cinque terre boat tours from santa margherita

• Line 1 Rapallo - S. Margherita Ligure - Portofino - S. Fruttuoso
• Line 2 Sestri Levante - Lavagna - Chiavari - Portofino - S. Fruttuoso
• Line 2bis Deiva Marina - Moneglia - Portofino - S. Fruttuoso
• Line 3 S. Margherita Ligure - Rapallo - Chiavari - Lavagna e Sestri Levante - Porto Venere - Cinque Terre (tutto il giorno)
• Line 4 S. Margherita Ligure - Rapallo - Super Cinque Terre (tutto il giorno)
• Line 5 Chiavari - Lavagna - Sestri Levante - Super Cinque Terre (tutto il giorno)
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The Cinque Terre

Visit with the lines:

Left the Tigullio Gulf the boat go across the Riva Trigoso bay, famous for its shipyards, and doubled the charming Point Baffe it reaches Moneglia, native town of the painter Luca Cambiaso. Getting into La Spezia County, you see Deiva Marina, medieval village and Framura, whose hamlets lie down on a wide natural amphitheatre sloping down the sea. After Bonassola, village with deep maritime traditions, you sail towards the Promontory of Mesco passing off Levanto, big center surrounded by old hamlets full of history and monuments. Gone beyond Point Mesco, till Cape Montenero, extends a broad gulf onto face the tiny villages MONTEROSSO , VERNAZZA , CORNIGLIA , MANAROLA , RIOMAGGIORE known as the Cinque Terre since 1448. They are five villages by the sea, set on the rocks in an environment that man has shaped over the centuries, by building dry-stone walls and terraced grounds on which the vite has grown all the time. Stone and salinity, wind and sun are the secrets of the Cinque Terre wine and of the rare and precious Sciacchetrà, produced by letting wither the best grapes of the nicest gathered bunches. The Cinque Terre are one of the greenest and most extended Mediterranean areas in Liguria, a kingdom of nature and marvelous scents. Visiting those means seeing five villages suspended between land and sea, grasped on sheer cliffs and surrounded by green hills.

The cliff of Torre Aurora (16th century) neatly divides the Monterosso’s historical centre from the most recent settlements in Fegina, born westward close to the only wide and sandy beach in that area. In the ancient village, quite well conserved and dominated from above by the ruins of the old “castrum” Obertengo, you will find the interesting Church of S.Giovanni Battista built between 1244 and 1307, with one nave and two aisles, beautiful example of the ligurian gothic style, has at its side an embattled bell-tower, born as a fortification and then raised in the 15th century. In Soviore, now Monterosso’s high grounds, there is the ancient Sanctuary of Madonna di Soviore.

To the tourist who arrives from the sea, Vernazza reveals itself without any shyness or reluctance, with the characteristic place crowded with the tables of the restaurants, and framed by the lively harbour, from the coloured houses and from the beautiful parish church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia (11th to 13th century), which deserves to be seen. Along the main street you can find those shops where every tourist can enjoy the taste of the famous white Ovine of the Cinque Terre, or where he can find the unfailing souvenir. Here you have a labyrinth of steep stairs and streets running around the houses among arches and gates, leading you to the ruins of the powerful fortifications still overlooking the village. Beside the small sandy belt in the harbour, bathers can lie under the sun and dive from the cliffs, but we suggest to the seaside-freaks to move to Monterosso, easy to reach by train or by boat as all the other villages. Far hikers, the distances in term of time are the following: Vernazza­ Monterosso: about 2 hours; Vernazza-Corniglia: about 1,30 hours.

Leaving the big seaside front in the eastern part of the settlement, climbing up the 365 brick-stairs, you reach Corniglia, a small village gripped to a rocky promontory about 120 yards above sea level. Excluded from mass tourism, Corniglia is surely the most singular among the Cinque Terre, and walking around the silence of its narrow streets you can feel like travelling backward in time. S.Pietro’s church, built in 1334 on the ruins of a chapel of the 11th century, deserves a visit as well as the Sanctuary dedicated to N.S. delle Grazie, in the near village of S. Bernardino.

The village of Manarola is partially wedged in the valley of the river Volastra and sheltered behind near steep rocky cliff. Remarkable is the church dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (14th century), above which you can notice the weird position of its beli tower, born as a defense tower on the apposite side of the churchyard. Walking through olive tree sand vineyards, you will reach Volastra, which hides the ancient Sanctuary of N.S. della Salute, founded during the 10th century. Near the railway station in Manarola starts the famous Via dell’Amore, leading up to Riomaggiore through a wonderful path carved into the rock hanging above the sea. This path was realized in the Twenties during improvement works of the railway.

Riomaggiore

Edificated around the XII century by the inhabitants of the nearby villages, Riomaggiore has nowadays reached a remarkable site, but it still keeps intact the enchantment of a fishing village, with its coloured houses of the “Marina” overlooked by the ruins of the cast/e (13th century) and facing the tiny harbour. In the high part of Riomaggiore, you can find the Church of s. Giovanni Battista, founded in November the Bth,1340, and on the eastern high ground of the village, the Sanctuary of Montenero represents an excellent sightseeing place over the Cinque Terre and over the coast towards Portovenere and the Islands.

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Cinque Terre Boat Tours & Experiences

Discover the magic of the Cinque Terre with our private boat tours and carefully cultivated land and sea experiences.

Allow our experience in creating specialized tours to enhance your time in the Cinque Terre.

The Blue Boat Cinque Terre Tours and Experiences will help you explore the hidden beauty of this unique coastline and terrain by providing personalized service to fit your needs. From private boat tours to locally led explorations, we strive to maximize your time in the area, all while giving you the freedom to relax and enjoy the adventure.

1.000+ Tours a Year

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Select your Boat

Choose from our variety of boats to best suit your needs

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From our private boat tours to our 360° experiences, we are able to satisfy your every desire

Private Day Tours

Half day or Full day tours to discover the beauty of the Cinque Terre and the Gulf of the Poets

Private Sunset Tours

Experience the magic of the setting sun as it illuminates the villages of the Cinque Terre and Portovenere

360º Experience

Explore the very best that the Cinque Terre has to offer as we take you from the crystalline sea to the cultivated vineyards

Leaders in the area

Our team strives to provide specialized tours that best suit your needs as you explore one of the world’s most beautiful national parks and marine protected area..

Our years of experience and knowledge of the area provide you with assurance that you will see the very best that the Cinque Terre has to offer.

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• Sunset Tour
• Land and Sea Experience
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Cinque Terre Boat tour and kayak

Discover the cinque terre with our private boat tour and kayak excursions, cinque terre: emotions to be experienced on a boat.

Breathtaking landscapes, enchanting coves for relaxing breaks and all the comforts of a fully equipped boat. Going out to sea with Cinque Terre Adventure means discovering the picturesque marine environment that serves as a backdrop for one of our Peninsula’s most popular areas. Welcome to the Cinque Terre!

Boat tours adventure

Our amazing tours.

Discover the stunning Cinque Terre through the eyes of those who know its waters better than anyone else. Climb aboard the Calafuria 6 and be lulled by the waves for a few hours of relaxation.

Cinque Terre by the sea tour

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Sunset private tour

Vernazza Harbour tour

Relax on board tour

Relax on board + portovenere tour

Total relax tour

Sunset group tour

Cinque terre group tour.

Secret local beach tour

Sunset local wine tasting tour

Bachelorette/ hen night/ stag party tour

Tour and kayak rental, rent a kayak and experience the adventure.

Kayak and standup paddleboarding: reach the Cinque Terre’s marvellous hidden coves and discover its secrets on your own, as a couple or accompanied by a local guide. Create your own adventure!

A paradise for sports enthusiasts

Sports activities for all seasons.

The Cinque Terre coastline is ideal for practising so many sports, including winter sports, from the most traditional to the most adrenaline-fuelled. The wind, sea and the right equipment are all you need to have a great time all year round.

Dive with davide to discover the cinque terre

A childhood spent in the Cinque Terre exploring nature, searching for adventures and the unspoilt corners of paradise. My name is Davide Rossi, and I’m the owner of Cinque Terre Adventure. Let me guide you on a “full-immersion” experience in the waters of my fantastic world.

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CINQUE TERRE YACHT TOUR

Private boat & yacht tour.

Book a Cinque Terre private tour with us. Professional crew, Italian flag boats and yachts, best insurances. Compliant to all the charter regulations.

CINQUE TERRE TOUR

The 5 picturesque fishermen’s villages of 5 Terre are well-known all over the world. On this trip you can enjoy a comfortable 45 min cruise to each one. Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Moneglia e Riomaggiore.

What we offer

Fully customizable tour

Only 45 min from Portofino to Vernazza

Sun, swim and relax all day long

Lunch in one of the unique restaurant with amazing sea view

BOAT SUGGESTED

All our boats suit well for the tour, but if you wish to cruise very close to the coast to discover every spot of the national park of cinque terre our ITAMA FORTY – Be Mine is the best option

V TERRE GALLERY

Portofino to Cinque Terre Private Tours

Private tour of 5 Terre UNESCO site departing from Portofino with personal driver and private boat.

This tour fits all those who wish to have a taste of 5 terre, with a touch of exclusivity and possibly beating the crowd. departing from portofino or santa margherita, rapallo, genoa, you will enjoy the cinque terre from three different points of view: walking inside the villages, riding on your private boat along the coast and traveling by car along the panoramic road..

Cinque Terre with Private Driver and Boat

• Visit Monterosso, Manarola, Vernazza.
• Visit the best of 5 Terre UNESCO site on foot, by boat and by car.
• Private boat tour with English-speaking driver, to admire the magnificent views of the coast.
• Breathtaking views traveling on the panoramic road.
• Free time for enjoying the local flavors.

This is a sample itinerary, feel free to customize it upon your wishes.

Meet your private driver in Portofino (or in one of the towns of the Riviera) and journey as far as Monterosso, one of the most charming villages of the five. Upon arrival, have some free time to explore the village on your own before meeting the private boat.

Time to jump on your private boat and ride along the coast to admire those daring tiny villages hanging on the cliffs and surrounded by vineyards, terraces and olive groves. The skipper provides relevant information about the region.

Disembark in Manarola, and enjoy some time on your own for exploring the village. Then get back on board and ride to Vernazza. On the way, have the opportunity to stop for a swim.

After approximately two hours get off in Vernazza and don’t miss the chance to savor some Ligurian specialties such as pasta al pesto, pansotti with walnut sauce, local anchovies, stuffed mussels, all accompanied by the 5 Terre white wine.

In the afternoon, meet the driver and journey along the panoramic road of the 5 Terre to admire those breathtaking views before heading back to Portofino.

*** Drivers are fully authorized in accordance with the Italian law.

Price per person € 270,00 calculated on a base of 5 participants. If your party is smaller or bigger,  ask please for a customized quotation.

• Private tour
• Minimum #1 maximum #7 participants. If you have a bigger party, we will arrange for you a bespoke program.
• Round trip transportation with A/C comfortable minivan
• Professional English-speaking driver.
• 2/2,5 hours private boat tour along the coast (weather and sea permitting).
• Aperitivo with 5 Terre glass of wine.
• Local guide.
• Other extras not listed above.
• Tips (optional).

Tour details

• Meeting point: your accommodation in Portofino or in Santa Margherita, Rapallo.
• Duration: 9 hours
• Activity Level: moderate. The walking tours involve some up/down hill walking; climb 3-4 flights of stairs; necessary step on and off of the boat.
• Unfortunately, this tour is not suitable for people with wheelchair or reduced mobility. In this case let us know your needs, we will design a lighter version of the tour.
• In case of rough sea or inclement weather, the boat ride could be canceled or takes place entirely by van.
• Advised clothing: comfortable shoes and clothes, sunglasses, hat/cap, sunscreen.
• The boat tour is available from Easter to All Saints. From November to March, the tour takes place by minivan/train.

Cinque Terre all by Van with Private Driver

• Visit Monterosso, Vernazza and Corniglia.
• Visit the villages easier to reach by car, and explore them at your own pace.
• Private vehicle with English-speaking driver.

Meet your private driver in Portofino (or in one of the towns nearby) and journey as far as Monterosso, one of the most charming villages of the five. Upon arrival, have some free time to explore the village on your own by strolling along the walkway by the sea and in the backstreets of the village.

Afterward, meet your driver again and travel on the panoramic road as far as Vernazza, free time to visit this little gem of the Riviera.

Then meet the driver again and head to Corniglia, the smallest village of the 5 Terre. Such a quaint hamlet, quieter than the other four ones and perfect place for a lunch with sea-view or a snack lunch-wine tasting in a local eatery.

In the afternoon, meet the driver and keep journeying along the panoramic road of the Cinque Terre to admire those breathtaking views and many photo-opportunities before heading back to Portofino.

Price per person € 185,00 calculated on a base of 5 participants. If your party is smaller or bigger,  ask please a customized quotation.

• Sciacchetrà (sweet wine of the 5 Terre) tasting.
• Activity Level: easy. The driver drops you off at the beginning of the pedestrian area. The visited villages are all flat.
• This tour is suitable for people with wheelchair or reduced mobility. 

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Enjoy one of the most beautiful and colorful areas of Italy at Cinque Terre & Lake Como. With its enchanting villages and spectacular views, it is an area of Italy that should not be missed.

INCLUSIONS:

• 4 nights at 4-star hotel accommodation in Italian Riviera area on BB Basis
• 2 nights at 4-star hotel accommodation in Como on BB Basis
• Welcome and farewell dinner with drinks included
• 3 hour Cooking lesson with a pesto making experience and wine tasting
• Minibus / bus services as per itinerary; including arrival and departure transfers
• Professional English-Speaking tour manager throughout (assistant where needed for smaller groups)
• Cinque Terre day tour: including FD Guide / boat and train to tour the Cinque Terre area
• Santa Margherita and Portofino day tour: including a public boat roundtrip ticket to Portofino
• Como Lake day tour: including FD Guide / boat tour with stops in Bellagio and Tremezzo with a ticket to visit Villa Carlotta
• Luggage handling available at hotels (1 bag per person)
• City tax for hotel stay

Not included:

• Gratuities to the tour manager, bus driver, local guides
•  Travel insurance
• Flights from the US to Italy Round Trip

Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.

Upon arrival in Milano MXP Airport, you will travel to Cinque Terre. You will be met by your driver and a tour escort and will be transferred to your hotel in Liguria region (Approximate 3 hours by motorcoach), in northwest Italy. This crescent shaped regions Mediterranean coastline is known as the Italian Riviera. The 5 colorful fishing villages of the Cinque Terre, as well as stylish Portofino, Rapallo and Santa Margherita Ligure, are on the eastern coast or Riviera di Levante. Once in Clinque Terre you will experience a welcome dinner (hotel or restaurant walking distance), and have the rest of your evening at your leisure.

Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are five small villages surrounded by a unique landscape that UNESCO has named a World Heritage site. These villages contain gorgeous beaches, crystal-clear water, steep trails winding through lush vineyards and olive groves, lemon trees and pine woods. A perfect spot, whether you enjoy swimming, boating, walking through the historic town, or exploring the pristine nature all around you. After breakfast, depart for Cinque Terre and enjoy an unforgettable day dedicated to the discovery of one of the most amazing and enchanting landscape in the World. You will travel though the little villages via boat (weather permitting) and train. The five villages, “Cinque Terre” is an area suspended between sea and land, hanging from sheer cliffs surrounded by hills and vineyards. You will enter a little piece of heaven. This spectacular coastline was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and it is one of the best preserved natural and semi-natural parts of the Mediterranean.

As one of the most popular things to do while in the Italian Riviera, prepare to learn how to make pesto! Discover all the essential products, the Italian origins, and the story of the habitants that create the famous Ligurian sauce. During the pesto-making class discover all the secrets of the authentic recipe by using the original ingredients, a marble mortar & pestle, and your own hands to curate the specialty. At the end, compare the pesto that you made with an industrial one! To enhance the experience you'll also be preparing either fresh pasta or fresh gnocchi in the authentic handmade way. During the cooking lesson will be served a selection of Ligurian wines, including the infamous sweet wine, Sciacchetrà, a typical wine of “5 terre”. This class lasts approximately 2-3 hours, and afterwards you can eat the food of which you prepared during the lesson.

Wake up to breakfast at the hotel and then enjoy a walking tour of Santa Margherita Ligure, and then depart for a short boat ride to Portofino, a picturesque seaside village with brightly colored houses lining the shore. Portofino is also known as the resort of the rich and famous. Designer boutiques and dozens of cafes and restaurants line the main square, giving guests the chance to experience the real Italian “bella vita”. You’ll have free time to visit the main square, the church of San Giorgio, which is said to have relics of St. George, or visit the Brown Castle, built in the 15th century and used for harbor defense over the centuries. You will have some free time to sight see, have some gelato, or just sit and people watch. Later in the afternoon, make your way by boat back to Rapallo where you have the rest of the evening at your leisure.

After breakfast, depart from the Liguria region and make your way towards Lake Como where you spend the rest of the trip. Once you reach Como, enjoy some free time to explore. The city offers many historical and cultural gems, which you can discover by taking a walk in the pedestrian historical center. And be sure to experience the Como Cathedral and the Basilica of St Abbondio, as well as the city's medieval town hall (Broletto).

Enjoy breakfast followed by a full-day of excursion. You will meet your guide and start discovering Lake Como from the waters on a site seeing boat tour, then stop to enjoy the wonderful villages, Bellagio and Tremezzo. During the boat tour, you will be able to admire the villages, the Romanesque churches, the views of the flora, and of course, a long series of villas with their luxuriant gardens from the waters. In Tremezzo, stop to admire Villa Carlotta with its magnificent botanic garden and art masterpieces of over 70,000 square meters of gardens and museum. The beautiful villa, built at the end of XVII century in a natural basin between the lake and the mountains, faces the dolomite Grignas and the peninsula of Bellagio, The Pearl of Lake Como. Few places are as romantic as Lake Como, and even fewer resorts as beautiful as the Bellagio. Called the “Pearl of the Lake”, Bellagio's world class hotels and restaurants provide the perfect place to soak up the lake's famous panoramic views. The village is characterized by century-old buildings, stone lanes and picturesque cobbled stairways filled with shops showcasing the finest Italian wares. Later on in the evening, return to Como and enjoy a farewell dinner.

Arrivederci!

After breakfast, you will be taken via private transfer to the Milan airport for a return flight to the USA.

Grazie! (Thank you) for choosing Perillo Tours!

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Availability: Daily*

Duration: 9 hours.

*This tour operates from March to October.

Have the chance to discover “a paradise on Earth”, that has been cherished by famous writers and poets throughout history - Cinque Terre. These ancient villages are known as the best nature preserved areas in all of the Mediterranean, and they have been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997.

Pick up in Santa Margherita by your private driver and transfer to Levanto (about 60 minutes) where you will meet your private guide. Then, together with guide, reach Riomaggiore and discover the castle built in 1260 to strengthen the villages’ defense and San Giovanni Battista Church. Following the coast up to one of the smallest towns, Manarola (known for their fishing and wine making) to admire the gorgeous vineyards above the town. Continue onto Vernazza, the gem of Cinque Terre. Dating back to 1080, Vernazza is known for the beauty that surrounds this historical village. It is one of the truest fishing villages that remains one of the few no car traffic towns in Italy. You will visit this charming town while on a romantic walk to discover the Capuchin Cloister. Lastly, you will arrive in Monterosso - the largest of the villages in Cinque Terre, known for its sandy beaches, ancient castle, and giant sculpture of Neptune. At the end of the tour, sit back and relax while your private driver takes you back to Santa Margherita Ligure.

Exact time will be provided in final documents. Pick up at your hotel.

• Round-trip transfer Santa Margherita-Levanto
• Private English-speaking guide at disposal for 7 hours
• Train tickets
• Gratuities (optional)
• This tour involves a fair amount of walking and some streets may be steep, slippery or uneven, comfortable and sturdy shoes are recommended.
• This tour is not suitable for small children or for anyone with walking difficulties.
• The order the towns are visited may change and depending on the pace kept throughout the tour not all of the five towns may be visited.

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Santa Margherita Ligure is a good starting point for a beautiful daytrip around the Portofino peninsula . My recommendation is: take an early train to Santa Margherita Ligure, hike or take the boat following the Santa Margherita Ligure- Portofino - San Fruttuoso - Camogli circle, then take the train back to your accommodation from Camogli. The peninsula is full of wonderful hiking trails but unless you are a very fit and experienced hiker, it's better to hike one or two sections, and for the rest of the trip, take the boat .

When you get off the train at Santa Margherita Ligure railway station, watch carefully your belongings. I am not sure what the current situation is but for years there was a group (including women and kids) focusing on tourists, causing some chaos as people were trying to get on and off trains with their luggage and stealing their valuables. So be careful there. Once you walk out of the station, go down the stairway, this will take you to the beach and the center of town.

Santa Margherita Ligure is an old fashioned riviera resort with elegant (and mostly expensive) hotels, restaurants and shops. There are many beaches in and around town, mainly private beaches, but you will also find free public ones. Make sure you have your swimming suit with you. In the center, you can enjoy walking around narrow streets between beautifully restored houses, then head down to the harbour which is full of yachts and fishing boats. In the park by the water, you will see two interesting monuments: the statue of Cristoforo Colombo, who was born in the area, and the statue of Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of united Italy.

The hills around the bay are full of amazing villas, hiding in nice Italian gardens. (I wonder how many million euros they cost… not that I am planning to buy.) There is also a villa and garden that you can visit, the 17th-century Villa Durazzo and its public gardens. It's nice to sit around here for a while and enjoy the magnificent panorama of the coast. If you'd like to rent a villa for your stay in Liguria, let me know, I can offer you beautiful villas and luxury villas in the area.

If you are on a budget, make a sandwich in your apartment or grab some stuff for a picnic in Santa Margherita Ligure. Portofino and San Fruttuoso restaurants are not cheap.

Once you have looked around Santa Margherita, take the boat to Portofino , or you can also take the bus. If you choose to hike this section, you have two choices. You can follow the trail over the hills or just walk on the pavement along the sea which is the easier version. I love both. By the sea, you will see more breathtaking villas and there are many small beaches with crystal clear water so you can combine walking and swimming. If you have snorkeling equipment, take it with you, as there are lot of fish in this protected marine area.

Rent a private boat to go to Portofino, San Fruttuoso and Camogli.

Book a private tour with pick-up in Santa Margherita Ligure.

Choose from a wide range of sustainable and authentic tours.

Continue reading on the page about Portofino.

• Riviera di Levante and Cinque Terre

The five villages

In the hills

• San Bernardino

Gulf of the Poets

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On the way to Genova

• Deiva Marina
• Sestri Levante

Portofino peninsula

• San Fruttuoso

Beyond the Riviera di Levante

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Private Tours – Shore Excursions – Car Transfers

Cinque Terre Private Tours from Portofino, Santa Margherita, Genoa

Type of Tour Day trip with private English-speaking driver. Availability The tour is suitable for individuals and groups. Transportation A/C minivan. Impaired Mobility People Suitable. On request, we set up a version of the itinerary matching your needs. Duration Approximately 9 hours Activity Level Moderate. Walk up/downhill, steps to climb. Price The quotation is on request and concerns transportation only, it may vary according to the number of people and tour duration. Customization Feel free to add extra services like wine tasting, meal, boat tour, etc. Be aware that invoicing and organization is by V&D Viaggi e Dintorni Travel Agency - Carrara Genoa-Portofino-Santa Margherita private tours to the 5 Terre with english-speaking driver.

Discover the beauties of national park and unesco site of 5 terre by visiting the villages of monterosso, vernazza, corniglia., itinerary of 5 terre from genoa, portofino and santa margherita private tour..

This is sample itinerary for exploring the Cinque Terre region at your own pace.  A very comfortable way for visiting the 5 Terre region. Sit back and relax, your driver will take you at destination departing from Genoa, Portofino and Santa Margherita.  This itinerary permits in one day to:

– Have a touch of local culture; – Avoid busy trains and possibly beat the crowd; – Enjoy stunning views (from the sea, from up high, from inside the villages); – Experience local wines and delicacies in a local restaurant.

All the listed villages are easily reachable by car, the driver will drop-off/pick-up very close to the pedestrian area of each village. In case you wanted to add other villages or a boat tour along the coast, don’t hesitate to ask.

MONTEROSSO, CORNIGLIA, VERNAZZA WITH ENGLISH-SPEAKING DRIVER SERVICE.

Meet the driver at your accommodation and head to the 5 Terre region. The closest village to reach is Monterosso , during the trip your driver provides information about the region and about the 5 Terre area as well in order to make enjoyable your independent visit of the venues.

Upon arrival in  Monterosso , you will be dropped off very close to the pedestrian area, enjoy a lovely stroll along the walkway by the sea towards the old village. Don’t miss walking the old main street that ends right by the church beside which there is the very interesting Oratorio Mortis et Orationis decorated by mysterious sculptures.

At the end meet the driver again and set off to Corniglia . This is the smallest of the five villages, it always offers a very pleasant atmosphere together with stunning views from the esplanade overlooking the cliffs. Free time for exploring the village on your own.

At this point lunchtime as come,  Vernazza offers a wide range of eateries where eat and drink local: pasta al pesto, pasta and seafood, anchovies in different styles, mussels (steamed and stuffed), swordfish and other types of seafood and accompanied by the Cinque Terre white wines table and dessert ones.

After lunch meet your driver and head back to Portofino, before leaving the 5 Terre, don’t miss a ride along the panoramic road that offers many photo-opportunities of really breathtaking views of the villages from up high.

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February 28, 2021

Gems of the Riviera shore trip from Portofino and S. Margherita

Wine Tours shore trip from Portofino S. Margherita

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Portofino Private Boat Tour

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• Cinque Terre and Liguria
• 4 Hours Duration
• Transport: included

With this private boat tour of Portofino, you will discover the beautiful coast of Liguria with a private skipper

• Shore Excursions
• Yacht Charter
• Town of Portofino
• Town of Santa Margherita
• Abbey of San Fruttuoso
• Stops for swimming
• Private skipper
• Private boat
• Drinks and towels included
• Itinerary can be customized

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Description:

With this boat tour from Portofino you will explore the beautiful coast of Liguria on a private boat with skipper .

Meet your skipper and board your private boat in Portofino or Santa Margherita and set off through the Protected Marine Area along the gorgeous peninsula of Portofino (if you need a pick-up at your hotel, please contact us).

From your unique vantage point afloat the Gulf of Tigullio , you can see the church of St. George, the patron saint of Portofino and approach the “Cala dell’Oro” (Golden Cove), a natural aquarium where protected species of coral and fish live undisturbed. Arrive at Punta Chiappa and enjoy a moment for swimming or snorkeling . 

Next you will visit the charming village of Camogli , where you can shop for local handcrafted souvenirs and taste the delicious focaccia.

Then you will head south and moor in the bay by the lovely  San Fruttuoso Abbey , before transferring to a typical fishing boat or “gozzo” in order to arrive at the shore and explore this secluded site.

Not far from the San Fruttuoso coast, submerged 17 meters underwater, stands the famous statue of Christ of the Abyss . Here you may choose to jump back into the crystal clear waters for a swim above this sunken treasure.

At the end of this half-day tour, your skipper will take you back to Portofino (or Santa Margherita).

If you wish, you may extend the duration of this tour (about 3 and half hours) and make it a full-day tour (about 7 hours). With the full day tour you will have time to stop for lunch in one of these lovely coastal towns. Taste the flavors of Liguria in any of a number of restaurants serving up fresh seafood and other local dishes (please note that lunch is not included in the cost of the tour). Also included in the full-day tour is an additional stop or two in the coastal town of Santa Margherita Ligure and/or Rapallo, depending on your preference, plus more time for swimming and exploring.

You may extend the duration of the tour and upgrade to other boat models in the options menu (open the menu in the booking box in the top right of this page).

This tour is subject to weather conditions. If the sea/weather conditions are considered unsafe for navigation we will cancel the tour. In this case you will have the option for rescheduling or having a full refund. 

Private boat, private skipper, fuel, port fees, towels, drinks

Not included:

Lunch not included

Italian, English

Meeting point:

At the port of Portofino or Santa Margherita (detailed instructions will be emailed; for hotel pickup, please contact us)

Dress code:

Don't forget your swim suit!

Included - Half Day - Gozzo

Full Day - Gozzo

Half Day - 21 FT

Full Day - 21 FT

Full Day - 25 FT

Full Day - 33 FT

Full Day - 46 FT

Alternative tours:

 If you are interested in visiting Portofino, you may also like these other tour options:

Genoa and Portofino Private Tour

More tours in the same destination.

Cinque Terre Shore Excursion from Genoa

• Duration: 9 Hours
• Type: Private Tour
• Theme: Romance, Shore Excursions, Most popular

Cinque Terre Shore Excursion from Livorno

• Theme: Romance, Shore Excursions

Portovenere Boat Tour from La Spezia

• Duration: 7 Hours
• Theme: Romance, Fun & Adventure, Yacht Charter

Florence And Pisa Shore Excursion from La Spezia

• Theme: Art, Shore Excursions, Daytrip

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Cinque Terre vs. Amalfi Coast: Which Should You Visit?

By Chris Allsop

Last updated: June 27th, 2024

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The Cinque Terre and Amalfi Coast, two of Italy’s most famous shorelines, are located almost at opposite ends of the country, albeit both on the west coast.

Cinque Terre, five exquisite fishing villages connected by rail, boat, and hiking trails, lie between Genoa and La Spezia in the north. The Amalfi Coast, on the other hand, is an impossibly picturesque stretch to the south of Naples.

So which should you visit? It’s not an easy decision, as both are gorgeous, but fortunately, there’s no wrong answer. The best choice is to make a repeat trip to Italy to visit whichever remarkable destination you miss this time.

This conundrum of Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast is one that’s best approached step-by-step. Both are bucket list destinations and both will fill you with a sense of wonder.

Weather & Best Times to Visit

When considering whether to visit the Cinque Terre, comprising the five villages of Monterosso, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, or Riomaggiore, or Amalfi Coast on your next trip, one of your key considerations should be the timing of your vacation. As two of the most popular holiday destinations in Italy, it’s important to know what to expect when you arrive.

If experiencing the Cinque Terre’s gorgeously organic architecture or disembarking at the Amalfi harbor without a crush of fellow visitors is important to you, then the shoulder seasons are the best times to visit either destination.

On top of the thinned-out humanity, you can also expect excellent weather. In May, Liguria , the northern region where you’ll find the Cinque Terre, sees highs of around 68°F. Also called the Italian Riviera, it’s typical for spring in Liguria to be dry, with the mountains on the border with France providing a barrier to wet weather.

Arrive at the beginning of fall, and daytime highs rise ten degrees above what you’ll experience in late spring. Best of all, the clear, clean sea usually has a water temperature north of 70°F, making for a very pleasant swim.

In Southern Italy , where you’ll find the Amalfi Coast, the situation is even more appealing. Daytime highs in late spring can soar to 76°F although, as with the Cinque Terre to the north, dives into the sparkling Tyrrhenian are still a little bracing. Temperatures remain steady into September, with the seawater warmed up and perfect for taking a dip on Positano Beach.

Amalfi Town

Choose to travel to either destination during summer in Italy and you’ll find that the conditions are glorious. Expect highs of 80°F in July and August while exploring the shady caruggi alleyways of the Cinque Terre.

During the corresponding period in the Amalfi, the mercury will be higher by another few degrees. Both destinations, set in astonishingly attractive coastal settings, benefit from cool breezes off the sparkling sea.

Such blissful weather does, however, bring crowds. The snaking Amalfi Coast Drive can become clogged with traffic, which, on the plus side, gives you plenty of time to enjoy the views.

The Cinque Terre doesn’t have the same issue with traffic as the Amalfi. This is mainly due to its limited road network, ensuring that anyone intrepid enough to try to make the journey by car will, due to the narrow roads and extremely limited parking, probably come to regret it. Routes by sea and rail are well-served and generally preferable.

Where the Cinque Terre becomes busy in the summertime is on its feted hiking routes. The longest, which connects all five pastel-pretty fishing villages, is called the Sentiero Azzurro. With the higher temperatures as well as the increased number of visitors, a shoulder season visit makes sense on whatever side of the “Cinque Terre vs. Amalfi Coast” debate you fall.

Read: Best Things to Do in Cinque Terre

With location, it’s another win/win when you’re trying to decide on Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast.

The Amalfi is located in the southern Italian region of Campania. Home to a huge array of other big-ticket Italian destinations, a trip to the Amalfi sets the scene for a mouthwatering multi-destination proposition.

The lemon-fragranced town of Sorrento is a 40-minute drive north, while an hour beyond sees you arrive at the engaging city of Naples with its pizza, beaches, and historic Spanish Quarter. Catch a ferry to visit the volcanic island of Ischia or the super-chic isle of Capri.

Just as tempting is the Cinque Terre’s situation in the north. The towns of the Italian Riviera are charming, with the Cinque Terre being just one particularly picturesque part to be discovered.

A scenic boat ride away from the Cinque Terre is the beautiful fishing village of Portofino and its glamorous neighbor, the town of Santa Margherita with its belle epoque hotels and sizable red shrimp. Further west is the mesmerizing medieval center of Genoa, and just a short drive on you arrive at the border with southern France and Provence.

Head east, and you arrive at the engaging, under-the-radar-gem of La Spezia . Meanwhile, bordering Liguria to the south are the rolling hills, vineyards, and Renaissance treasures of Tuscany. To the north, you’ll find the epic food culture of Piedmont with its famous Barolo wines.

Piazza del Duomo, Amalfi Town

Both the Amalfi Coast and the Cinque Terre have histories with interesting similarities. In the late Middle Ages, the Cinque Terre was controlled by the powerful Republic of Genoa. Preceding this was the Duchy of Amalfi, the first of the Italian maritime republics that had its heyday between the 9th and 11th centuries.

Since Genoa was the center of its eponymous republic—the city’s Rolli Palaces are gilded monuments to its wealth and influence—there is a dearth of major historical sights in the Cinque Terre.

The villages themselves are the historical treasures to marvel at and explore. Although that’s not to say there aren’t beautiful churches with incredible sea views to visit around the towns, such as the 11th century Madonna di Montenero, near Riomaggiore .

With the Amalfi, it’s a little different. In the central Piazza del Duomo of the Italian coastal town of Amalfi itself, the Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea’s gilded facade is striking, particularly when it shines in the afternoon light. Inside its crypt, you’ll find medieval relics, including the skull of St. Andrew.

Also in Amalfi, up a series of jinking staircases, you can reach the classical arches of the monumental cemetery, located on the walking route to neighboring Atrani.

Besides these ostentatious shows of wealth and power in Amalfi, the coastlines of both destinations are dotted with medieval watchtowers. Many of these have been renovated, and several—such as in the Amalfi Coast town of Cetara—have been transformed into museums.

Outdoor Adventures

Path of the Gods

Lace up your hiking boots. The Amalfi Coast and the Cinque Terre are both famous for their walks that ramble past skinny agricultural terraces shaded by olive and fruit orchards. Before the arrival of the Amalfi Coast Drive, locals would use these paths to walk between towns to trade goods and visit family and friends.

The Amalfi Coast’s most famous route is the Path of the Gods, the “Sentiero degli Dei”. This high-altitude hike in Italy offers spellbinding coastal vistas.

Connecting the seaside village of Positano with the inland town of Bomerano, the Path of the Gods is a mostly downhill path accessible for moderately fit hikers. Completing it usually takes around three hours.

Meanwhile, the Cinque Terre is home to one of the best hikes in Europe —the Sentiero Azzurro, which knits the villages together. As the Cinque Terre has a smaller geographical footprint than the Amalfi Coast, it’s possible to hike from southerly Riomaggiore to northernmost Monterosso via all five villages.

This moderately difficult hike can be completed in under five hours, however, the temptation to break the journey in B&Bs and magnificent trattorias ensures that it usually takes longer.

Whichever side of the “Cinque Terre vs. Amalfi Coast” debate you’ve fallen, no doubt you’ll want to cool off at the end of your incredible walk.

Both finish points for each of the hikes—at Positano on the Amalfi Coast and Monterosso as one of the Cinque Terre—have beaches offering easy access to the sea. At Monterosso, on the eastern side of the beach, it’s also possible to plunge in from the rocks at height.

Riomaggiore

Naturally, you’ll also feel the urge to take a boat out. In the Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore and Monterosso offer kayak and dinghy rentals. You can find the same, as well as guided tours, at Atrani and Amalfi in the south.

Sunset boat tours in both locations are highly recommended, with a glass of chilled prosecco and warm sunlight probing the translucent sea and kindling the colors of the coastal buildings. The Amalfi also offers boat tours that explore its luminously beautiful sea caves, such as the Grotta dello Smeraldo close to Conca dei Marini.

The beaches in both the Amalfi and the Cinque Terre should be thought of as more added extras than the central focus of a vacation there.

However, if you’re looking for a beach in the Cinque Terre, your first stop is in Monterosso. It’s the only one of the five towns of Cinque Terre with a significant beach. The other four have picturesque harbors and only scant traces of pebbly beach.

Monterosso, however, beats the trend of the Italian Riviera’s pebbly beaches and offers a primarily soft, sandy mix lapped by diamond-clear breakers.

If you’d like to rent one of the colorful loungers, you’ll have to pay at the local stabilimento or “beach club”. If you’d prefer not to, you can find space on the spiaggia libera or “free beach”.

However, regarding beach options, Amalfi does offer increased choice. The Italian beach that shines the brightest—despite its composition of gray shingle—is that of Positano. As the many speedboats and yachts moored offshore attest, it’s one of the Italian summer’s most glamorous destinations.

Prefer something a little more relaxed? Maiori, an hour’s drive south of Positano, offers the largest beach in the Amalfi Coast . Best of all, it’s sandy. The result of a landslide that transformed the seafront in the mid-20th century, it’s no surprise that, after seeing the tiny beaches of its neighboring towns, its swathe of sand looks almost a little out of place.

And then there’s Minori. Next door to Maiori, it also offers a good-sized beach, as well as a dose of laid-back Italian living. Once you’ve finished basking on the south-facing beach, Minori’s lovely palm-lined promenade is also the location of some of Italy’s most delicious pastries.

Italy is known for its regional specialties. As both destinations fall within the country’s national borders, you know that whether you visit the Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast, you’ll eat well.

If lemon is one of your favorite flavors, make a beeline for the Amalfi. This area is renowned for its outsized lemons infusing everything from creamy linguine sauces to the famous limoncello liqueur.

The Amalfi also offers a broader range of culinary experiences than the Cinque Terre. The gamut runs from family-run trattorias to multiple Michelin-starred establishments with stunning sea views.

One of the best is Glicine, found within the five-star Hotel Santa Caterina in Amalfi. The hotel is also renowned for its signature, zingy Spaghettini al Limone Sfusato di Amalfi dish.

Delizia al Limone

Another essential lemony morsel is the Delizia al Limone—an iced sponge cake dome filled with lemon custard. One of the most outstanding examples is found in award-winning pastry chef Sal de Riso’s café and shop on Minori’s promenade.

Meanwhile, in the north, the Cinque Terre offers a deliciously accessible regional and hyper-local take on Italian cuisine .

Genovese cuisine dominates the menus and you’ll find wonderfully fresh pesto as well as the typical twisted trofie pasta. Look out for Cinque Terre specialties such as the cheese and herb-filled ravioli called pansotti .

Another local specialty is the wine. Cinque Terre DOC is a crisp, straw-yellow glassful that is the perfect choice for a selection of lightly fried seafood.

In the Amalfi, taking a tour of the Marisa Cuomo winery is a superb way to discover the Amalfi’s unique viniculture as well as one of its most awarded white wines, Fiorduva. If the winemaker’s husband catches you in the reception, look forward to being proudly shown the picture memorializing when Pierce Brosnan visited the winery.

Read: Best Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast

Ferry to Cinque Terre

Decide between Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast and set off on a cruise to Italy . Browse our cruise itineraries and book a memorable vacation to a destination bursting with culture, history, and amazing cuisine.

Chris Allsop

Chris Allsop is a UK-based food and travel journalist whose writing has appeared in The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, Condé Nast Traveller, and The Guardian, among other titles. When he’s not trying to arrange yet another trip to Italy, he’s obsessively on the lookout for new farmhouse cheeses to match up with his latest sour beer.

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How to Experience Cinque Terre Like a Local

T he moment I first set foot along the craggy coast of Monterosso al Mare, the westernmost village of the Cinque Terre, I knew I had discovered a unique paradise. It was early October 2007 and far off in the distance, the clifftop villages belonging to this unparalleled Ligurian landscape beckoned with their vivid colors, illuminated by the late summer light. After a few days spent devouring fried anchovies , focaccia, pesto, and breathtaking views, I also quickly understood why Cinque Terre, a UNESCO site since 1997, attracted tourists en masse.

It was only after meeting and marrying a native of this land, and therefore becoming a perpetual guest, that I learned the soulful secrets that day trippers aren’t privy to. I soon understood why these thousand-year-old villages set upon precipitous cliffs paint such a pretty picture. The characteristic manmade terraces called  poggi  were built to cultivate vineyards and olives, two of the region’s specialties. By a stroke of luck, local administration forbade construction in the 1960s, contributing to the preservation of these one-of-a-kind lands.

Unlike the posh port town of Portofino made popular by well-heeled jet setters in the 1950s, or fishing village-turned- Italian Riviera resort town Santa Margherita, Cinque Terre remained a secret to the masses until the mid 1990s. Prior to that, it was fellow Italians and thrill-seeking German and Swiss hikers that first mingled with the local fishermen and farmers. When American travel writer Rick Steves became enchanted with these remote lands, once only accessible by sea or by train, Cinque Terre’s landed on everyone’s bucket list.

With the maze of village streets off limits to cars aside from an occasional taxi, Cinque Terre is best reached via train and explored on foot or by boat. Hop aboard a ferry and hop off at any of the five villages at your leisure. These sea shuttles even venture as far as Portovenere, just outside the Cinque Terre. Sunset boat tours are another stellar way to discover Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Hiking between these villages carved into the cliffs is an adventurous affair, boasting some of the most dazzling views of the Italian Riviera. I recommend sticking to the marked paths and heeding any notices of path closures. The iconic and least difficult trail Via dell'Amore or “Path of Love” connecting Manarola and Riomaggiore recently reopened, but only to guided tours due to crowd control. It’s no secret that Cinque Terre is battling over-tourism, with upwards of three million tourists stomping the fragile grounds annually.

To enjoy these soulful lands more authentically, avoid the selfie-stick-toting day trippers and visit in the off-season. The villages wake up from their winter slumber just before the Easter holidays and remain open for business until late October. A favorable Mediterranean climate makes early spring an ideal time to visit, with less congested hiking paths leading to swoon-worthy photo ops, shorter waits for top dining haunts, and even a chance to score a spot in the sun. While most of the private Monterosso beach clubs don’t open until May and close in September, the public stretches of pebbled beach invite sun worshippers all year round. Just bring a beach towel and snorkeling gear. Come July and August, there’s no better spot to hide from the hoards of visitors than beneath a parasol. Just be sure to book ahead or on the morning of. The late summer is equally enchanting after schools reopen and family tourism tapers.

Vernazza and Manarola are often considered the prima donnas of Cinque Terre, but Monterosso al Mare wins for personality, with the most to offer visitors from where to bed down to local wining and family-run dining. Sleeping in a B&B or family-run hotel is undoubtedly the best way to live like a local. High above the clamor of Monterosso’s village life, Casa di Andrea oozes with charm and garden views. Centrally located 3-star Hotel la Colonnina boasts renovated rooms and a roof deck while 4-star Porto Roca high on the bluff offers the most sophisticated lodging, with an infinity pool and refined restaurant included. For a real dose of rural life dotted by olive trees and local produce, Agriturismo Missanega reachable by car, is the place to call home. The only 5-star address, Grand Hotel Portovenere isn’t exactly part of the Cinque Terre, but it’s close enough.

On the food front, family-run gastronomic Ristorante Miky has been impressing its guests since 1980, while offshoot La Cantina di Miky serves up innovative local fare in a more casual seaside setting. In Monterosso’s old town, Il Casello concocts savory Ligurian specialties the likes of stuffed anchovies and trofie al pesto . There’s no more scenic spot for dinner or an aperitivo than Torre Aurora named for the 16 th -century tower it inhabits. A few steps away, Ristorante L'Ancora della Tortuga vies for the views with its sweeping outdoor terrace and cliffside dining. Follow the classical music to Enoteca da Eliseo for a sampling of regional wines or head to Enoteca Internazionale and pair vino with gourmet bruschetta at the village’s oldest wine shop. If you’re feeling adventurous, just west of Monterosso, Casino in the year-round town of Levanto makes for a perfect dinner or drink stop, and can be reached by train or on foot. For some of the best coastline views, brave the two-hour hike.

Each of the five villages merits a wander through the historic center and up along the tangle of paths that lead to clandestine eateries. In Vernazza, it’s Ittiturismo Pirasca overlooking the variegated landscape, and long-standing Ristorante Belforte nestled into the bluff that offers both appetizing views and dishes. In Corniglia, the smallest of the hilltop villages and also the least visited, Ittiturismo SP4488 makes the trek up the nearly 400 steps well worth it. A fast favorite for anyone who discovers this cliffside haunt, Trattoria dal Billy is reason enough to plot a trip to Manarola. When it comes to fine dining Ligurian style, the casually chic Rio Bistrot in Riomaggiore certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Regardless of when you decide to venture to Cinque Terre, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the authenticity and charm of these five animated villages. Just give yourself more than three days to enjoy morning cappuccinos, cannoli (the Ligurian variety), long ambles, and maybe even a game of bocce with the locals.