Pegli Free Beach

Pegli Free Beach is the public stretch of shoreline along the Lungomare di Pegli, in the western suburb of Pegli, about 12 km from the centre of Genoa in the Liguria region of Italy. Listed on Spiagge.it as a free beach (spiaggia libera) of roughly 3 km, it is one of the longest unrestricted bathing areas within the municipality. The shore is mostly pebble and shingle rather than fine sand, and the water is generally clear and deep blue-green on calm days, as is typical of the Ligurian Riviera di Ponente. The beach is open and straight rather than a sheltered cove, so it is exposed to southerly swell, and the sea can turn choppy when the scirocco blows. The atmosphere is local and relaxed: Genoese residents, families from the neighbourhood and walkers using the seafront promenade make up most of the crowd, with a quieter feel than the packed lidos of the Riviera di Levante. Because the beach is free, there is no entrance fee and no obligatory loungers, so visitors bring their own towels and umbrellas; paid bathing establishments are found on other sections of the Pegli seafront for those who want loungers and changing rooms. Cafes and restaurants line the promenade and the old town centre of Pegli, so food and drinks are a short walk away. Lifeguard cover is generally provided only at equipped establishments, so swimmers on the free sections should check conditions locally. Access is easy: regional trains run from Genova Principe to Genova Pegli station, followed by a short walk to the seafront, and the Aurelia road runs close by, though summer parking in Pegli can be tight at weekends. Away from the water, Pegli offers the Villa Durazzo Pallavicini park and the Museo Navale, which make good additions to a beach day or a rainy-day alternative. The long promenade also suits evening strolls, and the beach is used for sunbathing and swimming rather than watersports.