Where to Go to the Beach with Kids in Genoa: The Guide We Really Give Our Guests

"Where should we take the kids to the beach?" It's the question we hear most often, as soon as someone arrives with beach sandals already packed. In this guide, you'll find our tips for the best beach with kids in Genoa, tested firsthand. We won't give you a list found online: we'll tell you about the places we recommend to our guests because we've seen them come back happy, parents included.

Centro Surf Club, on Corso Italia

The first name that comes to mind almost automatically is Centro Surf Club, at Lungomare Lombardo 23, right on Corso Italia, behind the Abbey of San Giuliano. It has a saltwater pool designed specifically for the youngest guests, with lifeguards watching over it — a detail parents always appreciate knowing in advance, because it lets them truly relax without having to stay on constant alert. The beach is pebbly, not sandy: if someone in your family loves building sandcastles by hand, it's best to know this before you go.

And it's not just for kids: the seafood restaurant with a sea-view terrace is one of the spots we recommend even to guests staying with us without children, for a dinner with your feet almost in the water.

• Hours (summer season, mid-May to mid-September): 8:30 AM-10:00 PM, closed Monday evenings.

• How to get there by bus: line 31 (Gaslini Hospital – Corso Italia – Brignole Station).

• Prices: the establishment doesn't publish an online price list; we recommend calling directly (010 3629668) to find out the day's rates.

Capo Marina, this summer's new spot

This year we have an extra recommendation: the free beach of Capo Marina, also on Corso Italia, reopened on June 15, 2026 after renovation work. It's a free, inclusive beach, with lifeguard service active from day one, showers and restrooms available, plus a food area nearby — convenient for parents who don't want to organize everything from home.

• Cost: free.

• How to get there by bus: line 31, same stop as Centro Surf Club.

Vernazzola, for families with very young children

If your family has a child who can't swim yet, the recommendation we give most confidently is Vernazzola, between Boccadasse and Sturla: a small natural bay where the sea stays almost always calm, and the seabed slopes so gently that you can walk in the water for a long time holding your child's hand. It's a free beach, so no rental sunbeds — but it's precisely its simplicity that makes it perfect for the youngest ones. A tip from those who know it well: arrive before 10 AM, because on July and August weekends it fills up quickly.

• How to get there by bus: lines 15, 42, 45.

Beach with Kids in Genoa: Piscine di Albaro, for those who prefer calm pool water

It's not just about the sea: the historic Piscine di Albaro, the former 1935 Swimming Stadium, has an outdoor pool with a section dedicated to children, with a gently sloping entrance — perfect for those who want an alternative without waves, sand to rinse off, or rocks underfoot. Our guests also like it because, between dips, there's the Pool Bar for a coffee or an aperitivo while the kids play.

• Hours: from May 30 to September 13, 2026, every day 9:00 AM-7:00 PM (last entry 6:00 PM).

• 2026 indicative prices: full-day ticket €15, reduced €12; sunbed €8. (Prices subject to seasonal variation.)

• How to get there by bus: lines 15 and 42.

Looking for more space and sand: Bagni Europa

When our guests tell us their kids need to run around, not just sit on a towel, we recommend Bagni Europa, in Quarto dei Mille (Via Quarto 4): compared to many other establishments in the area, the beach here is decidedly wider, and sandy.

• How to get there by bus: line 15, which runs all the way to Nervi conveniently passing through Quarto — much more practical than the train for those staying at our properties.

• Prices: price list not published online; we recommend contacting the establishment directly.

Lido di Genova, for a full family day out

If you feel like an all-inclusive day out, Lido di Genova (Corso Italia 13) is the city's largest establishment and has something for every age: a Baby Pool for the youngest, a Fun Pool with slides and a diving board for older kids, and even a summer camp. For parents, there are two restaurants, a gym with a wellness area, and — new this summer — extended evening hours for those who want to enjoy the pool even after sunset.

• 2026 indicative prices: weekday entry €15, weekend/holiday €20; family package (2 adults + umbrella + 2 sunbeds, children up to 14 free) €50 weekday / €60 weekend. (Prices subject to seasonal variation.)

• How to get there by bus: line 31, along Corso Italia.

In the mood for a different day out: Le Caravelle Water Park

Here we leave Genoa: Le Caravelle Water Park, in Ceriale, is about an hour's drive away (Borghetto Santo Spirito motorway exit). It's the only water park in Liguria, and for 2026 it really has a lot to offer: the large Wave Pool, the five-slide Multi-slide, the Rio Bravo and Rio Colorado rapids set in greenery, and for the youngest ones the Summergible, a themed water playground with a giant submarine, plus a dedicated baby pool. There's also a wellness area for adults, with hydromassage and a vascular walking path.

• 2026 indicative prices: full price €28, children (100-140 cm) €23.50, free under 100 cm. (Prices subject to seasonal variation, check the official website before visiting.)

It's not a last-minute afternoon trip, but if you have a free day, it's a different experience that kids (and grown-ups too) remember for a long time.

Where to Stay to Have It All Within Reach

To our guests who ask us where to stay to enjoy the sea with their kids in Genoa, we always recommend Arena Albaro House. It's not just a matter of distance on the map: it's the home from which, by bus or a short walk, you can actually reach every place in this guide — Centro Surf Club, Capo Marina and Vernazzola are just steps away, Piscine di Albaro is right around the corner, and bus line 31, which passes nearby, conveniently takes you all the way to Lido di Genova. It's the base that our guests with children tell us they've appreciated the most, for exactly this reason: less time in the car, more time in the water.

The trick we always give our guests: the AMT app

A practical tip we repeat at almost every check-in: download the AMT app before you leave. It calculates routes, shows real-time bus arrival times, and above all lets you buy your ticket directly from your phone — so you don't have to wait in the sun for a bus whose schedule you don't know, risking discovering only at the stop that you needed a ticket purchased in advance. A small detail, but one that changes the day when you're traveling with tired kids who just want to get to the beach.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best beach for young children in Genoa?

Vernazzola, between Boccadasse and Sturla, thanks to its gently sloping seabed and almost always calm sea. For those looking for a pool dedicated to the youngest, Centro Surf Club on Corso Italia or Piscine di Albaro are excellent alternatives.

Where is Centro Surf Club in Genoa located?

At Lungomare Lombardo 23, on Corso Italia, in the Albaro district. It can be reached with bus line 31.

What is Capo Marina?

A free, public beach on Corso Italia, reopened on June 15, 2026, with lifeguard service, showers and a food area nearby.

How do you get to Bagni Europa in Quarto dei Mille?

With AMT bus line 15, which runs all the way to Nervi passing through Quarto: it's the most convenient option for those staying at our properties, much more practical than the train.

Is Piscine di Albaro suitable for children?

Yes, the summer outdoor pool has a section dedicated to the youngest with a gently sloping entrance.

How far is Le Caravelle Water Park from Genoa?

About an hour's drive, with a motorway exit at Borghetto Santo Spirito: it's recommended as a full-day trip, not as a "city" beach.