The country of Italy is the perfect place to visit if you're looking for a relaxing vacation with an abundance of beaches. The Italian coastline stretches for a whopping 5,000 plus miles, and you're never without sun making the coastal waters warm and inviting. One area that many tourists like to visit is the Italian Riviera Beaches which not only offer many activities, but also beautiful scenic views and some pretty posh resorts too. Here are a few of the best rated beach areas of the Italian Riviera:

Cinque Terre Beaches

This area of Italian Riviera coastline includes the wonderful seaside villages of Monterosso, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore and Vernazza. Many travelers come to these beaches as well as the Cinque Terre National Park for the amazing hikes available along the seaside trails. You'll find such picturesque landscapes here thanks to the seaside cliffs and hidden coves open for exploration like Levanto, a cove located just to the north of Cinque Terre.

Portofino Beaches

The beautiful yachting and harbor town of Portofino is said to be one of the grandest in the world. You'll find the port town and beaches bustling with visitors almost year round as well as many luxurious boats and yachts coming in and out of the small but functional harbor. Standing above the fishing village on the hillside and looking down at the surrounding area, it reminds one of a screensaver they might put on their computer or phone as a background - it's just that phenomenal and picturesque.

Sestri Levante Beaches

In the town of Sestri Levante, you'll find fine white sands on every beach, and more of the same clean, crystal blue-green waters. This was once a small fishing village, pretty much unknown to tourists, but over the years it's become more popular as it's a place that is not wall to wall people at every turn like some of the other cities or towns along the Italian Riviera. Sestri Levante lies directly on the Mediterranean Sea but also has two bays of water on either side of the peninsula it's situated on.  

Sanremo Beaches

The town of Sanremo is nestled in between the Maritime Alps and the Mediterranean Sea offering a variety of beautiful sights and things to do. Sanremo is one of the more popular tourist destinations along the Italian Riviera, not only for its two harbors and lovely beaches, but also for its golf course, race track and casinos available. With its comfortable weather temperatures year round and the number of activities offered here, it is quite possibly one of the most attractive coastal cities to visit.