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Table of Contents:
When to travel to Sestri Levante
How to get to Sestri Levante from Genoa
How to get to Sestri Levante from Milan
Where to stay in Sestri Levante
When to travel to Sestri Levante
Sestri Levante is a small resort town located between two sea gulfs with beautiful names – the Gulf of Silence and the Gulf of Fairy Tales. Sestri Levante is one of the few resorts on the Riviera Levante that can boast of having beaches, which is why Sestri Levante attracts tourists for whom beach holiday is a priority.
After some research, I decided to put together information I have previously found out and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday in Sestri Levante. I figured out how to get to the town, where to stay & what to see there. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to Sestri Levante.
As I found out, the best time of the year to visit Sestri Levante is the summer period when the sea is warm enough to swim and sunbathe. The swimming period starts in June and lasts until October. Springs and autumns are good for excursions, hiking around, sightseeing, etc. The weather in winter can be a bit rainy and suits better for indoor activities, for example, visiting museums, trying local gastronomy, etc.
How to get to Sestri Levante
Where do you fly into to get to Sestri Levante? To get to the resort, you first need to fly to one of the major cities in the region. It could be Genoa or Milan. You can check the current flight timetable via specialized online services such as Aviasales and other similar ones. I usually use Aviasales when planning my trips, because it can compare a great variety of available flight options. The most convenient way to get to Sestri Levante is to use trains; they go to the resort from both Milan and Genoa. Alternatively, you can use taxi services or hire a car to travel to Liguria on your own.
How to get to Sestri Levante from Genoa
After some map research, I figured out that the distance between Genoa and Sestri Levante is only about 50 km. They are connected with highway No. A12/E80. You can get from Genoa to Sestri Levante by train, by taxi or by rented car.
By train: Trains between Genoa and Sestri Levante are very frequent. Basically, these are regional trains that will take you to the resort in 40 minutes. The first train departs at 5 am and then runs every half an hour. Trains depart from Genoa Main Railway Station, which is called Genova Piazza Principe. You can check the current train timetable and purchase tickets in advance at the Raileurope booking service. The last train departs shortly before midnight. You can purchase train tickets either at the railway station ticket office or online.
By taxi: As you can see, trains from Genoa to Sestri Levante do not run at night, in which case a taxi can be useful. The travel time by taxi takes only 1 hour. You can order a taxi at the airport at the information desk, or in advance via the various international online services such as Kiwitaxi and other similar ones. I did some research and I discovered that Kiwitaxi transfer service has a lot of positive reviews so I can recommend it. For sure, there are a lot of other taxi services available at the airport.
By rented car: As an option, travellers can also rent a car in Genoa to get to Sestri Levante and explore the Ligurian shore which is pretty picturesque. To rent a car you need to have a passport, a driver`s license and a bank card. You can also book a car in advance via different online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and some others. Genoa and Sestri Levante are connected with the A12/E80 motorway. The travel time by car is about 50 minutes (see on the map).
How to get to Sestri Levante from Milan
There are also trains from Milan to Sestri Levante, although they run somewhat less frequently; some of them also require a change in Genoa, but there are also direct trains too. You can also use a taxi car or a rented car. The distance between Milan and Sestri Levante is about 185 km.
By train: Trains start running from Milan Central Station at 6 am, while the travel time by direct train is about 2.5 hours. If you need to make a change in Genoa, the travel time will be about 3.5 hours. The last train on the route departs at 9 pm. You can check the current train timetable and purchase tickets in advance at the Raileurope booking service. It is one of my favourite online services for planning upcoming trips. It has a convenient search and a lot of additional filters to sort the results, so, in my opinion, it is very helpful for planning trips around Europe in advance.
By taxi: You can also get from Milan to Sestri Levante by taxi in 3 hours. You can order a taxi at the airport at the information desk, or in advance via the different transfer services such as Kiwitaxi and some others. Transfer service is especially useful when arriving at night because public transport does not operate during the night time.
By rented car: Some tourists hire a car in Milan to travel to the Ligurian shore. Car renting is a very popular option in Milan as there are a lot of interesting travel routes around. You can find car rental points either at the airport or at the city center. To rent a car you need to have a passport, a driver`s license and a bank card. You can book the desired class of car in advance via various international online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. Based on my experience, both online services are good. I would recommend using them both to compare the results. Milan and Sestri Levante are connected with #A7 and A12. The travel time is about 2 hours 45 minutes (see on the map).
Where to stay in Sestri Levante
According to my research, in Sestri Levante there are hotels of different star categories. If your goal is a beach holiday, then it makes sense to choose a hotel near the beach. Since Sestri Levante is a relatively small resort, there are a limited number of hotels offered here, so I would recommend booking a room as far in advance as possible. There are some popular accommodations in Sestri Levante:
Vis À Vis 4* is conveniently located close both to the beach and to the historical center. In addition, the advantages of the hotel include an outdoor swimming pool, a sauna and a terrace on the roof of the hotel. Guests also enjoy free Wi-Fi and free public parking (reservations are not required). The hotel restaurant serves local cuisine, and there is a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the resort. Guests have access to a nearby private beach;
Suite Hotel Nettuno 4* is located on the shore and has its own private beach, equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas. In addition, the hotel has a swimming pool and a restaurant. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. The hotel also has its own private parking, which is free for the guests (reservation is not required). As online booking services provide tourists reviews, I found out that the hotel offers its guests standard rooms, junior suites or suites;
La casa dei Paggi 4* is surrounded with gardens and is located within walking distance of the local beach. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available in the hotel rooms free of charge. Private parking is available nearby upon reservation. There is an ATM and luggage storage facilities at the reception;
Villa Agnese 3* is located some distance from the center of Sestri Levante, surrounded by vineyards. A holiday in this hotel is more suitable for those who prefer tranquility and beautiful nature around. The hotel has its own terrace and swimming pool. Wi-Fi and car parking are provided free of charge. The hotel has different types of rooms from classic to junior suites;
Villa Pozzi 3* is a 5-minute walk from the nearest beach. The hotel has a dining room and a bar. Guests can stay in one, two, three or four-bed rooms. Family rooms are also available. Breakfast is included in the price. Private parking nearby is available for an additional fee.
What to see in Sestri Levante
Sestri Levante is a cozy town on the Ligurian Riviera. The town is so small in size that it looks more like a typical Italian fishing village with colorful houses by the sea and fishing boats along the shore. To my mind, one undeniable advantage of Sestri Levante over other resorts in Liguria is a sandy beach.
The very location of the town provided it with such an advantage. Sestri Levante is located on a small piece of land jutting out into the sea, so on both sides the resort is surrounded with the gulfs in which it is convenient to relax in the sun, sunbathe, and swim. What is important is that the beaches in Sestri Levante are sandy, unlike in the vast majority of resorts in the province of Genoa on the Ligurian Riviera.
The main attractions of Sestri Levante are historical sites in the town center, as well as the natural sites surrounding the resort.
The historical center of Sestri Levante resembles an intricate labyrinth of narrow ancient streets, where here and there you can find very unexpected attractions. It is recommended visiting the various villas that were built at the beginning of the 20th century, when the resort became extremely popular among the Italians. The most outstanding building here is considered to be the so-called Palazzo Negrotto, which began to be built in the mid-19th century and was completed only in the first quarter of the 20th century. This magnificent building sets the tone for all the other villas that were built later.
On the shore of the Gulf of Silence there is another interesting cultural site. It is the large monastery complex called Annunziata, located directly above the water. The monastery was built neither more nor less, from the 15th to the 19th centuries, now it is a functioning Catholic monastery. In the town center there are also several ancient churches, completely restored and of great value, for example, the Church of St. Nicholas which was built in the 12th century and is considered to have especially outstanding architecture.
In the surroundings of the town, you can find the castle and its garden, which are located on some hill above the town. Climbing here, you can enjoy not only views of the castle itself and the adjacent park, but also views of Sestri Levante and the Gulf of Tigullio from the top. The height of the hill called Monte Costello, on which the castle is located, is about 285 meters, which gives a good overview of the surrounding area of Sestri Levante. I would totally recommend visiting it.
Two main natural attractions of the resort are the sea gulfs surrounding the town on both sides. This is a Portobello Gulf, or Gulf of Silence, and a Fairytale Gulf. By the way, the latter was so poetically named in honor of Hans Christian Anderson, the great storyteller who lived for some time in Sestri Levante. To my mind, the views on both gulfs are especially good in the evening, right before sunset.
In Sestri Levante there are both public beaches and private ones belonging to certain hotels, so when coming to the resort for beach purposes, it makes sense to look for a hotel that has its own beach. Mostly local residents relax on public beaches; in the summer it can be quite crowded. The advantage of private beaches is also an equipped recreation area (there are sun loungers, umbrellas, etc).
Both public and private beaches are sandy; the quality of the beaches does not differ in this regard. Public beaches are located in the Gulf of Silence. In the Gulf of Fairy Tales, the beaches are partly public, partly private. Fishing boats often moor in the gulf, but they do not disturb swimmers, but add some romantic vibes.
In conclusion, I can say that Sestri Levante, as a resort, is suitable for those who love a relaxing holiday, since there are no entertainment centers and events, with the exception of cafes and restaurants, and there is no nightlife, but there are excellent beaches, picturesque surroundings and historical sites. This is exactly what the Ligurian Riviera is famous for. As I see it, Sestri Levante is a cozy resort with beautiful natural views and a comfortable beach area. It is a good choice for swimming, relaxing at the beach and enjoying the holiday vibes.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Jiuguang Wang
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…