Boccadasse

The village and its history

Boccadasse has been part of Genoa since 1873. Before that it belonged to the municipality of San Francesco d’Albaro, which a royal decree of 26 October 1873 merged into the city. Three explanations are offered for the name and none is certain: the best known links it to the shape of the bay, like a donkey’s mouth (Genoese bocca d’âze); others point to an old stream called Asse, or to a landowner named Guglielmo Boccadassino.

A popular story says the village was founded around the year 1000 by Spanish fishermen who sheltered in the cove from a storm. It is a legend with no documents behind it, and it should be told as one.

The documented history is more recent. Corso Italia was built between 1909 and 1915 to a design by the engineer Dario Carbone, and it ends right in front of the church of Sant’Antonio. The original plan would have brought the road up against the village houses; local opposition stopped it and the traffic was routed further inland. That is why Boccadasse still has its shape today.

What to see

The beach and Piazza Nettuno

The heart of the village is the small pebble beach, with boats pulled up on the shore and the houses gathered around it. Above the bay is Piazza Nettuno, with bars, restaurants and ice-cream shops. It is the most photographed spot, especially at sunset, and also the busiest.

The church of Sant'Antonio da Padova

The church began as a chapel built by fishermen and local residents and became a parish on 25 March 1894 (sources disagree on the date of the earliest buildings, somewhere between the 1600s and 1700s). The saint’s feast is celebrated on 13 June with an evening procession and a fair on Corso Italia. Corso Italia ends in front of the church.

Capo Santa Chiara and Castello Türcke

A flight of steps leads from Boccadasse up to Capo Santa Chiara, crowned by Castello Türcke, built in 1903 to a design by Gino Coppedè in Liberty style. You can admire it from the street; we found no official information on visits inside. From the cape you look along the coast to the east.

Vernazzola

Round the other side of the cape, towards Sturla, is Vernazzola, another small fishing village reached on foot along a crêuza, a narrow path between walls. It is less crowded than Boccadasse and worth the detour.

The beach: swimming, rules and access

The beach is free to enter: essentially a pebble sunbathing area with no bathing establishment. The City of Genoa (Municipio VIII) lists it as “always open” and suitable for swimming. In 2026 the lifeguard and water-assistance service ran from 15 June to 13 September, with different hours across the weeks (10:00 to 19:00 from 1 July to 23 August). Outside those dates there is no supervision.

• A PVC walkway leads to the water’s edge; the beach is part of the “Genova Sea Inclusion” project
• There is an accessible toilet at via Aurora 8 r, and a hot-water shower on site
• You cannot reserve a spot: the beach has no facilities
• The ground is pebbles: bring water shoes and do not expect sand

Swimming can be banned temporarily after water testing: in September 2025 there was a ban, later lifted. Before you swim, check the signs and the list of ordinances on the City of Genoa website.

What to eat

Boccadasse is also known for its ice cream: bars and gelaterie cluster around Piazza Nettuno and the streets next to the bay. We do not name a particular shop because we found no official source comparing them: choose by the ingredients and the queue. For Ligurian dishes, from focaccia to pansoti, read what to eat in Genoa.

How to get there

The easiest way is a mix of bus and a walk. From Genova Brignole station, about 3.5 km away, bus 31 goes towards Boccadasse; the City of Genoa also lists lines 42 and 607 for the beach. Routes sometimes change for roadworks and events, so check the AMT journey planner before you set out. From Genova Sturla station it is about 1.5 km on foot.

On foot from the city: Corso Italia is a seafront road of more than two kilometres that starts at Foce and ends in front of the church of Sant’Antonio. A cycle lane was added between the road and the pavement in 2022, so watch out for bikes.

By car: the village is a difficult spot. The limited-traffic zone in via Boccadasse is open only to holders of the European disabled badge, who have reserved spaces about 50 metres from the beach entrance. For everyone else we found no official list of nearby car parks: leave the car further away and walk, or use public transport.

Practical tips

• Crowds: the village is small and fills up at weekends and on summer evenings; some guides recommend coming early in the morning or after 18:00.
• Accessibility: Piazza Nettuno connects to the beach and can be reached from via Boccadasse; the steps up to the cape are steep.
• Where to stay: Boccadasse is very small and we see it as a visit rather than a base; for accommodation read where to stay in Genoa.

What to see nearby

Further east is Nervi: the Nervi Parks and the Anita Garibaldi promenade make a good second stop, but you cannot walk there in one go from Boccadasse: take the train or the bus. In the city you will find the Porto Antico and the Aquarium of Genoa; for the forecast see the Genoa weather page.