Hi, Italy-lovers
Which is better for romantic sandy beaches and coves and decent water.? I hear conflicting reports re Sestri L, Levanto, Monterossa and Bonassolo beaches. Seeking historic charm, colour, great waterside eateries, easy water access without shoes but not with heaving crowds, and seeking amazing scenery all round ...in late June!
Is that achievable? Thanks!
Could you share the rest of your itinerary?
No itinerary yet. This is the starting point for research for a 2-week relaxing colourful italian stay somewhere ridiculously scenic, with a few local boat and train trips to C Terre. Or at least a week and possibly the other week back at Lake Garda. Previously loved Ascona, Malcesine and similar.
The beaches you mentioned are similar. Monterosso may be the most crowded at that time of the year. In terms of scenery and quaintness, aside from the Cinque Terre (Monterosso) I like Bonassola better than Levanto. A little farther west, Sestri is nice, but I like Moneglia even better.
Beaches in that region are kind of pebbly, so don’t expect the sand of Waikiki, which however (few people know this) originally was transported to Hawai’i from Manhattan Beach, California.
If you are open to having a car? the nicest beaches I’ve seen in the general area is at Lerici.
Are there any other parameters we could be aware of? If I was going for beaches, I’d go to one of the islands.
A car is not required to travel to Lerici... just saying.
I was going to suggest looking in the San Terezno, Lerici area on the south side of the Bay of La Spezia. Lerici is more resorty with a harbor and castle over looking the coast and beaches start just south of Lerici. Sam Terezno was a fishing village and is smaller and mellower in tenor with many beaches - free and Italian lido style. It would be a train to La Spezia and then a bus or taxi to either of these towns. They are connected by a coast waterfront walkway with beaches along the way.
In the surrounding area - Porto Venere is across the bay - reachable by ferry - and tiny Tellaro is reachable by bus. Inland Sarzana is over the hill by bus from Lerici.
Any area with a beach will be filled with people taking to the beach by the end of June. Excluding the towns of the CT you are more likely to encounter Italian heading to the beach for the summer than American daytrippers.
I'd love to carve out a week or two to explore this coastal area more, but if I was going back for the beach part this is where I would return to.
Have a great trip,
=Tod
