Between the Baia del Silenzio and the Baia delle Favole, Sestri Levante captures the quiet charm of the Italian Riviera. Our complete guide to visiting the town of two seas from Monaco.
Known as the "town of two seas," Sestri Levante is one of the most enchanting surprises on the Italian Riviera. Set between two impossibly beautiful bays, this small Ligurian town blends fine sand, colourful lanes and authentic fishing villages, just two and a half hours by road from Monaco. It was here, in the soft light of the Gulf of Tigullio, that Hans Christian Andersen found inspiration for his fairy tales. In this guide, we take you through Sestri Levante: its two legendary bays, its old town, its beaches, its cuisine and our insider tips for turning it into an unforgettable Italian escape from the Principality.
Sestri Levante, the town of two seas
Sestri Levante sits on a peninsula reaching into the Mediterranean, on the Riviera di Levante, east of Genoa. This unique setting earns it the nickname città dei due mari, the town of two seas: on one side the wide, lively Baia delle Favole, on the other the intimate, sheltered Baia del Silenzio. Between them, the Isola, once an island now joined to the mainland, unfolds its lanes, churches and viewpoints.
The town belongs to the province of Genoa and marks the gateway to the Gulf of Tigullio, a few kilometres from the Portofino peninsula and the Cinque Terre. Less crowded than its neighbours yet just as photogenic, Sestri Levante charms visitors with its balance: a genuine year-round centre, accessible beaches and a thoroughly Ligurian way of life.
Visiting Sestri Levante means rediscovering the seaside Italy of old: rows of colourful beach huts on the sand, fishermen mending their nets in the Baia del Silenzio, the scent of warm focaccia drifting through the lanes. A setting that captivated Andersen, Wagner and Marconi, and continues to enchant travellers today.
💡 The concierge's tip
"Come to the Baia del Silenzio early in the morning, before 9am: the light is at its most beautiful, the fishing boats still lined up on the sand and the bay almost deserted. It is the perfect moment to photograph it and to enjoy a first quiet swim, before the beach comes to life."
The Baia del Silenzio, the jewel of Sestri Levante
If you had to keep a single image of Sestri Levante, it would be the Baia del Silenzio, the Bay of Silence. This small crescent-shaped cove unfurls a beach of fine sand lined with pastel-toned houses, from ochre yellow to powder pink. Fishing boats rest on the sand, the water is crystal clear, and the Punta Manara headland closes the horizon. The scene is one of perfect harmony.
The name says it all: a rare tranquillity reigns here. Sheltered from the wind and the bustle, the bay invites contemplation. In the morning, before the bathers arrive, the light is sublime and the silence almost total. It is one of the most photographed views in all of Liguria, and it is easy to see why.
The Baia del Silenzio is made for both swimming and strolling. You can settle on the sand, walk the promenade lined with fishermen's houses, or simply sit at a terrace to enjoy a coffee facing the sea. A suspended moment, far from the summer crowds.
The Baia delle Favole and Andersen's legacy
On the other side of the peninsula lies the Baia delle Favole, the Bay of Fables. Larger and livelier, it is lined with beach clubs, restaurants and terraces for an evening out. Its name honours Hans Christian Andersen, the celebrated Danish storyteller, who stayed in Sestri Levante in 1833 and fell under the spell of the place.
In 1967, the town named this bay "delle Favole" in his honour and created the Premio Andersen, a literary prize dedicated to children's literature, awarded every year. This poetic connection is part of Sestri Levante's identity: the town feels like the setting of a fairy tale, between sea and hills.
The Bay of Fables is ideal for families and lovers of an active beach day: wide stretches of sand, beach services, sunbed and parasol rentals, and plenty of places to eat. It is also from here that boat trips depart for the Cinque Terre and the Gulf of Tigullio.
What to see in Sestri Levante: old town and the Isola
Beyond its two bays, Sestri Levante deserves to be explored on foot. The main points of interest are concentrated on the Isola peninsula and in the old town, easy to cover in half a day.
The old town and its caruggi
The centre of Sestri Levante revolves around Via XXV Aprile, a long paved street lined with shops, cafés and historic palazzi. You wander through the caruggi, the narrow lanes typical of Liguria, all the way to the Basilica of Santa Maria di Nazareth, an elegant baroque building with a richly decorated interior. The Palazzo Fascie, home to the library and exhibitions, recalls the town's prosperous past.
The Isola: convent, churches and panoramas
The Isola peninsula concentrates the finest viewpoints. Climbing up through the greenery, you reach the Capuchin convent perched on the heights, and the medieval church of San Nicolò dell'Isola, one of the town's oldest monuments with its Romanesque façade dating from the 12th century. From up there, your gaze takes in both bays at a single glance: a spectacular panorama that alone justifies the climb.
The Punta Manara trail
For keen walkers, the Punta Manara trail is one of the most beautiful hikes on the Riviera di Levante. The path starts from the centre of Sestri Levante and climbs gently through maritime pines and Mediterranean scrub to the headland, where an old watchtower still stands. The view over the coast, from Portofino to the Cinque Terre, is unforgettable. Allow about an hour each way, with good shoes and water.
The beaches of Sestri Levante
The beaches are one of the great reasons to visit Sestri Levante. The town offers something rare on the Riviera: sand, rather than the pebbles found in many neighbouring Ligurian resorts.
- The Baia del Silenzio: the most beautiful and the most peaceful. Fine sand, calm shallow water, ideal for swimming with the family. A mix of free areas and beach clubs.
- The Baia delle Favole: the largest and best equipped. Numerous beach clubs, full services, perfect for an active beach day.
- The coves of Riva Trigoso: a few kilometres to the south, this fishing hamlet offers a wilder, more authentic beach, away from the crowds.
In high season the free areas fill up quickly: arriving early in the morning remains the best strategy to enjoy the sand and the water at their finest.
Where to eat in Sestri Levante: Ligurian flavours
Ligurian cuisine is a simple, fragrant celebration, and Sestri Levante is one of its delicious showcases. You cannot leave without tasting focaccia di Recco, thin and melting with cheese, or pesto alla genovese served over trofie, the little twisted pasta typical of the region.
Fish and seafood, landed each morning, take pride of place on the tables. In the lanes of the centre, small trattorias serve fritto misto, mussels, or the classic farinata, a chickpea flatbread baked in a wood-fired oven. For an aperitivo, nothing beats a glass of Vermentino, the Ligurian white wine, facing the sunset over the Baia del Silenzio.
☉ Good to know
Every year, Sestri Levante awards the Premio Andersen, a literary prize for children's literature, in tribute to the Danish storyteller who stayed here in 1833. As the old town is largely pedestrian, park in one of the outlying car parks (paid in season) and reach the two bays on foot within a few minutes.
How to get to Sestri Levante from Monaco
Sestri Levante lies about 225 kilometres east of Monaco. The escape is easy to plan, whether you choose the road or the train, but it is best to allow a full day, or even a night on site, to enjoy it without rushing.
By car
The car is the most flexible option. Allow about 2h30 via the Italian A10 motorway (E80), through Genoa, then the Sestri Levante exit. The route follows the Riviera and lets you combine Sestri Levante with other Ligurian stops. On site, the centre is largely pedestrian: it is best to park in one of the outlying car parks and finish on foot.
By train
Sestri Levante is well served by train, on the Genoa-La Spezia line. From Monaco, the journey usually involves two changes, at Ventimiglia then Genoa, for a travel time of about 4 hours. Once there, the station is a ten-minute walk from the centre and the beaches. The train is also the ideal way to continue on to the Cinque Terre, reachable in under an hour.
When to visit Sestri Levante
The best time runs from May to September. June and September offer the best compromise: a sea that is already warm, beautiful light and far fewer people than at the height of summer. In July and August the atmosphere is festive but the beaches fill up and parking becomes tricky. Spring and early autumn will delight walkers, with ideal temperatures for the Punta Manara trail.
Beyond Sestri Levante: Cinque Terre and Portofino
One of Sestri Levante's great assets is its central position on the Riviera di Levante. The town makes a perfect base for exploring the finest sights on the Ligurian coast.
Less than an hour away by train are the Cinque Terre, the five villages clinging to the cliffs and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To plan that visit, read our complete guide to visiting the Cinque Terre. To the west, the legendary Portofino peninsula and its postcard harbour are also well worth the detour, as is the charming fishing village of Camogli, tucked into the Gulf of Paradise.
Sestri Levante from Port Palace, your Monaco base camp
To explore the Italian Riviera in the best conditions, nothing beats an elegant anchor point in Monaco. Ideally located on Port Hercule, the Port Palace is a four-star boutique hotel and member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, just minutes from Monaco's railway station where trains to Italy depart.
After a day in Sestri Levante, return to the comfort of our rooms and suites overlooking the port, and extend the evening at the rooftop restaurant La Môme, whose Mediterranean cuisine echoes the Ligurian flavours discovered during the day. As a guest of the Port Palace, you benefit from a concierge service to arrange your excursions, transfers and reservations across the Riviera.
Port Palace Monaco
Your Italian escape begins in Monaco
Ideally placed on Port Hercule, just minutes from the station, the Port Palace is the perfect starting point to explore Sestri Levante and the Italian Riviera. Our rooms with a view over the port await your return.
Book your stayFAQ: your questions about Sestri Levante
What to see and do in Sestri Levante?
The must-sees are the two bays, the Baia del Silenzio and the Baia delle Favole, the Isola peninsula with the church of San Nicolò and the Capuchin convent, the old town and its baroque basilica, and the Punta Manara hiking trail. The town is easily explored on foot in a day.
Why is Sestri Levante called the town of two seas?
Sestri Levante sits on a peninsula bordered by two distinct bays: the wide, lively Baia delle Favole and the more intimate, sheltered Baia del Silenzio. This double seafront earns it the nickname città dei due mari, the town of two seas.
How do you get from Monaco to Sestri Levante?
By car, allow about 2h30 via the A10 motorway through Genoa (around 225 km). By train, the journey takes about 4 hours from Monaco station, with changes at Ventimiglia and Genoa. The car offers more flexibility to combine several stops along the Riviera.
Can you visit the Cinque Terre from Sestri Levante?
Yes, Sestri Levante is an excellent base for the Cinque Terre. The five villages are reachable by direct train in under an hour, making it an easy day trip from Sestri Levante.
When is the best time to visit Sestri Levante?
From May to September, with a preference for June and September: the sea is warm, the light beautiful and the beaches far less crowded than at the peak of summer. July and August are festive but busier.
Conclusion
Between its two enchanting bays, its lively old town and its generous cuisine, Sestri Levante embodies all the quiet charm of the Italian Riviera. Two and a half hours from Monaco, it lends itself perfectly to a day trip or a weekend, on its own or combined with the Cinque Terre and Portofino. From your suite facing Port Hercule, let yourself be tempted by this Italian interlude where time seems to stand still, between the silence of a bay and the poetry of an Andersen tale.
