Spiaggia La Marinella

Vasco De Gama

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They forgot to say that access to the beach is by elevator, very picturesque but in high season it can be a complication.

During our visit, we noticed that the water was quite murky and had debris and scum floating around in the swimming area. Unfortunately, this location does not have a proper beach; rather, it is comprised of a few piers with sun beds available for use. Admittedly, there are not many beaches in this particular area of the coast, so this is not entirely unexpected. However, due to the unsavory appearance of the water, we opted not to inquire about the cost of the sun beds and decided to seek out a cleaner beach further down the coast.

The beach may be petite, but the water is simply breathtaking. La Marinella, a restaurant on the shore, offers tanning bed rentals and a terrace for dining. Alternatively, you can bypass the fee and head straight to the pier where you can lay out your towel. This is unequivocally the top beach in Sant Agnello, and the sunset views are nothing short of spectacular.

We were informed that the elevator leading to the beach was exclusively for members of the private beach club. Consequently, we had to walk through the corridors on the cliffside to access the beach. Upon trying to use the elevator to go back up, we were not permitted to do so and had to make the arduous uphill trek with our nine-year-old. The hotel manager assured us that the elevator was open to the public, but the owner's daughter refuted our claim. We decided to have dinner at the restaurant, where we paid a steep price of $70 for the fish of the day. Unfortunately, nothing was comped as an apology, and the overall atmosphere was snobbish and overpriced. The following day, we found the elevator unattended and took it down to swim, only to be stopped on our way back and informed that we were not allowed to use it as we were not members of the private beach. We observed that other families were waiting to use the elevator, and we were charged a fee of 3 euros per person. Despite my husband's attempts to reason with the owner, who spoke Italian, we were denied access and felt discriminated against as Americans. The owner was incredibly rude and threatened to call the police if we did not leave. We strongly advise against patronizing this establishment as they are greedy and unpleasant.

As a solo traveler, I initially felt uneasy about visiting the beach, but my concerns were quickly put to rest. The beach is conveniently located next to a private beach, and the walk down is a scenic journey through cool stone corridors with windows that offer breathtaking views. For a small fee of 4 euros, visitors can rent a comfortable chair to relax in, and although the parasols were sold out on my visit, I brought my own umbrella from the hotel. The water at the beach is crystal clear and less crowded than other areas, making it perfect for swimming and diving. Many visitors come equipped with masks to explore the underwater world. There is a shop and restaurant nearby, as well as shower, toilet, and changing facilities available for an additional fee. On the other side of the beach, visitors can rent a sunbed with or without a parasol for €25 at the lido. However, without shade, the heat can become unbearable at times, although many people still manage to enjoy the sun. The beach tends to get busier in the late afternoon, and the water may become slightly darker and colder. Despite this, at 8 pm, people were still swimming. Overall, I arrived at the beach at 12:30 and found plenty of space to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.