Many visitors know Levanto simply as the place where they catch the train to the Cinque Terre. In reality, this attractive Ligurian town deserves to be discovered in its own right. Set around a broad bay framed by steep green hills, Levanto combines a long maritime history, one of Liguria’s largest sandy beaches and a relaxed atmosphere that contrasts with the crowds often found in the famous villages just a few minutes away by rail.
Levanto has ancient origins, with evidence of Roman occupation, but it flourished during the Middle Ages under the Republic of Genoa. Its sheltered harbour became an important refuge for merchant vessels navigating the Ligurian coast, while agriculture, olive cultivation and maritime trade shaped the local economy. The medieval centre still preserves much of its original character, with narrow caruggi, elegant noble houses and the impressive Church of Sant’Andrea, whose alternating black and white stone façade is one of the finest examples of Ligurian Gothic architecture.
One of the town’s most interesting landmarks is the Castle of Levanto, originally built during the thirteenth century to defend the bay from pirate attacks. Although privately owned today, it continues to dominate the eastern side of the town and recalls the period when raids from the sea represented a constant threat to coastal communities.
A fascinating curiosity is the Maremonti cycle and pedestrian path, created from the abandoned railway that once linked Levanto with Bonassola and Framura. Instead of being demolished, the old tunnels were transformed into one of Liguria’s most beautiful coastal routes. Walking or cycling through the cool tunnels before emerging onto spectacular viewpoints overlooking the Mediterranean is an unforgettable experience and one of the highlights of the area.
Levanto is also one of the best places from which to explore the Cinque Terre without staying inside the national park itself. Trains leave regularly throughout the day, reaching Monterosso in only a few minutes and continuing to Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. This allows visitors to enjoy the famous villages while returning in the evening to a quieter and more spacious town.
For motorhome travellers, however, our experience was less positive. We visited the official Area Sosta Camper, mainly because of its strategic position beside the railway station. From a practical point of view it is difficult to beat: the train to the Cinque Terre is literally next door, and the service point for fresh water and waste disposal is easy to use. Unfortunately, we quickly realised that we would not want to spend the night there. The area sits immediately beside a busy road, and even during the day the constant traffic noise was impossible to ignore. We came away with the impression that it works much better as a service point or as daytime parking before taking the train than as a peaceful overnight stop. The location is undeniably convenient, but the level of noise ultimately led us to continue elsewhere rather than stay the night. (Park4Night)
Another remarkable feature of Levanto is its relationship with surfing. While much of the Ligurian coast consists of small coves and rocky shores, the shape of Levanto’s bay allows Atlantic swells to enter more easily, making it one of northern Italy’s best-known surfing destinations during the autumn and winter months. It is an unexpected sight to watch surfers sharing the sea with traditional fishing boats beneath the colourful waterfront.
The surrounding hills are equally attractive. Ancient mule tracks climb through olive groves, vineyards and chestnut woods towards small sanctuaries and panoramic viewpoints, while the famous trail to Monterosso follows one of the oldest historic routes between the coastal communities.
Levanto succeeds because it offers much more than a convenient railway station. It is a genuine Ligurian town with medieval history, beautiful coastal scenery and excellent access to one of Italy’s most celebrated landscapes. For us, although the official motorhome area did not convince us as an overnight stop, the town itself left an excellent impression and remains one of the smartest bases from which to discover the Cinque Terre.