Baia di Paraggi, Bay in Paraggi, Liguria, Italy
The Baia di Paraggi is a small bay on the Ligurian coast, close to Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure, with clear water and one of the few sandy beaches in this part of the coastline. The bay is framed by wooded hills and sheltered from the wind, which keeps the water calm most of the time.
Paraggi was once a small fishing settlement, and old watchtowers along the coast were built to defend the bay against pirate raids. Over time, the area attracted nobles and monks before tourism in the 20th century became the main force shaping life here.
The Baia di Paraggi sits inside the Portofino Marine Protected Area, which shapes how people use the water here. Snorkeling and diving are popular activities, and visitors can spot sea stars, fish, and Posidonia seagrass just below the surface.
The bay can be reached by bus from Santa Margherita Ligure or Portofino, and a coastal footpath from Portofino takes about 15 minutes. Arriving by car in summer is tricky, as the roads are narrow and nearby parking fills up early in the day.
Despite its reputation as an upscale destination, part of the beach remains free and open to all visitors. Arriving by boat gives a completely different view of the bay, with the colored houses and wooded hillside visible all at once in a way that cannot be seen from the shore.
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