
A long sand-and-pebble bay in a sunny village ringed by old Genoese towers — great for families and full-day beach days.
Moneglia's main beach stretches almost a kilometre along the village, with a mix of free public sections and well-kept lidos. The water shelves gently, making it one of the easier Ligurian beaches for small children. Two single-lane tunnels (with traffic lights) cut Moneglia off from the busy coastal road, so the village feels noticeably calmer than its neighbours.
Several free public sections along the bay.
Beach clubs available: Yes — sunbeds and umbrellas can usually be rented in season.
By train: Moneglia railway station - then a short 5-minute flat walk to the beach through the village. The station is on the Genoa–La Spezia regional line, making it an easy and direct coastal stop between Levanto and Sestri Levante
By bus: Local buses connect nearby Ligurian villages with Moneglia, with stops in the village centre. Services are mainly useful for short local transfers rather than long-distance travel
Parking: Paid parking available near the seafront and in designated areas around the town - availability is generally better than in the Cinque Terre, but spaces can become limited in August and peak weekend days
On foot: Easy, flat walk from both the station and village centre directly to Spiaggia di Moneglia
Spiaggia di Moneglia is one of the best beaches on the Riviera di Levante if you want an easy seaside day with a relaxed village atmosphere. Set in a sheltered bay between Sestri Levante and Deiva Marina, Moneglia has a wide sand-and-pebble shoreline, clear water and a slower feel than some of the more famous beaches near the Cinque Terre. The beach is a good choice if you want a practical Ligurian beach day without giving up scenery. The bay is framed by green hills and colourful buildings, with the town just behind the seafront. It is less dramatic than San Fruttuoso or Baia dei Saraceni, but much easier for swimming, sunbathing, families and longer beach days. Spiaggia di Moneglia is a mix of sand, gravel and small pebbles, with both public beach areas and managed beach clubs. This makes it flexible: you can keep things simple on the free beach or rent sunbeds and umbrellas if you want more comfort. Water shoes can still be useful near the shoreline, but the beach is generally more comfortable than many rocky Ligurian coves. One of the biggest advantages of Moneglia is that it works well without a car. Moneglia train station is within walking distance of the beach, with connections towards Genoa, Sestri Levante, Levanto and the Cinque Terre. This makes it a good alternative if you want to stay somewhere quieter but still explore the surrounding coast. Moneglia is also a good place to combine the beach with food and a relaxed evening. You can swim during the day, stop for focaccia or gelato in town, and stay for aperitivo or dinner without needing to move far from the seafront. For the best experience, visit Spiaggia di Moneglia in May, June or September, when the weather is warm but the beach is less crowded than in peak summer. In July and August, arrive early if you want a good spot on the public beach or plan ahead for a beach club.
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