Travel

Sestri Levante, Italian Riviera, Liguria, Italy, an undiscovered gem, not overcrowded

website for this video with transcript, maps & photos at: https://townsofeurope.com/Italy/north/Sestri-Levante.html Sestri Levante is one of the great towns of the Italian Riviera. Its picture-postcard beach is lined with pastel-colored buildings, some of them with cafes and places to stay. Sestri also has a classic old town, with shops and restaurants lining its picturesque pedestrian lanes. It's a popular place, but generally not crowded if you avoid the summer season. 00:00 intro 00:40 location map 00:53 Bay of Silence 02:05 dinner on the beach 02:36 the Peninsula 03:14 pedestrian street 25th of April 04:22 side lanes, via Palestro 05:24 street for locals, too 05:39 Ligurian architecture 06:16 Corso Colombo 07:17 map walking route 07:39 Viale Rimembranza 07:52 Via Asilo Maria Teresa 08:06 waterfront promenade 08:17 Bay of Fables 09:41 history 10:01 Bay of Silence again 10:30 Viale Roma 10:52 train station 11:25 coastal maps Sestri has not one but two very impressive beaches. This is a long one, a favorite for boating and water sports. Learn more at the official website of the Tourist Information Office: https://www.sestri-levante.net/la-citta/ Located in northwest Italy, one hour from Genoa by train and flanked by two famous places, Portofino and just 30 minutes by train to Cinque Terre, Sestri has a similar waterfront beauty and even better beaches, but it just does not get crowded like those other more well-known destinations which have become victims of what's called overtourism -- too many people. But that does not happen here, as you can see. This was photographed on a Saturday in early October, which is still the shoulder season. And the weather is beautiful, with the Mediterranean climate of this region. The beach is on the Bay of Silence. It's known for its clear blue waters, soft sand and relaxed atmosphere framed by picturesque cliffs and buildings painted in a range of soft, vibrant colors, with hues of light beige, cream, peach, burnt sienna, and apricot. The calm waters are ideal for swimming or just wading and very family-friendly -- a great place for the kids to frolic. Fishermen's boats are lined up along the shore, ready to go out the next morning for an early catch to bring some fish back to these restaurants along the waterfront. You can dine right on the beach in good weather at several restaurants like Bistromare and Ristorante Baia del Silenzio. Relaxing at the sandy crescent or tapping into the Wi-Fi of the local cafe is a lovely way to spend the day.