Spotorno beaches

What the beach is like

The bay of Spotorno is a smooth arc: from the west, towards Noli, to the east, towards Bergeggi, the beach is almost continuous. It is sandy and the seabed slopes gently, so the first metres of water stay shallow, which is why so many families choose the town. In the middle, the piers and rocks split the beach in two and are the favourite spot for people fishing or swimming away from the umbrellas.

Towards Bergeggi the sand gives way to a rocky coast with small coves and deeper, clearer water: the best area for mask and snorkel. This is where the island’s marine protected area begins, with its own rules.

Blue Flag

In 2026 the FEE confirmed the Blue Flag for the “Spotorno – Lido” stretch. The same list includes the beaches of Noli and Bergeggi: the whole bay has good water quality. After summer storms, though, check for any temporary bathing bans posted on the beach.

Beach clubs and free beaches

Spotorno is one of the Ligurian towns with the least free beach. Depending on how you count, free public beach is between 3 and 10 percent of the shoreline; the rest is taken by around forty beach clubs with umbrellas, loungers, showers, a bar and often a restaurant. Some have been running for more than a century.

Free stretches exist, but they are small. The busiest is at the eastern end, just before you leave town towards Bergeggi; another lies beyond the beach clubs to the west, where the funfair is set up in summer; a small one is near the fishing-boat pier in the centre. In July and August they fill up in the morning: arrive early or book an umbrella.

The town’s beach plan: what changes

In February 2026 the mayor presented a new plan for the use of the shoreline: 20 percent of the coast would become free beach and another 20 percent free beach with services, with light kiosks instead of beach clubs and free cleaning, lifeguards, showers and toilets. The aim is to meet the regional rule of 40 percent free beach, which has been suspended until September 2027.

The plan is contested by the beach operators and its effects are expected from the 2027 season, not before. In summer 2026 the situation was unchanged. If you are planning a 2027 holiday, check for updates on the Comune di Spotorno website.

Beach with children

Sand, shallow water and a flat promenade make Spotorno good for small children. Choose a beach club with a lifeguard and play area for maximum comfort: with so little free beach, in summer it is often the most relaxed option. Several clubs report step-free access for people with reduced mobility; ask for details when you book.

Beach with a dog

Some beach clubs in Spotorno accept dogs, usually with a dedicated umbrella and clear rules: ask before booking. Guides also mention a free dog beach on the stretch towards Noli, but we found no current ordinance confirming it. Before you go, ask at the town’s tourist office (Casa del Turismo) on the Via Aurelia or check the signs on the beach.

In the water: the Sentiero Blu and the island

Between Bergeggi and Spotorno the marine protected area has marked out a sea trail, the Sentiero Blu: about 2.5 kilometres lined by 27 buoys, around 200 metres from the beaches and 100 metres from the rocks. From May to the end of September it is closed to motor and sailing boats and reserved for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and paddleboarding. It is the simplest way to get close to the island safely.

Landing on Bergeggi island is not allowed, and swimming is banned in zone A off the island’s south side. If you snorkel, a diver-down buoy is compulsory. For rules, kayaking and the sea cave, read our guide to Bergeggi island and the Marine Protected Area website.

Nearby beaches

If Spotorno is full, alternatives are close. To the west, a few minutes by bus or on foot along the hillside path, are the beaches of Noli, also Blue Flag, with the fishermen’s beach in front of the medieval village. To the east are the smaller beaches of Bergeggi and Torre del Mare, a mix of sand, pebbles and rocks.

For wider beaches with more free stretches, take the train to Finale Ligure: the beaches of Finale are a few minutes from the station. Beyond Capo Noli there is also Varigotti, with its beach in front of the old fishermen’s houses.