liguria’s coastline stretches about 350 kilometers and splits into two distinct halves: Ponente and Levante. The Ponente coast lies west of Genoa; the Levante coast lies to the east.
Here’s what makes each one different:
Characteristics of the Ponente coast
- long sandy beaches
- more hills than mountains
- less touristy
- lower prices
- sunrise over the sea
- day trips to southern France, including Monaco or Nice, are easy to do
- fewer Liguria highlights
- scenery less dramatic
Characteristics of the Levante coast
- very rocky, great for snorkeling
- higher mountains, many viewpoints
- sunset over the sea
- most of Liguria’s top attractions
- day trips to Tuscany are possible
- beaches are smaller and fill up faster
- very touristy
- high prices
If you’re after a pure beach vacation in Liguria, the Ponente coast is the way to go. You’ll save money and the beaches are far less overrun.
But if you want to be close to the big highlights — the Cinque Terre, Portofino, and the rest — then the Levante coast is the better choice.
Our tip: For the Levante coast, aim for June or September. It’s noticeably less crowded and you’ll enjoy the beaches a lot more.
Book just before or just after peak season
Liguria has a wonderfully mild climate, so you’ll get warm, sunny weather even outside the main summer rush.
Booking your trip in May, June, or September can save you real money on accommodation — and you’ll have the Liguria coast beaches far more to yourself than in July and August.
