Liguria has many sides and facets, but if you stroll along its coast you will always find the Ligurian gozzo, the traditional Italian Riviera fishing boat. In Levanto you can also hire one for a few hours, with a short briefing from the owner, and spend a slow day at sea along the coast of the Cinque Terre.
What is a gozzo?
Gozzi are those small, colourful boats that crowd Ligurian piers (even in winter), and they have done so since the 17th century, when piracy was finally defeated and coastal fishing became feasible again.
Although traditionally made of wood, fibreglass models are starting to spread, as they are lighter, cheaper and easier to maintain. Shipyards that build them are found throughout the region and are well worth a visit. If it were not for the hefty price, leaving without having bought one would be a real shame!
The local Italian Riviera fishing boat
To this day gozzi are hand-built, based on experience and knowledge of the seas they will sail. It is an art passed down from generation to generation. In Levanto the most famous yard is Schiaffino, where gozzi have been built for decades, and because of that it has very long waiting lists!
If the Ligurian marinas and shores are dotted with these boats during the summer, it is not unusual to find them parked in the streets of our seaside villages in winter, with fierce local cats sleeping on them, as in Vernazza.
Winter photos: gozzi laid up in the village lanes
Winter is the perfect time for photographs. When the season ends, the gozzi are laid up in our narrow lanes, which they fill almost completely, and the bright hulls against the village walls make for wonderful pictures.
How a gozzo works
Originally gozzi were rowing boats. Today the rowing version is only used for fishing or for mooring in areas where motors are forbidden.
The engine can be outboard, like on a speedboat but much smaller, or inboard. The inboard engine is the one that makes that typical muttering sound, like a dull song that somehow reflects our mood. It sits in a compartment at the centre of the boat and is connected to the propeller at the stern, next to the characteristic wooden bar rudder.
My favourite is the gozzo with the lateen sail, like mine. It has a single central mast, and the lateen sail is hoisted on a yard. Very often there is also a spinnaker.
Whichever version you choose, a few hours at sea on a gozzo are a slow, simple pleasure, at an average speed of 5 to 6 knots.
Hire a gozzo in Levanto with Rosa dei Venti
In Levanto you can hire a gozzo at Rosa dei Venti, run by Marco, the owner, who also takes guests on boat tours along the Cinque Terre coast. If you prefer another format, compare the options in our guide to the best boat tours in the Cinque Terre.
- Where: departures from La Pietra beach (Arenile della Pietra) in Levanto.
- Mini course: before you set off, Marco gives you a ten-minute introduction on how to handle the boat.
- Winter: hire is available on request, by contacting Marco through the contact details on the Rosa dei Venti website.
- Rates and conditions: check availability, rates and any licence requirements directly with Rosa dei Venti.
A nap in the coves between Bonassola and Framura
Once you drop the anchor in a cove, the gozzo has one more gift for you: the constant gentle swing and slow drift invite meditation and, more often, an afternoon nap. Dozing in the coves between Bonassola and Framura, rocked by the typical sway of the gozzo, is a must.
This is my holiday vision of the gozzo, though I admit it is not a purist one. These boats were born for coastal fishing, done in the past with lines, rods or nets. Ligurian tourism has grown a lot lately, so curious travellers who want to learn more about fishing can now try that experience too. Meanwhile, I keep choosing the afternoon nap on board.
Stay in Levanto
Levanto is a relaxed base for the sea, the coves and the Cinque Terre, and Oasi Eco Boutique Hotel is open all year. For the best conditions, book on our official website, see how booking direct compares with Booking.com on the book direct page, or write to us on WhatsApp at +39 0187 807356 or by email at info@oasihotel.eu.
Frequently asked questions
Can you hire a gozzo in Levanto?
Yes. You can hire a gozzo at Rosa dei Venti, with departures from La Pietra beach in Levanto.
Do I need experience to hire a gozzo?
Before departure, Marco, the owner of Rosa dei Venti, gives a ten-minute mini course on handling the boat. Check any licence requirements with Rosa dei Venti when you book.
Can I hire a gozzo in winter?
Yes, on request. Contact Marco through the details on the Rosa dei Venti website.
Where can I nap on a gozzo?
The coves between Bonassola and Framura are ideal: drop the anchor and enjoy the gentle swing of the boat.
What is a gozzo?
A small traditional Ligurian fishing boat, built in wood or fibreglass, that has been part of the Italian Riviera since the 17th century.
Where can I take photos of gozzi in winter?
In the narrow lanes of our seaside villages, where the gozzi are laid up for the winter, as in Vernazza.
Last updated: 1 November 2026
