Sestri Levante has two beaches, one on each side of the peninsula, with completely different characters.
The Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence) on the northwest side is the more atmospheric — compact, shaded by the afternoon, and mainly used by locals. The small fishing boats pulled up on the sand and the backdrop of pastel-coloured houses make it one of the most photogenic spots on this stretch of the Ligurian coast.
The Baia delle Favole (Bay of Fairy Tales) on the south side is larger and more developed, with sunbed rentals, beach bars, and a long promenade. This is where the crowds go in summer, and the beach fills quickly in July and August. Borgorena, extending east along the Baia delle Favole, is the main public beach stretch. Riva Trigoso, a short distance further east, has its own smaller beach and a more working-harbour atmosphere.