Are the beaches of the San Bartolo Park sandy or pebbly?

The beaches inside the park (Vallugola, Fiorenzuola, Casteldimezzo) are pebble. The beach of Gabicce Mare, at the northern end of the park, is fine sand. A pebble system is a rarity on the whole Italian Adriatic side.

Which is the most beautiful beach in the park?

For landscape quality and isolation, Fiorenzuola di Focara is the most recognised, included by the Guardian among Europe's 40 most beautiful. For balance between nature and services, Vallugola is the busiest choice. For equipment and accessibility, Gabicce Mare is the most complete. For extreme isolation, Casteldimezzo is the most hidden.

Can you reach all the beaches by car?

No. Vallugola and Gabicce Mare are reachable directly by car. Fiorenzuola requires 177 m elevation on foot (or shuttle in July-August). Casteldimezzo is only reachable on foot with 200 m of elevation.

Do you need reef shoes?

Yes, at Vallugola, Fiorenzuola and Casteldimezzo. They are not needed on the sandy beach of Gabicce Mare.

Which beach is best for families?

Gabicce Mare, sandy with shallow waters and the paediatricians' Green Flag. Vallugola is workable from age 5-6 with reef shoes and supervision. Fiorenzuola and Casteldimezzo are not suited to small children.

Which beach is best for snorkelling?

The rocky seabeds of the pebble beaches are all suited to snorkelling, particularly along the sides. Casteldimezzo and Fiorenzuola offer the most natural conditions. Vallugola is the most convenient because it combines snorkelling with services.

Do the park's beaches have the Blue Flag?

Gabicce Mare holds the Blue Flag of the FEE and the Green Flag of Italian paediatricians. The park's beaches in the municipality of Pesaro are part of the Park Authority's environmental protection system with water-quality monitoring.

Are dogs allowed on the beaches?

Yes, on a lead, on the free beach stretches. At Gabicce Mare there are also specific pet-friendly lidos. At Vallugola's equipped lidos it depends on the concessionaire's policy.

Beaches of the San Bartolo Park: which one to choose

Comparison table

An overview of the four main beaches of the park, before going into the detail of each one.

Comparison of the four beaches of the San Bartolo Park
Beach	Substrate	Services	Access	Suited to
Vallugola	Pebbles	Lido + free beach	Car to the harbour	Nature/services balance, snorkelling
Gabicce Mare	Fine sand	50 lidos	Car, train, cycle path	Families with small children
Fiorenzuola	Pebbles	None	On foot 177 m elevation or summer shuttle	Wild sea, snorkelling
Casteldimezzo	Pebbles	None	Only on foot, 200 m elevation	Isolation, advanced snorkelling

Vallugola beach

Municipality: Gabicce Mare
Substrate: pebbles and gravel
Services: equipped lido and free stretch, restaurants at the harbour
Access: by car to the harbour square, on foot from path 151d, by boat

Vallugola is the park's busiest beach alongside Gabicce Mare, and the only one combining direct vehicle access, a lido and the park setting. It is the most balanced choice for those wanting to enjoy the bay without giving up showers, a bar and a booked umbrella.

Dedicated page: Vallugola beach.

Gabicce Mare beach

Municipality: Gabicce Mare
Substrate: fine golden sand
Services: fifty lidos, free beaches, seafront promenade
Access: by car, by train (Cattolica station), by bicycle

It marks the transition between the high San Bartolo coast and the Romagna Riviera. It holds the FEE Blue Flag and the Italian paediatricians' Green Flag for child-friendliness. The most suitable choice for families with very small children and for those wanting full services.

Dedicated page: Gabicce Mare beach.

Fiorenzuola di Focara beach

Municipality: Pesaro (Fiorenzuola di Focara hamlet)
Substrate: pebbles
Services: none, wild free beach
Access: on foot from the village (Sentiero dell'Amore, 177 m elevation) or shuttle in July-August

In 2019 the Guardian included it among Europe's 40 most beautiful beaches. A destination for those seeking direct contact with the sea, without lidos, bars or lifeguard cover.

Dedicated page: Fiorenzuola di Focara beach.

Casteldimezzo beach

Casteldimezzo cove below the medieval village

Municipality: Pesaro (Casteldimezzo hamlet)
Substrate: pebbles
Services: none
Access: only on foot, steep path from the village, 200 m elevation

A 150-metre cove below the medieval village, reached only by tackling the elevation on foot. Not a casual destination, not suited to families with small children, but much loved by snorkelers and by those seeking maximum isolation, even in high season.

Dedicated page: Casteldimezzo beach.

Baia Flaminia, Pesaro

On the southern side of the park, at the foot of the relief towards Pesaro, lies Baia Flaminia, the seaside district at the park's southern entrance. It is a practical alternative for those staying in Pesaro and looking for a serviced urban beach.

What to bring to the beach

The three pebble beaches (Vallugola, Fiorenzuola, Casteldimezzo) call for specific kit:

Reef shoes for walking on the pebbles and entering the water
Large towel preferable to mats, which slide on the pebbles
Arm bands for small children, since the seabed drops fast
Mask and snorkel for snorkelling along the rocky sides
Plenty of water, especially for the beaches without a bar (Fiorenzuola, Casteldimezzo)
High-protection sunscreen

For Gabicce Mare, sandy and equipped, the standard kit of a Riviera beach is enough.

Dogs on the beach

Vallugola: allowed on a lead on the free stretch; at the lido it depends on policy
Gabicce Mare: allowed on a lead on the free stretches; specifically pet-friendly lidos available
Fiorenzuola and Casteldimezzo: allowed on a lead, in compliance with seasonal municipal rules

Accessibility for people with disabilities

Vallugola. The harbour square and walkways are wheelchair-accessible. Entry to the water from the pebble beach requires assistance, provided by the lido on request.

Gabicce Mare. Three specifically equipped lidos: Bagno 10 (job chair, walkway to the sea, accessible toilet, accessible pool), Bagno 12 (job chair, modified platform), Bagno 22 (modified platform, accessible toilet).

Fiorenzuola and Casteldimezzo. Not wheelchair-accessible owing to the descent paths.

Blue Flag and Green Flag

Gabicce Mare holds the Blue Flag of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) for water quality, services and environmental management, and the Green Flag of Italian paediatricians for child-friendliness.

The park's beaches in the municipality of Pesaro (Fiorenzuola, Casteldimezzo, Baia Flaminia) are subject to water-quality monitoring and to the Park Authority's protective rules.

When to go to the sea in the park

Bathing season: from mid-June to mid-September, when the water temperature is above 22 °C.

Best period for quiet enjoyment: June and September. The park's wild beaches (Fiorenzuola, Casteldimezzo) are usable in May and October too, with cooler water but minimum crowds.

Best times in high season: early morning for parking and quiet, late afternoon for the natural shade of the cliff (Vallugola, Fiorenzuola, Casteldimezzo).

The beaches of the San Bartolo Park

Four beaches in the park, four distinct characters

A look at the beaches of the San Bartolo Park