Sestri Levante beaches

Sestri Levante's beaches at a glance

The old town sits on an isthmus with a headland, known locally as the “island”. The bays lie on each side: Baia delle Favole to the west, Baia del Silenzio to the east. You can walk between them in a few minutes along Via XXV Aprile. The other beaches are further out: Baia Portobello and Renà near the peninsula, and Riva Trigoso to the east, in the village of the same name.

Baia delle Favole

This is the biggest beach in the municipality: a crescent of fine sand and gravel with a gently sloping seabed. Beach clubs and free stretches alternate, with more free beach towards the ends. In 2026 the Blue Flag covers the northern stretch, not the whole bay. It is the easiest choice with children and when Baia del Silenzio is full. Full details in our guide to Baia delle Favole.

Baia del Silenzio

Small and sheltered, with fishermen’s boats pulled up on the sand and colourful houses behind. It is mostly free and the prettiest to look at, but also the most crowded. In 2026 the town capped visitor numbers from 1 July to 31 August: 450 people at a time, checked access from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, free entry and no booking. Read the guide to Baia del Silenzio for details. The 2027 rules are not known yet.

Baia Portobello and Renà beach

These are the least known beaches near the centre, and often the quietest. Both are on the official FEE Blue Flag list for 2026, along with Baia delle Favole Nord and Riva Trigoso. Secondary sources describe Renà as a free beach of coarse sand and gravel, turning to large stones and rocks towards the east. For Portobello the town approved a plan for an equipped free beach: we found no confirmation of how it works in 2026, so ask the tourist office before you go.

Riva Trigoso

Riva Trigoso is a fishing and shipbuilding village a few minutes from the centre by train. Its beach is long, with coarse sand, beach clubs and free stretches; one secondary source splits it into Riva Ponente and Riva Levante at the Petronio stream. Choose it if you want a village feel rather than a resort. The Sagra del Bagnun, a fish soup festival, takes place in mid-July. A footpath also leads on foot to Baia del Silenzio. The sea is lovely, but services are fewer than in the centre.

Which one to choose

• With children: Baia delle Favole, for the shallow water and services.
• For photos and atmosphere: Baia del Silenzio, best early in the morning or in September.
• To avoid crowds: Renà, Portobello or Riva Trigoso.
• Without a car: the two bays, on foot from the station.

For wider beaches, Lavagna and Chiavari lie to the west; Moneglia is to the east, but the tunnel road from Riva Trigoso has been closed since 2025, so go by train. For the regional list, see Blue Flags in Liguria.

Practical tips

Getting there. Get off at Sestri Levante station, on the Genoa–La Spezia line. By car, take the A12 and the Sestri Levante exit, about 1 km from the centre.

Parking. Most spaces are paid and the old town is a limited traffic zone. At the end of Baia delle Favole there is the underground Sant’Anna car park. 2026 rates are not confirmed: read the signs.

Water and flags. Water quality depends on ARPAL checks: look up the bathing-point class before you go. After heavy rain a temporary ban is possible. Check the weather in Sestri Levante.

Prices and dogs. There is no single price list for loungers and umbrellas, and dog rules change each season: ask the beach club or the town hall.