The Stunning Cinque Terre Beaches You Have to Visit

If you find yourself on the west coast of Italy, you’ll no doubt want to visit at least one of the stunning Cinque Terre beaches that dot La Spezia and the Levanto coast. Although this region is not famous for long sandy beaches, it is still a truly spectacular area.

Cinque Terre beaches are gems of the Mediterranean that you won’t want to miss. The shoreline is different, loaded with small beaches, some of which are surrounded by natural beauty, while others lie below the colorful homes of a fishing town.

The splendidly turquoise Ligurian Sea is all around you.  You can simply enjoy taking in all the sights, or else go hiking, or eat at lovely eateries. After that, enter the water any place you feel like it.

The Cinque Terre region of Italy has five idyllic little beach villages (Manarola, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare) that the Mediterranean Sea separates from one another. The breathtaking panoramic views, clear blue waters and long stretches of beachside make these some of the best places to visit in Europe.

You can also check out the stunning La Spezia Beaches.

Riomaggiore Beach – Cinque Terre Beaches

This beach is the first of the five you’ll reach in the Cinque Terre region after descending from Riomaggiore train station. It’s the most popular beach in the area and is a favorite among tourists, as it offers a beautiful, panoramic view of the sea.

Many tourists don’t know that Riomaggiore has a coastline with giant rocks and pebbles. You can discover it if you go left from the little angling harbor.

The water here is relatively shallow, perfect for families with little kids or those who only want to get their feet wet. There are plenty of opportunities for sunbathing and people-watching as well. The beach is in a stunning natural environment – just rocks and the sea. Don’t search for lockers, clubs, or ice cream sellers here.

Walking over the big rocks can be a bit challenging; however, it’s a nice area for a swim if you are staying over in Riomaggiore. We would advise bringing a set of water footwear.

Monterosso Fegina Beach

Monterosso isn’t one of the most charming towns in the Cinque Terre, but it has the most stunning Cinque Terre beaches worth visiting. Monterosso has two towns, a new town and an old one. The Fegina beach is in the new town and is one of the most well-known beaches here.

You have most likely seen hundreds of pictures of this beach, with a big rock in the sea and eco-friendly orange umbrellas.

Almost 80-90%  of the beach is private, with lidos, sunbeds and also umbrellas, so you have to spend money to relax out here. You can rent two sunbeds and one umbrella for a day for about $25. The other 10-20% of the area is free for all, and it is situated right in front of the train terminal entrance.

Both areas are bustling in summer, so don’t expect excessive room to move around. Apart from the beach section that you’ll choose to visit, you’ll value the closeness to the series of beach bars, bakeries and shops when you feel a bit hungry between swims.

Spiaggia del Gigante Beach – Cinque Terre Beaches

On the right side of the main Fegina beach, another stunning beach is also available, called Spiaggia del Gigante. Search for the fantastic and colossal sculpture of Neptune. Here, you’ll discover both paid and free areas again, yet the free site is larger on this beach than at Fegina beach and somewhat quieter.

The risk-free swimming area is split into two, with an accessway for small watercraft between them. The sand is a bit gravelly, but it gently inclines into the sea, producing a shallow area that’s terrific for children. At the back of this beach, you have informal seafood dining spots and little changing huts.

Monterosso – Old Town Tragagia Beach

This quieter beach is located in the old town of Monterosso. Like the other beaches, it also has both paid lidos and freely accessible areas.

It’s just a few steps from the historic attractions. If you arrive by ferry, the beach will be right in front of you. If you get there by train, then after exiting the terminal, turn left, walk a couple of minutes, and cross the tunnel. You will locate Tragagia beach beyond the tunnel.

The coastline here is sandy, and the sea that beautiful shade of turquoise and also primarily devoid of rocks. This is a perfect beach for families with kids. There are plenty of restaurants nearby, and you have the attractive streets of the old town within a minute’s walk. You can also board watercraft and kayaks on rent from here to discover more afield.

Despite all these fantastic features, this beach is still not as famous as the main beach.

Manarola Beach

The main Manarola beach is well-known for its golden-hour shots and dining establishments with exquisite views.  Manarola is also an attractive place to sunbathe and swim. The swimming is only for people who can swim, since the water is deep here.

This beach is one of the best Cinque Terre Beaches on our list. You will love floating on your back and looking at the brilliant colors of homes in Manarola above you.

Note that the sea can become a little rough here due to the ferries, yet protected swimming areas are behind the rough part.

Back of Manarola Beach

From the town, signposts are bringing you toward the primary lookout area in Manarola. You can adhere to the trail heading to the right to locate an additional small harbor with a devoted swimming area.

This is a much quieter area in Cinque Terre, with only a handful of individuals swimming. It’s a great alternative if you desire a bit more space.

Corniglia Beaches – Cinque Terre Beaches

Corniglia is located 100 meters above sea level. Many people do not know that the town has various beaches. There are, in fact, three areas for swimming here at Corniglia. My favorite is the little hidden bay behind and below the village.

You can reach it by following the Marina directions. You need to stroll down numerous steps for about five minutes. The water here is attractive and clean, and when swimming, you can delight in the sight of the green balconies of the buildings.

Corniglia Beach

Below the train terminal of Corniglia, you’ll find Corniglia beach. From the train station start strolling towards Manarola. When you reach the end of the old cabins, search on your left side and you will find entryway steps to an underpass. It’s a bit difficult to notice them initially, so search for them.

These steps will take you straight down to the Corniglia beach. You’ll also see signs created on the ground. Alternatively, you can keep going until you locate another set of steps on your right going down to the beach.

The beach will be a pleasant surprise. You will find a lovely straight coastline with huge rocks, most of which are beautifully formed by natural occurrences.

Guvano Beach

If you like adventure, check out the remote Guvano coastline between Corniglia and Vernazza. You can get there via an old railway tunnel. Stroll down the Lardarina steps, take a right turn, and walk toward the lonesome house there. You will notice the tunnel entrance near that house.

The passage is dark, so take a good flashlight with you. You will be strolling in the dark for about 15-20 minutes, and at some points, you will feel that it’s simply an endless tunnel. People also call it a “scary tunnel.”

But do not worry, it will definitely finish, and you will find yourself beyond Corniglia in a lovely oasis of olive trees. If you are claustrophobic or don’t feel good in dark places but still want to visit this fantastic beach, rent a boat and reach Guvano from Vernazza and Corniglia.

IMPORTANT

Guvano used to be a cultic nudist coastline in Italy and a much-loved area for hippies. It’s an “apparel optional” coastline, so if nude individuals do not trouble you, go. There are typically few people around, so you will be able to discover a serene corner for yourself.

If you are searching for a pure, natural, wild coastline, don’t miss the Guvano coastline.

Vernazza Beaches

Vernazza boasts some of the most photographed seasides in Cinque Terre. The central beach is sandy and typically Italian, backed by the colorful homes of the town square. In contrast,, the second beach is very rustic and rough.

Vernazza Port Beach – Cinque Terre Beaches

Unmistakable and very easy to locate, the harbor coastline at Vernazza is small yet flawlessly developed. This is your ideal location if you desire sand, tranquil water and comfort. It’s also terrific if you have youngsters with you.

The rocks and the Santa Church contribute to making the area popular for sunbathing and swimming. There is a cordoned-off area secure for swimmers away from the watercraft. Although it’s not vast,  it is sufficient for when you want to cool off and swim. Note that in summer this beach doesn’t have sun mid to late in the day day..

If the central beach is a little hectic, you can go up towards the end of the marina, where you’ll find holidaymakers relaxing on the rocks and diving into the blue ocean. There’s also a ladder if leaping isn’t your cup of tea.

During the horrible flooding of 2011, Vernazza was ruined. At the same time, nature has created a new, more rocky beach. You can get there from the main road, crossing a little rock passage.

Is It Worth Visiting Cinque Terre?

Cinque Terre is definitely worth a visit. Its amazing vistas of the Mediterranean Sea, vivid houses on steep, high cliffs, timeless Italian beauty, breathtaking hiking routes, wineries and delectable food make it an optimal getaway place for tourists. It is without a doubt one of Italy’s most attractive regions.

Cinque Terre is among one of the loveliest areas in Italy. The towns of Cinque Terre are magnificent. They lie on a UNESCO World Heritage Website and have been voted one of the most beautiful shorelines worldwide. The villages are all different, and each has its one-of-a-kind beauty.

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Conclusion

Cinque Terre is a luxurious destination. It would take a long time to explore all its fabulous beaches. Nothing can ever beat the view of the Cinque Terre. Halfway through your visit to these fantastic Cinque Terre beaches, you will realize why they are called paradise. From stunning views to colorful houses, local people and history, it is hard not to fall in love with this destination.