Villas Retreats
Cinque Terre – Hidden Beaches
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There are many beaches in the Cinque Terre, but most of them are quite hidden and secluded, with access through challenging paths, or with a private boat.
1 – Bonassola Beach
The hidden gems of this beautiful coast are often not marked on the map, and can only be reached with instructions from locals. They are almost never covered in sand, but rather in small stones or rocks. In fact, to enjoy the most beautiful beaches and a swim in the area you almost always have to be prepared not to lie on a comfortable sandy beach but to sit on some pointed rock after walking on tricky paths. You might not be able to bring much equipment for the day (however, it is recommended to always carry water with you, as on many of these beaches there are no services). In short, the “secret” beaches of the Cinque Terre are ideal for those who do not necessarily love comfort and like to have a somewhat adventurous holiday time. Very often they can be reached only with a private boat.
2 – Albana beach or “The Red ones”
One of the most beautiful and popular hidden beaches in Cinque Terre is the “Rosse”, the “Red one” so called for the typical color of the rocks. The beach is actually called “Albana” and is reached by going down through a path from the village of Campiglia, and much more simply by boat.
3 – Canneto beach
Canneto, near Riomaggiore, has the peculiarity of having a source of natural and fresh water, and an unspoiled sea. Unfortunately, it can only be reached with a boat, stopping between Punta Cavo and Punta Castagna, between Riomaggiore and Portovenere.
4 – The beaches of Corniglia
Corniglia, which is the only village of the Cinque Terre which is not directly on the sea, has at least one of the most popular Cinque Terre beaches. Perhaps more than “secret” (everyone knows about its existence) it is just a little more difficult to reach and lack of services, so its is not crowded.
The beach called “Marina of Corniglia”, which is reached by crossing the village and reeling towards the sea with short stairs, is a small but pleasant grouping of rocks on which you can accommodate a beautiful swim.
5 – Guvano beach
Guvano is another of the “secret” beaches of the Cinque Terre, known by locals and tourists from all over the world to be a naturist beach, but also because it is beautiful and characterized by a shiny and transparent sea. However, the beach is almost impossible to reach: the old way through the Corniglia railway tunnel is closed today.
Further Notices
The pathway that diverts from the track from Corniglia to Vernazza is still compromised by the 2011 floods (it can be done for those who are more adventurous, but it takes about an hour and a half to walk both from Corniglia and from Vernazza). Of course, you can reach also sandy, well-equipped and large beaches: the main one is in Monterosso, with bars, restaurants, showers and lockers. Other villages just off the Cinque Terre, such as Levanto, Framura and Bonassola area offer more comfort.
Source: DoinItaly
