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Italy: Liguria

Walking in the Cinque Terre and Portofino

Trip code: W06CT

Average customer rating 4.4 / 5(9 verified reviews)

Self-Guided Walking
6 nights single centre
Moderate
Flights available
Exodus trip
CO₂ rating 1/5
Agent supplied app

Trip highlights

Coastal and countryside walking amongst cultivated olive groves and terraced vineyards

Chic Portofino, medieval Portovenere, world famous Cinque Terre, UNESCO Palmaria island

Historic harbours, romantic pastel coloured villages, panoramic sweeping bays

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Trip details

About sixty miles east of Genoa lies a corner of the Liguria region with a remarkably well-preserved landscape steeped in tradition. ‘Cinque Terre’ means five lands: five villages which are nestled high on cliffs or along deep inaccessible coves, with colourful houses facing the seafront. Each village offers its own olive oils, anchovies and Sciacchetra liqueur (known as the ‘Elixir of the Gods’). By day, you discover the beautiful peninsulas of Portofino and Sestri Levante using well-marked walking trails; in the evening enjoy the sunsets over the Mediterranean.

What's included

Included

  • 6 nights in 3-star accommodation
  • All breakfasts and all evening meals
  • Navigation app

Not included

  • Flights
  • Local taxes/fees
  • Travel insurance

Travel options

Flights and rail

Our air-rail prices include standard flights, onward rail and station transfers.

Itinerary

Route map, with each night's stop marked
The full route, night by night. Select the map to view it full screen.

Day 1 · —Arrive Sestri Levante

Arrive Sestri Levante

Arrive on the turquoise shores of Sestri Levante, a beautifully picturesque town with ancient fishermen’s houses and a pristine sandy beach. Stay at the 3* Albergo Marina, a stone’s throw from the beach and 5 minutes walk from the centre of town.

Meals: Dinner

You stay at Albergo Marina

Hotel Marina
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Albergo Marina

Sestri Levante

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • ATM
  • Bank
  • Hairdryers
  • Market
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Safe
  • Television

The 3* Albergo Marina, centrally located in Sestri Levante, is perfectly located, within easy walking distance of both the beach and the railway station. All the ensuite rooms are comfortable and equipped with air conditioning, and the hotel also comes with lift, sun terrace, bar and billiard room.

Day 2 · 13km/8.1miThe Cinque Terre National Park

The Cinque Terre National Park

The walk today really allows you to explore the National Park of the Cinque Terre. Starting from Monterosso, the largest of the celebrated Cinque Terre villages, climb through cultivated olive groves to the hilltop Sanctuary of the Madonna of Soviore. Then it’s downhill all the way to pastel-coloured Vernazza, clustered around its serene natural harbour. There’s time to explore the village before returning by train to Sestri.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner.

Elevation

The Cinque Terre National Park elevation profile

Day 3 · 6km/3.7miPalmaria Island

Palmaria Island

Make your way to Portovenere then take a boat to Palmaria island. Rich in Mediterranean vegetation and maquis shrubland, it’s not unusual to see cistus and rare orchids blooming here. A circular walk with stunning coastal vistas takes you via a steep climb to the Batteria Semaforo, part of the network of fortresses constructed by Napoleon to secure the Gulf of La Spezia. Return to Sestri Levante in time for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Elevation

Palmaria Island elevation profile

Day 4 · 7km/4.3miCorniglia and Manarola

Corniglia and Manarola

Take a train to picture perfect Corniglia, a charming jumble of pastel-hued houses toppling prettily down the hillside. Follow the narrow herb scented paths through vineyards up to the tiny yet panoramic village of Volastra and its 12th century sanctuary, then descend to arguably the oldest of the five Cinque Terre villages, colourful Manarola. Wander around the pretty marina and try the local wine – Schiacchetra – which is produced here, before taking the train back to Sestri Levante.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Elevation

Corniglia and Manarola elevation profile

Day 5 · 12km/7.5miRiomaggiore to Portovenere

Riomaggiore to Portovenere

Today you take a train to Riomaggiore, the last of the Cinque Terre villages and walk along an impossibly panoramic path that hugs the coastline all the way to the charming fishing port of Portovenere. Set in a beautiful sweeping bay, and once the haunt of Byron and Shelley, there’s a 16th century castle and medieval churches to explore before returning to Sestri Levante.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Elevation

Riomaggiore to Portovenere elevation profile

Day 6 · 12km/7.5miPortofino

Portofino

After breakfast take a train to Camogli, and then a bus to Ruta di Camogli, and the start of the walk. Follow ancient forest trails through the lush Mount Portofinla Natural Park to San Fruttuoso and its 11th century abbey. Continue to chic Portofino, the Ligurian Riviera’s most exclusive resort, before returning via Santa Magherita Ligure for your last night in Sestri Levante.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Elevation

Portofino elevation profile

Day 7 · —End Sestri Levante

End Sestri Levante

Leave Sestri Levante, or add on additional nights in Pisa if you wish.

Meals: Breakfast

Extending your holiday

HOTEL ALESSANDRO DELLA SPINA, PISA (3 STAR)

Hotel Alessandro della Spina

Pisa

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • ATM
  • Bank
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Other email access
  • Safe
  • Shops

The Hotel Alessandro della Spina is located just 500m from Pisa central train station and just a 10 minute walk from most of the city’s main monuments. This modern and cosy property welcomes its guests with an elegant, warm atmosphere, enhanced by its charming garden, and friendly staff that are always on hand to ensure you a relaxed stay.

Hotel facilities include internet and wi-fi access in the lobby and a bar and comfortable seating area. Guest rooms are spacious, furnished with wood and marble and have air conditioning, a safe and satellite TV. Buffet breakfast includes homemade bread and croissants.

What our travellers say

All the organisation ahead of our holiday was excellent. The hotel in Sestri Levante was a gem. Magda, Santo and all the team were so welcoming and friendly there were hugs and even moist eyes when we left. Santo’s dinners were excellent and we ate at the hotel beyond the three arranged nights at a very reasonable price. A free laundry room and a roof terrace with clothes horses was a great help. Rooms are fairly basic but spotless and comfortable. The hotel is well located for the station and exploring the town.
The Cinque Terre is a popular area for walkers and the five towns are very busy with tourists. Some of the paths were fairly busy and would be more so in high season. The walk notes are copious and route finding very easy. I would suggest the walks might be graded tough rather than moderate, there are many very steep sections which are less path and more rock climbing. A fair bit of hands, knees and bottom especially on descents. Trains are not as frequent as might be hoped!

Mrs Urry

The Cinque Terre walks are challenging and a certain level of fitness is required. The first walk on the itinerary is particularly challenging in terms of length, elevation and terrain and resulted in us changing the order of walks for balance. Having to use public transport to get around was not a problem and the routes generally took us to places worth seeing. The hospitality and food in Liguria was very good and there was little problem in finding gluten free options as required.

Mr Mallett

The Cinque Terre has some challenging walking and beautiful scenery. Unfortunately it is overly touristic (during the period we were there the local villages received some 40000 visitors per day) so village locations were impassable – walking routes not so much. This uncomfortable but also difficult as all transport is by rail, many trains being full to overflowing with daytrippers and also travellers with full baggage. Sestri Levante was a very pleasant and manageable base, and the hotel friendly and professional

Mr Smith

Another well organised trip that went smoothly and according to plan.

Paul Howden

Everything went smoothly and it was an excellent holiday

Nicholas Speight

We had a wonderful holiday despite the rain, the walks were fantastic and we loved using the GPS app. We felt we had had good communication regarding our trip and everything ran very smoothly. The hotel was perfect for this type of holiday.

A Valued Customer

Good organisation. Kept informed about the trip and any changes. Queries were always answered. Staff were friendly and very helpful.

A Valued Customer

The holiday was well organised from beginning to end

Ms Evans

I was delighted with my holiday, from my first conversation with Hannah everything was arranged smoothly and efficiently. All details were communicated promptly, all enquiries answered knowledgeably, all Staff were so friendly and made booking with Headwater as easy as it was possible to be.

Mrs Wicks
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Positive impact

Carbon score for this trip

8.0

Kg CO₂e

per person, per night

Relative to other Headwater trips

We measure emissions from the parts of the holiday we organise — including accommodation, in-trip transport, meals and activities — and express them as CO₂e per person, per night. Our label doesn’t include your travel to and from the start of the trip. As a Certified B Corp, Headwater is committed to reducing this figure and to positively impacting local communities, the local environment and our staff. Learn more

From£869per person