A local guide to the best beaches around Genoa in 2025

When you think of Liguria, your mind likely jumps to the Cinque Terre. And when you hear Genoa, you probably picture a city steeped in history, palaces, and museums.

That’s all true, but what if we told you Genoa is more than just an art destination? That hidden between its winding streets and rooftops are stunning beaches and quaint fishing villages, all overlooking a surprisingly clear sea?

Genoa is a city that stirs every sense: a tangle of narrow alleyways and majestic architecture, cradled by the deep blue Ligurian Sea. Once nicknamed La Superba, it gave birth to Christopher Columbus and still today is a port of stories, flavors, and serendipitous encounters.

Get lost in the caruggi, bite into the most fragrant focaccia you’ll ever taste, and let yourself be charmed by an authentic, heartfelt hospitality. And when you feel like slowing down, the sea is just around the corner.

Yes, because in the surrounding area there is no shortage of beautiful coastlines that are rightfully among the best beaches around Genoa and deserve to be discovered slowly. Let's go! 

Even in 2025, Genoa confirms itself as one of Italy’s most surprising destinations, where the charm of a historic city meets the thrill of diving into the sea. 

More and more travelers are choosing to explore the maritime soul of this Ligurian capital and its surroundings, where ancient fishing villages overlook enchanting bays and the deep, clear sea winds between wild cliffs and golden beaches.

Whether you're drawn to untouched nature or looking for comfort and relaxation, this stretch of coastline offers the perfect balance of authenticity and wonder.

So let yourself be guided: 2025 is the ideal year to discover the most beautiful beaches around Genoa, corners of Liguria still capable of leaving you breathless.

The best place to soak up the sun just steps from the city center? Without a doubt: Boccadasse, Genoa’s little seaside escape.

This ancient fishing village has resisted the passage of time and the rush of mass tourism, preserving all its original charm.

Tucked around a tiny bay, it’s a mosaic of pastel houses, pulled-up boats, stone stairways, and postcard-perfect sea views.

It’s the kind of place where you stop for a gelato, and find yourself, hours later, still gazing at the sea.

Perfect for a break from city buzz without straying far, Boccadasse is also an ideal spot for a romantic dinner with a view or a peaceful evening stroll along Corso Italia, the elegant promenade linking the city to this coastal gem.

In just a few minutes, you move from urban rush to a suspended, storybook atmosphere.

Available services
The beach at Boccadasse is public and pebbled but offers several essential services. Along the waterfront and in the heart of the village, you’ll find restaurants, ice cream shops, and cafés for a relaxing pause.

Boccadasse also takes part in the Spiagge Inclusive initiative, offering JOB chairs and accessible pathways for people with disabilities, free of charge and without reservation.

How to get there
You can easily reach Boccadasse from the Genova Brignole station using the bus service with line 31 or line 15.

Alternatively, get off at Genova Sturla station and enjoy a short 15-minute walk (1.3 km).

If driving, the closest highway exits are Genova Est and Genova Nervi.

Where to park
Parking near Boccadasse isn’t easy, especially on weekends or in peak season. There are no designated parking lots inside the village.

You might find free or paid street parking in the surrounding areas, but your best bet is to leave your car in the large paid lots near Genova Brignole station.

From there, take a pleasant walk along Viale Brigata Bisagno and Corso Marconi until you reach the coast.
Rates average around €2.30/hour, but street parking becomes free after 9 p.m.—a great option for evening seaside plans.

On the easternmost tip of the city, Genoa Nervi offers a beach experience unlike any other: right here, above the rocky cliffs where you can sunbathe or dive into the sea, runs the famous Anita Garibaldi Promenade. Two kilometers overlooking the sea, with breathtaking views of the Portofino promontory, and behind you, the lush Nervi Parks: the perfect blend of nature, landscape, and culture.

You can access the cliffs directly from the promenade, and in summer the area is popular with both swimmers and fishermen. In addition to rocky platforms and beach clubs, Nervi also boasts some small beaches: to the east lies Capolungo, to the west, the tiny port beach, and further towards Quinto, Caprafico beach.

This is a destination where you can alternate between sunbathing and swimming, romantic walks and peaceful moments, a true seaside oasis that’s still within the city limits.

Available services
In Genoa Nervi, you'll find both equipped beach clubs and free public beaches. The Anita Garibaldi Promenade is the highlight of the area: starting from Nervi’s small harbor and stretching to Capolungo, it offers unforgettable views. The nearby Nervi Parks feature large green spaces, ideal for resting in the shade.

How to get there
By car, take the A12 motorway and exit at Genova Nervi. From there, it’s just over 4 km to the harbor. If you're traveling by train, get off at Genova Nervi station, right next to the Anita Garibaldi Promenade and close to both Capolungo and Caprafico beaches. 
Alternatively, buses 15 and 17 connect Nervi to the city center (Genova Brignole station). 

Where to park
Finding parking near the station or the parks can be challenging, especially on weekends. Along the seafront, a few parking spots are available on Via Giannelli, between Murcarolo beach and Caprafico beach. The main paid parking areas are located on Via del Commercio, Via Bartolomeo Pagano, and Via Guglielmo Oberdan.

The first encounter with the Riviera di Levante as you leave Genoa behind is a gem nestled between the sea and the hills: Bogliasco, with its colorful houses, a church overlooking the water, and a seafront promenade scented with sea salt, is a fishing village where everything invites you to slow down.

Guarded by Monte Cordona and nestled into a natural inlet at the mouth of the stream that shares its name, it manages to pack a varied landscape into just a few meters: small beaches, cliffs, crystal-clear seabeds, and a sea that deepens quickly, ideal for swimmers and divers who want to escape the noise.

The main beach, a strip of coarse sand and pebbles, is located right in the center of town, just steps from cafés, the main square, and ice cream shops.

If you're looking for a more secluded corner, head to the eastern end of town where you’ll find the Pontetto Cliffs: rocky, panoramic, without facilities, but perfect for snorkeling and diving.

From there, the views are incredible: Genoa to the west, and Portofino rising on the eastern horizon.

Facilities available
Bogliasco offers small public beaches nestled into the historic center and a few wild-looking cliffs for those seeking peace and connection with nature. A few private beach clubs are also available.

The Pontetto Cliffs are more isolated and untouched, with no services, best suited for those who appreciate a more essential experience.

How to get there
By car, take the A12 highway. If you're coming from the west, exit at Genova Nervi; from the east, Recco is more convenient. From either exit, follow SS1 Aurelia toward Bogliasco.

If you prefer public transport, Bogliasco is an easy choice: its train station sits right in the town center, well-served by trains running on the Genoa–La Spezia line. It's just a short walk from the station to the beach.

Where to park
Parking in Bogliasco is possible but requires some patience, especially on weekends. The main parking spots are along Via Aurelia, from Pontetto to the central beach.

A small paid parking lot is also available near the medieval bridge, handy if you arrive early in the morning.

Just a few kilometers from Genoa, overlooking the deep blue of the Ligurian Sea, Sori is one of the most charming seaside destinations of the Eastern Riviera.

The village stretches around a wide and harmonious bay, where a beach of dark sand and pebbles runs for about 400 meters, nestled between the railway and the jagged coastline.

Here, the sea is the undisputed star: its clear waves lap against a shoreline that, though not always easy to access, offers a raw sense of freedom and genuine emotion.

The sandy seabed slopes gently, making swimming enjoyable even with access points nestled between the rocks.

For those who prefer rocky coves to traditional beaches, Capo Pino is a natural terrace perfect for sunbathing and relaxing with a view.

In summer, the beach comes alive with dives, seaside strolls, and chats under beach umbrellas. Meanwhile, the village behind it preserves its timeless Ligurian charm, with bars, gelato shops, and seaside cafés perfect for lingering until sunset.

Facilities
The beach is divided between private lidos and public stretches, easily accessible near the boat shelters and next to the seaside pool. You’ll also find bars and small food stalls, ideal for a quick snack by the sea.

How to get there
Sori is well connected, both by car and public transport.
By car, take the A12 motorway and exit at Recco (only 4 km from Sori toward Genoa) or at Genoa-Nervi (10 km away).

However, the train is the easiest option: the railway station is just steps from the beach, perched above the sea on the Genoa–La Spezia line.

Where to park
Parking in Sori is limited, especially during high season. Near the beach, beneath the overpass, you’ll find a few paid spots (blue lines). There are also free but time-limited spots along the Sori stream.

The most strategic option is the Park Campo Sportivo Rio Cortino, where you can leave your car for free and reach the beach via shuttle or a scenic 2.3-kilometer walk.

In the heart of the Gulf of Paradise, Recco stands as a bright gateway to the Eastern Riviera: nestled between Sori and Camogli, it perfectly blends natural beauty with unmistakable flavors.

Its beach (among the best beaches around Genoa) stretches for about 2 kilometers, lapped by crystal-clear turquoise waters and soft golden sand that beckons you to lay down and soak in the sun.

Strolling through the town center, you immediately sense a discreet elegance—remnants of its past—that reveals itself in architectural details and the lively local life. And then there’s the unmistakable scent of Recco’s focaccia: crisp, gooey, and delicious, it has become the town’s signature dish, beloved by locals and visitors alike.

The sea here is not just to admire but to experience. From relaxing swims to scuba diving and water sports like windsurfing, Recco offers a complete beach escape for those who want to alternate leisure with active adventures.

Facilities
The beaches are divided between well-equipped beach clubs and free public areas. The lidos offer everything you need: bars, restaurants, public toilets, and accommodations like hotels and vacation rentals.

For water sports lovers, there are guided dives and aquatic excursions to explore caves and vibrant seabeds.

The two main lidos are located in the town center, flanked by two quieter public beaches—less crowded than those in more famous locations.

How to get there
Recco is easily accessible by car or train. By car, take the A12 motorway and exit directly at Recco. Alternatively, the slower but scenic State Road SS1 Aurelia offers a beautiful coastal drive.

The Recco train station is served by the Pisa-La Spezia-Genoa railway line, with frequent regional and Intercity trains connecting it to Liguria’s major towns.

Where to park
White-lined spots (free) require a parking disc with a one-hour time limit on weekdays, but are unrestricted on weekends.

There are also various paid parking areas around the town center, convenient for anyone looking to have everything within walking distance.

There are places where time seems to slow down, almost to a halt, and San Fruttuoso is one of them: a hidden bay nestled between the lush greenery of the Portofino Park and the deep blue of the Ligurian Sea, accessible only by foot or by boat, among the best beaches around Genoa.

What welcomes you is not just a dreamlike landscape but a tiny fishing village suspended between nature and spirituality.

At the center of the scene stands the Benedictine Abbey of San Fruttuoso, safeguarded by the FAI since 1983: facing the beach, it’s one of the most iconic and scenic sights in all of Liguria. Just beyond it, the Doria Tower, built in the 16th century to defend the bay from pirates, keeps watch.

The beach itself is made of pebbles and washed by turquoise waters that belong to the Portofino Marine Protected Area. And just below the surface lies one of the Mediterranean’s most fascinating treasures: the Christ of the Abyss, a bronze statue submerged at 17 meters deep, attracting divers from all over the world.

Facilities
The beach is free to access but includes a small equipped area with sun loungers and umbrellas. You’ll also find a bar and a restaurant with stunning sea views—perfect for a relaxing break after a swim. Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities here, thanks to the crystal-clear water and vibrant underwater life.

How to get there
You can’t reach San Fruttuoso by car, and that’s part of its charm. It’s accessible by boat from Camogli, Portofino, or Santa Margherita Ligure, or by hiking through the Portofino Park trails.
Walking times vary from 2 to 3 hours, depending on your starting point and chosen route.

Where to park
There are no parking areas directly near the bay. The best option is to park in Camogli or Santa Margherita, where you'll find paid parking facilities and ferries that take you to San Fruttuoso.

In the heart of the Gulf of Tigullio, tucked between Rapallo and Portofino, lies a bay so clear it feels like a natural swimming pool.
This is Paraggi Bay, a small Ligurian gem that takes your breath away at first glance: golden sand, emerald-green waters, and the lush hills all around create a magical, almost surreal atmosphere.

Paraggi is one of the few sandy beaches in the area, and it’s likely this uniqueness that makes it so beloved. It’s no surprise that the bay has earned a Blue Flag for its water quality and remains one of the most sought-after destinations along the eastern Ligurian Riviera.

Though small in size, Paraggi offers everything you need for a perfect day by the sea.
The shallow, sandy bottom makes it ideal for children and less experienced swimmers

Our tip? Arrive early in the morning to catch the first rays of sunshine and secure a spot before the beach fills up.

Facilities
The free area of ​​Paraggi beach (especially where there is sand) is rather limited, there are mainly equipped establishments that provide sunbeds, umbrellas and everything you need to relax without a care. Bars, restaurants, public restrooms, and changing rooms are all available to ensure you enjoy your time in complete relaxation—surrounded by stunning natural beauty.

How to get there
Paraggi is about 4 km from Santa Margherita Ligure. You can reach it by car, by bus line 782, or on foot with a scenic walk along the coastal road—perfect for those who love sea views while strolling.

Where to park
Parking at Paraggi is managed by Portofino Mare. It’s well-organized, but prices can be steep, especially in high season.
If you're driving, we recommend checking availability and rates ahead of time—or consider leaving your vehicle in Santa Margherita and reaching the bay by public transport or on foot.

Framed by pastel-colored houses overlooking the water and dotted with fishermen’s boats, the Bay of Silence (Baia del Silenzio) is the poetic soul of Sestri Levante, about 40 kilometers from Genoa.

Shaped like a horseshoe, this quiet cove has enchanted writers, composers, and scientists alike, Hans Christian Andersen, Richard Wagner, and Guglielmo Marconi were all captivated by its charm. And it’s easy to see why: golden sands meet crystalline waters in a perfect dance of color and calm.

In summer, access to Portobello Beach, which occupies the bay, is limited to preserve the quality and serenity of the environment, but for now, no entrance fee is required. It’s a smart way to protect one of the Ligurian coast’s most treasured gems.

No reservation is required: staff will allow access until the maximum capacity is reached.

Facilities
Baia del Silenzio boasts a large free beach area and, in part, offers beach establishments for those who want to rent sunbeds and umbrellas, as well as toilets, showers and refreshment points. Despite its secluded atmosphere, it is equipped to allow bathers to experience a day at the beach in total relaxation.

How to get there
From Genova Brignole, you can reach Sestri Levante by train in about 50 minutes. The beach is just a short walk from the train station. If you prefer to drive, take the A12 motorway toward Livorno and exit at Sestri Levante—the journey takes approximately 45 minutes.

Where to park
Finding parking in Sestri Levante during high season can be challenging. Most parking spots are paid, especially in the northern part of town, while the historic center is a limited traffic zone.

One of the most convenient areas is between Largo Rosa Oberti and Largo Giovanni Masi, which offers hundreds of roadside spots. Other free parking options are available along Via Fascie and near Via Baden Powell, close to the public swimming pools, where a large lot accommodates many vehicles.