Beaches · Cinque Terre · Italy
The best beaches in and near Cinque Terre
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/150594450@N07/, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Fegina, Monterosso (Next to Monterosso station). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in June–September.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 5
- Swimming season
- June–September
- Warmest sea
- 25°C (77°F)
The beaches
Next to Monterosso station · Families and sunbathing
1.Fegina, Monterosso
The largest beach in the Cinque Terre, with fine pebbles and sand, beach clubs and some free sections.
5 minutes' walk from Fegina · Easy swims from the village
2.Monterosso old-town beach
A smaller beach below the old town, sheltered by the harbour wall.
Vernazza harbour square · A quick dip between hikes
3.Vernazza harbour
A tiny sandy patch and rocks inside the harbour, popular with children and swimmers.
Manarola harbour · Confident swimmers
4.Manarola rocks
No beach, but people swim from the rocks and ladders below the harbour on calm days.
One train stop north of Monterosso · Surfing and space
5.Levanto
A long sandy beach with surfable waves on swell days, beach clubs and free sections.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C (57°F) | 12°C (54°F) |
| February | 13°C (55°F) | 13°C (55°F) |
| March | 14°C (57°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| April | 15°C (59°F) | 18°C (64°F) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| June | 22°C (72°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| July | 24°C (75°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| August | 25°C (77°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| September | 23°C (73°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| October | 20°C (68°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| November | 18°C (64°F) | 16°C (61°F) |
| December | 15°C (59°F) | 13°C (55°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$ · Best for families, beach and first-timers
Monterosso al Mare
Monterosso, the westernmost village, is split by a headland into the old town, with its striped Church of San Giovanni Battista, and Fegina, the newer seafront by the station with the longest beach in the Cinque Terre. It has the widest choice of hotels and restaurants, the easiest walking and a busy beach-club scene in summer.
- Good
- Real beaches with loungers; Most hotels and restaurants; Few stairs by local standards
- Watch out
- Crowded with day-trippers in summer; Less dramatic setting than Vernazza or Manarola
- Nearby
- Fegina beach, San Giovanni Battista, Il Gigante, Sentiero Azzurro
Getting to the beaches
- Train — Regional trains between Levanto and La Spezia stop at all five villages; the hop between neighbouring villages takes about 2–5 minutes.
- Ferry — From spring to autumn, ferries connect Levanto, Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Riomaggiore, Porto Venere and La Spezia; there is no stop at Corniglia.
- Bus — Small park shuttle buses climb from the villages to hamlets and sanctuaries such as Volastra and up to Corniglia from its station; they are included in the Cinque Terre Card.
- Car — Driving is not recommended: roads are narrow and winding, the villages are closed to visitors' cars and parking is scarce and expensive.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in June–September. The busiest of those is July, so book early.
Beach safety
Trails are steep, narrow and slippery after rain: wear proper shoes, carry water and check the national park's trail status, as paths close after storms. Pickpockets operate on crowded trains and platforms in summer. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Cinque Terre have beaches?
Yes: Fegina, Monterosso, Monterosso old-town beach, Vernazza harbour, Manarola rocks and Levanto.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Cinque Terre?
Usually June–September, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Cinque Terre?
Fegina, Monterosso: The largest beach in the Cinque Terre, with fine pebbles and sand, beach clubs and some free sections.