Cinque Terre is perhaps one of the most well-known coastal areas of Italy. It’s a popular spot because you get the best of the coastal experience mixed with adventure in the hills and along the mountainside. If you’re headed here, plan to soak up the sun at these top beaches in Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre is made up of five different town areas. Several of them have hidden gems of places to experience, swim, and relax. Because of the area, there are several different beaches along the sea.
In this guide, we will share with you the best Cinque Terre beaches, giving you the ultimate options to plan your travel and time in the sun and sand.
Whether you’re looking for something a little less crowded, want the famous beaches, or just want to know the good beaches to seek out, we’ve got you covered.
Check out the great beaches in the guide below and find your favorite spots!
The 12 Best Cinque Terre Beaches to Check Out!
No Cinque Terre beach is a bad one, but you will find that many are different and unique in some way. You can find anything from an adventurous rocky beach to secluded beaches along the way.
Take a look at these top beaches in Cinque Terre:
- Monterosso Beach
- Riomaggiore Beach
- Vernazza Beach
- Fegina Beach
- Harbor Beach
- Corniglia Beach
- Guvano Beach
- Manarola Beach
- Canneto Beach
- Levanto Beach
- Fossola Beach
- Bonassola Beach
We’ve narrowed it down to the very best beaches for your beach day adventures among the Cinque Terre villages. Take a closer look at each of these lovely beaches below.
1. Monterosso Beach – Spiaggia del Gigante
Along Monterosso Beach, you will find the nearby national park that is awe-inspiring. You can enjoy the nice swimming area and the great views too. Spiaggia del Gigante is a popular spot here, and you absolutely must make the time to explore that location while you’re here.
You can walk the sites, rent a boat or water gear, and enjoy the day. If you do rent a boat, you can get a unique view of the tourist parts without being in the midst of the crowds. The area has so much to offer, and you will be thoroughly impressed with the mixture of sand and rocks, as well as those crystal clear waters.
This is easily one of our top choices because of the nearby sites, the really nice beach, and all that the surrounding area has to offer.
This beach gets its name from a Statua del Gigante (1910, Arrigo Minerbi) that is right at the beach. You can see this in this article’s picture.
The public beach of Monterosso is Fegina which is the 4th in this article.
2. Riomaggiore Beach
If you’re looking for more private beaches, you might find the best beach to be Riomaggiore. This has also been called the pebble beach because it is rockier than most beaches. It’s still comfortable, with some great swimming spots to enjoy the water and the sun.
Not far from the Cinque Terre town of Riomaggiore. It’s just a short walk down a steep path, and it’s not as easily accessible as a lot of the top beaches out there. This means it will be less crowded. It’s a great location to see the sunset.
Because of the rocks on the beach, you may want some water shoes or deck chairs to keep you comfortable while you relax on this great beach!
It’s easiest to reach this part of the sea by first going to the small harbor and then taking the steps down the incline from the village.
3. Vernazza Beach – Rocky Beach
Vernazza is probably one of the most beautiful spots in Cinque Terre, and Vernazza Beach is one of the top beaches in the Cinque Terre area. Much like some of the other Cinque Terre beaches, they do have a lot of rocks, but it doesn’t make this beach any less memorable.
You won’t reach this free beach from the train station. It rests near the button of a cliff area. It’s the main beach of the Vernazza Cinque Terre village, and while it’s not as cozy as sandy beaches in other areas, it’s still a really great find, especially if you just want a great swimming area.
The Italian beaches are all so vastly different among the five villages, but you will find each beach to be unique when visiting Cinque Terre.
4. Fegina Beach – Sandy Beach
If you’re looking for a sandy beach among Cinque Terre Beaches, check out Fegina Beach in Monterosso. It’s a public beach that is one of the main beaches for tourists to visit. You will want to arrive early, but you can easily spend the day on this small sandy beach that is right out of paradise.
The old town beach is also a popular bathing location. It’s a beautiful beach to head to with children. Of the beaches in Cinque Terre, it remains more shallow. That means the old town beach appeals because you don’t have to worry about keeping the kids right at the coast.
This is a long sandy beach and one of the most stunning beaches in the area. It’s family-friendly, with colorful houses all around you. High season can get pretty packed by the sea, so be sure to plan ahead!
Fegina Beach is one of the largest beaches in the Cinque Terre area.
5. Harbor Beach
This small Cinque Terre beach is one of the best beaches in Vernazza, because it has sand! There are very few sandy beaches with beach bars and golden sands along the sea, and this is one of them. Surrounded by colorful houses, fantastic swimming spots, and even a ferry dock, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches you will find.
This may be the best beach in the area for sand, but it is also very small. It’s not a long beach, but if you want beach time here, get there early and plan to stake out your spots right away. Otherwise, you may have to find another choice along the Italian Riviera.
Enjoy a cooling swim or a late afternoon nap if you can find a spot. Find one of the other beach locations nearby if this one is full. If you’ve ever visited Cinque Terre during busy times, you know patience is required.
6. Corniglia Beach
Grab your snorkeling equipment and head on over to Corniglia Beach along the coast. This beach runs for a pretty long stretch, and it is one of the easier beaches to get to in Cinque Terre. It’s not far from the train station or the track, so check out Google Maps to find a great spot along the beach.
This is another of the rocky beaches of Cinque Terre, but it’s fun to swim along the waves, walk along the beach, or check out the village nearby the sea. Grab your umbrellas and dive in for a swim in the sea! This town beach isn’t always accessible during high tide, so plan your time carefully.
Just head to the stairs from the town center and enjoy one of the largest and most accessible public beaches in Cinque Terre! Enjoy that swimming spot when the tide allows.
7. Guvano Beach
Guvano Beach is not your largest beach or your most popular. In fact, this is one very unique beach, and it may not be a top choice for all families. Guvano is a nudist beach, which means it’s only the top choice for a select group of people.
Those whole are comfortable and choose this hunk of sand to hang out at will have a relaxing and enjoyable time in the sand.
Soak up the sun and nature at Guvano Beach. Some beach clubs attend here, because of the nudist properties. This beach is no longer near a train station as the previous route near here closed. However, you can still access it if you are willing to hike or take a sea route.
Because the train station nearby is closed, it’s actually easier to get to the main beach of this location via a boat, offering more privacy for those hanging out in their birthday suit.
8. Manarola Beach
Manarola Beach is one of the top choices of Cinque Terre beaches just for the view. It’s one of the best beaches of all, and yet it’s very minimally a beach, so keep in mind the space is small.
Of the five villages, this beach is unique just for its simplicity. It has a nice swimming spot or two and makes for a relaxing beach day because the size often doesn’t attract a ton of people.
You will find that most Manarola beaches are limited like this one. Explore the famous town, rent paddle boats in the waves, try some snorkeling or take a walk along the pathways. This section of the sea is stunning and a great place to watch the sun go down too.
The village is very close, and you can walk from one place to the other. Get your swim on and enjoy a relaxing time by the sea. It doesn’t get much better.
9. Canneto Beach
Canneto Beach is yet another choice that is off the beaten path in Cinque Terre. It’s not so easy to get to, but if you’re willing to take the route to get there, it will be a fantastic location. Here’s the thing. You won’t access Canneto by hiking or driving. You have to get to the beach from the water.
Some people rent paddle boats, while others will grab a boat tour from a nearby town to get there. Because of its exclusive location in the sea and the inability to just walk there from your village, it’s nice and secluded. The distance from the village doesn’t stop people from enjoying a swim or the sun under the umbrellas here.
You can spend the day walking along the beach, set up at the beach bars, or simply soak up the sun. It’s well worth traveling, and you can catch a glimpse of a waterfall too.
10. Levanto Beach
Levanto Beach is often compared to Monterosso beaches in the area. The village itself is comparable to the village of Monterosso even. Reminiscent of the old town, you can’t go wrong at this location. And it’s also a very large beach in Cinque Terre, which is why it is a popular choice.
You can sit in the sand, head out on a private yacht, or just lounge in the chairs with an umbrella shade. There are both paid and free areas along this beach, so watch those details to know which point you want to enter.
Levanto is considered a beach in Cinque Terre, but it’s also right on the edge rather than in the midst of Cinque Terre. People also enjoy camping on this particular beach. And you can reach it by train!
11. Fossola Beach
Fossola is another secret spot that is well worth mentioning. It’s also secluded, and you will need a boat or a kayak or something similar to access it. You cannot get to this one by land, either. That being said, it’s absolutely stunning and totally clear and pristine too.
These secluded beaches are often far less popular because they aren’t as easy to get to. That means you can enjoy a more relaxing day, but you won’t be any less impressed with the surroundings and the beach setting. If you’re venturing out to all the secret beaches, head to Cannet and Fossola at the same time. They are both very close and known for their seclusion.
12. Bonassola Beach
Bonassola is stunning and easy to get to from the promenade. It’s also a very small beach, which means it’s less likely to catch the eyes of everyone around you looking for a beach to stop at.
There are bigger beaches nearby like Levanto and Vallesanta.
You will find it to be picturesque, relaxing, and maybe even quiet when compared to the busy beaches down the line!
Planning to visit the Beaches in Cinque Terre
One thing you should know about the local beaches of Cinque Terre is that they are not all the same. In fact, most of them have distinct differences.
In some areas, you have rocks and pebbles all along the beach. And in other areas, you have white sand to settle in. Some beaches even have both.
If you visit the beaches in the busiest seasons, you will need to head out earlier to claim your spot. Be prepared to have to look for a beach that isn’t full or crowded as well. You can find the more secluded beaches or check out one of the less popular ones for a great time with fewer people.
As you consider planning your beach trip, take a look at these tips!
Choose Your Top Beach Choices
Start by narrowing down your top choices for the beaches. Which beaches do you most want to visit? Keep in mind that you might need a backup plan from your top choice, so choose the top three or five that you most want to visit and then plan from there.
Some of these areas get jam-packed. If you’re willing and able to get there early, that gives you better chances of getting a good spot or even getting access at all!
Pack Wisely
Depending on what beach you are going to, it may be challenging to haul a lot of items with you. Some of the top beaches come equipped with chairs or umbrella awnings, while others have nothing at all available.
Scope out the beach of your choice and figure out what it does or does not have available. You also should plan out your route so you know if you will be able to get there with your arms full of beach gear.
Be sure to pack some of these items!
- Sunscreen
- Towels
- Water shoes
- Snacks and drinks
- Hats and sunglasses
Create your packing list based on the beach of choice.
Views and Activities
Remember that every beach in Cinque Terre is unique. You will find a variety of views and different activities. Some beach options are just a stretch of beach, and you set up where and when you can find space.
Others are more organized with designated spots and swimming areas.
Check out the views and plan your water activities for your beach day.
Soak up the Sun in Cinque Terre
There are no beaches in Cinque Terre that are not worth visiting, but they can all be quite different. This location is not really known for its sandy spots on the beach, although some beaches are sandy.
Others have rocks and pebbles along the path, and you may need a chair or thick blanket to be cozier. That being said, they are all spectacular, with phenomenal water views and enjoyable setups.
What beaches are on your wish list?
See our article on where to stay in Cinque Terre.
If you are looking for tropical places with crystal-clear waters (which Cinque Terre, of course, also has), we suggest you check out beaches in Sardinia.
Also, read our Cinque Terre travel guide.
Cinque Terre Beaches on Map
FAQ
Are There Beaches in Cinque Terre?
Yes! There are quite a few beaches among the different villages and along the coastal line.
Which Cinque Terre Town Has the Best Beach?
This may be a matter of opinion! The Monterosso beaches are the most popular for their sand and large spaces.
What’s Better? Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre?
It depends on what you are after. Amalfi Coast is all about glamor and easy access. Cinque Terre is all about adventure and exploration away from the busiest spots.
What is the Best Beach in Cinque Terre?
Quite possibly, Fegina is one of the best overall choices.
Where is the Best Cinque Terre Beach to Swim At?
For swimming, Riomaggiore is one of the top choices.