Lungomare

Lungomare is the Italian term for a seafront promenade: a public, waterfront thoroughfare built along a coast to provide pedestrian access and leisure space with views of the sea. The word combines lungo (along) and mare (sea), and the concept is commonly found in Italian coastal towns and cities. A lungomare may function as an integrated part of the urban fabric or as a named waterfront district, and is often the focus of social life, tourism, and ceremonial events.

Design and features vary, but typical elements include wide pedestrian areas or promenades, seating, lighting, trees or other landscaping, cycle lanes, and access points to beaches, lidos, or harbor facilities. Some sections run directly along the shoreline, while others are set back behind dune or waterfront parks. Along many lungomare, monuments, public art, cafés, street markets, and small pavilions contribute to its character.

Historically, lungomare emerged as part of urban modernization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting changes in leisure culture and seaside promenades across Europe. Today they remain popular for strolling, exercise, and social gatherings, and many cities invest in maintenance and resilience to protect against coastal erosion and weather.

In use, the term is sometimes applied to a street name or district designation in Italian cities, and the exact layout and facilities depend on local geography, climate, and planning priorities. See also: seafront, promenade.