GRADO
TIP
When you go makes a big difference. The high season runs mid-May through mid-September. Entrance and most activities inside the main beach will be noticeably more expensive. The high season, however, is also the time of year when you’re more likely to get that perfect beach weather. The early-season rains often ruin the beach mood.
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Overview
Grado became a popular destination resort in the late 1800s, and it continues to be one of Italy’s premier beach towns, drawing most of its visitors from inland Italy, Austria and Germany. Grado, with the distinction as the Adriatic’s lone south-facing beach, is known for its soft sand and gentle waters. If you’re in search of deep waters, you’ll have to swim out a ways, or rent a pedal boat to make your trip easier. Otherwise, the beach is extremely safe for kids, therefore very popular with families. Grado has two beaches near its downtown. One has a paid entrance and is packed with activities, cafes and restaurants. The other has free admission, but it has fewer amenities. A popular boardwalk links the two.
The Big Beach
This is Grado’s crown jewel, a sprawling complex of restaurants, activities and “ombrelloni,” beach umbrellas that are rented for the day. Beach entrance is a few euros apiece, but you can also rent various combinations of an umbrella with folding chairs. Typically, an ombrellone is good for four people. If you want the entrance but no umbrella, you’ll have to grab a spot in a designation section.
Things to do
Inside the big beach, you find lots of cafes serving coffee, snacks, sandwiches and even wine. The restaurants have patio seating and offer full course menus. There’s a playground for kids, an arcade, a wellness center, a fitness center, a water park, entertainment activities for kids and plenty of sporting opportunities (soccer, volleyball, ping pong, basketball, bocce, sailing and minigolf. There’s even a theater and a dance floor with bands in the height of summer. If you bring a computer or a phone with Internet capabilities, you can access free wireless service inside the beach's main park “Parco Delle Rose.”
The free beach
The free beach is much smaller and often far less crowded. There’s no entry fee, but it does have beach umbrellas and boats for rent. There are also cafes, volleyball and basketball courts and a small playground. Many of the locals find this beach to be far more pleasurable, especially if you plan on going for a few hours or a half day.
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