Riviera di Levante
By Dion Protani
|
Latest update: 17 January 2024
|
The Riviera di Levante in Liguria is one of the most attractive stretches of coastline in Italy. It occupies the coastal area between the regional capital of Genoa to the west and the border with Tuscany to the south, just beyond the port city of La Spezia.
Named after the Levante east wind, it can boast the Cinque Terre and some of Italy's premium seaside towns within its confines. |
Related links
Stunning coastal towns
As you scroll down this page you'll count 26 different coastal towns or beaches and to this number you can add the five villages that make up the Cinque Terre which are featured elsewhere on the website. It's not merely a numbers game here; these are some of the most famous and attractive seaside towns in Italy whose names read like a "who's who" of Italian tourism.
The Riviera di Levante is a coastal area unlike any other in terms of both quality and quantity. Whichever order you decide to put them in, the first block of four towns really sets the benchmark: any of Sestri Levante, Camogli, Portofino or Portovenere could justifiably lay claim to the best seaside resort in Italy while the next half a dozen at least could arguably claim a spot in the country's top twenty.
The Riviera di Levante is a coastal area unlike any other in terms of both quality and quantity. Whichever order you decide to put them in, the first block of four towns really sets the benchmark: any of Sestri Levante, Camogli, Portofino or Portovenere could justifiably lay claim to the best seaside resort in Italy while the next half a dozen at least could arguably claim a spot in the country's top twenty.
A variety of resorts
There's a great mixture to the resorts as well: one the one hand you have larger towns such as Rapallo or Chiavari, but there are also more intimate beach resorts such as Paraggi or Fiascherino. One thing all of the resorts have in common is a sense of colour; throughout Liguria you'll find rows of buildings painted in different pastel shades from their neighbours and quite often decorated with trompe l'oeil designs.
The building frescos have been a feature of Liguria for many centuries and date back to the time of piracy. When you look at some of the buildings which are essentially flat in design, they give the impression of having protruding windowsills or brickwork. The flat walls were impossible to climb for rampaging pirates while the trompe l'oeil designs gave them more of a luxurious look.
The building frescos have been a feature of Liguria for many centuries and date back to the time of piracy. When you look at some of the buildings which are essentially flat in design, they give the impression of having protruding windowsills or brickwork. The flat walls were impossible to climb for rampaging pirates while the trompe l'oeil designs gave them more of a luxurious look.
Transport options for the Riviera di Levante
Whichever of the wonderful resorts below you decide to visit, it's almost certain that the most convenient place to fly into will be Genoa's Christopher Columbus Airport which is situated just outside the city centre of the Ligurian capital. Most of the resorts are also blessed with a train station while the main A12 motorway runs all the way along the coast and just a few kilometres inland.
Riviera di Levante
Provinces: Metropolitan City of Genoa, La Spezia
Region: Liguria Cities: Genoa, La Spezia Highlights: Cinque Terre, Sestri Levante, Camogli, Portofino Fly to: Genoa Christopher Columbus Airport |