Boccadasse Beach

Boccadasse Beach sits in the former fishing village of Boccadasse, on Genoa's eastern seafront at the end of the Corso Italia promenade, about 5 km from the city centre in Liguria, Italy. It is a tiny pebble beach squeezed into a small bay among pastel-coloured houses around Piazza Nettuno, and it is one of the most photographed corners of the city. The water is generally clear and calm inside the little cove, but the beach itself is very small, so space is limited and the shore is crowded on summer weekends. The character is picturesque rather than resort-like: fishing boats are pulled up on the stones, the houses rise directly from the water, and the whole bay is more of a place to sit, stroll and take photographs than to spend a full day swimming. A small bathing establishment operates at the foot of Capo di Santa Chiara, offering a more organised way to swim, while visitors can also sit on the rocks beside the bay. Ice cream shops, including those that have made Boccadasse a destination for gelato, and seafood restaurants line the village lanes, so food is steps from the water. Lifeguard hours and lounger availability depend on the establishment and the season, so those seeking a long swim often prefer other beaches along the eastern coast. Getting there is easy: AMT buses run along Corso Italia from the centre, and many visitors walk the seafront promenade from the Foce area, which ends at Boccadasse. Parking in the village is very limited. The beach is best late in the day, when the light on the coloured facades is at its most attractive and the village fills with local residents out for an evening passeggiata.