Savona's beaches one by one: Prolungamento a Mare, Fornaci, Natarella, Zinola, free stretches, Blue Flag 2026 and nicer sea nearby.
Savona is a port city, not a beach resort. The beach is there, long and easy to reach, but the setting is a working city: the harbour, the fortress and the traffic of the Aurelia road. It works well for a swim after sightseeing, or when you want a beach close to the centre without driving. If you want postcard water, the better beaches are a few kilometres away, at Bergeggi and Spotorno. This guide covers Savona’s beaches one by one, the free stretches, the Blue Flag and the nearby alternatives.
Savona’s coast is a string of beaches along the seafront and via Nizza. The municipality and the Port Authority run the services on the free beaches between Albissola Marina and Vado Ligure. Visit Savona describes four main areas, each about one to two kilometres long.
This is the closest to the centre. It follows the seafront from the mouth of the Letimbro towards the Priamar Fortress, for about one kilometre. There are two free beaches and eight bathing establishments. The seabed is sandy and shelves gently, good for children. You can walk there from the centre.
Fornaci is the most polished stretch: about a kilometre of sand and a long row of beach clubs. The municipality has set up lifeguard assistance and supervision on the free sections here, as required by the Blue Flag criteria. The Scaletto is the free beach equipped for visitors with disabilities, with a service run by a cooperative on booking: ask Visit Savona first.
About 1.5 kilometres, almost all free beach. Visit Savona describes it as a beach without rows of sunbeds, past the wall of Villa Zanelli, with a kiosk. Bring what you need and check the signs.
Towards Vado Ligure, Zinola is about 1.2 kilometres long, with free beaches, beach clubs and campsites. The free beach has services (bar, showers, accessible changing rooms) and, according to the municipality, an area for people with disabilities is planned in the coming years. Further west lies Margonara, which is on the list of stretches with temporary toilets.
A note on the Priamar: you often read about a free beach below the fortress. In 2026 the municipality still describes it as a project for an equipped free beach, with the contract being awarded. Do not count on services there.
In 2026 the province of Savona has 15 Blue Flags. Towns awarded include Savona, Albissola Marina, Celle Ligure, Bergeggi, Spotorno and Varazze. Savona’s municipality ties its Blue Flag to the lifeguard supervision of the free beaches at Fornaci.
For the free beaches, the agreement between the municipality and the Port Authority provides each season temporary toilets (piazzale Eroi dei Due Mondi, via Nizza, Natarella, Zinola, Margonara) and lifeguard posts. Exact dates change every year: in 2025 the chemical toilets were in service from 1 June to 15 September.
Water quality is checked by ARPAL, which publishes the results for each sampling point. Before you go, check bathing status on ARPAL’s website or in municipal notices.
The port sits next to the city and the beach is part of it: you will hear the Aurelia road and see ships. That is why many people come to Savona for the city and treat the swim as a break. If you arrive for a cruise, read the guide to the port of Savona and the walking route between disembarkation and boarding.
To the east, Albissola has its seafront with the Passeggiata degli Artisti and ceramics. To the west, Bergeggi has the island’s marine reserve, and the beaches of Spotorno are covered in the guide to Spotorno’s beaches. Towards Genoa you will find Celle Ligure and Varazze. All are a short train ride from Savona station.
Getting there. Savona is on the Genoa–Ventimiglia line: from Genova Brignole the regional train takes about an hour. The station is roughly 800 metres from the centre. City buses are run by TPL Linea and connect the town with Fornaci and Zinola. By car, leave the A10 at Savona.
Parking. For parking near the seafront and the centre, see the guide to parking in Savona.
Weather. The sea changes quickly with the wind: check the weather in Savona before you go.
Dogs. Rules change every year and some beach clubs accept pets. Read the guide to dog-friendly beaches in Liguria and ask the beach club.
FAQ
Yes, but they are city beaches: long and convenient, close to the port. For more scenic water, go to Bergeggi or Spotorno.
Yes: Prolungamento a Mare, Natarella, Zinola and the Scaletto at Fornaci all have free stretches. A free equipped beach below the Priamar is only a project.
Yes: the municipality says it won it again this year. It ties the flag to lifeguard supervision of the free beaches at Fornaci.
Prolungamento a Mare, along the seafront between the mouth of the Letimbro and the Priamar.
By train to Savona station, then on foot or by TPL Linea city buses.
At Bergeggi, Spotorno, Celle Ligure or Varazze, all a short train ride away.
Where to stay
All places to stay in Savona on Booking: compare prices and availability.
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