Santa Margherita Ligure beaches

The town beaches on the seafront

Santa Margherita’s shoreline runs in front of the harbour and the palm-lined promenade with its old grand hotels. The bottom is pebbles and gravel, with patches of coarse sand. Almost all the stretch near the centre is leased to beach clubs with sunbeds, showers and a bar: if you want a front-row spot in July or August, book ahead.

A few public stretches remain between the beach clubs. The best known is the Ghiaia beach, pebbles on the seafront towards Portofino: handy for a swim without going anywhere, but small. Free areas and their size change from season to season, so check the signs or ask the tourist office.

Blue Flag 2026

According to the FEE list (see bandierablu.org), Santa Margherita Ligure has four Blue Flags in 2026: Punta Pedale, Zona Milite Ignoto, Scogliera Pagana and Paraggi. The award looks at water quality, services and environmental management. Water quality can still change from day to day: after heavy rain there may be a temporary swimming ban. Check the municipality’s notices or the ARPAL data before you go.

Paraggi and the coves towards Portofino

The municipality’s most famous beach is not in town. Paraggi is a hamlet of Santa Margherita, a former fishermen’s and millers’ village about 3 km from the centre, halfway to Portofino. The bay is tiny: pale sand for about a hundred metres and green water, mostly taken up by beach clubs. In summer it is full by the morning.

Past Paraggi, towards Portofino, there are other quieter coves reached on foot from the pedestrian path. It is a protected, much-loved area: respect the rules and take your rubbish with you. For Paraggi, the bay of Portofino and the other coves of the peninsula, see the guide to the beaches of Portofino.

Getting to the beaches without a car

The centre is a few minutes from Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino station, on the Genoa–La Spezia line. You can walk to the town beaches. For Paraggi you have three options:

• Bus. AMT line 782 links the station with Paraggi and Portofino; in high season it runs every 15–20 minutes until the evening and takes about 20 minutes. Timetables and tickets at amt.genova.it.
• On foot. About 3 km of promenade and coastal footpath. Check for closures after storms before you set out.
• Boat. The Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio connects Santa Margherita with Portofino and San Fruttuoso: seasonal timetables, weather permitting, so check the operator’s website.

By car the road to Paraggi is narrow and gets stuck in traffic in summer. Parking in Santa Margherita is mostly paid and hard to find in August: it is better to come by train or bus.

Practical tips

When to go. May, June and September are best: pleasant sea, fewer people. July and August are packed from the morning. Before you leave, check the weather in Santa Margherita Ligure.

What to bring. Water shoes: pebbles and rocks get hot and slippery. Bring water and a beach towel, especially if you choose a free stretch.

With children. Pebbles are hard to walk on with little ones: bring water shoes for them too and pick a stretch with facilities close by.

Dogs. Rules change every season and depend on the beach club. Check the municipal ordinance or the signs at the entrance. More ideas in the guide to dog-friendly beaches in Liguria.

Other beaches nearby. To the west is Rapallo, with its beaches; to the east Camogli, with the pebble beach in front of the colourful houses. To plan your moves around the area see the guide to the Gulf of Tigullio. For a walk to the village, read from Santa Margherita to Portofino.