Bay of Silence: access rules and tips

How the capped access works

For several summers the town of Sestri Levante has limited access to the bay to protect it from overcrowding. In 2026 the municipal ordinance set the period from 1 July to 31 August, with a maximum of 450 people on the beach at the same time. The count also includes the fishermen’s club boats and the umbrellas, which take up part of the sand.

Entry is controlled from 8.30am to 5.30pm by staff at three gates: Via Portobello, Vico Andersen and Piazzetta Stalli. Pedestrian access from Vico Byron and Via Cappuccini is closed. Staff count people in and out in real time: once the number reaches 450, entry is paused until someone leaves.

There is nothing to book and nothing to pay. If you leave for a coffee or lunch you can come back for your things. Before 8.30am and after 5.30pm there are no checks.

The rules are set each year. Before you travel, check the latest ordinance on the official tourism site of Sestri Levante.

When to go

In July and August the busiest times are late morning and early afternoon, especially at weekends, when checks are stricter. If you want a spot on the sand, arrive when the gates open, or go in the late afternoon: after 5.30pm access is unrestricted again and the light on the houses is at its best.

June and September are the best months: the water is still warm, there is no cap and far fewer people. Out of season the bay is almost empty and worth a visit just for a walk; in winter, with the boats hauled up, the name finally makes sense.

If the bay is full

The nearest alternative is the Bay of Fables, on the other side of the isthmus, a few minutes’ walk away: about 1.5 km long, with beach clubs and free stretches, and shallow water that suits children. Further south, beyond Punta Manara, is the wide beach of Riva Trigoso, one stop by train or a short drive.

You can also enjoy the bay from above: walk up the headland to the church of San Nicolò dell’Isola and the former Annunziata convent at the tip, from where you see the whole bay.

Getting there and parking

The bay is inside the old town, which is a limited traffic zone (ZTL). From the station you walk through the centre. By car, leave it at the Piazza Aldo Moro car park, the closest, or the underground Sant’Anna car park at the end of the Bay of Fables. In summer, blue-line parking is paid until late evening and spaces fill early.

Once in the centre, follow signs for one of the three gates: Via Portobello, Vico Andersen or Piazzetta Stalli. The bay is also accessible to disabled visitors: ask the tourist office in Palazzo Fascie about services.

Facilities and beach etiquette

During the capped period the town provides lifeguards, showers, toilets and an info point free of charge. Most of the beach is free public beach, so bring your own umbrella and towel, but remember that space is tight and part of the sand is used by the fishermen’s boats. Take your rubbish with you: on a beach this small it shows immediately.

The name and its history

The poet Giovanni Descalzo named the bay in 1919. It was already a draw for travellers: among Sestri’s most famous guests was Hans Christian Andersen, who stayed here in 1833, and one of the entry gates, Vico Andersen, carries his name. On the headland above the bay stands the tower associated with Guglielmo Marconi’s radio experiments, now in a hotel’s private park.

On the last Sunday of July the bay hosts the Barcarolata, a night parade of decorated boats that began in the 1920s and ends with fireworks. In 2026 it took place on 26 July: it is the busiest evening of the year, so arrive well in advance.