Free beaches in Liguria, these free corners of paradise are perfect for the summer

Liguria is not only a land of pesto and picture-postcard villages, but also a succession of secret coves, turquoise bays and beaches that suddenly open up between the cliffs like small summer miracles. Here the sea can be proud and wild, but also quiet and embracing. Free beaches in Liguria are few, but intense: corners of freedom where you can feel part of nature, among smooth pebbles and crystalline waters, between salty wind and gazes lost in the horizon. Here are the most beautiful ones, perfect for the summer.

Le Calandre Beach in Ventimiglia

It seems to have come out of a Californian dream, but instead it is Ligurian to the core. Le Calandre is one of the few sandy beaches of the Ponente , a small natural miracle hidden among the cliffs of Ventimiglia. Its golden, soft and changeable shoreline – often shaped by the storm surges – stretches out in front of a sea that goes from deep blue to tropical turquoise.

To reach it, you have to take a path carved into the rock along the Marconi promenade : a few minutes, but the arrival is heart-pounding. It is much loved by surfers, thanks to the generous waves that break between November and March, but in the summer it becomes the perfect refuge for those seeking freedom and a view.

Three Bridges Beach in Sanremo

A few minutes from the glamorous heart of Sanremo , there is a hidden beach that smells of authenticity and sea salt. Tre Ponti is a long strip of fine golden sand, lapped by a clear sea and surrounded by a simple but magnetic landscape. Most of the beach is free, but there are also some amenities: showers, sunbed rental, kiosks with cold drinks.

Perfect for a day at the beach without frills, between a dip and a read under the umbrella. And if you love surfing, here the wind never fails.

San Donato Beach in Finale Ligure

Finale Ligure is not just a walk along the seafront and ice creams at sunset. It is not far from the previous one and it is a real marvel: the beach of San Donato is perfect for families. The water is incredibly clear and behind it there is a green hill that creates a corner of beauty with some shade.

Saracens Bay in Varigotti

An evocative name for one of the most spectacular bays in Italy. Baia dei Saraceni, between Varigotti and Finale , is a marine painting that leaves you speechless. The sea here has almost Caribbean hues: from light blue to deep blue, with shallow waters that lend themselves to endless swimming and snorkeling.

The beach is of fine, light sand , framed by rocky walls and Mediterranean vegetation. Despite its heavenly beauty, it is a largely free beach, reachable on foot from the Via Aurelia. But be careful: in high season it can be very crowded, so it is better to arrive early.

Crena Point in Varigotti

Punta Crena is a well-kept secret. A tiny beach hidden under a cliff, reachable only by boat or by an adventurous and steep path, overlooking the sea. It is one of the most isolated and suggestive beaches in Liguria : white pebbles, turquoise sea, absolute silence. Whoever comes here, feels like a happy castaway.

Fishermen's Beach in Noli

Noli is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy but in addition to its historic center with characteristic paving and typical shops, here you will find the Pescatori beach , a strip of sand mixed with gravel and pebbles perfect for children and families.

Ideal for those who love to dive into history and sea, between the view of ancient towers and the smell of fried anchovies that comes from the alleys of the village. The sea is transparent and calm, suitable even for the little ones.

Free beach of Sori

Between Genoa and Camogli, Sori is a small Ligurian pearl that holds a free beach close to the rocks. Here the sea meets the rocks gently, drawing intimate coves, perfect for laying out a towel and losing yourself in the sound of the waves. The village behind is authentic and welcoming, perfect for a lunch of focaccia and white wine.

Free beach of Bogliasco

A handful of colorful houses that reflect in the sea, a stone bridge that hugs the coast, and small beaches where you feel at home: Bogliasco is a daydream. Its free coves are small but suggestive, perfect for a swim with friends or a dip at sunset.

The sea here has a thousand reflections and the light refracts between the houses creating plays of color that seem painted. Little known by mass tourism, Bogliasco is a corner of Liguria still authentic, to be experienced with an open heart.

San Bastian Beach in Celle Ligure

Between Celle Ligure and Albissola , hidden among the curves of the coast and protected by high vertical cliffs, San Bastian opens up, a beach with a wild charm. The path to reach it starts from the Aurelia state road and requires a few minutes on foot, among vegetation and steps carved into the stone.

But once you get there, you find yourself in front of a small paradise: golden sand dotted with rocks, crystal clear water and a silence broken only by the waves. It is one of the few free beaches in the area , but it also hosts a small establishment for those who want a little comfort.

San Fruttuoso Bay

Camogli has a splendid free beach but the real gem is reaching San Fruttuoso . There is a trek available or a more practical boat that takes you to this unique place. You leave from Camogli itself, Portofino, Recco or Santa Margherita and you reach a silent bay where the sea becomes emerald.

Pozzetto Beach in Rapallo

A few kilometers from the center of Rapallo, there is a little-known cove with an intimate charm: Pozzetto beach . Immersed in a jagged stretch of coast, it is composed of pebbles and dark sand, and offers a cozy panorama, made of silence and reflections. The sea here is clear, perfect for a regenerating swim. There are no services, no bars, no umbrellas. Just sea, rocks and sky. A little corner for those who really want to get away from it all.

Blue Bay in Lerici

Between Punta Santa Teresa and Punta Galera , Baia Blu is a place that enchants by contrast: on one side, the cliffs covered with olive trees and holm oaks, on the other, a sandy beach that suddenly opens up like an invitation to enter a secret world.

Located near San Terenzo , it can be reached from Pozzuolo and offers both free beach areas and equipped areas. The water is transparent, perfect for snorkeling , and the atmosphere is that of a small oasis where every detail, from the scent of pine trees to the gentle sound of the waves, tells the story of summer.

Bay of Silence in Sestri Levante

If there is a place in Liguria where the name perfectly describes the soul of the place, it is the Baia del Silenzio . Framed by typical pastel-colored Ligurian houses, ancient churches and small stone piers, this little beach is a timeless jewel.

The sand is fine, golden, while the sea always seems calm, mirroring an often blue sky. Behind, the peninsula separates this bay from its “noisy sister”, the Baia delle Favole . People come here to dream, to fall in love, to stop time with a very sweet dive.

Giant's Beach in Monterosso al Mare

The Cinque Terre are a true wonder but where to dive? In Monterosso there is the Gigante beach considered free. The name is linked to the 14-meter high statue of Neptune that dominates the small bay.

Corvo Point in Ameglia

The last free beach in Liguria that we want to recommend is Punta Corvo in the Ameglia area. The sand here is dark, mysterious and to access it you need a good walk: you have to face about 700 steps. An effort repaid by the wonder that you find in front of you.