Your complete guide to visiting Levanto with kids: explore the best family-friendly activities and reasons why this town is the ideal base for discovering Cinque Terre and the stunning Liguria coast.
Levanto is a charming, local town in Liguria, known for its family-friendly atmosphere, beautiful surroundings, and easy access to the iconic destinations of Genoa, Portofino, and Cinque Terre.
Situated on the coast, Levanto features a lovely town center, a spacious beach, and excellent train and boat connections, making it a fantastic choice for a getaway to explore Cinque Terre and other nearby locations.
Our family absolutely adores Levanto.
Whenever we visit Cinque Terre with our kids, Levanto is our preferred base. Every time we return, we rediscover the unique charm of this town: the local vibe, delectable cuisine, beach life, and playgrounds!
If you’re planning a trip to Cinque Terre, I strongly recommend incorporating Levanto into your itinerary or even choosing it as your base for a few nights.
Although it may not be as picturesque as the UNESCO World Heritage towns, Levanto has a more authentic feel. It typically offers more affordable accommodations and better parking options!
Based on our experiences, this guide aims to showcase the best of Levanto.
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Why Visit Levanto with Kids
Levanto is a small, picturesque town that has much to offer, especially for families.
Here are our main reasons for visiting Levanto:
- Levanto boasts a beautiful beach, significantly larger than others in the region.
- The town has a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, complete with a fantastic playground in the main square!
- Levanto is home to numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops, making it perfect for enjoyable days and evenings.
- It has excellent transport links to the rest of Liguria, making it a convenient base for day trips.
- Levanto usually offers more affordable prices compared to nearby Cinque Terre, making it a great budget-friendly accommodation option.
Most importantly, Levanto has a fantastic local atmosphere.
While it attracts tourists, it doesn’t experience the same influx of day-trippers as the Cinque Terre towns. This means you can still enjoy a pleasant aperitivo while your kids play, experience authentic Italian interactions, and savor a meal amongst locals—something increasingly rare in the Cinque Terre.
The Ideal Time to Visit Levanto with Kids
As a coastal town, summer is the best time to visit Levanto for beach activities, ferry rides, and swimming, especially from late June to mid-September.
If you visit outside of this timeframe, you may enjoy the town, though you might find the water too chilly for swimming (particularly before June).
Top Activities for Families in Levanto
The best activities in Levanto include both local attractions and day trips from this charming town.
Relax on Levanto’s Family-Friendly Beaches
Levanto’s coast features a beautifully expansive beach with delightful cafes and stunning views.
The beach is primarily composed of dark golden sand mixed with pebbles, typical for this region, but is well-equipped and very enjoyable.
Part of it is free (spiaggia libera), allowing access without charge, if you bring your own umbrella.
Other sections of Levanto’s beach have beach clubs offering rental services for umbrellas, chairs, and loungers, either for a day or the entire season.
Some beach clubs also provide kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals, offering a fun and active way to explore Levanto Bay.
These beach clubs also feature cafes and restaurants with scenic views, welcoming casual visitors as well.
All beach clubs line the sandy stretch, and they are family-friendly, allowing you to easily choose one according to your preferences.
We found those beach clubs closer to the ferry dock (to the left when coming from the center towards the free beach) tended to have more sandy areas.
A notable spot is the historic beach restaurant called Casino, which not only offers dining but also features a pool.
The beach clubs offer loungers for rent, either for a full day or half-day, and allow you to grab drinks while enjoying the view.
We had a delightful aperitivo at Bar Nadia with refreshing spritz and snacks (focaccia, pizza, and cured meats) for just 6 Euros per person, while soaking in the lively beach ambiance. When I say Levanto is budget-friendly, I truly mean it!
If you’re new to Italian beach clubs, you can find our guide here >>>
Let the Kids Play in Local Playgrounds
One of my kids’ favorite hangouts in Levanto is the main town square featuring a delightful playground and several engaging activities for children.
The playground has multiple climbing frames and slides, a trampoline area (for a small fee), some coin-operated games, and a space popular with local teens for skating.
The atmosphere is designed for young children, and there are various cafes around the square where you can relax with a drink while keeping an eye on the kids!
Enjoy a Stroll in Levanto’s Charming Center
Levanto’s town center is picturesque and perfect for a leisurely stroll.
The area near the beach is mostly pedestrian-friendly and features beautiful narrow streets with colorful houses, inviting cafes, and charming shops.
Unlike other Cinque Terre towns, Levanto’s center is more spacious and flat, so you won’t encounter as many caruggi (narrow alleys) and winding roads like those in Vernazza or Manarola.
The cute streets are enjoyable to explore, and the flat terrain makes it accessible for those with mobility challenges or families with strollers.
The most picturesque part of Levanto lies near the beach.
If you arrive by boat, you’ll see Levanto’s town center immediately upon disembarking from the port. If you arrive by train, there’s a short walk down from the train station to reach the flatter part of town.
Overall, the walk from either the station or port to the center takes no longer than ten minutes.
Although Levanto lacks significant landmarks, it features historical buildings worth visiting.
Don’t miss Monastero delle Clarisse, the busy Via Garibaldi, Oratorio di San Giacomo, and the medieval Loggia, remnants of Levanto’s historical heart.
Rent a Bike and Cycle to Bonassola
A scenic cycling path connects Levanto to the charming town of Bonassola, making it an easy ride for families!
This path follows an old railway line, offering a simple and picturesque bike ride. You can rent bikes in town, with options for kids’ bicycles and seats available. A reliable rental spot is Cicli Raso, located at Via Giuseppe Garibaldi 63, 19015 Levanto (right in the town center).
This leisurely ride is enjoyable, and Bonassola provides a perfect rest stop after your adventure!
Prior booking is typically unnecessary since there is a wide selection of bikes available.
Relish Wine Tasting in Levanto’s Town Center
Levanto has lovely wine bars, perfect for a relaxed evening of tasting various wines while enjoying the pleasant atmosphere of the town center.
The place I liked best is Cantina dei Mille, located on Via Garibaldi. They offer wine tastings accompanied by fresh platters of food and snacks.
Guests can sit indoors or outdoors; the setting is enchanting, yet the vibe remains informal and inviting.
Children are welcome, with sodas and snacks available for them as well.
Take the Train to Cinque Terre
Levanto has a well-connected train station with multiple daily services to the towns of Cinque Terre.
The train ride takes just a few minutes, and you can purchase single tickets or an unlimited day pass for the Cinque Terre regional train.
The pass is ideal for convenience and value; it can be purchased at Levanto train station or in La Spezia, the major gateway city for this region.
The train station is a 10-15 minute walk uphill from the town center.
Take the Boat to Cinque Terre (Highly Recommended!)
Levanto features a well-equipped tourist port from which you can board private boat tours or ferries to other Cinque Terre towns.
The ferry offers a convenient and cost-effective option: you can purchase a day pass allowing you to visit Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Riomaggiore, and even further to Porto Venere (which is beautiful but may be a stretch for a day with kids).
During summer, the schedule is arranged to allow you to visit all the coastal towns in a single day, leaving Levanto around 9 AM and returning around 6 PM.
Typically, advance booking is not required; tickets can usually be purchased on the day at the booth by the dock. We have successfully secured last-minute tickets even during the busy month of August!
The ticket booth is located on the promenade; head left from the town center, and you’ll find both the booth and the ferry dock directly in front of you.
However, please keep in mind
Important Note: The ferry service is subject to weather conditions. Due to the rocky and perilous docking at Manarola, Vernazza, and Riomaggiore, services may be suspended if the sea conditions aren’t safe. In such cases, the ferry company offers refunds and/or temporary suspension of services until the conditions improve. You can find complete information and schedules here.
Additionally, private and small group boat tours are available in Levanto, such as the Rosa dei Venti tour, departing from next to the ferry stop.
Learn How to Make Pesto
If you love pesto, there’s no better activity in Levanto than attending a class to learn how to make this local Ligurian delicacy.
In a pesto-making class, you’ll have the opportunity to craft your own pesto using fresh ingredients and traditional tools (mortars and pestles), which is not only educational but also a fun, hands-on experience for kids.
A budget-friendly option for a pesto class is offered by Arbaspaa (for children aged 10 and up). If you’re willing to travel to Vernazza, you can find a class that combines pesto-making with a delightful wine tasting session.
Family-Friendly Dining in Levanto
Levanto offers a variety of family-friendly venues serving everything from cured meats and focaccia to fresh seafood and pesto.
Some places we enjoyed include:
- Panificio Raso—ideal for takeaway focaccia and bread, located at Via Dante Alighieri, 25/29, 19015 Levanto SP, Italy.
- Focacceria Dome’—great for takeaway focaccia, found at Via Dante Alighieri, 18, 19015 Levanto SP, Italy.
- Cantina dei 1000—great wine and aperitivo options, located at Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 48, 19015 Levanto SP, Italy.
- La Vineria—lovely place for light meals, aperitivo, and wine, found at Piazza Staglieno, 28, 19015 Levanto SP, Italy.
- Gattabriga—a small, friendly restaurant with a curated selection of tasty dishes, located at Via Guani, 47, 19015 Levanto SP, Italy.
Where to Purchase Baby Essentials in Levanto
Levanto’s supermarkets and pharmacies, all conveniently located in the town center, provide baby and toddler essentials like diapers and sunscreen.
The town also has independent grocery stores and several shops selling summer necessities such as inflatables and beach toys.
Where to Stay in Levanto with Kids
On our last visit to Levanto, we stayed in a wonderful rental apartment called L’Orto dei Nonni.
It’s conveniently located near the train station and only a short walk from the town center. The apartment offers a double bedroom, a well-equipped bathroom, and a living area with a kitchen and sofa bed.
A charming terrace makes it an ideal spot for a short stay, allowing for the option to cook or dine out.
Other family-friendly accommodations in Levanto include:
Hotel Nazionale—super central and close to the beach; parking availability should be arranged in advance.
Hotel Palazzo Vannoni—cribs are available upon request; centrally located and also close to the beach.
Our Experiences and Additional Tips for Levanto with Kids
I genuinely love Levanto as a family destination and frequently choose it for our family stays in the region.
What I appreciate about Levanto is its delightful local feel. Unlike the day-tripper crowds seen in the nearby Cinque Terre, Levanto maintains a more relaxed and settled pace.
Here are the features that make Levanto exceptionally family-friendly:
- A delightful flat town center complete with pedestrian areas, making it stroller-friendly.
- An amazing playground, arguably one of the best in Cinque Terre, featuring a trampoline and merry-go-round!
- A lovely beach frequented by local families, with well-priced beach clubs.
- Numerous supermarkets, pharmacies, and shops catering to family needs.
- Excellent transport connections, allowing for easy returns to your accommodation during the day if needed.
- The cycling path to Bonassola is ideal for children—flat, short, and manageable.
How to Get to Levanto
Getting to Levanto is straightforward via train, boat, or car.
By Train:
The train is the best option for reaching Levanto.
Levanto has a well-connected train station offering services to Sestri Levante, La Spezia, and all Cinque Terre towns, making it an excellent gateway to the Ligurian region.
The train station is situated atop the town, with about a 10-15 minute walk to the town center. Please be aware that taxis are rarely available at this small station; it’s advisable to arrange transportation in advance with your accommodation.
Travel times are as follows:
Levanto – La Spezia: 20 mins
Levanto – Riomaggiore: 18 mins
Levanto – Manarola: 16 mins
Levanto – Corniglia: 14 mins
Levanto – Vernazza: 9 mins
Levanto – Monterosso: 4 mins
By Boat:
You can also reach Levanto by boat from the coastal towns of Cinque Terre and Porto Venere, which serves as the connecting port for ferries to La Spezia and Lerici.
The boat ride from Levanto to Monterosso takes approximately 30 minutes under normal conditions.
By Car:
Levanto is accessible by car via the A12 Genova-Livorno motorway. However, the exit is a bit remote from the town, requiring you to navigate a winding local road.
Given the parking difficulties during peak seasons, we find driving to be our least preferred mode of transport in this area.
Travel times by car are approximately:
La Spezia – Levanto: around 50 mins (depending on traffic)
Genoa – Levanto: about 1h20 mins
Pisa – Levanto: also around 1h20 mins
If you’re traveling to Levanto from abroad, check out our guide to the nearest airports to Cinque Terre.
I hope this travel guide to Levanto enriches your knowledge, especially for visiting with kids, and helps you plan an unforgettable adventure. Safe travels!
If you need further assistance or have any questions, feel free to join my FREE Facebook group focusing on traveling to Italy with kids. I’m excited to welcome you, and the tips from myself and fellow members are absolutely FREE!
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