Liguria

Mare e monti along the Italian Riviera

The Ligurian coast stretches from Tuscany along the Gulf of Genoa to the French border in Ventimiglia. To the east lies the Riviera di Levante, to the west the Riviera di Ponente and in the middle the capital Genoa.

To the east of Genoa, a series of small bays, glittering gulfs and lively vacation resorts unfold. This wonderful region is perfect for a seaside vacation or a long weekend. The sea, the beaches, first-class gourmet food and a variety of excursions by train, bus or boat offer unforgettable experiences.

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Highlights

The Cinque Terre are the jewels of the Riviera di Levante. With their colorful houses clinging to the Mediterranean hillside, they offer a real postcard backdrop and a dream destination for an excursion or vacation in Italy.

Monterosso and its wide sandy beach; Vernazza with its small harbor where the fishing boats sway; Corniglia, perched on a hill; Manarola, whose houses wind around the cliff and Riomaggiore, the capital, nestled on a hill.
As accommodation capacity in the Cinque Terre is limited, we recommend a stay in Rapallo, Santa Margherita Ligure or Sestri Levante. These pretty towns are an excellent starting point for train trips and excursions to the Cinque Terre.
Time seems to stand still in the Cinque Terre Regional Park. In this corner of paradise, the best way to get from one village to another is by regional train, which runs throughout the day and serves each of the five stations. In season, you can also travel by boat.

The villages are also connected by the hiking trails of the Cinque Terre Park. These well-marked paths of varying difficulty offer hikers a wonderful panorama.

The Cinque Terre Treno Card allows unlimited use of the trains between Levanto and La Spezia with stops in all five villages and also provides access to the hiking trails.
Rapallo, Santa Margherita and Sestri Levante are popular seaside resorts on the Levante coast. They offer entertainment, beautiful beaches and shopping opportunities. A boat trip to Portofino is also a popular option from here.

Insider Tips

Cinque Terre Treno Card

The train is the easiest way to reach the villages of the Cinque Terre. The “Cinque Terre Treno Card” includes unlimited 2nd class travel on the “Cinque Terre Express” regional train network between Levanto and Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. It also offers access to hiking trails and buses in each of the villages, elevators for people with reduced mobility (Manarola, Riomaggiore, Vernazza stations), public toilets and a Wi-Fi network.

Camogli

The houses of Camogli reach high into the sky - colorful and majestic. Even from a distance, fishermen returning from the sea could recognize the village by its gleaming facades. Even today, the nets hung out to dry in the picturesque little harbor bear witness to the lively fishing tradition. Along the charming promenade lined with bars and restaurants, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the sea and the hustle and bustle of the summer months.

Santa Margherita Ligure

Surrounded by green hills, this charming and popular vacation resort impresses with its lively center, picturesque harbor and inviting sea promenade. What could be more appealing than enjoying the sun on the beach, strolling through exclusive boutiques and ending the day with an aperitivo on one of the sunny terraces? Another advantage: Portofino and the Cinque Terre National Park are within easy reach from here.

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Vernazza

Probably the most picturesque of the Cinque Terre villages, impresses with its rocky outcrop crowned by the imposing Doria Castle. In the heart of Vernazza lies the central square, surrounded by the typical, colorful houses that cling to the steep slopes, lined with vineyards and olive groves. A path leads from the square up to the Sanctuary of San Bernardino, from where an incomparable panorama opens up - on a clear day, the view even extends as far as Corsica.

Gelateria Vernazza

In den verwinkelten Gassen von Vernazza lohnt sich ein Abstecher in die Gelateria Vernazza, die nur wenige Schritte vom Hafen entfernt in der Via Roma Nr. 13. Hier zaubert die Familie Giononni köstliches, hausgemachtes Eis - aus natürlichen Zutaten, ohne Farb- und Konservierungsstoffe. Ob Schokolade, Melone, Pistazie oder ausgefallene Geschmacksrichtungen wie Ricotta-Feige oder die Kreation „Cinque Terre“ mit Schokolade, Mascarpone und Waldbeeren - hier ist Gelato immer ein Genuss!

Portofino

The pearl of the Levantine Riviera owes its reputation to its fantastic location. At the foot of the hill stretches the piazzetta, lined with charming café terraces that border directly on the picturesque harbor, where magnificent yachts are anchored. From here, narrow alleyways wind up the hill, which is dotted with magnificent villas, to Castello Brown, from where a breathtaking view of the gulf opens up. The whole area is surrounded by the Portofino Regional Park, a true paradise for hiking enthusiasts.

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