📷 Fredo Gerdes / Unsplash (Unsplash License)
This curated route follows the Ligurian coast from Genoa to Cinque Terre, connecting six towns of distinct character. The distances between them are short, allowing travel at a relaxed pace — by car or along the coastal railway line, depending on your mode of transport. The final leg leads to Cinque Terre, where the villages are most easily explored by train as access by car is restricted. Over six days, the journey moves through a historic port, fishing villages with colorful facades, elegant Riviera promenades, and a finale among the cliffs and villages of Cinque Terre. The route is most enjoyable from May to October.
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The first day of the route takes you through Genoa, a city where maritime history and magnificent palaces intertwine with the narrow streets of the old town. The tour begins in the caruggi, a network of medieval alleyways leading to the UNESCO Rolli palaces, and continues toward the old port, the Lanterna, and the largest aquarium in Italy. The day ends in Boccadasse, a former fishing village with colorful houses and a small pebble cove.
Entry to the cathedral is free; a ticket must be purchased for the Treasury Museum (Museo del Tesoro) inside the cathedral. The Treasury Museum is only accessible on guided tours at specific time slots.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Adults around 27 EUR, children (3–12 years) around 20 EUR. It is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance to avoid crowds, especially on weekends and during the summer season.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
A combined ticket for all three palaces costs around 9 EUR (discounts for students and pensioners). Admission is free on the first Sunday of the month as part of the Italian national program.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Ticket around 7 EUR, includes access to the museum and courtyard with terrace. Accessible on foot via steep narrow streets or a short drive, with parking nearby. Closed on Mondays.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The courtyard and public spaces are free of charge; a ticket is required for major exhibitions and climbing the tower. Check the current exhibition before visiting.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Symbolic ticket for the observation deck and museum. The walk to the lighthouse along the harbor is free and beautiful in itself.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The ticket includes the submarine Nazario Sauro next to the museum. Set aside at least two hours; ideal for families and sea enthusiasts.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
A drive along the coast to Camogli, a fishing village with tall facades painted in warm colors. The day unfolds along a pebble beach and an old harbor, from where a boat takes you to the hidden abbey of San Fruttuoso, tucked into a cove unreachable by car. For those who want a longer walk, the hiking trails of Portofino Regional Park start right here.
Ticket is purchased on-site. The museum is closed on Mondays; it is recommended to check the seasonal schedule before visiting.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
An elegant Belle Époque riviera with palm trees, villas, and a marina full of sailboats. The morning is for a stroll along the promenade and a visit to the basilica of Santa Margherita, while the afternoon is ideal for an optional trip to Portofino — with its famous little piazzetta, the Castello Brown fortress, and the lighthouse at the cape. The best way to reach Portofino is by boat along the coast or a short bus ride. Half a day is enough to explore Portofino.
The ticket covers entry to the villa and park. The park is sometimes free outside of season — checking the local tourism website is recommended. The villa hosts occasional cultural events.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Rapallo is known for its long coastal promenade lined with palm trees and the Castello sul Mare castle that rises right above the sea. Above the town, a cable car takes you to the Montallegro sanctuary, from which there is a view of the Gulf of Tigullio. Its quieter pace and compact town center make it a pleasant place for a full-day visit.
The ticket includes access to the interior and temporary exhibitions. Arriving in the morning hours is recommended for better lighting for photography.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The price refers to a round-trip cable car (funivia) ticket. The church is free to enter. The cable car operates seasonally — it is recommended to check the schedule on the website before visiting.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The museum is located in the city center. The ticket price is nominal; a visit in the afternoon hours is recommended when lace-making demonstrations are more frequent.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
A town on a narrow promontory between two coves that are in themselves a reason to visit. Baia delle Favole, the Bay of Fairy Tales, got its name from Hans Christian Andersen who stayed here, while on the other side of the promontory lies Baia del Silenzio, the Bay of Silence, with its sandy-pebbly beach and old fishermen's houses right along the shore. Between them winds a picturesque old town center.
Ticket is purchased at the entrance. The museum is closed on Mondays; it is recommended to check the seasonal working hours before visiting.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The grand finale of the route: five villages perched against steep cliffs, connected by a coastal railway and hiking trails above the sea. Terraced vineyards, the harbor of Vernazza, swimming in Monterosso, and colorful alleyways climbing up the hillside. The terrain is vertical, with plenty of stairs, so it is best explored slowly, visiting one village at a time at your own pace.
Entry is paid and advance online reservation is recommended. Capacity is limited for safety reasons, so it is better to arrive in the morning. The ticket includes access to the trail in both directions.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Entry to the Doria fortress requires a small fee. The village itself is free to explore. Arriving by boat is recommended for the spectacular view of entering the harbor.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Cinque Terre Card (7.50 EUR) covers access to all trails and travel by train between villages. Available at stations and online. Purchasing the Cinque Terre Treno Card is recommended if a combination of hiking and train travel is planned.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The ticket is purchased on-site. The museum is small but informative — it is recommended as a first stop before exploring the village. Opening hours vary seasonally, so checking in advance is recommended.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Everything you need for Ligurian Riviera in 6 Days — Along the Coast in one place
