Soggiorna
The Baia del Silenzio is the postcard of Sestri Levante: a small sandy cove enclosed by coloured houses and boats pulled up on the shore. It is also genuinely small, which is why in summer the Municipality limits the number of people on it.
The visitor cap, summer 2026
From 1 July to 31 August 2026 the free beach of the Baia del Silenzio has a maximum capacity of 450 people at the same time.
- Hours of the control: from 8.30 to 17.30. Outside these hours, access is not limited.
- No booking: entry is free and cannot be booked. Staff let people in until the limit is reached, then close temporarily and reopen as people leave.
- If you step out briefly you can come back by collecting your belongings.
- Controls are carried out by security guards who count entries and exits in real time.
Where to get in
During the cap there are three entrances: via Portobello, vico Andersen and piazzetta Stalli. The pedestrian accesses from vico Byron and via Cappuccini are closed. Access for people with reduced mobility is from the Portobello entrance.
Services
The lifeguard service, showers, toilets and an information point remain free. Part of the cost of the service is covered by the tourist tax.
Getting there
By train is the simplest option: Sestri Levante station is in town, and from the station to the bay it is about a quarter of an hour on foot through the centre.
By car, do not head for the bay: the old town is a limited traffic zone and in summer parking near the sea is the most sought-after resource in town. Leave the car in an authorised area and continue on foot.
How to enjoy it
- Arrive early. With 450 places, mid-morning on an August day you may have to wait.
- Think of the afternoon. After 17.30 the cap ends and the bay is open again.
- Have a plan B. On the other side of the isthmus is the Baia delle Favole, much larger, a few minutes' walk through the centre.
- Respect the place. No loud music, no litter, keep passages and entrances clear.
Out of season
From September to June there is no cap, and the bay goes back to being what its name promises. Spring and early autumn are the best times to see it without crowds.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to pay to enter the Baia del Silenzio?
No, entry to the free beach is free, even in the months of the visitor cap.
Do you need to book?
No. There is no booking system: you get in while there is room, up to 450 people at a time.
When does the cap apply?
From 1 July to 31 August 2026, from 8.30 to 17.30.
Where are the entrances?
Via Portobello, vico Andersen and piazzetta Stalli. Access for people with reduced mobility is from Portobello.