Recco beaches

Recco's beaches from east to west

Recco has a short seafront: the promenade links the main beach to the lighthouse and Punta Sant’Anna. Beyond the point, towards Sori, the coast becomes rocky and the swimming areas are smaller. You can walk from one to the next.

Baia dei Frati

Beach clubs

Towards Camogli, just past the main beach, is the Baia dei Frati: a small cove, partly free and partly taken by a beach club.

The Spiaggia Centrale

SandPebblesBeach clubsFamily friendly

This is Recco’s beach par excellence, in front of the small harbour, closed by the lighthouse to the east and the Punta Sant’Anna pool to the west. The bottom is pebbles and small stones, with a little sand. Beach clubs are in the middle, with two free stretches at the sides. In 2026 it is one of Recco’s two Blue Flag beaches.

For children, according to the national tourism portal italia.it, the best stretch is the one furthest from the station, near the park: the water stays shallow and there is a playground. The pebbles get hot in summer: little ones need water shoes too.

Punta Sant'Anna

Beach clubs

At the western end of the main beach is Punta Sant’Anna, with the historic pool of Pro Recco, the town’s water polo team. There is also a beach club here.

La Ciappea

SandRocksFamily friendly

The Ciappea (“ciappa” is Genoese for a stone slab) is a smooth rock platform sloping into the sea, below the promenade towards Mulinetti. There is no sand: you lie on the rock and get into the water from the rocks. It is the place for confident swimmers who want to look at the seabed with mask and snorkel. The Ciappea also has the 2026 Blue Flag. The rocks near the water are slippery: water shoes are a must, and with young children choose the main beach.

Mulinetti and the Bordigotto rocks

Rocks

Mulinetti is Recco’s seaside hamlet towards Sori, about a kilometre and a half from the station. It has a small stony beach in front of the village. A little further on are the Bordigotto rocks, more smooth rock where you can spread your towel. Mulinetti has a railway stop, but few trains call there: it is usually best to walk from Recco, in about 20 minutes.

Free beaches and beach clubs

On the main beach most of the space is leased to beach clubs. The free stretches are at either end: in July and August, especially at weekends, they fill up early. If you don’t want to pay for a lounger and arrive late, the Ciappea and Mulinetti are the nearest alternatives.

For dogs, in past years the town council has opened a small reserved stretch in summer east of the Lungomare Bettolo, with a maximum number of animals and specific rules. Before you go, check with the town council whether the area is open this season.

Getting there, parking and rough seas

The easiest way is the train: Recco is on the Genoa–La Spezia line, about half an hour from Genova Brignole, and the main beach is 5–10 minutes’ walk from the station. By car, leave the A12 at Recco. In the centre parking is mostly paid and in summer spaces near the sea run out early. Some beach clubs have parking for customers.

The Golfo Paradiso is open to southerly winds. With libeccio and scirocco, waves hit the beach and the rocks head-on: don’t go into the water at the Ciappea or Bordigotto, and don’t go out on the pier to watch the storm waves. Before you set off, check the Recco weather. In June and September there are far fewer people than in August.

Nearby beaches

From April to September ferries leave Recco for Camogli, Punta Chiappa and San Fruttuoso: the easiest way to spend a day on different beaches. In Camogli, less than 3 km away, there is the beach below the colourful houses, also a Blue Flag beach. Towards Genoa, a few minutes by train, you reach Bogliasco, with its small inlet below the medieval bridge, a few minutes from the station. On the same line, heading east, are Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo.