Cinque Terre National Park is made up of five centuries-old seaside villages. Colourful houses surrounded by terraced vineyards and harbours full of fishing boats make this part of the Italian riviera truely breathtaking.
So why would you not want to stay in Cinque Terre?
Well hear me out. The cliff side villages can be difficult to navigate with steep hillsides and staircases. If you’re travelling with children this can be especially tricky. There is also the fact that Cinque Terre is a must-see destination which is great but means big crowds and lots of tourists. With the crowds come the hefty price tag on everything from accommodation to food.
Despite all this I still think Cinque Terre is a must visit destination but recommend you stay in Levanto just outside the national park.
Levanto has fewer crowds, lower prices and a great beach for families. It’s a popular destination among the locals meaning you’ll get a more authentically Italian experience. It is well connected with train and ferry lines making visiting the towns of Cinque Terre a breeze. The town is easily walkable with plenty of shops and delicious cafes and restaurants to dine at.
It is the perfect base to explore the area!
What do do in Levanto
Explore Cinque Terre
Of course this is why most people stay in Levanto and what better way to see it then by foot!
Hiking in Cinque Terre was a dream of mind and it did not disappoint. You can hike from Levanto into the first village Monterosso which will take around three hours or you can catch the train and walk between the villages which is what we did.
You’ll need to buy a Cinque Terre Card if you plan on walking the two most famous trails: Monterosso to Vernazza and Vernazza to Corniglia. Of course this is the exact path we did so grabbing a card was a no-brainer and also essential as you’ll have to show your card at the checkpoints. The trains are free with the card so you can hike as far as you like then catch the train home when you’re ready.
We hiked from Monterosso to Corniglia which was around 12km. This was a very special day and a great challenge for us. There were a lot of stairs and the path can be steep at times but the views are spectacular. Despite being there in the off-season the trail and towns are still busy so I can’t imagine how crazy the crowds are in summer!
Hire a bike
If you’re not exhausted from the incredible hiking in Cinque Terre you can hire a bike and visit the villages north of Levanto. The Ciclopedonale Maremonti connects Levanto to nearby villages Bonassola and Framura.
The path is an ancient railway track running along the coast. It’s about six kilometres and completely flat making it perfect for kids. There are nine tunnels along the path which means even on a rainy day biking is still enjoyable. The views, when not in the tunnels, are worth a stop to admire and you can even take the stairs down to the different bays for a swim.
Playground
A huge win for any travelling family is a playground and Levanto has one right in the centre of the village. You can sip on coffee or even a glass of wine at one of the nearby wine bars while watching your kids play.
This appears to be the gathering point for groups beginning Cinque Terre hikes and also the main hub for the locals to sit around and enjoy each others company. In the afternoon and evening the place comes alive!
Beach
The beach in Levanto is perfect for kids and depending on the time of year you’re there you can even surf! I had read reviews about needing to pay for sunbeds but given we were there in October the beach was free to enter and there were no sunbeds to hire which suited us perfectly.
Let me tell you the Italians have it figured out. They stop in the middle of the day for a siesta then as evening approaches they sit outside chatting to each other, sipping wine and snacking on cheese and meats. The community feeling is powerful.
Levanto felt like a home away from home. It was so friendly and welcoming and you can tell the locals really take pride in their town.
We really enjoyed the mix of active hiking and biking days and slow days spent at the beach, park and wondering the streets of Levanto.
The Whole of Us 
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