The little Ligurian coastal town of Levanto, with its population of around 5600, is just remote enough - lying at the end of a thickly wooded valley of pines and olives, between the Levanto and Mesco headlands. It lies some 60km down the coast from Genoa and 20km northwest of La Spezia. A near neighbour is the Cinque Terre National Park - so sea on one side and beautiful country on the other.
We've got some very nice historic sights in and around Levanto. There is the medieval castle, which (considering the amount of internicine warfare which beset this part of Italy in the Middle Ages) is in remarkably complete shape. There are two fine churches in the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Costa and Chiesa di Sant'Andrea. This latter 'church of St Andrew' is a very good take on 13th century Ligurian Gothic - the black-and-white banded facade is rather reminiscent of Siena Cathedral; a superb rose window too.
Out of town we have the Villa Agnelli, on a quite stunning headland and with terrific gardens laid out at the turn of the 20th century. In town, there is the Piazza della Loggia, the square with a 13th century loggia which in 2007 gained Unesco protection. Also see the Piazza Cavour, once the inner courtyard of the Monastery of the Order of St Claire. You'll find the town hall and local library here. Feast days include the Festa di San Giacomo (Feast of St James) and Festa del Mare (Festival of the Sea), in late July. There is the Festa di Nostra Signora della Guardia (a traditional band concert) in late August, and the Sagra del Gattafin (a fried pastry stuffed with onions, beets, eggs and grated cheese) every June.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Levanto hotels.
