All you need to know about surfing in Italy.
Italian swells draw all kinds of surfers, not only from the beautiful little towns perched along the dramatic coastlines, but from all over the world.
Let's be honest. When people visit Italy, they usually don't think to pack surfboards along with their cameras and hiking boots.
A country highly sought after for its rich history, prehistoric architecture and food culture that is world class, walking around Italy with a surfboard nestled under the arm could strike locals and tourists alike as, well, a little odd.
That said, however, Italian swells draw all kinds of board riders, not only from the beautiful little towns perched along the dramatic coastlines, but from all over the world.
Liguria
Surfers at Levanto with wavy sea in five lands park. Ph: auralaura / Shutterstock.com
Firstly, the Ligurian Sea.
Liguria offers one of the best selections of surf spots that Italy has. Stretching some 350 kilometres (220 miles), surfers of all abilities can find what they are hunting for in Liguria.
Levanto boasts one of the most popular waves in Italy and offers over 500 metres of beautiful coastline. Although almost always crowded, there's waves on offer for all board riders due to the range of peaks that operate at different difficulties when swells hit and the lengthy stretch of beach which facilitates an even spread of surfers.
Heading towards the French border, spots like Sanremo and Varazze emerge. Just as popular as Levanto, these spots offer some more technical waves which challenge those who decide to paddle out. With an extensive reef running along this part of the Ligurian coast, waves tend to stand up brilliantly and offer critical take offs, the odd barrel and ample sections to rip apart underfoot.
