Genoa travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Genoa, Liguria, Italy.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Genoa.
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- local, relaxed and unpretentious, long free shoreline
- Free beach (spiaggia libera) of about 3 km per Spiagge.it
- Seafront promenade
- Cafes and restaurants in Pegli
- Villa Durazzo Pallavicini park and Museo Navale nearby
Pegli Free Beach
Editor’s tip. Take the regional train from Genova Principe to Pegli rather than driving, as summer parking is limited.
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- local, family-friendly, wide and unfussy
- Wide public beach known as the Spiaggione
- Free sections (Cerusa, ponente and levante)
- Promenade and cafes
Voltri Spiaggione
Editor’s tip. Take the regional train to Genova Voltri and walk to the beach to avoid weekend parking problems.
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- quiet, local, clear water with occasional surf
- Grey pebble beach with clear water
- Small equipped section
- Surfers appear in rough seas
Vesima
Editor’s tip. Travel by train to Vesima station, since road parking is limited.
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- picturesque fishing village, small and busy in summer
- Small pebble beach among the houses
- Small bathing establishment at the foot of Capo di Santa Chiara
- Ice cream shops and seafood restaurants
- Rocks to sit on beside the bay
Boccadasse Beach
Editor’s tip. Take an AMT bus along Corso Italia or walk the promenade, as parking in the village is very limited.
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- local fishing-village feel, small and unhurried
- Free beaches (spiagge libere) at Vernazzola and Sturla
- Fishing boats and a small harbour at Vernazzola
- Bars and restaurants in the village
Vernazzola and Sturla
Editor’s tip. Take the regional train to Genova Sturla or an AMT bus, as village parking is very limited.
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- quiet residential coves, mix of equipped and free
- Pebble coves in the Quarto-Quinto stretch, most of them equipped
- Free coves at Murcarolo and Caprafico on the municipal list
- Cove beside the Giardini di Quinto
Quinto al Mare and Murcarolo
Editor’s tip. Take the Levante-line train to Quinto al Mare and walk to the coves, as parking is scarce.
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- genteel seaside district, rocks and gardens
- Rock-cut bathing spots and a pebble beach at Capolungo
- Clear water popular for snorkelling
- Parchi di Nervi gardens nearby
- Small harbour with a beach at the Nervi stream mouth
Nervi and Capolungo
Editor’s tip. Take the Levante-line train to Genova Nervi and walk the Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi to Capolungo.
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- upscale sheltered cove, beach clubs and clear water
- Sheltered bay with a small beach
- Beach clubs with loungers
- Restaurants on the front
- Starting point for coasteering outings to Portofino
Paraggi Bay
Editor’s tip. Take the train to Santa Margherita Ligure and then the Tigullio bus to the Paraggi stop, as the road is congested and parking is scarce.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Genoa memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Swimming season runs from June to September, with July and August the busiest. Many Genoa beaches are free spiagge libere managed by the Comune, while bathing establishments open from roughly May to the end of September.
Transport
The city beaches are served by regional trains along the Ponente and Levante lines from Genova Principe and Brignole, and by AMT buses along Corso Italia. Paraggi and the Portofino promontory are reached by train to Santa Margherita Ligure plus a local bus.
Cost
Free beaches cost nothing. Bathing establishments charge for loungers and umbrellas, with prices set by each operator and not published in the sources consulted.
Booking
Book loungers directly with an establishment in July and August. The Comune di Genova has used the SpiaggiaTi app to track occupancy on free beaches; availability of the app in 2026 was not confirmed.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Genoa’s coast.
Is Pegli Free Beach free to use?
Yes. It is a spiaggia libera, so there is no entrance charge. Paid loungers and changing rooms are available at separate bathing establishments along the seafront.
From the Pegli Free Beach editorial.
How do visitors get to Pegli from central Genoa?
A regional train from Genova Principe runs to Genova Pegli station, followed by a short walk to the seafront. The distance from the city centre is about 12 km.
From the Pegli Free Beach editorial.
Why is the beach called the Spiaggione?
Spiaggione means big beach in Italian, a name used locally for the wide public beach at Voltri.
From the Voltri Spiaggione editorial.
Is there a free area at Voltri?
Yes. Free sections, described as Cerusa, ponente and levante, allow visitors to use the beach without paying for a bathing establishment.
From the Voltri Spiaggione editorial.
What kind of beach is Vesima?
Vesima has a grey pebble beach with clear water, and a small equipped section with loungers during the summer season.
From the Vesima editorial.
Can visitors surf at Vesima?
Surfers sometimes appear when the sea is rough, since the beach is exposed to swell, but conditions are irregular and it is not a dedicated surf destination.
From the Vesima editorial.
Is Boccadasse a good beach for a full day of swimming?
The beach is small and pebbly, so it suits a short dip and sightseeing better than a full day. Longer swims are usually found at other eastern beaches.
From the Boccadasse Beach editorial.
How can visitors get to Boccadasse?
AMT buses run along Corso Italia from the centre, and a walk along the Corso Italia promenade ends at the village, about 5 km from the centre.
From the Boccadasse Beach editorial.