Bogliasco with children: beaches, things to see and docon bambini: spiagge, cosa vedere e cosa fare
The sea just steps away, a relaxed pace and the whole Golfo Paradiso to explore
Just a few kilometres from Genoa, Bogliasco is the first village in the Golfo Paradiso and a lovely surprise for a family holiday. It’s small, easy to explore on foot and has the sea right in the heart of the village: from the centre, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the beaches, the small harbour and the train station.
Credits: https://depositphotos.com/
From the centre of Genoa, Bogliasco can be reached in about half an hour by car or easily by train. And this proximity is one of its strengths: Bogliasco is a great destination for a day at the beach, but also an ideal base for a few days’ holiday, with Genoa on one side and Camogli, Recco and the rest of the Golfo Paradiso on the other.
Our advice, especially in summer? Once you arrive, forget about the car for a while. Distances are short and the train is extremely convenient for travelling along the coast.
Beaches Sand, pebbles and rocks
Train station
Golfo Paradiso just a few kilometres from Genoa
Excursions
Surfing and snorkelling
Sea and beaches in Bogliasco
Let’s start with the sea, because there’s one thing we particularly like about Bogliasco: the beaches are all different. There’s a sandy beach, more suitable for younger children, a pebble beach, one below the church with very clear water, and then the rocks at Pontetto, which are definitely more adventurous.
In 2026, Bogliasco was also included in European Best Destinations’ selection of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. But rankings aside, when travelling with children, the more important question is: which beach should you choose?
The sandy beach of Bogliasco
Rio Poggio Beach is the main beach in Bogliasco and is located right in the heart of the village, next to the picturesque medieval bridge. It’s also the easiest choice with young children because it’s mostly sandy: here, buckets and spades can finally come out of the beach bag.
It’s the largest beach and, for this very reason, it can also get very crowded in summer.
☀️ Family Tip: If your children belong to the “no sand, no beach” club, head for Rio Poggio. Buckets and spades finally have a purpose here! It’s also easy to reach with a pushchair.
A small pebble beach
continuing eastwards, you’ll come across a smaller pebble beach, less spacious and generally more secluded than Rio Poggio.
It’s a lovely alternative for those who prefer to avoid sand and are looking for a slightly different spot for a swim. When the waves get bigger, you can sometimes see surfers heading into the water here.
mall beach with crystal-clear water
The beach below the Church is the closest to the train station, although talking about long distances in Bogliasco is almost amusing: the village is small and all the beaches in the centre are within walking distance.
It’s a small beach of pebbles and stones, tucked between the rocks and the houses overlooking the sea. Unlike Rio Poggio, there’s no sand here, so water shoes can be useful for children, especially when getting in and out of the water.
Its real highlight is the sea: the water here is generally very clear and transparent. If your children spend more time with their heads underwater than building sandcastles, Sotto la Chiesa could be just the place for them.
☀️ Family Tip: Pack water shoes, a mask and a snorkel: the bucket can take a day off here. With water this clear, the real fun is discovering what’s happening beneath the surface.
Credits: https://depositphotos.com
Rocks, crystal-clear water and snorkelling
To the east of the village lies Pontetto, on the border with Pieve Ligure. And it’s worth making one thing clear straight away: don’t expect a traditional beach. Pontetto is mainly a rocky coastline, with small coves, rocks emerging from the water and a rocky seabed.
It’s a beautiful spot, but we wouldn’t recommend it as a first choice for families with young children. It’s much more appealing to adventurous families with older children who are used to moving around on rocks and enjoy spending part of the day with a mask and snorkel. The water is crystal clear and the seabed is perfect for snorkelling.
☀️ Family Tip: If your children are better at scrambling over rocks than you are, Pontetto could become their favourite spot. Water shoes and a snorkelling mask are practically the official uniform here.
Things to see and do in Bogliasco
Bogliasco doesn’t require a strict itinerary. The village is small and the best way to discover it is simply to explore it on foot, heading down towards the sea and following the little streets that wind between the houses.
One of the most picturesque spots is the medieval bridge over the Rio Poggio, built on the remains of an earlier Roman bridge. The stream flows beneath it and just beyond lies the bay, with the main beach, the pier and the houses rising up behind the seafront.
From here, you can reach the small harbour, stroll along the seafront and then head back towards the centre. It’s precisely Bogliasco’s compact size that makes it so enjoyable with children: there’s no need to use the car to get from one place to another, and you can easily alternate a walk with a swim.
Behind the village, the traditional Ligurian paths known as creuze and the trails leading up to the hamlets and hills begin. And this is where Bogliasco reveals a completely different side.
Hiking up Monte Santa Croce with children
For families who enjoy walking, one of the loveliest excursions around Bogliasco is the hike up Monte Santa Croce, in the hills between Bogliasco and Pieve Ligure. Our advice is to drive to San Bernardo, the hamlet above Bogliasco, and start from there: this way, you avoid adding the entire uphill climb from the village to your hike.
From San Bernardo, the route initially climbs along a fairly steep road before continuing on mule tracks and paths bordered by traditional dry-stone walls. The destination is the small white church of Santa Croce, at an altitude of 518 metres, offering spectacular views over the Golfo Paradiso and the coastline.
Once you reach the top, the large panoramic meadow is the perfect place to stop for a while. There are tables and areas where you can take a break and, with children, bringing a packed lunch and turning the hike into a picnic can be a lovely idea.
This is an excursion best suited to children who enjoy walking: the route is considered easy, but includes some steep uphill sections and is not suitable for pushchairs. Proper walking shoes and plenty of water are essential.
For those who want to complete the itinerary, it’s possible to continue from Santa Croce on a circular route towards Pieve Alta and return to San Bernardo. The entire walk takes about two hours, excluding stops. With children, you can also choose to walk up to Santa Croce, stop for a picnic and then return to San Bernardo along the same route.
☀️Family Tip: spring and autumn are perfect for hiking and picnics, even with little ones. Summer, on the other hand, is best avoided because of the heat.
Credits: https://depositphotos.com/
Bogliasco and its surroundings: Genoa on one side, Camogli on the other
One of the reasons why Bogliasco is a great choice for a few days’ holiday is its location. You don’t have to choose between Genoa and the Golfo Paradiso: from here, you can easily explore both.
Nervi and Genoa
To the west, Bogliasco is practically next door to Nervi. It’s just a few minutes by train, but you can also get there on foot: from Bogliasco to Capolungo, follow the scenic pavement along the Aurelia road, then continue to Nervi’s Anita Garibaldi Promenade, which is flat and also suitable for pushchairs.
Allow approximately 45 minutes for the entire walk from Bogliasco to Nervi at a normal pace, a little longer if you’re with children and, quite understandably, stop along the way to admire the sea.
If you’d rather spend a day exploring the city, Bogliasco is close enough to Genoa that you won’t need to change accommodation. The Aquarium, Porto Antico, historic centre and museums certainly deserve much more than a couple of lines: you’ll find ideas, itineraries and tips in our guide to Genoa with children.
Recco and Camogli
Heading east, you’ll pass through Pieve Ligure and Sori before reaching Recco and Camogli.
In Recco, stopping for some focaccia al formaggio is practically an essential part of the trip. A little further on is Camogli, with its colourful houses overlooking the beach, its small harbour and the chance to take a boat trip to explore this stretch of coastline.
Here too, the train is a great option, especially in summer, when finding a parking space can turn into the least enjoyable sport of the holiday.
If you’d like to spend a day there, we’ve put together everything you need to know in our guide to Camogli with children.
Focaccia, pansoti and Ligurian flavours
A day at the beach around here is hardly complete without a piece of Genoese focaccia, which is also easy to pack in your beach bag.
Traditional local dishes also include pansoti with walnut sauce, which Bogliasco celebrates every summer with a food festival, usually in July. If you’re staying in the area around that time, it’s worth checking the programme for the current year.
How to get to Bogliasco
By train
The train is one of the easiest ways to reach Bogliasco, especially from Genoa. The station is practically in the centre of the village and, once you get off, the sea and beaches are within walking distance.
t’s also convenient for longer stays: the same railway line takes you towards Nervi and Genoa or, in the opposite direction, towards Sori, Recco and Camogli.
With children, beach bags and pushchairs, not having to hunt for a parking space every day is no small advantage.
By car
From Genoa, you can reach Bogliasco along the Via Aurelia, which continues along the coast from Nervi. It’s a scenic road that also allows you to continue towards the other towns and villages of the Golfo Paradiso.
The less enjoyable part is parking: spaces are limited and in summer, especially at weekends, finding a spot can take a little patience. If your accommodation has private parking, it’s definitely an advantage worth considering.
Where to stay in Bogliasco with children
For a stay of a few days, an apartment is a particularly practical option with children: it offers more space, the freedom to prepare meals whenever needed and the flexibility to organise your day without having to follow hotel schedules.
Gli Ulivi di Bogliasco offers four apartments and a villa with sea views, just 600 metres from the beach, featuring fully equipped kitchens, a terrace or garden and private parking. Accommodation options come in different sizes, from studio apartments to properties with three bedrooms, making them ideal for holidays with grandparents or friends too.
Thanks to an agreement with the nearby Agriturismo Le Pale, guests can also enjoy the panoramic swimming pool and children’s play area.
☀️ Family Tip: book directly on the accommodation’s website or take advantage of the Riviera dei Bambini Offers for family-friendly rates.
