The Riviera

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Classic

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The Riviera ~ Classic ~

Sestri Levante

Set on a peninsula between two stunning bays, Sestri Levante is the kind of Italian Riviera town that feels made for lingering.

Come for the easy access to the surrounding coast, but stay for the colourful waterfronts, sandy beaches, and beautiful historic centre that Sestri Levante itself has to offer. With a base as beautiful as this, you’ll want to allow yourself some extra time to soak it in!

At a glance…

Choose Sestri Leveante if you want:

  • Easy access to Cinque Terre by train (less than 1 hr for most towns, as little as 30 mins for Monterosso al Mare)
  • Beautiful beaches right in town
  • A lively coastal atmosphere 
  • A base for exploring Cinque Terre that feels like a destination in itself, not just a place to sleep
 

  • 4-5 nights

    How much time you allow yourself will depend on how many day trips you plan on taking - and don’t forget to dedicate at least one day (but I’d recommend two!) to enjoy Sestri Levante.

  • You will arrive by train from another leg of your trip, or the city that you fly into. The cities with the easiest connections are:

    • Genoa (approx 1 hr)

    • Pisa (approx 1.5-2 hrs)

    • Milan (approx 2-2.5 hrs)

    • La Spezia (approx 45 mins)

    • Florence (approx 2.5-3 hrs)

  • Recommended:

    • Walking ✔

    • Train ✔

    • Bike rental ✔

    • Taxis ✔

    • Car rental ✖

    Note: Trains will be your primary mode of transport for exploring the other towns on The Riviera, but Sestri Levante itself is easily walkable. Occasionally, taxis may be useful to get to and from accommodations from the train station with your luggage.

    • late summer/early fall

    • late spring/early summer

    Ideally: June or September

    Notes: I tend to avoid recommending the hottest months of summer (July & August) when most of the country gets very hot and extremely crowded. But if you prioritize hot weather, swimming, and beach days, it might be worth it to go during these months! Luckily, by staying in Sestri Levante you will be avoiding some of the crowds.

    October can be a beautiful month to go, but the weather does start to get a lot less predictable.

  • Classic.

    Sestri Levante offers the quintessential Italian Riviera experience, without having the same international name recognition as Cinque Terre or Portofino.

Pairs well with

Tuscan Countryside:

Chianti

Arezzo

Seaside Getaways:

The Riviera

Bay of Naples

What to do?

Spend a day at the Levanto beach

Rent a bike to cycle the old railway path to Bonassola & Framura

Wander the charming historic centre

Check out Levanto’s medieval castle: Castello di Levanto

Hike the coastal trails

Take a boat ride from Levanto to see the iconic Cinque Terre villages from the water

Take a day trip via a very short train ride to any of the Cinque Terre villages, of course!

What’s on the menu?

Some local specialties:

Piano Piano Tips

  • The Maremonti Cycle & Pedestrian Path is a walking and cycling path following the former railway line that used to connect Levanto to Bonassola, and Framura. It features illuminated tunnels and jaw-dropping sea views. It is largely flat, and certainly worth renting either a bicycle or e-bike for a day!

  • Remember that this is your home-base, and not just a place to sleep! While a large part of Levanto’s appeal is certainly the easy access that it offers to Cinque Terre, make sure you allow yourself time to enjoy the town itself.

    Take advantage of the lovely beach, which offers both sandy and pebbly stretches. Or, wander the historic centre and check out the castle just above it that overlooks the town!

  • While I highly recommend taking a boat excursion from Levanto to see Cinque Terre from the sea if at all possible, it is important that you do not rely on boat services as a main mode of transportation. The train is your friend when is comes to reliably getting to and from the other towns along The Riviera!

  • I know, it’s easy to default to another plate of pesto pasta! But this part of Italy has so much more to offer, especially for seafood lovers.

    Definitely look for wines that were produced in the hills around Levanto, too!