Lavagna sits on the eastern bank of the Entella river, directly across from Chiavari and effectively its quieter twin. The town developed along a main street running perpendicular to the shore — typical of Ligurian coastal settlements that grew to service a harbour rather than a beach.
The harbour is Lavagna's chief asset today: a large, well-equipped marina popular with sailors working the Ligurian coast. The town's economic life revolves around tourism and the sea, and it has a relaxed, unpretentious feel compared to the busier resorts along the gulf.
The main historic monument is the church of Santo Stefano, originally medieval but rebuilt in 1650 by the architect Gio Batta Ghiso. In the Piazza della Libertà, the Baroque Palazzo Franzone — now the town hall — is worth a look for its ornate facade.