Italy: Genoa & the Cinque Terre

This self-guided walking vacation takes you deep into the heart of Italy’s celebrated Cinque Terre. With our deep roots in Italy, we’ve found authentic hotels and exclusive bed and breakfasts tucked away among Cinque Terre’s pastel villages and aquamarine harbors. Learn the art of pesto-making during an included cooking class in Sestri Levante as you contemplate the magical seaside village that has inspired artists and poets. Hike to stupendous vistas at Punta Mesco—and climb the impressive staircase to Corniglia where you’ll enjoy rewarding seaside views. A Cinque Terre Express rail pass makes it easy to explore at your own pace, and your local rep gives you the insider’s perspective—plus, the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have a local friend.

Highlights

  • Follow paths through cork-oak forests along the sea, passing through citrus and olive groves as you make your way from charming Manarola to picturesque Vernazza.
  • Learn to make a local favorite and the region’s most-acclaimed specialty—pesto—during a hands-on cooking class with an expert chef.
  • Stay in an aristocratic villa in the ancient port town of Sestri Levante, overlooking both the Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fables.
  • Take advantage of the Cinque Terre’s extensive train and ferry system to tweak and modify your itinerary at will.

Positive Impact

Country Walkers is proud to support Convento dei Cappuccini with a donation on behalf of each guest on this tour. On a bluff just outside of Monterosso, the historic Convento dei Cappuccini chapel and monastery dates back to the 17th century, containing artistic treasures by the likes of Van Dyck and Strozzi. A local cultural hub, it has played host to concerts, conferences, and theatrical performances for the surrounding community and is beloved by locals for its seaside garden, orchards, and vineyards. As an ancient Italian structure, the convent requires considerable maintenance to continue existing.

On all Self-Guided Adventures you can count on...
person
A local representative available 24/7
map
Detailed maps & route notes featuring turn-by-turn directions and places of interest
cutlery
Delicious meals—many are included
car
Scheduled taxi transfers to bring you to and from each day’s walks (excluding self-drive adventures)
house
Gracious accommodations that are a clean, comfortable home away from home
check-list
Experts to handle all the details, including moving your luggage between hotels while you’re out exploring
airplane
Access to a Self-Guided Flight Concierge—ask our knowledgeable team to find flights that sync with your planned trip
Itinerary

Thu, May 8 to Sat, May 17, 2025

Your vacation is about to begin! Spend your first night aloft and arrive ready for an unforgettable trip.

Upon arrival at Genoa Airport, make your own independent travel arrangements to your centrally located hotel in the heart of Genoa’s charming historic center, just a short stroll from most attractions.  For details, refer to your Vacation Preparation Handbook.

Please note: Your hotel room may not be available until 2:00 p.m. If you arrive early, you may store your luggage with the reception desk. Please note for early morning arrivals, the hotel may charge an early check-in fee if your room is ready before the normal check-in time; this fee will be at your expense if you decide to check-in early.

Country Walkers provides you with city information that includes information and recommendations on what to see and do in Genoa. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure—explore the city, rest up in the hotel, or select a local restaurant for lunch and dinner.

Spend the day exploring the port city of Genoa. With its storied history—rivaling that of Venice—of Mediterranean rule from the Middle Ages through the 16th century, Genoa’s wealth and importance are evident throughout. The Palazzi dei Rolli, a collection of 42 medieval cathedrals and Renaissance palaces in the city’s historical center, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in its entirety. Following an orientation meeting, step out to dinner on your own.

Included Meals: Breakfast

2.6 miles, easy to moderate, 700-ft. elevation gain and loss

The first walk on your itinerary takes you outside Genoa to the western side of the Natural Park of Portofino. The Park occupies a peninsula south of the city that reaches into the Mediterranean to form the Gulf of Paradise.

A short train ride (approximately 25 minutes) takes you from Genoa to the fishing port town of Camogli, where you head out on a steep brick path ascending to one of the park’s main gates in the tiny hamlet of San Rocco. Reaching the park, you have one of the best vantage points in the area, with stunning views of the coast and distant mountains. From there, you descend a panoramic walkway through lush gardens and elegant villas to the seaside at Punta Chiappa, a unique geological formation jutting into the water. You can find a scenic picnic spot not far from fishermen’s nets, or opt to dine at a seaside trattoria, before returning to Camogli by boat.

You may then wish to explore charming Camogli with its medieval tower and Baroque church or catch the train directly back to Genoa. Continuing your discovery of Genoa, you may choose to ride the historical funicular that climbs to the city’s 17th-century defensive city walls. For dinner, pick from the many restaurants in the city’s historical center.

Included Meals: Breakfast

3.9 miles, easy to moderate, 900-ft. elevation gain and loss

You depart Genoa today and are driven about 30 miles south along the coast to the town of Sestri Levante. An ancient port and trading center, the town is on a small peninsula that was once an island before it was connected to the mainland in Roman times. The walk today takes you from the town center to the Cape of Punta Manara, providing views along the way of two beautiful gulfs: the Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fables, the latter named for Hans Christian Andersen, who lived here for a short time in the 1830s. The route ascends the cape along an old mule track that turns to dirt with a few short steep parts, emerging at a promontory with a small medieval tower and gorgeous coastal views.

You can return via a trail through typical Mediterranean flora and a forest of pine and oak, or retrace your steps to enjoy the panorama in the opposite direction. Once back in Sestri Levante, there are many options—a stroll along the main promenade overlooking the Portofino Peninsula, a visit to the local cultural museum, or a swim and rest at the beach.

This evening, you walk to a favorite local restaurant for a pesto cooking class, followed by dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

4.3 miles, easy to moderate, 850-ft. elevation gain and 850-ft. elevation loss

This morning’s walk highlights the eastern side of the Portofino Peninsula, facing the Tigullio Gulf. A short train ride delivers you to the resort town of Santa Margherita Ligure, home to an ornate Baroque church and the Romantic English gardens of Villa Durazzo. From the bustling seaside promenade of Santa Margherita, you ascend gently along a historical pilgrims’ trail to Nozarego to the hamlet of Gave with its restored chapel of San Girolamo. The path then follows the “valley of mills,” with many streams and small summer houses, where olives, chestnuts, and corn were ground, giving the valley its name. Reaching the Mulino del Gassetta, a restored mill, you can stop for a drink or a snack and view its original grinding stone and wine press.

Next on the route is Olmi, the walk’s highest point at nearly 900 feet. From here, you begin a long descent into Portofino, passing by the chapel of Saint Sebastiano with more splendid views. Portofino, once a small fishing village and now a famous luxury yacht harbor, captivates with its many pastel-colored houses, the church of Saint George on the cliff, Castello Brown, and the lighthouse at its tip.

From Portofino, you can choose to return to Santa Margherita by ferry or public bus or on foot to Paraggi, walking along the main promenade and then coming back full circle to the center of Santa Margherita, before catching the train back to Sestri Levante.

Included Meals: Breakfast

5.6 miles, moderate, 1,300-ft. elevation gain and 1,250-ft elevation loss; or 5.2 miles, easy to moderate, 1,000-ft. elevation gain and loss. Optional walk: 0.9 miles, easy, 200-ft. elevation gain and loss

Begin your exploration of the Cinque Terre National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can choose from several options. You depart Sestri Levante by train (your luggage is transported separately) for Levanto, a medieval town on the border of the national park. A short walk around the town is highly recommended, to take in the remains of the 13th-century port, the church of Saint Andrew, and the historical center. From Levanto, you have two options that both showcase the Cinque Terre’s fabulous scenery.

For the moderate walk, you reach the ruins of Levanto’s castle and start on the path to Punta Mesco, which eventually levels off along an easy stretch with spectacular views. You then have another rigorous ascent over rough steps through oak forest, followed by a much easier stretch through a pine forest, culminating at the promontory of Punta Mesco. At 1,000 feet, your hard work is rewarded with an amazing bird’s-eye view of all five villages of the Cinque Terre and the sea shimmering before you. A final, steep 45-minute descent on large stone steps delivers you to Monterosso al Mare, which features the Cinque Terre’s only sandy beach.

The easy-to-moderate option follows the main sea promenade of Levanto and leads to Scernio and a panoramic cape, thick with olive trees and wild broom. Rounding the entire Bonassola Gulf, you emerge near the castle and railway station. After enjoying the tiny town of Bonassola, and one of the best beaches of the area, you loop back to Levanto along an easy, flat path—a former railway line.

Arriving from either Levanto or Monterosso, take a short train ride to charming Manarola, where you’ll stay for two nights. For a leisurely and brief walk, consider exploring the Manarola Vineyard Walk either this evening or tomorrow. This tranquil path winds through terraced grape vineyards with a wooden railing, guiding you to Punta Bonfigio cemetery and park in approximately 20 minutes, providing captivating sea views. Beyond the cemetery walls, you’ll find a playground and flower garden extending to the cliff’s edge, featuring a sculpture symbolizing the town’s lifeline—a woman draped in grapes.

Included Meals: Breakfast

2.7 miles, moderate with challenging sections, 600-ft. elevation gain and loss

Today’s walk is dedicated to the exploration of Cinque Terre National Park, established in 1999 to protect the landscape, environment, and unique culture of this region. First, you take a short train ride to Vernazza, one of the most striking of the five towns, and walk to the old monastery and then to the pier.

The trail from Vernazza to Corniglia begins with a steep ascent up a set of stone steps before leveling off along terraced vineyards clinging to seaside cliffs. You continue on the narrow trail for approximately two hours before reaching Corniglia, the most untouched of the Cinque Terre villages. Unlike the other villages of the Cinque Terre, Corniglia is not right on the sea, instead it sits on a promontory more than 300 feet above the sea, surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terraces, while the fourth side plunges to the water. From Corniglia, you may choose to walk down to the waterfront and take a train to Manarola or Riomaggiore. The latter is the southernmost town of the five, and features houses pitched on the rocks above its harbors. The famous Via dell’Amore (often translated as “Lovers’ Lane”) connects the town of Manarola to Riomaggiore. When the trail was built, it became a meeting place for couples from the two towns.

The tradition of painting the houses of the Cinque Terre towns in various pastel hues was so the local men, usually sailors and fishermen, could recognize their homes from the sea.

Your Route Notes will suggest a favorite restaurant at which to enjoy a farewell dinner, savoring the fresh and flavorful Ligurian cuisine.

Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, a 30-minute drive takes you to La Spezia’s central train station. From here, make your way independently by rail back to Genoa. We provide detailed city information to help you plan the remainder of your day in this fascinating historical city.

Included Meals: Breakfast

After an included breakfast*, make your own independent travel arrangements to Genoa Airport for your onward travels. For details, refer to your Vacation Preparation Handbook.

*For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the front desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Sat, May 10 to Fri, May 16, 2025

You arrive in the port city of Genoa, where you make your way to your centrally located hotel. With its storied history—rivaling that of Venice—of Mediterranean rule from the Middle Ages through the 16th century, Genoa’s wealth and importance are evident throughout. The Palazzi dei Rolli, a collection of 42 medieval cathedrals and Renaissance palaces in the city’s historical center, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in its entirety. Following an orientation meeting, step out to dinner on your own.

2.6 miles, easy to moderate, 700-ft. elevation gain and loss

The first walk on your itinerary takes you outside Genoa to the western side of the Natural Park of Portofino. The Park occupies a peninsula south of the city that reaches into the Mediterranean to form the Gulf of Paradise.

A short train ride (approximately 25 minutes) takes you from Genoa to the fishing port town of Camogli, where you head out on a steep brick path ascending to one of the park’s main gates in the tiny hamlet of San Rocco. Reaching the park, you have one of the best vantage points in the area, with stunning views of the coast and distant mountains. From there, you descend a panoramic walkway through lush gardens and elegant villas to the seaside at Punta Chiappa, a unique geological formation jutting into the water. You can find a scenic picnic spot not far from fishermen’s nets, or opt to dine at a seaside trattoria, before returning to Camogli by boat.

You may then wish to explore charming Camogli with its medieval tower and Baroque church or catch the train directly back to Genoa. Continuing your discovery of Genoa, you may choose to ride the historical funicular that climbs to the city’s 17th-century defensive city walls. For dinner, pick from the many restaurants in the city’s historical center.

Included Meals: Breakfast

3.9 miles, easy to moderate, 900-ft. elevation gain and loss

You depart Genoa today and are driven about 30 miles south along the coast to the town of Sestri Levante. An ancient port and trading center, the town is on a small peninsula that was once an island before it was connected to the mainland in Roman times. The walk today takes you from the town center to the Cape of Punta Manara, providing views along the way of two beautiful gulfs: the Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fables, the latter named for Hans Christian Andersen, who lived here for a short time in the 1830s. The route ascends the cape along an old mule track that turns to dirt with a few short steep parts, emerging at a promontory with a small medieval tower and gorgeous coastal views.

You can return via a trail through typical Mediterranean flora and a forest of pine and oak, or retrace your steps to enjoy the panorama in the opposite direction. Once back in Sestri Levante, there are many options—a stroll along the main promenade overlooking the Portofino Peninsula, a visit to the local cultural museum, or a swim and rest at the beach.

This evening, you walk to a favorite local restaurant for a pesto cooking class, followed by dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

4.3 miles, easy to moderate, 850-ft. elevation gain and 850-ft. elevation loss

This morning’s walk highlights the eastern side of the Portofino Peninsula, facing the Tigullio Gulf. A short train ride delivers you to the resort town of Santa Margherita Ligure, home to an ornate Baroque church and the Romantic English gardens of Villa Durazzo. From the bustling seaside promenade of Santa Margherita, you ascend gently along a historical pilgrims’ trail to Nozarego to the hamlet of Gave with its restored chapel of San Girolamo. The path then follows the “valley of mills,” with many streams and small summer houses, where olives, chestnuts, and corn were ground, giving the valley its name. Reaching the Mulino del Gassetta, a restored mill, you can stop for a drink or a snack and view its original grinding stone and wine press.

Next on the route is Olmi, the walk’s highest point at nearly 900 feet. From here, you begin a long descent into Portofino, passing by the chapel of Saint Sebastiano with more splendid views. Portofino, once a small fishing village and now a famous luxury yacht harbor, captivates with its many pastel-colored houses, the church of Saint George on the cliff, Castello Brown, and the lighthouse at its tip.

From Portofino, you can choose to return to Santa Margherita by ferry or public bus or on foot to Paraggi, walking along the main promenade and then coming back full circle to the center of Santa Margherita, before catching the train back to Sestri Levante.

Included Meals: Breakfast

5.6 miles, moderate, 1,300-ft. elevation gain and 1,250-ft elevation loss; or 5.2 miles, easy to moderate, 1,000-ft. elevation gain and loss. Optional walk: 0.9 miles, easy, 200-ft. elevation gain and loss

Begin your exploration of the Cinque Terre National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can choose from several options. You depart Sestri Levante by train (your luggage is transported separately) for Levanto, a medieval town on the border of the national park. A short walk around the town is highly recommended, to take in the remains of the 13th-century port, the church of Saint Andrew, and the historical center. From Levanto, you have two options that both showcase the Cinque Terre’s fabulous scenery.

For the moderate walk, you reach the ruins of Levanto’s castle and start on the path to Punta Mesco, which eventually levels off along an easy stretch with spectacular views. You then have another rigorous ascent over rough steps through oak forest, followed by a much easier stretch through a pine forest, culminating at the promontory of Punta Mesco. At 1,000 feet, your hard work is rewarded with an amazing bird’s-eye view of all five villages of the Cinque Terre and the sea shimmering before you. A final, steep 45-minute descent on large stone steps delivers you to Monterosso al Mare, which features the Cinque Terre’s only sandy beach.

The easy-to-moderate option follows the main sea promenade of Levanto and leads to Scernio and a panoramic cape, thick with olive trees and wild broom. Rounding the entire Bonassola Gulf, you emerge near the castle and railway station. After enjoying the tiny town of Bonassola, and one of the best beaches of the area, you loop back to Levanto along an easy, flat path—a former railway line.

Arriving from either Levanto or Monterosso, take a short train ride to charming Manarola, where you’ll stay for two nights. For a leisurely and brief walk, consider exploring the Manarola Vineyard Walk either this evening or tomorrow. This tranquil path winds through terraced grape vineyards with a wooden railing, guiding you to Punta Bonfigio cemetery and park in approximately 20 minutes, providing captivating sea views. Beyond the cemetery walls, you’ll find a playground and flower garden extending to the cliff’s edge, featuring a sculpture symbolizing the town’s lifeline—a woman draped in grapes.

Included Meals: Breakfast

2.7 miles, moderate with challenging sections, 600-ft. elevation gain and loss

Today’s walk is dedicated to the exploration of Cinque Terre National Park, established in 1999 to protect the landscape, environment, and unique culture of this region. First, you take a short train ride to Vernazza, one of the most striking of the five towns, and walk to the old monastery and then to the pier.

The trail from Vernazza to Corniglia begins with a steep ascent up a set of stone steps before leveling off along terraced vineyards clinging to seaside cliffs. You continue on the narrow trail for approximately two hours before reaching Corniglia, the most untouched of the Cinque Terre villages. Unlike the other villages of the Cinque Terre, Corniglia is not right on the sea, instead it sits on a promontory more than 300 feet above the sea, surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terraces, while the fourth side plunges to the water. From Corniglia, you may choose to walk down to the waterfront and take a train to Manarola or Riomaggiore. The latter is the southernmost town of the five, and features houses pitched on the rocks above its harbors. The famous Via dell’Amore (often translated as “Lovers’ Lane”) connects the town of Manarola to Riomaggiore. When the trail was built, it became a meeting place for couples from the two towns.

The tradition of painting the houses of the Cinque Terre towns in various pastel hues was so the local men, usually sailors and fishermen, could recognize their homes from the sea.

Your Route Notes will suggest a favorite restaurant at which to enjoy a farewell dinner, savoring the fresh and flavorful Ligurian cuisine.

Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, a 30-minute drive takes you to La Spezia’s central train station for onward travels.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Accommodations

What's Included

Tour Only Air Package
Boutique accommodations Included Included
7 on-tour meals: 6 breakfasts and 1 dinner Included Included
Ride with GPS (custom downloadable GPS route notes and turn-by-turn voice navigation; smartphone required) Included Included
Orientation meeting with a Country Walkers representative Included Included
Local representative available 24/7 Included Included
Scheduled on-tour taxi and luggage transportation (Please note: If unable to walk, it is possible to travel with your luggage from one accommodation to the next at no additional charge.) Included Included
Entrance fees and special events as noted in the itinerary: Pesto cooking class, week-long regional train pass, two-day Cinque Terre Train Card (provides unlimited train and path access within the Cinque Terre National Park) Included Included
Roundtrip international airfare Not Included Included
Business-class upgrades available Not Included Included
Two extra nights in Genoa Not Included Included
Pre- and post-tour breakfasts Not Included Included
Detailed information for your independent travel to/from arrival and departure airports Not Included Included
A passport on top of a paper map with pins stuck in it.

Dates & Prices

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For more information, call: 800-245-3868

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This trip was the perfect combination of an expertly planned trip with the ability to travel independently. Absolutely a wonderful experience with gorgeous vistas, hikes, great food, wine.

KrisK, Iowa City, IA

Italy: Genoa & the Cinque Terre

This was an awesome experience that was exactly what I wanted out of a vacation. Breath taking views, great food and wine, endless opportunity for daily activity and exercise while exploring, and culture. I also traveled with my mom and young adult kids and the experience was equally enjoyed by all despite the age differences. I love how you can tailor your experience with the self guided tour style.

e03015, Wisconsin, USA

Italy: Genoa & the Cinque Terre

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