Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is one of the great towns of the Italian Riviera, with two fine beaches and a delightful old town pedestrian zone.

The famous crescent beach along the Bay of Silence is especially lovely, with golden sand framed by historic buildings and the Mediterranean, creating a calm atmosphere. It is the perfect place for sunbathing, swimming, relaxing, and taking in the stunning scenery, considered one of the most enchanting places on the Ligurian Riviera. This picture-postcard beach is lined with pastel-colored buildings, some of them with cafes and places to stay.

The other beach along the Bay of Fables is much longer and busier, with beach clubs, snack bars, parks, and hotels facing the grand waterfront promenade, with a good selection of restaurants.

Sestri has a classic old town with shops and restaurants lining its picturesque pedestrian lanes. It's a popular place, but it's generally not crowded if you avoid the summer season. Spring and Fall are ideal with the Mediterranean climate of this region producing fine weather, yet without the crowds.

Our walking route will soon take you to those beaches after strolling from the train station and then through the pedestrian zone along Via 25th of April 1945.

Arrival

Sestri Levant is located in northwestern Italy, 40 kilometers east of Genoa and 25 kilometers west of Cinque Terre, an easy train ride just 50 minutes or 30 minutes, respectively, from those places. Sestri has a similar waterfront beauty of those other more well-known destinations, but with better beaches, and it does not get crowded like those famous places, which have become victims of what's called overtourism -- too many people. That does not happen here. It does get busy in the summer, but shoulder seasons are perfect, with a mild Mediterranean climate and no crowds.

If arriving by train, walk 200 meters from the station to the end of Viale Roma, an ordinary shopping street, then turn left on Viale Mazzini, which will lead you to the main shopping area and pedestrian zone.

Alternatively, if you are eager to get to the beach, keep going straight beyond the end of Viale Roma into the small park, exiting on the other side at the shoreline along Via Vittoria Veneto to the Bay of Fables. However, the route suggested here will reach that same beach in a more efficient sequence towards the end of the walk.

Old Town

After walking 200 from Viale Roma along Viale Mazzini you reach the old town beyond a traffic circle at Corso Colombo, a curved lane lined with steel balls on both sides serving as a landmark to lead you into the main shopping area.

Corso Colombo

Corso Colombo is not only for pedestrians, with a mix of vehicles driving by and parked cars, but it is pedestrian-friendly, with wide sidewalks, shops, a small outdoor produce market, and historic buildings. There are restaurants and historic buildings, especially the towering Palazzo Fascie Rossi, hosting the Archaeological Museum of the City, concerts, library, and the Tourist Information Office on the ground floor.

The Tourist Information Office is an important point of reference where citizens and tourists are welcomed by friendly and qualified staff, ready to provide maps, guides, information and suggestions about the services, hospitality, restaurants, hotels, hiking trails, even personalized itineraries, open everyday, 9 AM-1 PM / 2 PM-5 PM.

Via 25th of April Pedestrian Zone

Corso Colombo continues for 200 meters, then becomes a pedestrian lane and changes name to Via 25th of April 1945, which is the most interesting street in Sestri, extending 400 meters through the center of the old town, filled with interesting sights.

It is the central gathering place for locals and visitors, like a long piazza, providing a mix of shopping, dining and cultural experiences. The street's name is a tribute to that important date marking the end of the Nazi occupation of Italy and the liberation of the country in 1945.

This charming narrow street is lined with pastel-colored, historic buildings in the Ligurian style, showcasing shops and outdoor restaurants along the ground level, offering a taste of Ligurian cuisine. Sestri is famous for its delicious foods, especially fresh seafood, traditional Ligurian dishes such as trophie pasta with pesto sauce, pansotti, a ravioli with walnut sauce, and focaccia Genovese.

The town is located in the heart of the Ligurian wine region, so visitors can sample a wide range of local wines. Full bodied red wines are made from the local Rossese and Ormeasco grape varieties, also famous for Ligurian light-bodied white wines.

There are many shops to keep you busy, where you'll find everything from fashion and accessories to artisanal products and souvenirs. Notice they don't have the big chain stores or luxury top-end that permeate so many other places. It's more independent boutiques and practical stores on a shopping street for both visitors and locals.

Grandma, parents and kids are a common sight on the lane out for a stroll. Even if you're not shopping or eating, it's a delightful place for people-watching.

Be sure to look up as you stroll along, where you'll find many buildings featuring traditional Ligurian architecture, with colorful facades and decorative shutters, sometimes with trompe-l'oeil painting to give that illusion of three-dimensional stonework, a common trick in Ligurian facades.

The main pedestrian lane is so interesting you might not realize there are several side lanes worth exploring — the old town is a labyrinth of narrow alleys, and courtyards.

For example, when you get to via Palestero, where the popular restaurant Millelire wraps around the corner, this side lane branches off leading to some lovely lanes and views. It passes Piazza Cavour, Via Cappellini, and Piazzetta M. Rizzi, where you can find the church of San Pietro in Vincoli, built by the Capuchin fathers in 1640.

This side route ends at the beach, with a grand vista along the shore. So if you've got the time, this is a good place for a detour and explore around and get some other views.

Look for two historic landmarks at the south end of Via 25th of April. Palazzo Durazzo-Pallavicini, located at Piazza Matteotti, is the seat of the town hall of Sestri, built in the second half of the 17th century, which houses a painting by the painter Francesco Bassano depicting the Adoration of the Magi.

Nearby is the Basilica of Santa Maria di Nazareth, built in the 17th century, houses various paintings from the Baroque era and a wooden Pietà by Anton Maria Maragliano. ce, contains inside a statue of the Immaculate dated XVIII century and religious paintings portrayed by Domenico Fiasella.

Behind the church turn left on Via Portobello to reach a beautiful beach.

Bay of Silence

Walking into the open scene of this beach is a grand experience, like stepping into a movie. You emerge from narrow lanes to a golden crescent of sand wrapped by picturesque, pastel-colored buildings, painted in soft hues of beige, peach, burnt sienna, cream, and apricot. With blue sky above and calm water below, this is one of Italy's most beautiful beaches, perfect in every way. In Italian, Bay of Silence is called “Baia del Silenzio.”

The clean blue sea is ideal for swimming or just wading and very family-friendly -- a great place for the kids to frolic. Fishermen's boats are lined up along the shore, ready to go out the next morning for an early catch to bring some fish back to these restaurants along the waterfront. You can dine right on the beach in good weather at several restaurants, such as Bistromare and Ristorante Baia del Silenzio.

Winner of the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Beaches Awards 2019, the beach was later reconfirmed as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Italy, taking fifth place. Characterized by crystalline water and fine sand, it is protected to the west by the massive promontory of Punta Manara and surrounded behind by typical Ligurian houses in pastel tones alternating with aristocratic historic buildings, witnesses of holidays dedicated to well-being and high-quality accommodation. During 19th-century Grand Tours, the Bay became one of the favorite destinations during stays in Liguria.

Relaxing at the sandy crescent or tapping into the Wi-Fi of the local cafe is a lovely way to spend the day. Visitors are mostly Italians, and even they are greatly outnumbered by people who live here, making for an authentic experience.

From the beach promenade, Via Penisola Levante goes up a hill which has several hotels and a park. Also up here is the Church of San Nicolò dell'Isola, dating back to 1151, the oldest church in Sestri, originally in Romanesque style and transformed into Baroque style during the 15th century. The church features stunning frescoes and artwork, as well as a beautiful bell tower that offers panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside.

A very long time ago this peninsula was an island, now connected by the isthmus that has the main pedestrian street of town, 25th of April. With beaches on both sides of the old town, they call Sestri the City of Two Seas.

Bay of Fables

To reach the long beach, return to the Basilica of Santa Maria di Nazareth, from which you can see the beach across the street, less than 100 meters away. It's the Bay of Fables, in Italian "Baia delle Favole," also translated as Bay of Fairy Tales, named in honor of the writer Hans Christian Andersen, who visited and loved this place.

Upon reaching the beach, you'll have a good view of the peninsula rising above.

There are various motor sailboats and other vessels along the beach that are used for leisure activities such as sailing, fishing, and exploring the Ligurian coastline. Many of the boats are available for rent. Some come with a skipper to guide you, offering a variety of organized tours.

The beach along Bay of Fables is quite long, stretching for about 1.5 kilometers, with waterfront open to the public, and numerous beach clubs where you pay an admission to rent an umbrella and chair. The promenade along the waterfront has restaurants and some pretty green parks with benches. You can sit down, relax, have a snack, or shop in the kiosks.

If you want to stay a night or two, you'll find some good hotels along Viale Rimembranza, fronting on the beach, such as the Grand Hotel Villa Balbi, a four star deluxe property. Next to that is Piazza Francesco Bo, with a bronze and marble sail sculpture. A short pedestrian lane, Via Aisle Maria Teresa, leads from this piazza back over to the 25th of April, connecting into the old town, another street you would enjoy exploring.

After visiting the beaches and pedestrian streets, you might consider some activities in the surrounding areas, such as hiking on various scenic trails that lead to beautiful vistas and secluded coves.

Departure

That just about completes the visit. Now, walk back along Viale Roma, where you first entered, returning to the train station, a grand building with the monumental facade, opened in 1924 to service the main train line along the shores of northwest Italy.

There are train departures three times per hour to Genoa on a comfortable ride that can be as short as 49 minutes, with beautiful scenery to enjoy. Or you might go to Santa Margherita Ligure, 22 minutes away, a beautiful coastal city near Portofino, with many affordable hotels. Cinque Terre is just 30 minutes by train to the south.

Many other towns along the shore are beautiful to visit, such as Camogli, featured in our other pages. This Italian Riviera extends along the coast for about 350 kilometers from Ventimiglia, the west border of Italy, all the way down to La Spezia. It is famous for stunning beaches, charming towns, amazing cuisine, and picturesque landscapes.

History

Sestri Levante has its origins as an ancient maritime and merchant center. Originally a small island with a promontory, it was later connected to the mainland. Over the centuries, it has been influenced by various cultures, including the Byzantines, Lombards, and Genoese. This rich history is reflected in the town's architecture and cultural heritage.

The town was originally inhabited by the Ligurian tribes, known for their seafaring skills and maritime trade. In the Roman era, it became an important commercial center known as Segesta Tiguliorum, with a bustling port that traded in goods such as olive oil, wine, and fish. The place was nearly abandoned when the Roman empire collapsed.

During the Middle Ages, Sestri Levante was ruled by various feudal lords. In 1133, the noble family of Lavagna, the Fieschi, attacked Tigullio, the gulf in which Sestri Levante is located, however, the powerful Republic of Genoa fought them off, and therefore, Sestri Levante became a part of the republic, for military protection. In the year 1145, the abbey of San Colombano was acquired by the Genoese, and was transformed later into a castle. In 1170, Sestri Levante was attacked by a naval flotilla from Pisa, but was able to withstand the attack.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Sestri Levante became a popular destination for wealthy Genoese families, who built luxurious villas and palaces along the coast. The town also became an important center for shipbuilding, with several shipyards and naval workshops operating along the coast.

During the 19th century, Sestri Levante underwent a period of significant urban development, with the construction of new roads, bridges, and public buildings. The town also became a popular destination for artists and writers, including Lord Byron, who wrote about the town's beauty and charm in his works.

In the 20th century, Sestri Levante became a popular tourist destination, with the construction of several hotels and resorts along the coast. The town also played an important role in World War II, serving as a base for Allied forces during the liberation of Italy.

Today, Sestri Levante is a vibrant and thriving town that celebrates its rich history and cultural heritage. Its beautiful architecture, historic landmarks, and natural attractions make it a popular destination for visitors from all over the world.

GoogleMyMap of Sestri Levante

Open Street Map of Sestri Levante:

View the same video of Sestri in the dedicated video page.