Levanto Surf & Travel Guide – 2025/26 Updated
The surf in Levanto includes a protected jetty break to a sand-bottomed beginner break and is surely some of the best in northern Italy.
The people of Levanto were apparently left stunned by the first wave of riders who came and tried their hand on the sloppy cross-Med swells that break in their town back in the 1980s.
However, they were certainly onto something because the main beach in this bustling seaside town on the cusp of the legendary Cinque Terra has some of the most reliable breaks in the country. And I’ll say this: It’s surprisingly good!
They work because of the almost consistent meeting of three different wind systems – the very same that make nearby Genoa a sailing mecca literally all year round.
The best of the bunch is the end-of-winter mistral, which sweeps down from France to offer regular wind swells that bring the waves up to overhead height. When that happens, they can even get tubular and offer rare barrels beside the Italiano Riviera. Pretty cool.
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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Italy
Levanto surf at a glance
The good:
- Regular wind swell
- Right by the legendary Cinque Terra
- Good for beginners
The bad:
- Not the best quality – it’s no Portugal
- Not reliable – often flat
- Rarely gets to overhead height
What’s in this guide to Levanto surf?
Where is Levanto?
Levanto is a seaside resort in the Italian province of La Spezia. It’s quite the tourist hotspot, thanks to the presence of the handsome Cinque Terra (a series of five villages that dot the nearby coast) and the proximity of the Monterosso reserve (a gorgeous area of high cliffs and coves that’s said to be a fine alternative to the expensive Amalfi Coast).
The nearest airport is the Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA), which has good but often seasonal links to Rome, Munich, and now even London thanks to Ryanair
The best way to do Levanto is to hire a car and drive down from one of the regional airports. The road in is a bit windy but this is a gorgeous area to cruise around. That way, on the inevitable flat days, you can head out to explore other parts of the area – including the Cinque Terre (one of Italy’s most bucket-list destinations).
Levanto surf spots
All the main spots in Levanto are spread along the main bay in front of the town. Groynes and breakwaters separate it and curve around almost 180 degrees, so different locations in that bay work slightly differently. Honestly, a good bet is to use your eye on the day. Scan the bay. See where’s good.
Varazze
Varazze isn’t in Levanto at all. In fact, it’s about 1.5 hours’ drive away around Genoa bay and the coast of Liguria.
However, I think it’s always worth a mention on guides about north-west Italian surf because it’s hailed as one of the finest breaks in the country.
You’re looking at a beasty A-frame that can handle 8-10 foot swells on the windiest days, with a fast left and a challenging right into the jetty. It’s even been compared to the cream of southern California, Trestles! And that’s in Italy. Worth looking at for sure.
>> Read our complete guide to Varazze surf
La Gritta
When the strong SW winds are billowing over the north end of Corsica in the summer and fall months, the La Gritta bathing area at the top end of Levanto bay can start going off.
It’s not the easiest spot to surf on account of the cluster of dangerous, half-submerged boulders interrupting the line. However, it’s the only part of the bay that can handle the highest summertime swells, which themselves are rare. When it works it’s a short but snappy ride over shallow rocks.
Nadia
Probably the best of all the breaks in the main bay of Levanto when the winter mistral winds are coming in hard from the NW-W direction, the Nadia break can offer rare Italian barrel sections.
It’s usually more of a hollow wall though, with both directions rippable off a steep and sucky peak. This is where the best local crews will ply their trade if it’s working.
Casino
Casino is the every person wave of the Levanto surf scene. It relies on a shifting sandbank that’s right in front of the – you guessed it! – main casino on the promenade.
Some years it doesn’t form up so well, but in others, it can give one of mainland Italy’s longest left-handers. Goofies will eat their hearts out towards the end of the winter when the W winds are really kicking because that brings the best reliability to the location.
Pietra
Pietra is the place to go when there are really heavy low-pressure systems kicking up through the bay. That can happen when the Leveche blows hard in the summer months or with medicanes in the winter.
The spot here is the best sheltered of all in the main beach area and it can handle some big size. It’s got some quality when it gets rolling too, with both left and right peaks, though the former is unquestionably the better ride.
Mainly a good intermediate’s spot and up. Not really for beginners, largely because of the conditions required to get it pumping.
When to surf in Levanto?
The winter is the peak time to surf in Levanto.
Strong mistral winds towards the end of the winter blow west over the top end of Corsica and Sardinia to bring the best swells of the year into the bay at Levanto.
It starts around December and carries on until May, but there are bound to be lots of off days in between – this is Italy, not Portugal!
It’s also possible to get storm swells in the southern Med working here, especially thanks to the protected breaks at the south end of the main beach, which have the harbor wall to help cut out the slosh. They usually come through in December, Jan and Feb, but can also hit in autumn.
Where to stay when surfing in Levanto?
Levanto strings out along a single bay between some lush green hills. It’s a lovely place to stay for a couple of days even if you’re not surfing, with the famous villages and mountains of the Monterosso al Mare reserve just to the south and plenty of beaches to get stuck into.
We’ve gone for places that put you within good reach of the waves here but that’s kinda killing two birds with one stone. Even if there isn’t any surf, the beach is the place to be.
- La Madonetta – Here it is. What I’d say is the most gorgeous boutique hotel in the town. It’s hidden away form the seafront but perched nice and high so you can still check the waves from the hotel. It’s housed in an old chapel, has bags of style, and great food is served.
- Hotel Garden – An urban hotel that’s simple but modern. The kicker is that it’s right on the shoreline so you’re like 20 seconds walk to the surf.
There are TONS more places here. A good way to make sure you’re going to be close to the seafront and the surf is to use Booking.com’s map feature to choose a hotel within close distance of the water.
Others things to do in Levanto that aren’t surfing
- Wander the Old Town – Stroll through Levanto’s cobbled streets, where pastel-painted Ligurian houses open onto little piazzas lined with cafes and gelaterias. Just chilling here is nice enough IMO.
- Visit Castello di Levanto – This 13th-century castle offers a glimpse of the town’s medieval past and panoramic views of the coast.
- Day Trip to Cinque Terre – This is one of Italy’s most celebrated places. Monterosso, Vernazza, and Corniglia are just a short train ride or hike away, making Levanto an excellent base for exploring. BUT, IMO there’s no better way to see this incredible region than by boat. An amazing tour runs from Pietra harbor in Levanto and takes you around the coast to see the villages from the water. It includes brunch!
- Cycle the Maremonti Bike Path – A scenic ride through old railway tunnels connecting Levanto to Bonassola and Framura, hugging cliffs above the sea. A really great way to spend a day with optional stops in lovely villages.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
