Portale Turismo Sestri Levante

FISHERMEN TRAIL

This itinerary follows the traces of Sestri Levante with the culture of the sea, of sailors and of fishermen. It can be accessed partly by foot, or by bicycle, between Baia delle Favole and Baia del Silenzio, following the promenade and admiring the beach. It can also be accessed by car, or always by bicycle, or even by public transport, up to Riva Trigoso. The visit to Sestri Levante cannot exclude Riva Trigoso, with the fishermen’s houses in Riva Ponente and Renà and with the shipbuilding.

Starting from Palazzo Fascie, along Corso Colombo and Via Asilo Maria Teresa, to Piazza Francesco Bo, which introduces the marine theme with the bronze and marble “sail” of the Italian sculptor Gio ’Pomodoro. There you can cross the road, turn right and walk along the seafront Giovanni Descalzo, from the poet who wrote plenty of works dedicated to his sea. Strolling on the promenade you can enjoy the magnificent Baia delle Favole, so called by Enzo Tortora in honor of Hans Christian Andersen.

Continue then on viale Rimembranza to the Circolo dei Pescatori. If you continue towards the port, along via Pilade Queirolo, you will come across the newly refurbished fish market, while at the port some fishing boats are still moored.

Going back to Piazza Matteotti, to the left of the church of Santa Maria di Nazareth, a small street leads to the Baia del Silenzio, so called by Giovanni Descalzo and known today as Portobello. You can then take a walk on the opposite side of the beach, then go back along the “caruggio” (Via XXV Aprile) and continue by car, bicycle, or by bus, along Via Fascie (State Road n. 1, “Aurelia”), Via della Pace nel Mondo and Via Petronio, up to Riva Trigoso, divided in two by the Torrente Petronio.

Riva Ponente, with Via Brin and the waterfront, characterized by the typical houses with painted facades, all attached to each other, is known for the Bagnun anchovy festival (which tradition says was a dish cooked on fishermen’s boats) and for the “dolphin crib”, a bronze statue at the bottom of the sea, at a depth of 11.5 meters (the point where the crib is located is easily reachable swimming and it is usually visible). After a walk in Riva Ponente, you can take Via Brin and cross the bridge over the Petronio, to immediately turn right onto Lungomare Kennedy, where you can find the public gardens and the Church of San Pietro.

Then continue on the path behind the church in Via Erasmo Piaggio. At the crossroads with Via G.B. Ponzerone, turn right and arrive in the small and cozy village of Renà, with the nearby rock of the “Asseu” and in the background the flat rocky walls of the “Lardee”.

From Renà or Riva Trigoso you can easily get back to Sestri Levante, with your own car or public transport.

Development of the path: Palazzo Fascie-walk to the sea-Circle of fishermen-Leudo-haul beach and traditional boats for fishing-direction of the fish market-port view of the port and fishing boats at the berth-Portobello (Bay of Silence ) -Riva Trigoso: Riva Ponente-Riva Levante-Renà-return to Palazzo Fascie by car, by bicycle or by bus.

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