Best Beaches in Liguria to Reach by Train: 10 Easy Coastal Trips Without a Car

A practical guide to 10 of the best beaches in Liguria to reach by train, including Camogli, Baia del Silenzio, Levanto, Monterosso, Santa Margherita Ligure and Alassio.

Liguria is one of the easiest coastal regions in Italy to explore by train. The railway line follows much of the Italian Riviera, connecting Genoa with seaside towns, fishing villages, Cinque Terre stops and some of the region’s most beautiful beaches. That makes Liguria a great destination if you want a beach trip without renting a car. In summer, travelling by train can actually be the easier option: coastal roads get busy, parking is limited, and many beach towns are much nicer to explore on foot once you arrive. This guide covers 10 of the best beaches in Liguria to reach by train. Some are just a short walk from the station, while others need a slightly longer walk or an onward connection, but all are realistic for a no-car beach day.

Camogli Beach

Camogli is one of the best beach towns in Liguria to reach by train. The station is close to the seafront, so you can arrive, walk down through town and be at the beach within minutes. The beach is long, pebbly and very scenic, with colourful houses behind the promenade and plenty of cafés, focaccia shops and restaurants nearby. It works especially well as a day trip from Genoa, but it is also worth the journey if you are travelling from further along the coast. Camogli is a good choice if you want more than just a swim. You can spend time on the beach, walk along the waterfront, have lunch by the sea or stay for aperitivo later in the day. - Best for: village atmosphere, easy train access, aperitivo and a full seaside day. - Good to know: the beach is pebbly, so water shoes can make swimming more comfortable.

Santa Margherita Ligure

Santa Margherita Ligure is one of the most useful beach towns in Liguria to reach by train. The station connects easily with Genoa, Camogli, Sestri Levante and the Cinque Terre line, and the town centre and seafront are close enough to reach on foot. The beaches here are more polished and urban than hidden or wild, but Santa Margherita works very well if you want an easy beach day with restaurants, cafés, hotels and transport links nearby. It is also one of the best bases for visiting Portofino and Paraggi without a car. This is a good choice if you want a comfortable seaside town rather than a remote beach. You can swim, have lunch by the water, walk the promenade, or continue towards Portofino later in the day. - Best for: easy train access, restaurants, elegant seaside atmosphere, Portofino and Paraggi connections. - Good to know: for clearer water and a smaller bay, continue from Santa Margherita Ligure towards Paraggi by bus, taxi or on foot.

Baia del Silenzio, Sestri Levante

Baia del Silenzio is one of the most beautiful train-friendly beaches in Liguria. Sestri Levante has a railway station, and from there you can walk into the historic centre and down to the bay. The beach is known for its calm water, pastel-coloured houses and sheltered setting. It feels romantic and very Ligurian, especially early in the morning or later in the day when the crowds start to thin. Baia del Silenzio is a strong choice if you want a beach that feels special but is still easy enough to reach without a car. You can combine the beach with a walk through Sestri Levante’s old town, lunch nearby or an evening aperitivo close to the water. - Best for: scenic swimming, couples, historic town atmosphere and easy no-car trips. - Good to know: the bay is small and very popular, so arrive early in summer.

Monterosso al Mare

Monterosso is the best Cinque Terre village for a proper beach day and is very easy to reach by train. The station is close to the seafront, and the beach is much larger than the swimming spots in the other Cinque Terre villages. There are beach clubs, free sections, restaurants and classic Cinque Terre views, so it works well if you want both scenery and convenience. Monterosso is the obvious choice if you want to swim in the Cinque Terre without compromising too much on comfort. It is busy in peak season, but it remains one of the most practical and enjoyable beach options in the area. - Best for: Cinque Terre beach days, beach clubs, easy train access and first-time visitors. - Good to know: Monterosso gets very busy in summer, so arrive early if you want a good spot.

Alassio Beach

Alassio is one of the best sandy beaches in Liguria and is easy to reach by train. The station is close to the town centre and beach, making it a strong option if you want a more traditional seaside day. Unlike many Ligurian beaches, Alassio is known for softer sand and a long, gently sloping shoreline. It has plenty of beach clubs, restaurants, shops and accommodation, so it works well for both day trips and longer stays. Alassio is especially good if you want a classic beach holiday feel rather than a small rocky cove. It is one of the most comfortable choices in Liguria for families, longer beach days and travellers who prefer sand to pebbles. - Best for: sandy beach, families, classic seaside holidays and longer stays. - Good to know: in high season, much of the beach is organised with beach clubs, so check free beach areas if you prefer not to pay for sunbeds.

Boccadasse

Boccadasse is one of the easiest seaside stops if you are already in Genoa, only 15-20 minutes walk from Genova-Sturla train station or c.20 minutes by bus (number 31) from Genova Brignole station. It is not a big beach day destination, but it is perfect for a short swim, a walk by the water, gelato or aperitivo in a colourful old fishing village. The beach is tiny and pebbly, so come for the atmosphere rather than space. It is a good choice if you want a quick taste of the Ligurian coast without travelling far from the city. Boccadasse is especially useful if you are staying in Genoa and do not have time for a full day trip. It gives you sea views, village charm and a simple swim without needing a complicated plan. - Best for: short visits, Genoa-based trips, aperitivo and photography. - Good to know: it can get very crowded because the beach is small and easy to reach from the city.

Moneglia Beach

Moneglia is a very practical choice if you want a proper beach day by train. The station is close to town, and the beach is easy to reach on foot. The beach is larger and more relaxed than many of the tiny coves nearby, with a mix of free areas and beach clubs. The town itself has a low-key feel, which makes it a good alternative if you want something quieter than the Cinque Terre. Moneglia works well if you want a slower seaside day: swim, have lunch, stay for a few hours and avoid moving around too much. It is one of the better choices in Liguria if you want convenience without the busiest tourist crowds. - Best for: relaxed beach days, families, train access and a quieter Riviera atmosphere. - Good to know: it is a useful option if you want more space than the smaller village beaches.

Bonassola Beach

Bonassola is one of the easiest beaches in Liguria to enjoy by train. The town has a station, and the beach is only a short walk away. It has a relaxed, local atmosphere and usually feels calmer than nearby Cinque Terre beaches. The beach is broad by Ligurian standards, with a mix of sand and pebbles depending on the area and season. Bonassola is a good choice if you are staying near Levanto or the Cinque Terre but want a quieter place to swim. It feels less hectic than the more famous stops, while still being practical for a train-based beach day. - Best for: easy train access, relaxed atmosphere, couples and quieter beach days. - Good to know: Bonassola is also a nice base if you want to combine the beach with a coastal walk or bike ride.

Levanto Beach

Levanto is one of the most practical beach towns in Liguria by train. It has a station, a large beach, a proper town centre and excellent connections to the Cinque Terre. The beach is much bigger than the small coves in the Cinque Terre villages, which makes it a good choice if you want space and facilities. It is also popular with families, surfers and travellers who want an easier beach base near the Cinque Terre. Levanto works especially well if you want the convenience of a larger beach town but still want to be close to the Cinque Terre by train. It is a strong option for a full beach day rather than just a quick swim. - Best for: families, longer beach days, Cinque Terre access, space and facilities. - Good to know: the station is not directly on the sand, but the walk through town is straightforward.

Sori Beach

Sori is a simple, local-feeling beach option east of Genoa. It is less famous than Camogli or Santa Margherita Ligure, but that is part of the appeal. The station is close enough to make it a practical choice if you want an easy swim without committing to a bigger day trip. The beach is pebbly and set in a small coastal town, with a more everyday Ligurian feel than the headline destinations. It is a good option if you are staying in Genoa and want somewhere straightforward, scenic and reachable without a car. Sori is not the most dramatic beach in Liguria, but it is useful, authentic and very manageable by train. - Best for: easy beach trips from Genoa, local atmosphere, short visits. - Good to know: you can rent sunbeds at the public beach or directly at the beach clubs.

Final Thoughts

Liguria is one of the best regions in Italy for beach trips by train. If you want an easy seaside day, choose Camogli, Moneglia, Bonassola, Levanto, Monterosso, Sori or Alassio. If you want atmosphere and scenery, Baia del Silenzio, Santa Margherita Ligure and Boccadasse are beautiful choices. The best option depends on where you are starting from and what kind of beach day you want. For space and convenience, choose Levanto or Alassio. For classic Ligurian charm, choose Camogli or Baia del Silenzio. For Cinque Terre by train, start with Monterosso.