About 200 miles of coastline, the Italian Riviera has great beaches which go from Ventimiglia in the west, sweep around Genoa, finishing just past the Cinque Terre, the 5 famous villages with unique vineyards plunging into the Mediterranean sea.
It’s very easy to reach the incredible Ligurian coasts.
If you are coming from Milan it’s just less than an hour’s drive, not far from the French border and a 30 minutes drive distance from the Langhe too.
A paradise located in North Italy!
In fact, it’s not easy for us to choose and put down a list of the best beaches.
Liguria offers a wide choice of beautiful beaches: from sandy to rocks ones, the Italian Riviera has been awarded with more Blue Flags Beaches “Bandiera Blu” this year than any other region of Italy!
Italian Riviera beaches
Finale Ligure
Let’s mention just a few of them: there’s Finale Ligure, in the Riviera delle Palme, with a long sandy beach and exotic palms enchanting any traveler coming from far.
A short distance there’s Spotorno, a charming village surrounded by hills rich of olive groves and maritime pines that provides a wonderful contrast to the sparkling blue of the sea.
Bordighera
On the Riviera dei Fiori, there’s Bordighera which has deep blue water and a year-long warm climate.
A lovely place to relax.
Lerici
On the opposite side of the riviera, we can find Lerici, a lovely village from which you can easily reach the famous Cinque Terre which site belongs to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage for its unspoiled nature.
Lerici has stunning views and crystal sea waters.
A perfect location from which you can reach Portovenere and take a boat to visit and swim in the clear water surrounding the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto.
You can find a list of the beaches awarded in Liguria in 2019 in the Blue Flag Programme which is part of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
I suggest a check, you’ll be surprised to find beaches which are not just the Cinque Terre, but that are as great as them.
Locals favorite beaches
Camogli
In addition to the blue flags beaches, I’d like to mention others which in my opinion are wonderful and known especially by local people.
Camogli just a short distance from Portofino, Sestri Levante with its Bay of Silence and Bay of Fables that has been inspiring for literary figures such as Hans Christian Andersen and Lord Byron.
San Fruttuoso
San Fruttuoso and its beautiful tiny bay that is unique.
It can be reached only by footpath or with a boat.
Recco
Recco where between a dip and a swim in the sea you can taste a piece of the famous focaccia with cheese!
There are still so many other beaches in Liguria, which one do you prefer?
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