Nobody Visits The Untouched Town of Levanto Just 10 Minutes by Train From The Cinque Terre: 4 Reasons Why You Should

Located just 10 kilometers north of Monterosso al Mare, one of the five Cinque Terre, Levanto is a quieter, more affordable alternative along this coastline.

View of the town of Levanto from the terrace of a guesthouseLa Madonetta B&B is a great choice for couples with stunning views of Levanto

Yes, it may not have the same striking appearance as the Cinque Terre, with their pastel cottages tumbling down the hillsides. But what it does have, the Cinque Terre certainly do not.

Levanto is largely free of the crowds that descend on the five Cinque Terre during the peak summer months.

It’s also got a wide, flat beach which is hard to come by along this stretch of Italy’s coastline.

Besides being a great choice for a day trip from your accommodation in one of the Cinque Terre, you may want to consider staying overnight here or even basing yourself in Levanto for a few days.

Quaint street in the Cinque Terre
Quaint street in the Cinque Terre

Find the perfect Cinque Terre town for you

Deciding where to stay in the Cinque Terre can be tricky. Although all the towns are worth visiting, each town has its own special atmosphere and vibe, so the best place to stay in the Cinque Terre differs from person to person.

That’s what we did and it was definitely the right choice.

This guide will explore why Levanto deserves your attention if you’re going to be visiting the Cinque Terre.

Let's dive in!

A Quiet Escape From The Hustle and Bustle of The Cinque Terre

The beach in Levanto on a cloudy dayLevanto beach

If you’ve ever visited a popular tourist destination in Italy in summer, you’ll know that it can get very busy.

The five Cinque Terre towns are no different, with only Corniglia being significantly calmer than the other four. Add to that the fact that these towns are very small and compact with a few narrow lines where most visitors end up being squeezed through.

If that’s not for you, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit, but maybe plan your trip for shoulder season, either in spring (April, May) or late summer (September, October).

Can’t visit during the quieter months but still want to experience the Cinque Terre?

Base yourself in a town like Levanto and take day trips to the five towns. You could also spend a few nights in one of the Cinque Terre towns along with a few nights in Levanto or elsewhere nearby.

Levanto is a lot quieter than the Cinque Terre, making it a relaxing alternative for those seeking a bit of peace and quiet.

And if you’re not keen on traveling back and forth between Levanto and the Cinque Terre, you’ll be pleased to hear that it takes under 10 minutes to reach the five towns from Levanto on the local Cinque Terre Express train.

The great thing about this train line is that Levanto is included with the Cinque Terre, so if you purchase the Cinque Terre Train card, you get unlimited train travel on the line running between all these wonderful towns.

The trains run every 20 minutes, plus the card gives you access to a number of other perks including:

  • Free access to two hiking trails from Monterosso to Vernazza and from Vernazza to Corniglia.
  • No fee required for using the local buses in the Cinque Terre National Park.

Great Accommodation Options With Far Better Value

View of the pool from the balcony at the Park Hotel Argento in LevantoThe 4 star Park Hotel Argento exudes a laid-back secluded vibe

Because the Cinque Terre towns are so popular, hotels and apartment rentals can be pricey and if you book too late you run the risk of not finding anything available.

Levanto on the other hand doesn’t have this problem. There are some excellent apartment rentals and guesthouses to choose from, all with reasonable prices.

We stayed at the Villa Valentina and it was fabulous. There was a lovely garden area where we enjoyed the freshly-cooked breakfasts and refreshing aperitivos.

The service was top class with a wonderfully personal feel to everything about the place.

They also provide complimentary bicycles, particularly convenient for the cycling trail starting in Levanto, which we will explore shortly.

Other than the Villa Valentina, La Madonetta - Dimora d'epoca is another great bed and breakfast worth looking into. With a jacuzzi and terraces overlooking the sea, this is a particularly good choice for couples.

The garden area of the Villa Valentina guesthouse in LevantoThe garden at the Villa Valentina

If you’re looking for a good hotel however, you’re also in luck!

The Park Hotel Argento is a luxury 4 star hotel set on a hill just outside Levanto. You’ll be spoiled with gorgeous views of the Ligurian countryside as well as the Mediterranean.

Because it’s located a little out of town (800m from Levanto train station), you really do get to enjoy a relaxing escape with a secluded vibe. Combine a stay here with a few lively nights in one of the Cinque Terre and you’ve got the perfectly balanced Cinque Terre getaway all planned out.

Where to Stay in Levanto

Guesthouse garden in the town of Levanto near the Cinque Terre

Villa Valentina

Great value family-run guesthouse with wonderful service (we stayed here).

Luxury hotel room at the Park Hotel Argento, Levanto

Park Hotel Argento

Luxury 4 star hotel in an excellent location. Best choice for a laid-back stay.

View of the town of Levanto from the terrace of a guesthouse with a jacuzzi in the foreground.

La Madonetta

Bed and breakfast just out of town with gorgeous views. Popular with couples.

If You Enjoy Cycling, Levanto is a Must-Visit

Starting in Levanto and going north past the coastal town of Bonassola and ending in Framura, is a scenic cycling track of about 5 kilometers or 3 miles in length. It runs along the old railway tracks and tunnels along the coast.

I thoroughly enjoyed this route when we visited here with friends when I was younger.

Two bicycles at the Villa Valentina guesthouse in Levanto, Italy

The path is really simple and easy to follow so it’s great for both couples and families. It starts in Vallesanta, just by the western part of the Levanto promenade.

The tunnels serve as an excellent reprieve from the summer heat with their cool air and occasional droplets falling from the roof.

Between the tunnels you’ll be presented with some stunning views of the coast. After about 2,5 kilometers you’ll reach Bonassola. With its wide flat beach, it’s a great spot to have a break along the way.

You can rent bicycles from several spots around town for about 15 Euros a day, and many hotels and guesthouses offer them to guests including the Villa Valentina.

Starting in Levanto and going north past the coastal town of Bonassola and ending in Framura, is a scenic cycling track of about 5 kilometers or 3 miles in length. It runs along the old railway tracks and tunnels along the coast.

I thoroughly enjoyed this route when we visited here with friends when I was younger.

The path is really simple and easy to follow so it’s great for both couples and families. It starts in Vallesanta, just by the western part of the Levanto promenade.

The tunnels serve as an excellent reprieve from the summer heat with their cool air and occasional droplets falling from the roof.

Two bicycles at the Villa Valentina guesthouse in Levanto, Italy

Between the tunnels you’ll be presented with some stunning views of the coast. After about 2,5 kilometers you’ll reach Bonassola. With its wide flat beach, it’s a great spot to have a break along the way.

You can rent bicycles from several spots around town for about 15 Euros a day, and many hotels and guesthouses offer them to guests including the Villa Valentina.

A Great Mix of Things to See and Do

Aerial view of the seaside town of Levanto, just north of Monterosso al Mare, the most northerly Cinque Terre town on the 5 Terre mapView of Levanto Italy from the hillside

Besides the beach and the cycling trail, there’s still plenty to see and do in and around Levanto. With a population of around 5,000, Levanto is quite a bit bigger than all of the Cinque Terre, so there are a number of attractions worth checking out.

The Parrocchiale di Sant'Andrea church is one of the main ones. With the pattern and color scheme of the facade closely resembling the cathedral in Amalfi further south, it’s a beautiful little church. For an exquisite view of Levanto with the bell tower overlooking the town below, head to the hills just by the marina.

If you’d like to do some hiking, there are a few trails that start in Levanto so don’t think you have to be staying in one of the Cinque Terre to enjoy the coast's hiking trails. You can walk all the way to the closest Cinque Terre town of Monterosso in about 3 hours. Going in the opposite direction, you can also walk to Bonassola if you prefer walking over cycling.

A few other places to visit include Levanto’s main piazza (Piazza Cavour), the church of San Rocco and the Castle of Levanto located just up the hillside behind a stately pastel yellow villa.

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