View on Monterosso al Mare beach, with clear water, colourful houses and green coastline

Beaches

Best Sandy Beaches in Liguria: Where to Find Soft Sand on the Italian Riviera

Looking for sandy beaches in Liguria? This guide highlights the best sand and sand-and-pebble beaches on the Italian Riviera, from family-friendly resort towns to scenic bays near the Cinque Terre.

Liguria is famous for clear blue water, colourful seaside villages and dramatic rocky coastline, but it is not always the easiest place to find soft sand. Many beaches on the Italian Riviera are pebbly, rocky or set in small coves, so choosing the right place matters if you want a more comfortable sandy beach day. This guide brings together some of the best sandy beaches in Liguria, including classic Riviera resorts, family-friendly beaches, train-friendly towns and scenic bays with a mix of sand and pebbles. Some are fully sandy, while others are sand-and-pebble beaches that still feel easier than the rockier coves along the coast.

Spiaggia di Alassio

Alassio sandy's beach, with surf lifeguard's tower

Spiaggia di Alassio is one of the best sandy beaches in Liguria and one of the most classic seaside resort beaches on the Italian Riviera. Set on the Riviera di Ponente, Alassio has a long stretch of soft sand, shallow water, beach clubs, public areas, restaurants and hotels close to the seafront. It is one of the easiest choices if you want a proper sandy beach holiday rather than a small rocky cove. The beach works especially well for families, couples and anyone looking for a comfortable full beach day with services nearby. - Why visit: one of the best long sandy beaches in Liguria. - Good to know: beach clubs are popular in July and August, so book ahead in peak season. - Best for: sand, shallow water, families, beach clubs and a classic Riviera resort feel.

Levanto Beach

Levant beach with sands, boat and umbrellas

Levanto Beach is one of the best sandy beaches near the Cinque Terre and a strong choice if you want more space than the small village beaches nearby. The beach has a mix of sand and pebbles, a wide bay, clear water, public areas, beach clubs and an easy town centre behind it. It is a practical option for travellers who want to combine beach time with the Cinque Terre, especially because Levanto has its own train station and good coastal connections. It also works well for swimming, surfing on the right days and a relaxed full beach day. - Why visit: one of the best beach bases near the Cinque Terre. - Good to know: it is sandier and more spacious than many nearby beaches, but still has some pebbly sections. - Best for: Cinque Terre access, train travel, swimming and a full beach day.

Monterosso al Mare

Monterosso al Mare is the best-known beach in the Cinque Terre and one of the best options in the area if you want sand. Unlike the smaller rocky swim spots in other Cinque Terre villages, Monterosso has a longer beach, beach clubs, public areas and a proper seaside feel. The beach is very popular, especially in summer, but it remains one of the easiest places in the Cinque Terre for a classic beach day. It is also simple to reach by train, making it a good option for visitors staying in Levanto, La Spezia or other coastal towns. - Why visit: the best Cinque Terre beach for a sandy seaside day. - Good to know: it gets very busy in July and August, especially near the station and beach clubs. - Best for: Cinque Terre, beach clubs, swimming and train access.

Baia del Silenzio

Baia del Silenzio is one of the most beautiful sandy bays in Liguria, set directly below the pastel buildings of Sestri Levante. The beach is small and very popular, but its sheltered setting, soft sand and village atmosphere make it one of the most photogenic beaches on the Italian Riviera. This is not the place for lots of space in peak summer, but it is perfect for a scenic swim, a slow morning by the sea or a romantic beach stop. Sestri Levante also has restaurants, cafés and a train station, which makes it easy to include in a Ligurian itinerary. - Why visit: one of Liguria’s most beautiful sandy bays. - Good to know: arrive early, because the beach is small and fills quickly. - Best for: scenery, couples, swimming and a beautiful town beach atmosphere.

Spiaggia di Moneglia

View on Moneglia beach, with umbrellas and green coastline

Spiaggia di Moneglia is a good sandy and mixed-shoreline beach on the Riviera di Levante, set in a sheltered bay between Sestri Levante and the Cinque Terre. The beach has public areas, beach clubs, restaurants and a relaxed town atmosphere, making it a useful option for a slower beach day. Moneglia is less famous than Sestri Levante or Monterosso, but that is part of its appeal. It works well if you want a beach town with train access, a calmer feel and enough facilities for a full day by the sea. - Why visit: a relaxed sandy bay with an easy beach-town feel. - Good to know: the shoreline is mixed in places, so expect some pebbles as well as sand. - Best for: relaxed beach days, train access, swimming and local atmosphere.

Spiaggia di Noli

Aerial footage of Noli beach with clear water and historical town

Spiaggia di Noli is a wide sand-and-pebble beach set in front of one of Liguria’s most attractive historic seaside towns. It is a good option if you want to combine a beach day with medieval streets, restaurants, gelato and aperitivo. The beach is not as soft and sandy as Alassio, but it is spacious by Ligurian standards and has a good mix of public areas and beach clubs. It works well for a full day on the Riviera di Ponente, especially if you want more character than a simple resort beach. - Why visit: a spacious beach with a beautiful historic town behind it. - Good to know: Noli does not have its own train station, so it is easier by car or bus. - Best for: beach plus village atmosphere, restaurants and aperitivo.

Spiaggia di Varigotti

Varigotti Beach wirh sands, clear water and view on the colourful houses

Spiaggia di Varigotti is a beautiful beach on the Riviera di Ponente, known for its colourful seafront houses, clear water and relaxed village setting. The shoreline is a mix of sand, gravel and pebbles, so it feels more comfortable than many rocky coves while still keeping a natural Ligurian atmosphere. It is a good choice if you want a scenic beach day near Finale Ligure, Noli and Baia dei Saraceni. Varigotti is especially appealing if you want to combine swimming with lunch, aperitivo or a walk through one of the prettiest coastal villages in Liguria. - Why visit: a scenic sand-and-pebble beach in one of Liguria’s prettiest villages. - Good to know: parking can be difficult in summer, so arrive early. - Best for: village charm, swimming, couples and a relaxed Riviera atmosphere.

Spiaggia d’Oro, Imperia Porto Maurizio

Spiaggia d'Oro, Porto Maurizio with sands and view on the houses

Spiaggia d’Oro in Imperia Porto Maurizio is one of the best sandy beaches on the Riviera dei Fiori. Set near Borgo Marina, with the historic old town rising behind it, the beach has a more classic seaside feel than many smaller coves in Liguria. It is a strong choice if you want sand, beach clubs, public areas, restaurants and a proper town setting. Porto Maurizio also gives the beach more character, with the option to walk up towards the historic Parasio area after swimming. - Why visit: one of the best sandy beaches in western Liguria. - Good to know: it is practical and comfortable rather than wild or hidden. - Best for: sand, beach clubs, families, restaurants and Riviera dei Fiori atmosphere.

Best Sandy Beaches in Liguria by Type

Best sandy beach in Liguria for families: Spiaggia di Alassio is one of the easiest choices thanks to its soft sand, shallow water, beach clubs and town facilities. Best sandy beach near the Cinque Terre: Levanto Beach and Monterosso al Mare are the best options if you want sand close to the Cinque Terre. Most beautiful sandy bay in Liguria: Baia del Silenzio in Sestri Levante is one of the most scenic sandy beaches on the Italian Riviera. Best sandy beach for a quieter stay: Moneglia and Bonassola are good choices if you want a calmer beach-town atmosphere. Best sandy beach in western Liguria: Alassio and Spiaggia d’Oro in Imperia Porto Maurizio are two of the strongest options on the Riviera di Ponente and Riviera dei Fiori. The best sandy beaches in Liguria are spread across the region, from Alassio and Imperia in the west to Levanto, Monterosso and Moneglia in the east. Some are truly sandy, while others are mixed sand-and-pebble beaches, but all offer a more comfortable alternative to Liguria’s rockier coves. If soft sand is your priority, start with Alassio, Monterosso, Levanto, Baia del Silenzio or Spiaggia d’Oro. If you are happy with a sand-and-pebble mix, places like Varigotti, Noli, Bonassola and Moneglia give you some of the best combinations of beach, scenery and Ligurian seaside atmosphere.