itineraries
Cinque Terre & the Italian Riviera
5 days — Genoa, Portofino, the Cinque Terre, and the Riviera di Levante.
Curatorial note
The most photographed coast in Italy. Base in Genoa for the food and the grit, Santa Margherita or Camogli for Portofino, and hike one or two of the Cinque Terre villages. Go shoulder season — August is overwhelmed.
Town · Liguria
Camogli
The fishing village next to Portofino, with a harbor of tall pastel houses and a 'thousand windows' — the authentic version of the Riviera postcard, without the yachts. Worth a night.
Town · Liguria
Portofino
The postcard is real — a perfect little harbor of pastel houses under pines, with yachts. It's small, expensive, and crowded, but it earns the fame. Worth a half-day; an afternoon, not a week.
Town · Liguria
Genoa
Genoa is worth a night and is the most underrated major city in Italy. It is gritty, grand, and maritime. Pair it with the Cinque Terre and Portovenere for a Ligurian circuit.
Coastline · Liguria
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is worth one or two nights if you go in shoulder season. In July and August it is a crowd-management exercise. Hike the trails, take the train between villages, and don't try to drive.
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