Riviera del Conero, Portonovo. Foto © Sauro Strappato
It is one of the most famous places of the Conero Riviera, a real and true oasis of peace and beauty. Here nature has retained its original beauty and the greenery of Conero Mount is the background to the crystalline blue-green colour of the sea. Beaches are of limestone medium-large pebbles, very white and round, and of white gravel, with rocky seabed. They are accessible with public transport or your own means. You can be certain there will be wild beaches, bathing establishments and small restaurants on the sea. It is not for nothing we are in the homeland of the “mosciolo”, the typical mussel of the Conero. It is also a windsurfing paradise, thanks to the sirocco wind, the evening Ostro and the “Venturi” effect produced by the position of the Conero Mount on the sea. The bay of Portonovo is the ideal location for a day at sea, a day of sport, nature, history and of course good food!
The beaches of Portonovo
We can divide the Bay into two parts: there is the Pier area in the north and an area that goes from the Tower Beach to the Sail Beach in the south. All the beaches have awarded the Blue Flag for years.
The Northen area of Portonovo
Emilia Beach
It is located in the northern part of Portonovo and is a free beach area that takes its name from the restaurant at its back. You can admire Mezzavalle beach in the distant background. With its crystalline water and rocky seabed it is the ideal place for those who enjoy sunbathing in perfect relax.
Il molo – The Pier
Going south, near Emilia Beach, you meet the Pier area with a lido and some beach restaurants. It is a pebble and gravel beach suitable for everyone and especially for young people who love diving from the dock of the pier. Maybe this is the most beautiful and charming zone, where you can admire the colours of the sunset that will leave you open-mouthed.
The beach of the Napoleonic Fortress
Past the Pier, just in front of the Napoleonic Fort, you find a small pebble beach. Water is crystalline and the seabed is rocky. The beach is suitable for snorkelers but pay attention to the rocks emerging from the water!
HOW TO GET TO THE BEACHES OF THE NORTHERN PART OF PORTONOVO AND WHERE TO PARK
Descending along the slopes of the mountain by car or by a public bus, once you arrive at the bottom, there is a small roundabout, go to the left and you will get to the Pier where there is a large paid parking area (hourly rate) next to the Great Lake. In the peak season we suggest you to get there very early in the morning to find parking in this area, otherwise there is a large car park on the top of the mount with convenient daily rate and a shuttle bus service to the beaches.
The Southern Area of Portonovo
The Torre Beach
It is a wild cove just behind the Clementina Tower very popular with local people. It is a free beach consisting of medium/large pebbles where you can rent a canoe to discover the beauty of the bay by sea.
The Bonetti Beach, Giacchetti Beach and the Capannina Beach
Looking at the sea, on the right of the Clementina Tower until the path leading to the small church of St. Mary, there are three beaches that take their names from the lidos. There are both free beach areas and bathing facilities. You will be surrounded by a fantastic nature: the dark green of the Mediterranean maquis on the mountain and the nuances from turquoise to emerald green of the sea will make your day at sea unique!
Sassi Bianchi Beach
Past the cliff opposite the Sail rock you get to the very beautiful White pebble Beach. Many get there by sea by canoe or SUP taking about 20 minutes of paddling starting from the Capannina beach. You can feel a strong feeling of pleasant quiet admiring the beauty of the white cliff plunging into the waters with Caribbean colours. We suggest you to go there in the morning because the Mount covers the sun leaving the beach in the shadows in early afternoon.
HOW TO GET TO THE BEACHES OF THE SOUTHERN AREA OF PORTONOVO
Descending along the slopes of the mountain by car or by a public bus, once you arrive at the bottom, there is a small roundabout, go to the right and you will find some paid parking areas. The first one is the parking of the Tower near the Clementina Tower and its beach. The second one is just behind the lido of the Capannina (you can park here if you want to get to the Sail Beach or to the White Pebble Beach on foot). In the peak season we suggest you to get there very early in the morning to find parking in this area, otherwise there is a large car park on the top of the mount with convenient daily rate and a shuttle bus service to the beaches.
