Sanremo has a mixed coastline, typical of Liguria: free public beaches sitting right alongside paid beach clubs, often on the very same stretch of sand. Neither option rules out the other — spread out your own towel for free, or hire a sunbed and umbrella, depending on what you fancy that day.
Free beaches vs beach clubs: how it works
By Italian law, every beach must have a free, publicly accessible section. In Sanremo that means you’ll almost always find both options side by side: a paid area with sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, and a free stretch where all you need is a towel. In peak season (July–August), the free sections fill up fast, especially by mid-morning.
The beaches of Foce, steps from Dodici and Sedici
The Foce district, where the apartments are, has a whole cluster of beach clubs and free beaches all within a few minutes’ walk:
- Bagni Matuzia and Bagni Tartaruga: two long-standing beach clubs next to each other on Via San Rocco, with sunbeds, showers, a kids’ play area and a restaurant-pizzeria with a sea-view terrace. Around 150 metres of equipped beach, with free parking for customers.
- Spiaggia della Foce / Lido Foce: right at the mouth of the stream that gives the neighbourhood its name, with both free and equipped stretches.
- Foce Levante: a free, equipped beach run directly by the local council — a no-cost alternative right next to the area’s paid beach clubs.
- Bagni Ippocampo and Bagni Paradiso: two more long-standing beach clubs in the area, both just a short walk from the Foce stream, with the usual sunbeds, umbrellas and facilities.
Other beaches worth knowing
- Tre Ponti: the free beach locals love most, east of the centre along the cycling path. Mostly sand with some pebbly patches, a lifeguard, showers and a beach bar. It gets busy in summer — arrive early.
- Cala degli Orsi: in the Bussana Mare area, reachable by bike along the cycling path. Crystal-clear water, great for snorkelling, but the seabed drops off fairly quickly — less suited to very young children.
- Arenella: close to the old town, a free sandy beach with convenient parking nearby.
Practical tips
With children: Bagni Matuzia and Bagni Tartaruga both have a dedicated play area; Tre Ponti is a great free option too, with a gently sloping seabed.
Cost: expect around €10–25 a day for a sunbed and umbrella for two at a beach club, more in August. The free sections cost nothing.
Parking: paid in summer at most spots (often around €0.50/hour), free outside peak season — at Bagni Matuzia/Tartaruga it’s free for customers (see our full guide to parking in Sanremo).
Book Dodici or Sedici and reach the beaches of Foce on foot in just a few minutes.
FAQ
No, not necessarily. By law every beach has a free public section alongside the paid beach clubs with sunbeds and umbrellas.
Tre Ponti and Spiaggia dei Porti, thanks to their gently sloping seabed.
Around €10–25 a day for two people at a beach club, more in peak season like August.
Bagni Matuzia, Bagni Tartaruga and the Spiaggia della Foce, all in the Foce district, a few minutes’ walk from the apartments.