Sailing from the berths of our Genoa marina eastward, there is no shortage of possible destinations. In just a few nautical miles, you will encounter some of the most evocative and authentic Ligurian coastal villages, from Boccadasse to Vernazzola, from Bogliasco to Camogli. You then reach the Portofino promontory, which closes the Golfo Paradiso and offers unforgettable views, above all the bay of San Fruttuoso. But the beauty certainly does not end there: continuing to sail eastward, it is possible, for example, to reach the beautiful Sestri Levante, also known as the “city of two seas.”
Let’s see how to reach Sestri Levante by boat departing from our Genoa marina, and above all what to see in this gem of the Gulf of Tigullio.
By Boat from the Genoa Marina to the Gulf of Tigullio
There is no doubt: sailing from our Genoa marina to Sestri Levante is an excellent alternative to the classic short-range boat trips. This town is 22.5 nautical miles from our Genoa marina, and the voyage allows you to discover, in addition to the beauty of the Golfo Paradiso, the wonders of the Gulf of Tigullio: in the background you will pass Santa Margherita Ligure, with its lively squares and sixteenth-century castle; Rapallo, with its castle by the sea and picturesque alleyways; and of course Chiavari, rich in stately buildings and elegant boutiques. But you will also encounter small and charming villages, such as Zoagli, with the castle of the Counts Canevaro and that of Sem Benelli, with its unique architecture. Finally, the unmistakable “island” of Sestri Levante appears to the navigator, with its rocky promontory and narrow isthmus connecting it to the rest of the town.
Let’s now see what to see in Sestri Levante in a few hours, before following the return route to our marina in the center of Genoa.
What to See in Sestri Levante
Once moored at the port—anchoring outside this Ligurian port is usually prohibited between May and September—you can explore Sestri Levante: to understand how to best approach this town, it is important first to understand the reason for its nickname “city of two seas.” It is the peninsula extending from its historic center that divides two bays: the Bay of Fables, to the west, and the Bay of Silence, to the east. The first, named in tribute to Hans Christian Andersen (who stayed in Sestri Levante), is very large and hosts both the marina and a long beach, behind which various establishments line up. The second is smaller and, as the name suggests, quieter and more intimate: here you will find one of Sestri’s symbols, the statue “Il pescatorello” (The Little Fisherman), on a small rock just a few meters from the former convent of the Annunziata.
Strolling through the squares and alleyways of this typical Ligurian village, you will encounter the facades of many fascinating aristocratic palaces, such as Palazzo Negrotto Cambiaso, and several noble villas, such as Villa Gualino, located beyond the isthmus, as well as the medieval church of San Nicolò dell’Isola. Another attraction to include in a tour of Sestri Levante is the Oratory of Santa Caterina, whose remains—the complex was bombed in 1944—can be reached after an uphill walk.
As is the case in the most authentic Ligurian towns, in Sestri Levante it is also delightful to get a little lost among the narrow streets and typical shops. All this knowing that you need only head back toward the sea to find the Lungomare Descalzo, which connects the two bays and ideally frames the town center. Those wishing to spend the evening in Sestri Levante will be spoiled for choice among the many traditional restaurants, many of which are located near the marina; decidedly more glamorous atmospheres await visitors at the Piscina dei Castelli club, set in a natural sea pool along the cliffs.