Hotels in Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante: Two Bays, One Ligurian Peninsula

Sestri Levante sits on a narrow promontory in Liguria, roughly 50 km southeast of Genoa, pinched between two contrasting bays. The Baia delle Favole (Bay of Fables) faces north with a long sandy beach and a promenade lined with cafés. The quieter Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence) curves to the south, framed by painted fishermen's houses and a medieval church. Danish author Hans Christian Andersen stayed here in 1833 and named the northern bay — the town has honoured him with an annual international storytelling festival each May ever since.

Where to Stay and Getting Around

Most hotels cluster along Via Cappuccini and the seafront of the Baia delle Favole, within a short walk of the train station. The Caruggi, a grid of narrow medieval lanes in the town centre, holds smaller guesthouses and B&Bs. Sestri Levante station sits on the main Genoa–La Spezia rail line; direct trains reach Genoa Piazza Principe in around 45 minutes and Cinque Terre villages (changing at Levanto or direct) in 20–35 minutes.

Practical Tips

• Beach access: The Baia delle Favole has both free and paid sections; arrive before 10 am in July–August for free-beach spots.
• Festival timing: The Festival Andersen runs the last weekend of May — book accommodation 6–8 weeks ahead.
• Parking: Street parking is scarce in summer; the Parcheggio Via Portobello garage offers hourly rates near the old town.