{"id":11185,"date":"2020-07-29T12:49:23","date_gmt":"2020-07-29T10:49:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/outdoorportofino.com\/?p=7806"},"modified":"2026-03-11T16:50:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T15:50:52","slug":"portofino-beaches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/outdoorportofino.com\/en\/blog\/portofino-beaches\/","title":{"rendered":"Portofino Beaches, 3 corners of Paradise: our tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

Portofino\u2019s beaches are <\/span>three pearls <\/b>set between the intense blue of the Ligurian Sea and the lush greenery of the Portofino Park: <\/span>Niasca, Cannon Bay <\/b>and<\/span> Olivetta.<\/b> The beaches of Portofino are springboards that will propel you towards an incredible journey, exploring the Portofino Protected Marine Area. <\/span>Biodiversity<\/b> reigns supreme, the <\/span>panorama<\/b> leaves even the most seasoned explorer speechless\u2026so roll up, roll up! Your voyage is about to begin.<\/span><\/p>\n

We follow the Eastern side of the Portofino Promontory (between Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino) from North to South. Here are the <\/span>3 tiny but gorgeous Portofino beaches<\/b> (all three are public beaches):<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Portofino beaches: Niasca<\/h1>\n

Inside <\/span>Paraggi Bay<\/b> (click here to find out more)<\/span><\/a>, facing the famous medieval castle, is Niasca beach, a strip of sand well protected from the waves. Thanks its favourable exposition, vegetation grows all the way down to the beach, almost grazing the waters. Away from the beach, the rocky coastline that starts off towards the North is home to thousands of plant and animal species, creating one of the <\/span>most interesting habitats of the Portofino Protected Marine Area<\/b>. A luxuriant poseidonia meadow plays host to every sort of fish in the centre of the bay!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Spiagge
Niasca Beach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Accessing Niasca beach:<\/b><\/h3>\n

You can access the beach by means of a staircase directly from the road that connects Santa Margherita (and Paraggi) to Portofino. Around 300 m after the built up part of Paraggi (travelling towards Portofino), the road narrows and curves to the left beside a villa. The beach is below and there is scooter parking (and bike parking) a few metres beyond, together with the bus stop (bus n\u00b082 \u2013 route Santa Portofino). From here the steps start that will take you down to the sea.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the end of this article you will find all the necessary info, together with our tips, on how to reach the area.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Niasca, the Outdoor homeland! Here is what you can do here:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Part of my heart lives in Niasca. Here there is our watersports centre, this is where <\/span>our project began <\/span><\/a>in 2012. From the beach you can set off with a mask, flippers and snorkel for one of the most exhilarating <\/span>underwater explorations<\/b><\/a> possible. You can paddle (on board a <\/span>Kayak<\/b><\/a> or <\/span>SUP<\/b><\/a>) towards the Lighthouse, or even go as far as San Fruttuoso. You can learn things here (whether you <\/span>are big <\/b><\/a>or <\/span>small<\/b><\/a>). You can enjoy a fine <\/span>glass of wine at sundown, after a canoe outing<\/b><\/a>. You can swim safely (the entire bay of Paraggi is delimited by a contact cable – no vessels may enter here).<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Portofino beaches: Cannon Bay<\/h1>\n

A pebbly beach, with a vast and picturesque mass of Conglomerate rock (locally known as Puddinga) with a maritime pine perched on its crest, clean waters and an incredible view over Portofino Castle – this is the beach at Cannon Bay.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Baia
Arriving at Cannon Bay whilst <\/span>coasteering<\/span><\/a> is a unique emotion!<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Accessing Cannon Bay beach:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Having gone past Niasca, continue along the road towards Portofino. Once you reach the Piccolo Hotel (clearly visible from the road, on the mountain side) the road bends to the left. Straight afterwards, still on the left, there is a little sign and an iron staircase that leads you down to the sea.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Portofino beaches: Olivetta<\/h1>\n

Olivetta is sadly infamous, owing to the fact that in December 1944 German soldiers massacred 21 partisans and a civilian in its shallows, probably as retaliation. For this reason, the famous square in Portofino is named \u201cPiazza Martiri dell\u2019Olivetta\u201d, the Olivetta martyrs. On the left hand side of the bay you can still note the <\/span>commemorative plaque <\/b>with a list of the names of the fallen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately it is also well-known for its <\/span>extraordinary sea bed<\/b>. It\u2019s not a beach to lie down on, sunbathe or play beach tennis. The minuscule beaches of Niasca and Cannon Bay are huge expanses compared to here! At the same time, it is the best starting point for an underwater exploration towards the Lighthouse or an enjoyable pause during a trek or a <\/span>paddle towards Zone B of the Protected Marine Area<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"FaroThe path connecting Portofino with the Lighthouse and Olivetta beach<\/span><\/p>\n

Accessing Olivetta beach:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Olivetta beach can be reached only <\/span>on foot<\/b> or <\/span>from the sea<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n