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6 beaches near Genoa: Where to go for sun, sand, and surf

Genoa beach club with chairs set along the water and colorful buildings in the background

Beaches near Genoa 

With so many wonderful beaches nearby, Genoa makes for the perfect trip for appreciating both the amazing culture and history of Italy along with enjoying the Ligurian Sea and Mediterranean climate. The coast surrounding Geno boasts several beautiful sand and pebble beaches either within a walk or a short drive of the city centre. The Riviera di Levante region along with Cinque Terre are can’t-miss destinations for luxury or Instagram-obsessed travelers.  

Genoa itself offers a few sandy beaches and beach resorts if you’ve worked up a sweat hiking the Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi a Nervi. If you’re planning a day at the beach but have excess items or even valuables you don’t want to bring with you, there are Bounce luggage storage facilities in Genoa and other destinations. It takes just a few minutes to book online via the mobile app or website, and dropping the bags off is effortless! 

Boccadasse Beach near Genoa with the sea coming right up to the buildings

A local's picks for the 6 best beaches near Genoa 

There are beautiful sandy beaches (some have pebbles as well) up and down the coastline of the Ligurian Coast, many of these will be public with traditional lidos. These are private areas where you can pay for luxury amenities like refreshments and cabanas and are sectioned off. Some will also offer swimming pools if the sea doesn't appeal to you. There are usually restrooms or facilities for washing off, and there will almost always be cafés and restaurants within a short walk of the beach. 

The conditions couldn't be better. The coastline is naturally stony so even the best sandy beaches are surrounded by rocks and pebbles. This provides a natural feel to the scenery of a large sandy beach without impacting the comfort of swimmers and sunbathers. In terms of the weather, you can expect very warm Mediterranean temperatures from spring through fall, with comfortable (but not always swimmable) conditions during the winter. 

Camogli beach near Genoa at sunset

Camogli

Situated only a short 20-minute train ride East of Genoa, Camogli’s sandy beach is situated along its promenade and provides the perfect setting for a relaxed beach outing with the family or a romantic getaway. You'll be within walking distance of the charming town center, and most of the stylish boutique hotels are situated along the water.

It’s an entirely public beach so the facilities are fairly basic, but you'll have bathing establishments along with bathrooms. For refreshments, you’ll want to head into town to a café or taverna unless you spring for a place at La Rotonda Bar’s terracesThe town is easy to reach from Genoa, and you can leave your luggage with Bounce before taking the train to Camogli. This way you won't have to lug your bags to the beach and any electronics will be protected from sand and water.

Spiaggia Libera Sotto La Chiesa

Just a 30-minute cab ride away from central Genoa in the charming fishing village of Bogliasco, which has a fully-sheltered pebble beach area perfect for swimming and sunbathing. You can also hop on REG 12359 towards Sestri Levante to Bogliasco in roughly 40 minutes.

This is a public beach situated along the promenade, with a platform for enjoying views of the sea and town. You'll be surrounded by steep cliffs that make for dramatic views, and even better Instagram posts. This beach actually flies under the radar so you'll be treated to more intimate experiences and a tranquil setting. Heading to Bogliasco for the day? Keep the bags in Genoa safe and sound while you jet over to this lovely beach via cab, train, or even Vespa.  

Sestri Levante water views at Baia del Silenzio

Spiaggia di Pegli

Of all the Genoa beaches, this one feels the most integrated into the city despite being six miles from the city center. Set in a harbor between an adventure park and Genoa’s airport, you'll have easy access to this public beach featuring sandy conditions and ample protection from larger waves. The drive here takes about 20 minutes from Genoa Old Town, and from Piazza Principe train station, you can catch train REG 22834 and arrive in about 25 minutes.

The proximity to the Genoa Adventure Park makes it ideal for families with young children, especially given the comfortable and safe swimming conditions. If you want to hit Spiaggia di Pegli right before or after flying in, you can drop the bags off at a nearby Bounce location. 

Baia del Silenzio

It’s about 90 minutes by train, but Sestri Levante is home to one of the top destinations in the region, with lovely beaches along the Baia delle Favole and Baia del Silenzio. The horseshoe-shaped waterfront is lined with sandy beach areas filled with public areas along with a few private beach clubs. Being sheltered in the bay the blue sea is comfortable and suitable for visitors of all ages. The town centre and its many restaurants and cafés are nearby, but the beach provides a tranquil atmosphere and relaxing vibe. 

View through the changerooms to the water at Santa Margherita Ligure near Genoa

Santa Margherita Ligure

One of the most appealing towns along the Ligurian coast is the lesser-known Santa Margherita Ligure, which is within 30 minutes of Genoa between Rapallo and Portofino. The town and beach are sandwiched between the sea and dramatic topography leading from the surrounding hills, providing eye-catching views from the waterfront when you look inland. This Genoa beach has a choppy coastline that features intricate little coves and hamlets that you can explore via a walking path. After, you can relax on the Blue Flag beachfront with impeccable water quality, and comfortable facilities. There are beach bars, volleyball courts, and restaurants all set on the beach, even a swimming pool for less sea-loving visitors and children. The nearby harbor also has boats for hire if you want to explore the dramatic coastline surrounding Santa Margherita Ligure. 

Arenzano Beach near Genoa with dark pebbles and clear, turquoise water

Arenzano

Whether you're looking to spend time at the beach or not, Arenzano is certainly worth a visit if you're heading up and down the Ligurian Riviera. It only takes about 30 minutes (by train or car) to reach Arenzano from Genoa, and you can enjoy one of the most historic towns in the region along with the views of the amazing Beigua Mountain. The town’s mile-plus stretch of sandy and pebbly beaches features a variety of exclusive bagni beach clubs and the Terrarossa and Porticciolo public beaches that have lidos sectioned off. Porticciolo has the best views of the harbor, but you really can't go wrong with anywhere in Arenzano as the crystal-clear water showcases Posidonia reefs and other marine life. 

If you're planning on exploring the historic town center before you hit the beach, you'll want to pack as lightly as possible. Dropping the excess bags off with Bounce is a great way to lighten the load for your train ride and your belongings will be completely safe and backed up by our bag protection.

Some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy are situated either in Genoa or within a 30-minute commute. So, why not take advantage while you're in this historic city? Planning a quick day trip to a surrounding town on the coast or simply heading to the local beach is a great way to enjoy the gorgeous Mediterranean weather while breaking up all the sightseeing you're doing. 

Bounce can take care of the bags while you head to a different town, and the Genoa locations will be convenient for heading to the waterfront if you're staying in town. Our luggage storage spots are secure and you can book online using our website or mobile app, which makes the whole experience a breeze.  

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