Camping in Sestri Levante

Straight after breakfast, it's off to the sea when camping with children. The little water rats splash around while the older guests enjoy surfing, sailing or sunbathing. Holidaymakers camping with dogs in Sestri Levante are welcome to bring their four-legged friends along so that the whole family can go for a walk in the old town together. After a stroll, the restaurants with their excellent fish dishes invite you to stop for a bite to eat.

Special features of camping in Sestri Levante

The campsites in Sestri Levante are not only close to the sea, but also to the country's famous sights such as the Cinque Terre or the harbour city of Genoa. Families with children also like to come to the beaches with calm waters because the journey time is comparatively short, especially from southern Germany.

Self-catering travellers will love the culinary delights of the region and discover the surrounding shops and markets from the campsite. Those interested in culture can visit the city's churches, museums and palaces. Whether campers are looking for a pitch for their motorhome or caravan or want to rent a comfortable mobile home or their own bungalow, they will find what they are looking for at the campsites in Sestri Levante.

Travelling

Campers usually travel on holiday in their own car, motorhome or caravan. Visitors choose different routes depending on where they are travelling from in Germany. Those travelling from the south-east often take the route via Innsbruck, Bolzano, Verona and Parma. From Munich, this route covers a distance of around 716 kilometres. Visitors from the west like to travel to their destination via Freiburg im Breisgau, Basel and Milan. From Frankfurt, the distance is around 860 kilometres.

From the centre of Germany, there is a fast connection via Lindau, Chur, Como and Milan to Sestri Levante. From Kassel, the journey is around 1,004 km. Depending on the length of the route, one or more breaks should be taken. The excellent rest stops at the Brenner Pass or the Swiss passes of St. Gotthard and San Bernardino offer state-of-the-art sanitary facilities, restaurants, play areas, petrol stations and mini-markets.

Top 5 sights

• Old town: The historic centre is located on a small peninsula and delights visitors with its winding alleyways and pretty shops, cafés and bars.
• Monte Castello: On the way to the top of the mountain, walkers pass well-tended parks, the church of San Nicolo and the ruins of a monastery.
• Convento dell'Annunziata: The former monastery sits impressively on the shore of the Bay of Silence and characterises the cityscape.
• Palazzo Fascie: The façade of the 19th century palace is in the medieval style. A library is housed inside.
• Galleria Rizzi: The museum, which emerged from the private collection of the Rizzi family, fascinates art lovers with its valuable paintings.

Top 2 insider tips

• Ice Cream Angels: The ice cream parlour attracts those with a sweet tooth with homemade ice cream made from 100 percent natural ingredients in numerous flavours. Probably the best ice cream parlour in Sestri Levante welcomes guests on the main street Via XXV Aprile.
• Sailing trip: A sailing trip off the coast of Sestri Levante is a special experience. Sailing along the bays of Baia del Silenzio and Baia delle Favole, guests can admire the town's bright yellow and orange-coloured houses from the water. The sailing boats make a lot of knots, giving passengers the feeling that they are almost floating over the water.

Activities and excursions

Active holidaymakers and those seeking relaxation feel equally at home in the enchanting coastal town of Sestri Levante. Whether relaxing on the beach, hiking, water sports or excursions to historical sites - visitors spend a wonderful time out in Italy.

Genoa

The port city is less than 50 km from Sestri Levante and attracts holidaymakers interested in history with its imposing palaces, squares and cathedrals. A visit to the aquarium is an unforgettable experience, especially for families. Sharks, penguins and jellyfish can be observed swimming here.

From surfing to fishing trips

Camping in Sestri Levante includes a wide range of activities on and in the water. Countless providers hire out kayaks, pedalos and sailing boats. Beginners can take surfing lessons off the coast, while professionals can hire high-quality equipment on the waves. Diving excursions are also on offer, as are boat trips for fishing.

Hiking with a view

Nature lovers can set off on a beautiful hike directly from Sestri Levante. You will discover the Mediterranean landscape with green bushes and the typical holm and cork oaks. The panoramic trail leads to Monte Castello and from there to Punta Manara. From there, active holidaymakers can enjoy a fantastic view of the Gulf of Tigullio.

events

April

• National J. S. Bach Piano Competition: Children and young musicians can perform pieces by the composer and possibly win the prize for the most talented young musician. The venue is the Convento dell'Annunziata.

May - June

• HC Andersen Festival: This event dates back to 1833, when the writer Hans Christian Anderson spent some time in the town. The stretch of coast is therefore also known as Fairytale Bay. The Città dei Ragazzi, an important prize for children's books, is awarded as part of the festival. Colourful shows with clowns, artists and magicians also take place throughout the town.

July

• Sagra del Bagnun: The typical anchovy soup of the coast has been given its own day of celebration. At this event, which has been celebrated for more than half a decade, the classic dish is of course on sale alongside festive acts.

August

• Festival of the Fieschi: This traditional event takes place every year in Lavagna, around 6 kilometres away. A colourful parade and knights' games delight the public. At the end, the Torta dei Fieschi is cut.

Gastronomy

Bagnun anchovy soup is the region's speciality, which even has its own day of celebration. The dish was traditionally eaten by the fishermen of Sestri Levante. It has been known since around the 19th century. The cuisine of Liguria is rich in fresh ingredients such as squid and sardines, but also rabbit, poultry, goat, fruit, vegetables, mushrooms and snails.

Of course, a delicious wine should not be missing with your meal. A dry red wine, for example, goes well with pesto alla genovese, a spice paste made from oil, basil, pine nuts and cheese, which gives pasta that special flavour. Flavoursome focaccia with a cheese filling rivals any pizza. Campers can stock up on food at the market in Piazza Aldo Moro on Saturdays.

Best time to visit

The region is characterised by a Mediterranean climate. Summers are usually hot and dry, while winters are mild but rainy. The average temperature in January is 8 degrees Celsius and in August 24.6 degrees Celsius. The sea is also 23 degrees Celsius in July and August, offering ideal conditions for beach holidaymakers. Families with children like to come to the beaches because the water is calm.

Those who come to Sestri Levante mainly for sightseeing and sporting activities will feel at home in spring and autumn. From April, the thermometer rises to over 15 degrees Celsius and even in November it is pleasant at around 13 degrees Celsius. When planning your holiday, you should bear in mind that October and November are the wettest months of the year.