Bocadasse, Italy – The Poetry of an Old Fisherman’s Village

Taking the short trek on bus 42 from the main square of Piazza de Ferrari in Genoa to Bocadasse, Italy for a half-day excursion was quite simple. I had just arrived in the city and had a few hours to spare before I knew the jet lag would set in, so I hopped the city bus and made my way over to Boccadasse, a place I had heard musings about for over a year.

Route: Bus 42 from Genoa

The route is quite easy and the helpful Genovese Italians knew right where to send me. I forgot about asking how to get back, but luckily it was the same way I went, the same bus number, the same streets, so it was quite simple. I had heard that Boacadasse was Genoa’s little fishing village, somewhat like a village in the Cinque Terre region but with more locals and bit less charm.

Genoa’s Little Fishing Village

It is true, it was a fishing village, with lounging Italians hanging out in their tiny bathing suits and lying on everything from large rocks that surrounded the sandy beach area or just passing time in the nearby cafes.

Tiny Fishing Village

This is a tiny fishing village, and I do mean tiny, but I don’t see any fishing going on, more like a quick escape from the bustling city of Genoa. I would say it is not really worth a stroll, nor can I recommend it, nonetheless, I am grateful I went here, as I enjoyed just walking up and down the boardwalk area and the active people watching.  Things like:

An old man in a Speedo with leathery skin, another sleeping on a bench and later he was up playing accordion near the church; fat, old men with middle-aged gals in bikinis, holding hands; men swimming laps in the blue turquoise water.

Stop by the Gelato Shop

I sat here on a bench for a while, taking it all in. I did get a chance to stop by the little gelato shop for my breakfast and it was very good, as most of the gelato is in Italy.

My Perfect Gelato

I recently read somewhere that you can tell the good stuff from the not so good stuff by how high the gelato is piled.  Too high equates to not as good or authentic Italian gelato and also the colors of the gelato play a big role. Too vivid a color means that it is over-processed and therefore not as good, so keep these tips in mind while searching for gelato throughout Italy.

Bocadasse’s Boardwalk

Then I wandered around to the manmade concrete beach along the boardwalk.  Made for those who want a piece of the ocean, yet with a pool close by. With the charming whirly, candy-striped umbrella’s, it was a sight to see contrasted against the deep blue of the ocean waters and its turquoise swimming pools. Any day at the beach is better than no beach at all!

Where:  Bocadasse, Italy, just right outside of Genoa

How to get there:  Bus number 42 from the main square of Piazza de Ferrari

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