At the eastern tip of the Tigullio, Sestri Levante is one of the best-loved destinations on the riviera: set on a peninsula — the “Isola” — between two splendid, very different bays, it combines elegance, beaches and a lovely old town of caruggi. It’s a relaxed, refined town, a quieter alternative to the crowds of the Cinque Terre and Portofino, and precisely for that a perfect base. Here you’ll find where to stay best, with the small addresses we choose one by one, never by hearsay.
Its symbol is the two bays. The Bay of Silence is an intimate, picturesque corner, with fishermen’s houses looking onto a sheltered beach: one of the loveliest images in Liguria. The Bay of Fables, larger and better equipped, takes its name from the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, who stayed here in 1833; today the town dedicates the famous Andersen Festival to him each year, the street theatre that enlivens the alleys in early summer. Where to stay depends on the pace you’re after: let’s look at the best destinations, one by one.
Sestri Levante
The heart of the area, Sestri Levante is an elegant, lively town, with the two bays, the old town of caruggi and the Isola peninsula, dotted with hotels and former convents facing the sea. It’s a convenient, family-friendly base, with beaches for every taste, excellent fish restaurants and a pleasant promenade at any hour. From here, by train, you easily explore the whole riviera without traffic and parking worries. The addresses we choose:
Grand Hotel Villa Balbi
A historic seventeenth-century villa with a pool and a Mediterranean garden, in the heart of the town and a few steps from the sea. The charm of sleeping in a period residence facing the Bay of Fables, with the comforts of a grand hotel. Ideal for an elegant, romantic stay.
Hotel Due Mari
A four-star in the heart of the town, between the two beaches, with pools, a wellness centre and three restaurants. A dream location, a couple of steps from both the Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fables, and the services of a grand hotel. Ideal for those who want the best of both bays.
Hotel Miriam
A three-star a few steps from the beach of Riva Trigoso, Sestri’s second beach, with a garden, a terrace and bicycles. The calm of a set-back yet handy base, perfect for those seeking sea and tranquillity. Ideal for families and for lovers of walks along the coast.
All the small hotels in Sestri Levante →
Moneglia
A little to the east of Sestri, Moneglia is a pretty seaside village with sandy beaches awarded the Blue Flag, framed by green hills. It’s a quiet, family-friendly destination, ideal for a relaxed beach holiday. Good to know: the historic tunnel road linking it to Sestri is currently closed for works, so the train is the most convenient and reliable way to arrive and get around. The addresses we choose:
Hotel Residence Mondial
A three-star with an indoor pool, a hot tub and a solarium terrace, between sea-view rooms and studios. The convenience of a well-equipped, versatile base, perfect for families, with the beach within reach. Ideal for a relaxed, carefree beach holiday.
Hotel Leopold
A three-star a couple of steps from the sea, with a seasonal pool, a panoramic solarium terrace and a Ligurian restaurant. The pleasure of a well-kept base with the beach nearby and a fine view from above. Ideal for those seeking relaxation, good food and quiet.
Deiva Marina
Further east still, already in the province of La Spezia, Deiva Marina is a quiet, family-friendly seaside resort, with a comfortable sandy beach and a station on the railway. Its position makes it a relaxed, good-value base for a day trip to the nearby Cinque Terre too. The address we choose:
Hotel Bagni Arcobaleno
A three-star directly on the beach, with free loungers and umbrellas, a solarium terrace and air-conditioned rooms. The unbeatable convenience of having the sand on your doorstep, with beach service included. Ideal for families and for those who want a pure-sea holiday, with no getting around.
Getting there and when to go
Sestri Levante, Moneglia and Deiva Marina are all on the Genoa–La Spezia railway line, with frequent regional trains: from Sestri, Genoa is under an hour away, and by train you easily reach the Cinque Terre and the Tigullio, avoiding traffic and parking. By car you arrive from the A12 motorway at the Sestri Levante and Deiva Marina exits. Given the closure of the tunnels between Sestri and Moneglia, the train remains the most reliable link between the three villages today.
The best season runs from spring to autumn, with summer at the peak of beach life; in early June the Andersen Festival fills Sestri with shows. For the full picture on trains and connections, see how to get to Liguria. From here, to the west, you quickly reach the Tigullio with Portofino; to the east, on the same line, lie the Cinque Terre.
This guide is part of our grand journey through the region: discover all the destinations and areas in Where to Stay in Liguria.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we’re asked most often about where to stay in Sestri Levante.
What is the best area to stay in Sestri Levante?
The old town and the Isola peninsula, between the Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fables: from there you have both beaches, the alleys and the restaurants within walking distance. The Bay of Silence is the most picturesque and intimate, the Bay of Fables the largest and best equipped. Wherever you sleep in the centre, you’re well placed.
Is Sestri Levante a good base for the Cinque Terre?
Yes, an excellent one: it’s quieter and cheaper than the five villages and it’s on the same rail line, so by train you easily reach them for a day trip. From Sestri you also conveniently reach Portofino and the Tigullio. It’s the ideal choice for those who want a relaxed base from which to explore the whole Levante.
Why is it called the Bay of Fables?
The name was given in honour of the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, author of famous fairy tales, who stayed in Sestri Levante in 1833. In his memory the town named the larger bay this way and dedicates the Andersen Prize and Festival to him each year, the street theatre that enlivens the centre in early summer.
How do you get to Moneglia?
The most convenient and reliable way is the train, on the Genoa–La Spezia line, with the stop a few steps from the beaches. The historic tunnel road linking Moneglia to Sestri is in fact closed for works: it’s best to travel by train, which makes getting around the whole coast easy.
