The Small Village of Levanto

Levanto is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations on the Riviera di Levante; it is synonymous with the sea, vacations and sweet climate. The town of Levanto is appreciated by both Italians and foreigners, it is called the gateway to the Cinque Terre because it is the perfect starting point for visiting the Cinque Terre being only 3 minutes by train from Monterosso al Mare, the first of the five villages. The winding road that, after exiting the highway, descends steeply toward Levanto will surprise you. Shady woods and verdant pine forests slowly give way to increasingly Mediterranean vegetation rich in flowers.

Here and there, on the hillsides, small villages appear with their inevitable little church and a few remote houses painted in classic pastel colors that fade from yellow and to red.

Finally, the sea that until then remains hidden from the prying gaze of travelers speeding along the highway. The eye glides along the green valley and over there, beyond the roofs of Levanto's houses, the blue sea stretches as far as the eye can see. n this Ligurian village two souls coexist: the maritime one, obviously linked to fishing and tourism, and the mountainous one, more unsuspected but equally active and fascinating. The village has a very interesting medieval historic center and, in addition, the surrounding hills are perfect for those who enjoy trekking and contemplating the Ligurian coast from above. The village has a medieval layout, typical of Ligurian towns. One often encounters narrow alleys in which the scent of freshly baked focaccia hovers and bright little squares with outdoor tables.

For me these are the things not to be missed in the historic center:

1) The Church of St. Andrew with its striped facade, typical of Ligurian churches.

2) Via Garibaldi, the bright central street of Levanto. Lift up your nose because, in addition to the stores and boutiques, the ancient palaces, many of them frescoed, are worth admiring.

3) The ancient Medieval Loggia.

4) The elegant Piazza Cavour, surrounded by arcades, which was once part of a 17th-century convent.

5) The Castle of San Giorgio, in a slightly elevated position above the village of Levanto. Since it is privately owned, you cannot access the interior spaces but it is still worth reaching.

6) Villa La Pietra, with its unforgettable belvedere overlooking the sea and the beaches of Levanto.