Stroll
Cinque Terre and Portofino: Liguria - 8 Days

Cinque Terre and Portofino: Liguria - 8 Days

8 Days
Moderate

Cinque Terre and Portofino: Liguria - 8 Days

from £940 / person

Overview

Located in northwest Italy, the coastal area of Cinque Terre, or "Five Lands," consists of five colourful villages perched on the cliffs of the Ligurian Coast (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare), each with its own distinct character and charm.

The rugged coastline of the Italian Riviera is home to steeply terraced vineyards, narrow cobbled streets and some of the most rewarding coastal walking paths in Europe. The trails wind between the five villages along clifftop paths covered in wildflowers, with sweeping views of the Ligurian Sea at every turn. Fine local food, excellent wine and a rich cultural heritage make this one of the most complete walking experiences Italy has to offer.

Highlights

  • Visit the historic Saviore Monastery believed to be the oldest Marian sanctuary in Liguria
  • Climb the well beaten paths of the Colle del Telegrafo surrounded by natural beauty of the thick mediterranean scrub and pinewood
  • Enjoy the local cuisine and famous dishes of the Ligurian region, best enjoyed on a terrace overlooking the glistening Mediterranean.
  • Explore some of the less well known but equally stunning coastal villages of the Ligurian Riviera, all with panoramic views.
  • Visit the lighthouse (il Faro di Portofino) at the end of the promontory in the jetsetter town of Portofino. From here, you can see the Ligurian coastline all the way to Tuscany.

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What's Included

Accommodation

3-star Hotel (7 nights)

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers
  • Private Vehicle Transfers
  • Train
  • Boat Ride

Meals

7 breakfasts

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

3

Stroll Walking Grade

Moderate

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Expect some hills and longer walking days. A reasonable level of fitness will help you enjoy the experience.

View Fitness Guide

6

Days on the trail

10-15 km

Average per walking day

599-1045 m

Gain per day

-

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

During this tour, you will stay in comfortable three-star hotels with a friendly and family-run feel along the Ligurian coast. Every room has a private bathroom and is equipped with the standard amenities you need after a day on the trails. Please note that between May and September, Camogli and the Cinque Terre are popular destinations, and we cannot always guarantee the specific accommodation listed. We work with several hotels of similar standard, quality and features, and will always provide alternatives when required.

As all walks start and end at the central points of the villages, making your way to and from your hotel is your own responsibility. Should your accommodation differ from what is shown in the programme, please make sure you are aware of your position in relation to the start and end of each route. Where changes are necessary, we will always choose alternatives in a similar location to those originally listed, keeping any adjustments to your routes as minimal as possible.

What You'll Eat

Each morning of this tour begins with an Italian-style breakfast, included throughout all seven days of the trip. Lunch and dinner are yours to discover, and the Ligurian coast rewards that exploration well. Your walk notes will include insider tips on where to find the freshest focaccia, where to taste local olive oil and wine, and handpicked recommendations for eating well along the route. The wines here carry a history that stretches back to the Renaissance, when they were considered fine enough for the tables of kings and popes.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source along the way.

More About This Trip

The walk starts in Camogli and finishes in Monterosso, along the Ligurian coast of northwest Italy. The closest airport is Genoa (GOA), from where trains reach Camogli in around 42 minutes, or a taxi takes around 25 minutes. Pisa (PSA) is a well-connected alternative, with direct trains to Camogli taking around 2 hours 30 minutes. Florence (FLR) is a further option, with trains reaching Camogli in around 2 hours 45 minutes via Rapallo. Book Italian rail tickets in advance through Trenitalia.

The walk ends in Monterosso. The closest airports for departure are Genoa, Pisa, and Florence, all reachable by train. Remember to stamp your ticket at the platform machine before boarding any train in Italy.

This walk is available from 1 March to 31 October, with no fixed start days. Spring and autumn are the finest seasons, with comfortable temperatures, quieter trails and the terraced vineyards at their most photogenic. April and May bring wildflowers to the higher paths and the villages are at their most peaceful. Summer is warm and dry, though July and August are the busiest months and early booking is advisable. September and October are particularly rewarding, with golden autumn light, the harvest under way and noticeably fewer visitors. Pack a light waterproof whatever the month.

This walk is graded moderate. The terrain along the Ligurian coast is varied, with rocky coastal paths, steep village lanes, and forest trails. Sturdy walking boots with good ankle support and reliable grip are essential.

A regular training routine of three to four times per week, with some hill work incorporated as departure approaches, is recommended in preparation. Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

Travel insurance is required for all Stroll walking holidays, covering cancellation costs, loss of luggage and injury. For international trips, your policy must also include medical evacuation coverage. A cancellation fee applies if you cancel after your holiday has been confirmed.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

This walk has the luggage transferred on Day 5 (from Bonassola to Monterosso). Please mark your luggage and add a note to which accommodation your luggage is to be transferred to. On Day 3 you will be required to take your luggage on the train from Camogli to Bonassola, where you can leave it at your accommodation to store whilst you head off to commence your walk.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

July 2026

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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Cinque Terre reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

The walk begins in Camogli, on the Ligurian coast. The nearest airports are Genoa and Pisa, both of which have good train connections to the region. Florence also has connections worth considering. From any of these airports, trains get you to the coast without much fuss.

Luggage transfers are included on select days between accommodations — your itinerary will specify which days. On days where a transfer is not included, you will need to take your luggage with you on the train. Keep bags manageable in size for those days, and make sure they are clearly labelled with your name and next accommodation at all times.

You'll stay in comfortable, family-run 3-star hotels throughout, all with private ensuite bathrooms. The villages of the Cinque Terre and the Ligurian coast are compact and full of character — your accommodation sits right in the heart of it all. Breakfast is included each morning.

Breakfast is included daily. Lunch and dinner are your own to organise, which is one of the real pleasures of this walk. The Ligurian coast is known for outstanding food — fresh seafood, pesto, focaccia, and a wide range of regional wines. There is no shortage of places to eat well along the route.

Italy uses the Euro. Cards are widely accepted, including in smaller villages, but it's worth carrying some cash for smaller purchases and cafes along the trail. ATMs are available in most towns along the route.

Tipping is not a strong cultural expectation in Italy, but rounding up the bill or leaving a small amount for good service at a restaurant is appreciated and perfectly normal.

A comfortable daypack with water, snacks, a rain jacket, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit is all you need on the trail. The walks involve some steep climbs and stone steps, so good footwear with solid ankle support is important. Walking poles are worth considering for the more demanding descents. A power bank is also a sensible addition — some of the smaller hotels have limited charging points.

The Cinque Terre has a classic Mediterranean climate — warm and generally dry, particularly from spring through to autumn. Summer can be hot, so starting walks early in the day is a good habit. Come prepared for the occasional shower, particularly in spring and autumn.

Italian food is one of the great joys of this walk, and most restaurants are well set up to accommodate common dietary needs. If you have allergies or intolerances, it's worth learning a few key phrases in Italian before you go. Let us know your requirements at the time of booking and we will do our best to inform your hosts.

Yes, and it is a condition of booking. Your policy must cover injury, cancellation, luggage loss, and medical evacuation. All medical treatment in Italy is chargeable, and you will be expected to settle any bills before leaving the country.

Some sections of the coastal paths can be closed temporarily due to heavy rain or summer fires. It is worth checking with the local park office if conditions look uncertain. The trails involve steep and uneven terrain in places, so pay attention to your footing and don't rush the descents.

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The Cinque Terre experience

Wonder
Walk the Sentiero Azzurro between the five villages of Vernazza, Riomaggiore, Monterosso, Manarola, and Corniglia
Visit the Soviore Monastery above Vernazza, believed to be the oldest Marian sanctuary in Liguria
Cover the full Ligurian Riviera from Camogli to Portovenere, staying in each village overnight
Wellness
Walking these ancient paths is the most immersive way to experience the Ligurian coast
Focaccia, local pesto, and white wines from terraced Ligurian vineyards fuel each day's walk
The Cinque Terre National Park protects these coastal villages and the terraced landscape around them
Nature
Dramatically terraced vineyards, olive groves, and clifftop paths above the glittering Mediterranean
Climb to the Colle del Telegrafo for sweeping views over the Cinque Terre and the Ligurian coast
Mediterranean scrub, pine forest, and exposed rocky headlands alternate through the clifftop paths