Hotel Elena
Recco - Corso Garibaldi 5
Offering rooms with views of the Ligurian Sea, Hotel Elena is in Recco.
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The town of Recco may not top the list of most beautiful destinations on the Riviera di Levante, but when its rivals are Portofino, Camogli and Cinque Terre, failing to make the podium is hardly a cause for concern.
Located in the Gulf of Paradise, between the villages of Sori and Camogli, Recco is an ideal gateway to the Riviera di Levante. It sits west of the Portofino headland, but reaching Liguria’s trendiest destination takes just 30 minutes by car; even less if you’re heading to Camogli or Rapallo.
Why not stay in Recco for a day or longer? The town’s beaches are bathed in clear, inviting waters; it’s a culinary capital, famous for a focaccia so delicious it puts the Genoese to shame, and for other mouth-watering specialities; the historic centre retains elegant touches of its past, revealing themselves to the attentive traveller as wonderful surprises.
Recco’s most famous attraction isn’t a monument or beach—it’s the legendary cheese focaccia. This is an unleavened focaccia dough stretched into two very thin layers, filled with cheese (usually stracchino) and baked in the oven.
The recipe’s details are a secret closely guarded by Recco’s residents, but the dough’s elasticity is likely what gives this focaccia its distinctive crispness. Every attempt at imitation has failed, and today Recco’s cheese focaccia is a protected PGI product overseen by a dedicated consortium.
This local delicacy is celebrated at a festival held every year in late May, but you can taste it 365 days a year at focaccerias, bakeries, restaurants and pizzerias throughout Recco’s centre.
Many tourists choose Recco as a base before heading to more famous locations, but there’s no need to get the car out to spend hours relaxing by the sea.
In Recco’s centre you’ll find two equipped beaches and two free beaches at their ends. These are typical Ligurian pebble beaches, wedged between the sea and the town, but they’re less crowded than more famous beaches.
The beach best suited to those travelling with children is the one furthest from the station: here the seabed is shallow, there’s a play area and you’ll find some respite from the heat in the nearby park.
If you fancy more striking beaches (though probably busier ones) head to nearby Camogli or explore the beaches around Portofino headland: the San Fruttuoso bay is reachable by boat, while Portofino and Paraggi bay are a 30-minute drive away.
Recco’s historic centre isn’t as picturesque as those in other Ligurian towns, as modern buildings have somewhat dimmed its charm; however, there are still some fine historic palaces and interesting corners worth exploring.
One of Recco’s most renowned historic buildings is the Santuario della Madonna del Suffragio: built in the mid-18th century, it features a tall bell tower that makes Recco identifiable from afar and has become the town’s symbol.
The area has been a place of worship since ancient times: the church stands on the road from Recco to the nearby village of Uscio, exactly where an oratory dedicated to St Martin once stood (later consecrated to St Michael the Archangel).
Another noteworthy church is the Church of Our Lady of Grace in the Megli district, renowned for housing what is believed to be a thorn from the Crown of Christ.
The reason so many tourists choose Recco as a base for a Liguria holiday despite more famous destinations nearby likely comes down to the quality of accommodation.
It seems almost every surviving historic residence in Recco has been converted into charming hotels and bed and breakfasts, many of which boast stunning panoramic terraces, elegant furnishings and sea-view balconies.
To spend a little less, head a few kilometres from the centre, preferably towards the hinterland (the coast is usually pricier).
We offer a selection of hotels at Recco to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Recco, sorted by number of reviews.
If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Recco. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Recco are in high demand.
To arrive by car, take the A12 motorway towards Genoa if coming from the south-east, or towards Sestri Levante-Livorno if coming from the west. Another option is the slower Aurelia State Road 1, which offers panoramic views.
Recco railway station sits on the Pisa-La Spezia-Genoa line, served by numerous regional and Intercity trains.
From Recco you can reach Camogli, Punta Chiappa and San Fruttuoso by boat; the service runs seasonally (typically April to September).
What's the weather at Recco? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Recco for the next few days.
Recco is located roughly 30 km from Genoa and is easily accessible by car or public transport.
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