Sea and Wellness Itinerary

Locally called "old beach," Costa Azzurra Beach is located on the westernmost edge of the Island of Grado between the so-called "Diga," or Nazario Sauro Promenade, and the tidal port entrance of "La Fosa"; it spans over 8,500 square meters and offers the open sea of the northern Adriatic Gulf in front of it. It is the sandy beach of the San Vito Landfill, a neighborhood planned in 1946 by the Gradese architect and urban planner Vigilio De Grassi, who was a student of Max Fabiani in Vienna and, in the 1920s, was involved in the restorations of both the Basilica of St. Mary of Grace and the Cathedral of St. Euphemia; along with his brother Placido, an engineer, he set up the Master Plan of fundamental importance for the island’s urban development. Returning to our "Costa Azzurra," it should be noted that entry is free and there are concession areas with the possibility of renting beach equipment. The original bathing establishment was created as early as 1954, when the entrepreneur Sergio Marin obtained the first related concession, and its current management remains family-run; this family tradition dates back to the time of Guglielmo Marin, who managed the first kiosk in Grado, still erected on a kind of stilts, along with another historic venue. The kiosk of the current establishment pays particular attention to the environment with a completely plastic-free service and the use of photovoltaic panels, and boasts the coveted certification from Legambiente Ecospiagge. The entire beach is divided among other venues and establishments, but the presence of green areas and playgrounds for smaller children makes the Grado "Costa Azzurra" an ideal destination for families with kids; moreover, thanks to differently deep waters compared to those of the main beach, swimming in the area is particularly enjoyed by more experienced swimmers, and opportunities for beach volleyball and five-a-side football also attract younger bathers; last but not least, the numerous kiosks and small restaurants offer pleasant opportunities for refreshment and gastronomic enjoyment, and in summer evenings, various musical and entertainment events are often organized. Behind the beach, on the side facing the lagoon, there is Porto San Vito, a first-rate marina that has also received this year the prestigious "Blue Flag" recognition from the F.E.E.-Foundation for Environmental Education, reserved for tourist ports and beaches. Even boats of considerable length can dock at Porto San Vito, which offers over 150 berths and about fifteen for transient docking, ensuring water depths at entry and at the dock of 3.50 meters. Finally, the shipyard provides spaces for winter storage and maintenance, not to mention the restoration of boats and the construction of sailing vessels. To complete the tourist offer, there is a facility for hospitality and one for dining.

Commonly referred to as the 'Diga' and a destination for unavoidable walks not only in the summer, the Lungomare Nazario Sauro offers a spectacular view of much of the Gulf of the Upper Adriatic thanks to its various viewpoints. On clear days, the gaze toward the sea can span, to the left, from Trieste to Istria, while to the right, the skyline of Lignano Sabbiadoro, a seaside resort affectionately called Grado's "rival," can be seen. In modern times, just like a section of the “Rive” in nearby Trieste, our seaside promenade has been named after the Italian irredentist: a rather curious fact, considering that the origins of the Lungomare date back to Austro-Hungarian Grado, primarily functioning as a breakwater to protect the historic center. Since the second post-war period, however, the creation of a true promenade has taken place, which during the summer season hosts open-air events focused on music and gastronomy, with the open sea as a natural backdrop. Beyond ordinary maintenance, continuous improvements are being made between the “old” beach of the current Costa Azzurra and the Giovanni Palatucci Gardens Square: this green space, located at the beginning of Grado's main beach and characterized by a beautiful mosaic fountain, has been dedicated to the last regent of the Italian Police Headquarters of Fiume, who was deported and died in Dachau and recognized as 'Righteous Among the Nations'. In Grado, in short, nature and history seem to merge indissolubly: along the Lungomare and in the immediate vicinity, there are historical monuments that mainly commemorate World War II and the particularly difficult post-war period in our borderlands. As already mentioned, the 'Diga' protects the Venetian-like old city from storms to the southwest; here, in just a few acres, there are a couple of hundred typical houses with a variety of chimneys, “balaori” or external staircases and balconies, and “fogoleri in fora” meaning extensions for fireplaces. It is absolutely pleasant to walk aimlessly among the labyrinthine alleys and picturesque squares that, over the centuries, have overlapped with the ancient Castrum. Returning to our seaside promenade, other reminders of the past are represented, for example, by relatively modern buildings such as the “Zipser” and the former “Pension Fortino” condominium. The name of the first refers to the Holiday House of Dr. Guido Zipser, which, in the early 1900s, hosted many holidaymakers with a fantastic view of the sea; the current condominium is a unique work by architect Marcello D’Olivo, built in the early 1960s and appreciated internationally by the Le Corbusier Foundation: the original project also envisioned a hotel, which, however, never went into operation; the apartments, mostly second homes, are 'pass-through' in the sense of having double exposure toward the sea and the city. Just beyond, where the Lungomare curves slightly, there is another condominium, of decidedly lesser visual impact, resulting from the transformation of the existing building, of which unfortunately the beautiful decorations in the Viennese Secession style have been lost; this was the former “Pension Fortino” of the Auchentaller couple, who almost pioneered island tourism; the artistic fame of Josef Maria Auchentaller, whose name is associated with those of Gustav Klimt, Koloman Moser, and Otto Wagner, should rightly be remembered. Finally, right between the two aforementioned buildings, behind the Town Hall, there is a pedestrian square named after Pier Paolo Pasolini, who, as an avant-garde director, filmed some scenes in the lagoon for his 1969 film “Medea” with Maria Callas; as a controversial intellectual, Pasolini was in contact and in tune with our ‘Biaseto,’ meaning with Biagio Marin, poet and standard-bearer of the Grado dialect and culture.

Even though "casotti," or changing rooms, existed along the shoreline as early as the mid-1800s, the origins of Grado as a seaside and therapeutic destination date back to 1873 with the so-called "children's beach," or rather, the "scrovoleri": these were children affected by a form of tuberculosis or rickets, guests of the Marine Hospice, which at the time was the first in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The beneficial effects of the fine sand, the excellent seawater, the pure air, and the mild marine climate of Grado led to its official recognition by Emperor Franz Joseph as a Spa Station in early summer 1892. The increasingly numerous vacationers were thus provided with the first hotels, holiday homes, and proper bathing facilities, characterized by wooden structures such as piers and boardwalks, in addition to the typical 'tents.' Administratively and managerially, during those years there was a transition from the Bath House to the Curatorial Board for the Administration of Grado's Bathing Establishments. In the mid-1920s, Biagio Marin, the quintessential poet of the island, was appointed Director of the Entity; in 1933, the Holiday Office became the heir to the Curatorial Board's responsibilities, and in 1952, the designation of Holiday Center was joined by the title of Cure. Further administrative transitions in the 1990s led to the founding of G.I.T. (Grado Tourist Facilities S.p.A.), which manages all the related services attached to the Main Beach, the marine spa, and the wellness center with its thermal pool. The GIT beach, equipped with cabins, umbrellas, sunbeds, and deck chairs, extends for about three kilometers and offers an ideal south-facing exposure, thus remaining sunny all day; the seabed is particularly safe even for inexperienced swimmers, as it gently slopes. A beach and sea surveillance service ensures an additional guarantee of safety during the bathing season. Special attention is paid to accessibility and the absence of architectural barriers through walkways and other structures or measures that significantly improve the usability of the beach. Showers with heated water from solar panels, restrooms, parking, a family area, and other useful facilities can be found along the entire beach. Continuously since 1989 (a national record), thanks to the high quality of seawater, the exceptional cleanliness of the shore, and the care of the entire area, Grado has been awarded the Blue Flag FEE, ensuring excellent standards for the protection of tourists and residents. Even the most demanding guests can be satisfied with the many services of this beach, which includes a more exclusive area, a sports zone, and one for mothers and children; last but not least, the Dog Beach allows dog owners and their four-legged friends to spend relaxing days by the sea with all modern comforts. Along the beachfront, there are plenty of refreshment points and characteristic kiosks for a refreshing and tasty break. In the summer, activities and cultural events are also added. In the City-Garden area, the Water Park, surrounded by greenery but located directly on the beach, is open from June to September; created with the fun of both adults and children in mind, it features a curvilinear seawater pool that is 85 meters long, with waterfall jets, a counter-current swimming channel, hydro-massage, and underwater benches for bubble massage, emphasizing physical well-being; there are also diving boards for the more athletic, water slides, and games for children. For relaxation, there is a large solarium area equipped with an elegant gazebo, brand new umbrellas, and comfortable sunbeds. Featuring a couple of bars, including one with underwater seating, the Water Park offers its guests a panoramic terrace with a whirlpool tub and many other delightful amenities and opportunities: Grado Tourist Facilities indeed provides varied entertainment, various gym activities, and group dances for everyone's enjoyment.

One must return to the times of the Imperial and Royal Grado to talk about the origins of its Marine Baths: on June 25, 1892, the island was officially recognized as a Health Resort with the establishment of the corresponding Health Company based on a law by Emperor Franz Joseph, later published in the Bulletin of Laws and Ordinances for the Austro-Hungarian coastal area. A short while before, the official science of that time had acknowledged the health properties of seawater and sand as part of therapeutic treatments for human health. A couple of decades prior to this founding law, the Florentine doctor Giuseppe Barellai had visited our area, whose philanthropic activities were well known, and for whose merit the first Italian seaside hospice was created in Viareggio as early as the mid-1800s. In Grado, in particular, a seaside hospice could care for poor children from various provinces of the Empire affected by scrofula and rickets. Thanks to the beneficial local microclimate with minimal thermal excursions, excellent air with a high salty-iodine content, high water salinity, and beach exposure completely to the south, a Health District was thus established. At the same time, from an initial wooden bathing facility, the Institute of the Baths quickly became autonomous, and the rapid qualitative leap that imperial Grado made before the outbreak of World War I was such that it ranked among the top thermal and bathing destinations of the Empire. Unfortunately, the development of the island's urban layout did not progress in parallel with other European centers primarily focused on thermal and bathing activities. The building of the “Antique Thermal Baths,” facing the main beach and currently a public establishment, recalls the original thermal core of Grado. Not only thalassotherapy, but also psammatotherapy characterized the island's healing activities throughout the 20th century to this day; moreover, our Marine Baths will undergo an enhancement and renovation project, given that it has long been expanding from anti-aging treatments to professional massages to a Solarium area. However, the thermalization of seawater through a special heating process with a tangible increase in hydro- and crenotherapeutic benefits against various pathologies remains fundamental; various services related to the indoor pools, which have large windows with a beautiful open view of the beach, are practically guaranteed year-round. Finally, inhalations and nebulizations complete the offering, and it is understood that some thermal treatments can be provided under a contract with the National Health Service, while others are under private management. For almost twenty years now, G.I.T.-Grado Tourist Facilities Company has successfully managed and continuously improved both the Marine Baths and the main beach. We like to think that, many centuries ago, the inhabitants of the ancient “Castrum” of Grado perhaps already lived under the motto “MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO”…

These two additional beaches in Grado, located respectively in the central and eastern parts of the island, cannot boast a beach-going tradition of about 130 years like the Main Beach, but they contribute to providing an even more diverse offer to meet the various needs of tourists, vacationers, "sea commuters," and residents. Access is free, as there is no "service ticket" required for entry, which characterizes access to the beach in the center of Grado; moreover, there are both concession areas equipped with actual beach establishments and completely free zones where one can use their own equipment. Sacca Beach and Grado Pineta stand out for their almost unspoiled nature and a landscape with dunes and spontaneous vegetation, as well as wooded areas on the opposite side of the shore. The shallow waters and sandbanks make the appearance of these beaches particularly striking during low tide and ensure safety for less experienced swimmers, as well as relaxation opportunities for those who enjoy walking along the shore. Due to their innate tranquility, both Sacca and Pineta are particularly frequented by kite-surfers, even during the off-season. Over the years, both Città Giardino and the "Sacca" area, as well as Grado Pineta, have been connected to the city center by a charming little train that operates during the peak tourist season for the enjoyment of both adults and children. However, urban and suburban bus services are available all year round, not to mention the lovely bike path that traverses the island in a north-south direction. While in the Sacca area kiosks and refreshment points are less frequent, on the contrary, Grado Pineta beach invites pleasant stops at several points. Finally, Snoopy Beach in Grado Pineta is the ideal destination for those who wish to enjoy beach life with their dog, offering various services, shade, and refreshments for both humans and four-legged friends.