boat trips from rapallo to cinque terre

• 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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Getting around the Cinque Terre by boat

It is a wonderful experience to travel along the Cinque Terre by boat, as it is one of the most picturesque coastlines of Italy. The marine protected area also belongs to the Cinque Terre National Park. The five colourful fishing villages look quite different if you look at them from the sea, and who doesn't enjoy sitting on a boat on a hot summer day, enjoying the splendid view and a cold welcome drink? In my opinion, a boat trip is a compulsory program in the Cinque Terre, even if you are just staying a couple of days in the area.

There are many boat companies to choose from, so let me help you choose the best boat tour for you.

Public Cinque Terre ferry boat

There are public ferry boats running between the five villages. Boats usually run between April 1 and October 31 but it also depends on the weather and sea conditions. In case of bad weather, boat service may be suspended any time. Last year there were some ferries running also in November and December, due to the increased number of visitors during the more quiet low season, so although the 2024 timetable is not published yet, I suppose it will be the same during the first months of 2024.

The boats run between Monterosso and Portovenere (also La Spezia) both directions and stop in every village except Corniglia, as it does not have a harbour. You can also take a boat tour from Portovenere around the 3 islands or travel to Levanto or Lerici. It's a nice way to visit the villages if you only have one day, and you'd like to walk around Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza and Monterosso. (Of course to Corniglia you'll have to take the train.) Get a day pass for the ferry as it will allow you to get on and off the boat whenever you'd like. This way you can freely discover every village, but of course you have to keep an eye on the ferry timetable.

The first ferry starts around 9:00AM, the last one finishes around 6:00PM. During the long summer days 6:00PM feels quite early to leave the Cinque Terre, so you can also combine boats and trains. Just get a boat pass from La Spezia to the Cinque Terre, get off at some villages, and at the end of the day take the evening train from Monterosso back to La Spezia.

If you are spending more days in the Cinque Terre towns, but don't have the budget for a private boat tour, this is my recommendation: First, visit the five villages by train. Then, another day, just get a one way ticket from Riomaggiore to Monterosso, without the option to get off inbetween, this way you can see the entire coastline and every village from the sea, at a lower price.

Just to give you an idea, in 2024 a Portovenere and Cinque Terre roundtrip day pass costs 37 EUR/person for adults and 15 EUR for children aged 6-11 years. You can get an afternoon pass for 28 EUR. A day pass just for the five Cinque Terre villages costs 30 EUR, 23 EUR for the afternoon. A one way ticket from Riomaggiore to Monterosso costs 13 EUR, 5 EUR for the kids, so that's cheapest option.

For ferry timetables and 2024 prices, please visit the website of the ferry company .

The ferry is surely the most affordable option, but of course it is very crowded, and you will be standing in line with hundreds of other tourists. Take a look at the two short videos below and you will feel the difference. If you have the budget and would like to get away from mass tourism, check out the private boat tours and the shared small group tours below.

Small group guided Cinque Terre boat tours

These guided Cinque Terre boat trips operate with maximum 10-12 people, so they have a very friendly atmosphere. A great way to get away from the crowds, but still meet other travellers. I highly recommend them to solo travellers, you might even make some new friends. A huge advantage of these tours is that you'll have an English speaking local skipper who knows everything about the Cinque Terre, local life, history and traditions. He can also make recommendations for bars and restaurants to try after your tour.

All the skippers I work with make sure you'll have fun during your boat tour, but you'll also learn important and valuable information about the Cinque Terre. You'll understand what makes these villages so special and why this area was nominated a UNESCO world heritage site. In case of nice weather and pleasant sea temperatures, you will stop for swimming and snorkeling in a hidden bay, grotto or beach, only reachable by boat. That's surely the best swimming experience you will have during your stay, in the magnificent, crystal clear waters of the Ligurian Sea, away from the lines of sun beds. If the water is too cold for swimming, like in April, you can just sit back, relax on board with a welcome drink in your hand, and marvel at the Cinque Terre coastline, which is undoubtedly one of the most stunning coastlines in Italy.

Best day tours in the Cinque Terre:

• 2.5-hour morning boat tour from Manarola
• 2.5-hour afternoon boat tour from Manarola
• 4.5-hour boat tour from Monterosso, with lunch
• Full day (7-hour) sailing tour from La Spezia, with light lunch
• Half day (3-hour) morning kayak tour from Monterosso, for the active travellers

Sunset boat cruises in the Cinque Terre

A sunset cruise is your best choice if you would like to see the villages in the most beautiful late afternoon lights, and it's not so important for you to swim off the boat. While some companies do not make swim stops during the sunset cruise, others might stop in a cute hidden bay for some snorkeling on a warm summer evening. However, the sunset cruise is more about relaxing on the boat, watching the sky turning orange or pink, and enjoying some local wine or prosecco with small snacks. You can also have dinner on board, what could be a better place for tasting grilled fish or prawns?

Best Cinque Terre sunset boat cruises:

• 2.5-hour sunset boat tour from Manarola
• 3-hour sunset cruise from Monterosso, with aperitivo and dinner
• 3-hour sunset cruise with fishing experience from Manarola
• Half day (2.5-hour) sunset kayak tour from Monterosso, for the active travellers

Private Cinque Terre boat rental

If the two of you would like to enjoy a romantic private tour on a small boat, or you are travelling with a bigger family or friends, a private boat rental could be your best bet. A great selection of different boats is available: traditional gozzo boats or fishing boats, motorboats, sailboats and yachts. The smallest boat is up to 5 people, the gozzo boats and fishing boats are usually up to 8-12 people, while the gulet sailboat can have up to 25 people on board. An excursion boat for up to 70 people is also available.

With the private boat rental you will have more flexibility, the itinerary will be created according to your wishes and you can also make more stops in hidden bays or grottos between the villages for swimming and snorkeling. I usually recommend to visit the Cinque Terre towns by train, then another day rent a boat for a half day or full day and enjoy your time out on the sea and in the bays, away from the crowds. This way you are not wasting expensive boat rental time to walk around the villages. Please note that boats have different permits and they can only stop in certain villages. Larger boats will have to use a tender boat to take you to the shore. You can choose between day boat tours with more swimming included and more elegant 3 hour sunset boat tours with aperitivo on board. Some companies can also serve you lunch on board.

To see the list of available boats in the Cinque Terre, please visit my boat rental page .

Public ferry boat around Portofino

You should also take the boat around the Portofino peninsula, another highlight of the Italian Riviera. There are two companies working in that area:

The eastern side of the peninsula is called the Golfo del Tigullio and boats are running between San Fruttuoso, Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo, Chiavari, Lavagna and Sestri Levante. They also have boats that run all the way to the Cinque Terre and back. For details, routes, schedules and prices, please check their website .

Another company operates on the other side of the peninsula, in the Golfo Paradiso . You can take their boat from San Fruttuoso to Camogli but they have several different lines between Genova and Portofino, or even Genova and the Cinque Terre. For details click here .

A ticket from Portofino to San Fruttuoso or San Fruttuoso to Camogli costs around 10 EUR/person.

Private Portofino boat rental

Private boat rental is possible around the Portofino peninsula as well. You can rent motorboats, yachts or even a sailboat, it's an amazing way to get around the promontory, enjoy the stunning views and discover my favourite bays, San Fruttuoso and Paraggi.

With the stronger motorboats and yachts you can also do a day tour from Portofino to the Cinque Terre, or the other way around.

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THE CINQUE TERRE BY FERRY FROM GENOA AND SURROUNDINGS

For those who live or are on holiday in Genoa and its surroundings, perhaps visiting the aquarium of Genoa, in the Golfo Paradiso or in the Gulf of Tigullio, it is possible to visit the Cinque Terre by boat in a day, taking advantage of the sun and the sea, in a unique experience along the Ligurian coast. Departures for the Cinque Terre are from Genoa, Recco, Camogli, Santa Margherita, Chiavari, Lavagna and Sestri Levante. There are two lines that offer this service: the Servizio Marittimo Golfo Paradiso e the Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio . - 1. The Cinque Terre from Genoa, Recco, Camogli - 2. The Cinque Terre from Santa Margherita, Rapallo, Chiavari, Lavagna, Sestri Levante - 2.1. Line 3: Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo, Chiavari, Lavagna, Sestri Levante – Porto Venere e Cinque Terre (Monterosso) - 2.2. Line 4: Rapallo/Santa Margherita Ligure – Super Cinque Terre (Riomaggiore-Monterosso-Vernazza-Manarola) - 2.3. Line 5: Chiavari/Lavagna/Sestri Levante – Super Cinque Terre (Riomaggiore-Monterosso-Vernazza–Manarola) 1. The Cinque Terre from Genoa, Recco, Camogli The Golfo Paradiso company offers an excursion from Genoa to the Cinque Terre, a full day with a three-hour stop in Monterosso and Vernazza and the view from the sea of ​​all the villages. Boarding points : Genoa Porto Antico, Genoa Nervi, Recco and Camogli. Dates and times . June: 11-18-25. July: every Tuesday and Saturday, August: every Tuesday and Saturday. September: Every Saturday and Tuesday 6. Departure time: Genoa Porto Antico: 9.00 Genova Nervi: 9.30 Recco: 9.15 Camogli: 9.55 Reservations are required by calling: 0039 392 1375558, 0039 0185 772091. The excursion takes place with a minimum number of participants, in favorable weather and sea conditions. Prices Genoa or Nervi - Cinque Terre: Full: one way 25€ - A/R 43€. Reduced: 25€. Recco - Camogli - Cinque Terre: Full: one way 23€ - A/R 38€. Reduced: 23€. Reduced: Children up to 3 years free (accompanied by a parent). From 4 to 14 years old reduced (the reduction applies only to round-trip tickets. Download timetables and prices in pdf version: Golfo Paradiso boat timetables Maggiori informazioni: www.golfoparadiso.it 2. The Cinque Terre from Santa Margherita, Rapallo, Chiavari, Lavagna, Sestri Levante The Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio operates three lines to the Cinque Terre:: - Line 3 : Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo, Chiavari, Lavagna, Sestri Levante – Porto Venere e Cinque Terre (Monterosso). Full day. - Line 4 : Rapallo/Santa Margherita Ligure – Super Cinque Terre (Riomaggiore-Monterosso-Vernazza). Full day. - Line 5 : Chiavari/Lavagna/Sestri Levante – Super Cinque Terre (Riomaggiore-Monterosso-Vernazza). Full day. Download timetables and prices in pdf version: Boat timetables Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio 2.1 Line 3 - Stops: 1 hour in Monterosso and 3 hours in Portovenere, on the way back a panoramic tour of the Palmaria Island. - Returns: The departure times from Monterosso and Porto Venere will be communicated on board. Return in the late afternoon. - Reservations required: 0039 0185 284670 (office hours 9.00-12.00, 14.00-17.00), closed on Saturdays and Sundays. - Reservations must be received by 16.00 - The excursion takes place with a minimum of 20 passengers per boarding point. Departure time : Santa Margherita Ligure: 8.15 Chiavari: 9:00 Blackboard: 9:15 am Sestri Levante: 9.30 Services 2024 - April: Sunday 17th and Sunday 24th. - From May to September: every Sunday. Rates 2024 : - From Santa Margherita Ligure/Rapallo: adult € 40 return. € 25 one way or reduced. - From Chiavari/Lavagna/Sestri Levante: adult € 35 round trip. € 23 one way or reduced. Reductions: Children up to 5 years free (accompanied by a parent). Reduced: from 6 to 12 years only on the return ticket. 2.2 Line 4 - Stops: 1 hour and a half in Vernazza or Riomaggiore (depending on the availability of landings) and 3-hour stop in Monterosso. - Returns: departure times from the various villages of the Cinque Terre will be communicated on board. Return in the late afternoon. - Reservations required: 0039 0185 284670 (office hours 9.00-12.00, 14.00-17.00), closed on Saturdays and Sundays. - Reservations must be received by 16.00 - The excursion takes place with a minimum of 20 passengers per boarding point. Departure time : Santa Margherita Ligure: 8.30 Rapallo: 8.45 Services 2024 - May: every Wednesday. - June: Friday 3rd and every Wednesday. - July, August and September: every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Rates 2024 : - From Santa Margherita Ligure/Rapallo: adult € 40 return. € 25 one way or reduced. Reductions: Children up to 5 years free (accompanied by a parent). Reduced: from 6 to 12 years only on the return ticket. 2.3 Line 5 - Stops: 1 hour and a half in Vernazza or Riomaggiore (depending on the availability of landings) and a 3-hour stop in Monterosso. - Returns: The departure times from the various villages of the Cinque Terre will be communicated on board. Return in the late afternoon. - Reservations required: 0039 0185 284670 (office hours 9.00-12.00, 14.00-17.00), closed on Saturdays and Sundays. - Reservations must be received by 16.00 - The excursion takes place with a minimum of 20 passengers per boarding point. Departure time : Chiavari: 9:10 am Blackboard: 9:25 am Sestri Levante: 9.45 Services 2024 - May: every Wednesday. - June: Friday 3rd and every Wednesday. - July, August and September: every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Rates 2024 : - From Chiavari/Lavagna/Sestri Levante: adult € 35 round trip. € 23 one way or reduced. Reductions: Children up to 5 years free (accompanied by a parent). Reduced: from 6 to 12 years only on the return ticket. In the cases provided by the Navigation Code and in cases of adverse marine weather conditions, objective necessity and/or force majeure, the Captain has the right to cancel the scheduled departure, to modify the itinerary (adding or omitting stopovers), to vary the port of departure. More information: www.traghettiportofino.it .

5 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

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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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Rapallo Travel Guide: The Best Italian Riviera Base

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I was a bit worried before we arrived in Rapallo. I liked that the town was more popular with Italians than foreign visitors, and it was cheaper than elsewhere along the Italian Riviera, but I’d also heard mixed reviews with some people describing it as “gritty”.

I needn’t have worried. I loved Rapallo as soon as I took my first walk along the palm-tree-lined promenade.

It’s so colourful—the blue sea, the green mountain backdrop, the elegant hotels and villas painted terracotta and mustard and pink.

The marina at one end is home to fancy new yachts while at the other a tiny 16th-century castle juts out of the sea.

In this post, I share the best things to do in Rapallo, Italy including day trips along the Italian Riviera (including Cinque Terre), why I think it’s the perfect base for the Ligurian coast, and where to stay and eat.

At the end of the post, you’ll find a Rapallo map with all the mentioned attractions.

Where is Rapallo Italy?

Introducing rapallo, day trips from rapallo, where to stay in rapallo, the best rapallo restaurants, how to get to rapallo, rapallo italy map, is rapallo worth visiting, more italy posts.

Rapallo is located in the region of Liguria on the Italian Riviera in northwestern Italy.

It’s south of Genova (known as Genoa in English) and north of the famous Cinque Terre, five picturesque coastal villages.

The nearest major city is Genova, which is about an hour away by train. Genoa Airport (GOA) is the nearest international airport.

See the How to Get to Rapallo section below for details on getting there by train and exploring the area by train and ferry.

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Rapallo has a relaxed seaside holiday vibe with elderly Italians and families strolling along the promenade or sitting on a bench with a gelato and enjoying the view.

Maybe this is the secret to the long life expectancy of Italians—rather than being in old people’s homes, the elders are brought out into the sunshine with the family, even if they need a wheelchair to get around.

I could see why writers W.B. Yeats and Ezra Pound found the town so inspiring when they lived here in the 1920s. I’d only just arrived but I didn’t want to leave.

We hadn’t planned to do much on our first afternoon, but we were caught up in the summer vibe and hurried back to our apartment for our swimwear.

The coast is lined with lidos, private beaches where you pay to rent a sunbed and umbrella. We just wanted a quick swim so we walked further out of town until we found a public beach—a small pebbly cove down some stairs.

The water is lovely and clear once you leave the Rapallo bay behind and a refreshing swim was just what we needed after a morning on trains.

We didn’t have the beach to ourselves. Italian beaches are social occasions, not opportunities to escape it all. Friends and families chatted, played music, and smoked while they worked on their tans. You just have to embrace it.

My love for Rapallo grew the more we explored. One of the distinctive features of the Italian Riviera is the trompe-l’oeil or painted decorative details on buildings that trick the eye into thinking they’re real. Arches, portals, balustrades, and brickwork are all fake.

Some buildings even have artificial windows painted on the upper storeys. Apparently this was to avoid a building tax in the 18th century that was based on the number of windows.

Our cosy apartment was in the perfect location in the pedestrianised historic centre, a minute’s walk from the sea in one direction and the train station in the other.

I loved being in the heart of the action with locals crowded into the narrow lanes chatting, shopping for fresh pasta, eating gelato, drinking an aperitivo in a pavement cafe, or just strolling on the evening passeggiata .

Space is limited but it feels cosy rather than claustrophobic.

The food shopping alone made me want to return for a longer stay. Right around the corner was a vegetable market with pristine piles of tomatoes, melons, and porcini mushrooms.

In the other direction, a shop sold fresh pasta and homemade pesto—perfect for a quick and tasty meal.

Focaccia is a local speciality and every day the bakery tempted us in for another slice. Then there’s the gelato. So much deliciousness…

Rapallo was the perfect base for exploring the Italian Riviera .

During our week’s stay we walked to elegant Santa Margherita Ligure and glitzy Portofino, and we took the train all along the coast—to Cinque Terre where we hiked between the villages and Genova to visit the Aquarium and ancient centre. 

Best of all, we took the train to Camogli, where we hiked to the gorgeous monastery and beach of San Fruttuoso and took the scenic ferry ride back to Rapallo.

Read our guide to the Italian Riviera for more details. 

As much as we loved the other towns we visited, Rapallo felt like a much less touristy place to come home to.

A week wasn’t enough. There was still so much we wanted to do—take the cable car to Santuario Basilico di Montallegro for the views (one of the top things to do in Rapallo), visit the beach at Sestri Levante (one of the rare sandy beaches), do more hikes along the coast, and learn to cook Ligurian cuisine .

And there’s always more focaccia and pesto to be eaten.

Renting a holiday home or apartment in Rapallo is one of the most affordable ways to experience the Italian Riviera.

Our Rapallo Apartment

We stayed in this one-bedroom apartment in the perfect location in the historic centre. It was very comfortable, cosy, and well equipped with a TV, fast WiFi, washing machine, and everything you need in the kitchen.

The downside is the cramped shower—you have to sit down in the bath if you are tall. The owner was really helpful and even sent his mum to meet us at the station (which is very close).

It was very affordable, but we paid a bit more to be close to the sea and train station. If you don’t mind walking 10-20 minutes, there are cheaper options on the outskirts. It’s not a big town so nowhere is very far.

Search for more holiday rentals in Rapallo here .

Rapallo Hotels

If you are looking for a splurge, check out the 5-star Excelsior Palace Hotel . It has two infinity pools overlooking the sea that we gazed at longingly when we walked past.

You can also pay to use their Beach Club for the day—we regret not doing that.

More affordable options with central locations in Rapallo include:

• Hotel Vesuvio – You can’t beat the location of this lovely hotel right on the promenade. All rooms have wonderful sea views and balconies.
• Hotel Astoria – A friendly, family-run hotel across from the promenade with excellent reviews. Some rooms have sea views.
• Hotel Portofino – Affordable rooms in the heart of Rapallo.

Search here for more Rapallo hotels . 

Eating was a highlight of our Rapallo visit. The region of Liguria has a number of delicious, vegetarian-friendly specialities including:

• Trofie al pesto – Short twisted pasta with basil sauce.
• Pansoti alla salsa di noci – Cheese and spinach stuffed ravioli with a walnut sauce.
• Lasagne al pesto – Thin sheets of pasta with basil sauce (not like a thick typical lasagna).

See our Dos and Don’ts of Eating in Italy for what to expect from courses, cover charges, etc.

Here are the Rapallo restaurants and bars we recommend:

Panificio Tossini

The Tossini bakery chain from the nearby village of Recco specialises in focaccia col formaggio , flatbread stuffed with oozing stracchino cheese.

It’s best eaten hot so look out for a fresh pan coming out of the oven.

We loved all their focaccia varieties and pizza slices. It’s ideal for breakfast, a light lunch, or afternoon snack. It’s close to the station.

Tossini is very popular so take a ticket and join the queue.

Gelateria Frigidarium

This excellent gelateria is near the castle. I loved the chocolate, pistachio, and melon flavours. It’s just a shame you have to pay extra for a decent cone.

Enoteca il Castello and Sole Bar

These two side by side bars are the perfect spots for a sunset aperitivo as they are right on the water away from the road and have a view of the castle. The free snacks with drinks are generous.

Hostaria Vecchia Rapallo

Hostaria Vecchia Rapallo  is our favourite restaurant in Rapallo. The food is fancier than at the other restaurants we ate in and we liked the cave-like, old school atmosphere.

There are a number of vegetarian options and we especially enjoyed the spinach and zucchini torta with truffle carpaccio and the pear ravioli with cheese sauce and balsamic cream—the slight sweetness worked really well with the rich cheese.

They also offer 3-hour gourmet cooking classes where you can learn to make Ligurian dishes like pesto, lasagne, and stuffed vegetables, and enjoy a delicious meal of everything you created. They can cater for vegetarians.

Trattoria Ö Bansin

O Bansin is a simpler, cheaper Rapallo restaurant that dates back to 1907.

The breadsticks and olive oil in packets didn’t inspire us with confidence, but the pansoti was my favourite in Rapallo. Our trofie al pesto and melanzana parmigiana were also good.

Pomodoro E Basilico Pizzeria

For a quick, inexpensive meal in Rapallo, you can’t beat Pomodoro E Basilico’s margherita pizza (and there’s no cover charge).

It’s a basic takeout place with a few tables located a 10-minute walk outside the centre. The tasty pizza is Neapolitan style.

Rapallo is easily reached by train from major Italian cities (and even France).

Rapallo is 1 hour from Genova, 2 hours 15 minutes from Milan, 3 hours from Florence (with a change in Pisa), and 4.5 hours from Rome.

You can find train times on TrenItalia (use Italian place names i.e Roma rather than Rome).

If you are travelling to Rapallo from further afield, you will need to book the faster Freccia trains online. You get given a PNR code which you can show the conductor on the train.

Regional trains are cheapest and don’t need to be booked in advance.

Santa Margherita Ligure (3 minutes away) and Camogli (8 minutes) can be reached quickly by train from Rapallo.

Rapallo to Cinque Terre

To get from Rapallo to Cinque Terre, you can take the train to any of the five villages, but some sections can be closed for hiking.

When we visited only the Monterosso-Vernazza-Corniglia section was open.

We took the early train to Corniglia with a change at Sestri Levante (1 hour 20 minutes total), walked to Monterosso via Vernazza, and took the train back (40 minutes direct from Monterosso to Rapallo).

Our post on the best things to do in the Italian Riviera has more information about Cinque Terre.

There’s also a limited ferry service from Rapallo to Cinque Terre from April to September.

There’s only one departure a day leaving Rapallo at 8.30am or 8.45am (depending on the route) with a return in the late afternoon. Bookings are required.

Rapallo to Portofino

There’s no train station in Portofino so we walked along the scenic coastline.

It took us 40 minutes to walk from Rapallo to Santa Margherita Ligure (you could also take the 3-minute train ride) and from there it’s just over an hour’s walk to Portofino.

You can also get a bus to Portofino, but they are always packed.

The ferry is a scenic (if more expensive) way to get from Rapallo to Santa Margherita, Portofino, and San Fruttuoso.

Line 1 of the Tigullio Ferry covers these destinations with ferries about once an hour from 9am to 5pm from May to September.

Timetables vary depending on the month and whether it’s a weekend or not. There are less frequent services in March, April, and October, and they close in the winter.

The Rapallo to Portofino ferry takes 30 minutes and it’s an extra 30 minutes to continue on to San Fruttuoso .

I recommend doing at least one ferry journey along the beautiful coast.

Walking to Portofino and then taking the ferry back to Rapallo is an ideal day out.

This map shows the key places to visit in Rapallo (and nearby) as well as our favourite restaurants.

Yes, Rapallo is absolutely worth visiting! It’s beautiful, walkable, and has excellent food shops, restaurants, and a bustling historic centre.

It’s easy to explore the many towns, beaches, and hikes along the coast by train or ferry. I highly recommend Rapallo as your Italian Riviera base.

We loved our week there and are very tempted to return for a month or two.

If you have any suggestions on what to do in Rapallo, leave a comment below.

• 10 Best Things to Do in the Italian Riviera
• Hiking to San Fruttuoso: The Perfect Day on the Italian Riviera
• Finale Ligure, Italy: The Quiet Side of the Italian Riviera

Elsewhere in Italy

• 16 Unmissable Things to Do in Bologna
• The Best Restaurants in Varenna, Lake Como
• 10 Reasons to Visit the Langhe Wine Region in Piemonte
• 29 Unusual Things to Do in Rome to Escape the Crowds
• London to Italy By Train: Everything You Need to Know

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64 Comments

You are a fantastic blog writer! And your format with ads is totally pleasant, super impressed! We are staying in Rapallo for 3 nights end of July with a car- from cinque to portofino what would your top 3 to dos? Were from socal so driving and time in the car or transport is no biggie for us. Thanks in advance

Reply ↓

Thanks, Audra! I’d say San Fruttuoso (walking there from Camogli if you like hiking), Portofino (you could stop off by ferry after San Fruttuoso), and hiking a section of the Cinque Terre. Enjoy Rapallo!

Hi, I just came across your blog and enjoy it very much. Wondering if April would also be a good time to visit Rapallo.

Weather might be a bit variable but should be pretty good – I would go in April for sure.

Just spent a few days in Rapallo and I totally agree. So accessible via train and boats to all over the Italian Riviera (including Cinque Terre, Portofino, etc.), has incredible food (omg still dreaming about all the excellent seafood and pastas!) that’s not marked up, and the people there were just lovely. The town is so cute and has that laid back old school beach resort town feel to it. I am super happy that this was the last spot on my 3-week trip for a memorable finish. I would absolutely go back anytime!

Thanks so much for this – we just booked to stay in Rapallo this August and this is a really helpful resource!

Wonderful – enjoy!

Hi Erin We are thinking of going to Rapallo for 3/4 days in May half term, taking our daughter who will be 21, is it a good idea or is portifino cooler for the young?? Don’t know much about Italy just exploring options at the moment. Or maybe stay one night in Porifino?! We are limited with time so want to get it right. Rome was the other idea?

Portofino is lovely but much smaller and more expensive than Rapallo, so you’d have to look at accommodation prices. I wouldn’t bother just staying there one night when it’s easy to visit on a day trip from Rapallo.

Rome is also amazing so it just depends what type of trip you are looking for.

Hi Erin, I’m driving from France to Rapallo in July and would like to leave my car for two days, and take the train to Santa Margherita Ligure where our hotel is. Do you know of any overnight parking lots? Is it safe to leave the car? Thank you.

We didn’t drive so I don’t have any information about car parks. I am wondering why you don’t drive to Santa Margherita instead? Your hotel should be able to advise about parking even if they don’t have onsite parking.

Thank you for this information ! I fell in love with the Rapallo area last year ! We’re going back in Oct. hope the weather is still delightfully! We only have a day trip this year. What would you do for the day. Quicker meal so we can spend time exploring .. thanks

It depends what you’ve done already. We absolutely loved the hike from Camogli to San Fruttuoso and the ferry back to Rapallo (just check the ferry times in advance as they will be more limited in October.). If you don’t like hiking, just the ferry to San Fruttuoso and back (with a stop at Portofino maybe) is worth it.

Rapallo is a fantastic chilled place to base yourself in between trips u and down the coast or even just relax on an Italian holiday, people are friendly, the food is good, it is truly a hidden gem along the Riviera coast. I fell in love with the place when my wife and I arrived to begin a cross Europe trip in 2022 and look forward to spending some more time there in the future…

I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Damien!

Brilliant tips Rebecca! Rapallo sounds amazing! We are a family of 4, kids are 5 and 8… We are still deciding whereabouts to base ourselves for a week in Liguria this June… Do you have any Rapallo ‘child friendly’ tips to add at all?!

We stayed in Rapallo this past September 2022 for four days. Easily one of the best surprises of our 2 weeks in Italy (Venice > Florence > Rapallo). Really loved that area- even took the cable car up to the church, had a wonderful lunch at the restaurant at the foot of the church

We splurged and stayed at the Excelsior Palace-beautiful views of the water in the evenings.

Can’t wait to go back

I’m so pleased you enjoyed Rapallo, Brian! And I’m jealous you stayed at the Excelsior – we’ll have to do that next time!

We were in Portofino and Rapallo in 2018 and loved every moment. So now we are visiting Rapallo for 2 weeks in June 2023 to celebrate my 80th birthday, my wife’s 75th and our 55th wedding Anniversary. We are retired and cant do too much walking. How can we travel and get around to see and experience all the wonderful sites in and around Rapallo. And which area is the best and most convenient to stay in?

I’d recommend staying anywhere within a short walk of Rapallo train station as you can the get around by train. Have an amazing trip!

My husband & I are currently in Santa Margherita (have spent 12 days here) & move to Rapallo for 3 weeks on Monday. We are from Australia & have returned to this area having spent time here in 2019. We love it here for all the reasons already stated & hope that it remains off the tourist trail .. we feel it is the perfect place to unwind! We particularly love the walk from Rapallo to Santa Margherita (and return) as well as Portofino back to Santa Margherita .. We stay in Airbnb’s & absolutely love living like locals ..

That sounds like a wonderful trip! I’m glad you are enjoying it!

THANK YOU! We are going in July with our kids and this is very helpful!

We are considering Rapallo for 7 nights in June with our kids – 5 and 8 yrs… How did you find it? We’re there enough things to do to keep the kids happy?! Any feedback would be much appreciated!

I agree whole heartedly,the beaches you describe between rapallo and San margherita are stunning,weather in summer sublime ,great food market’s (even fish markets if you hunt for them)like you said you can get anywhere simply by train .Luca was one of our favorites, Camalogi for apertivo a must ,the walk to San Frattuoso followed by lunch(lacantina) and the ferry back so worth while. Cable car a must .We have stayed for a month for the last 4 years next year hopefully a lot longer as it is our favorite place in Italy for all the above reasons and more . Only caveat don’t tell to many people as the lack of foreign tourists is one of its most appealing attributes ( unfortunately that’s changing a little

I’m glad you enjoyed it as much as we did! We really must return for a longer stay.

So glad you enjoyed my home city. For your next trip I would recommend you to buy pansoti fresh made pasta at Dasso shop and warm focaccia from Pellegrine bakery. Also a quick stop to Canepa patisserie for an amazing croissant (chocolate and cream are my favourite). Thank you for this beautiful review ?

Now I want to go back! Thanks for the recommendations!

LOVE your blog, it’s really helped in planning our trip to Rapallo, I’m literally diarising our week based on your recommendations.

Aw, thank you Louise! Enjoy Rapallo!

Unfortunately we were supposed to fly yesterday – ah well!

Oh no, that’s a shame! I hope you make it there once things improve.

Thank you for the great introduktion to Rapallo. We would like to go in september but as my partner has MS and a some trouble walking we’re use a mobility scooter. Are we crazy to want to go there or is the city okay for disabled people? Thanks, Anja

I can’t say for sure, but I think you’ll be ok. It’s a fairly level town, at least compared to the hill towns of Tuscany or the very hilly coastal towns of the Amalfi Coast.

I hope it works out and you enjoy your stay!

Awesome, Erin…thanks so much! Yes, I strategically chose a hotel next to Milano Centrale Station so I could begin the journey easily. I’ll make sure to check out the Rapallo train station self-service ticket machines to become familiar. And I am grateful you pointed out the issue with ferries departing from Rapallo (I didn’t notice when checking out the Traghetti website). If Santa Margherita Ligure is only a short distance away, problem solved. Looking forward to the adventure…thanks again!

So glad you created this resource…thank you! I leave for Milan in late August and will be taking the train direct to Rapallo after an overnight stay. But I need help understanding how to obtain train and ferry tickets to get around solo. It’s been a challenge finding ready-made excursions and don’t mind going DIY, but I’m a planner and like to firm up as much as possible in advance. Can you provide any insight? Is there a regional hop-on, hop-off train pass? Are there updates on reconstruction in Rapallo? Sorry for all the questions, but inquiring minds want to know! ?

Hi Kelly For the train from Milan to Rapallo you can book online at https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html . Make sure you type Milano in the from field and you’ll probably leave from Milano Centrale. You’ll be able to see the various routes/times. There is the occasional intercity train that goes direct to Rapallo or you can change in Genova. You can buy an e-ticket without creating an account and you usually just have to tell the train conductor the PNR code of your booking.

From the regional trains that run along the Ligurian coast there’s no need to book in advance and you can’t reserve seats anyway. You can check train times on Trenitalia (make sure you look for the cheaper Regionale trains). Just go to the train station at least 15 minutes before the train departs and buy a ticket from the self-service machine (they have instructions in English) or the counter. Just remember to validate the ticket (get a time printed on it) in the machines on the platform before your board.

There’s no regional train pass that I know of but the tickets are really cheap.

For ferries just turn up at the terminal before departure and buy the ticket there. I don’t think ferries are running from Rapallo yet (maybe by August), but you could get the train or walk to Santa Margherita and get the ferry from there. Check ferry times here: http://traghettiportofino.it/en/

I’ve heard mixed things about the reconstruction in Rapallo. Some says it’s noticeable and some say it didn’t affect their trip at all. Please report back to us!

Have a wonderful time!

Thank you for this! Wow! Amazing information! I am arriving tomorrow as a single traveller so all of this is beyond helpful! Thank you

Have a wonderful time in Rapallo, Kellie!

Thank you for posting this. I am going nuts trying to find a day excursion from Rappallo to Cinque Terre. I will be there in September.

You can visit easily enough by yourself on the train. Then you have the option to start early and avoid the crowds too. Enjoy!

My partner and I visited Rapallo for 4 hours after getting a train from Monterosso (about 35 min) and we absolutely loved it. Before leaving Australia for a 4 week holiday to Italy and the Greek Islands, we had been pouring over Utube videos and researching possible holiday flats. We are quite intetested in finding a cheap pad in Italy for retirement stays/ Air B and B and had targeted Rapallo for it’s beauty, central position, excellent climate and extensive ammenities. We were not disappointed and fell in love with it immediately, wishing that we had more time to explore it! Does anyone have any tips on puchasing/ residing in Rapallo?

Please note that Rapallo suffered from a lot of storm damage in October 2018. I’m here at the moment and there is still a lot of reconstruction work going on especially round the harbour. The castle is inaccessible at present as are the beaches due to the damage.

That’s sad to hear. The castle wasn’t open even before the storm though. Can you still walk along the seafront?

To me, during my visit yesterday, the damage and construction work, up the castle end, were barely noticeable. There were people swimming, at various small beaches, and my overall impression was of a beautiful, idylic place. However, a real estate agent mentioned to me that the repair work (of the drainage system) had been going on for 4 years!

That’s good to know Steve and I’m really glad you enjoyed Rapallo so much!

Thanks for the informative blog. My friend and I are going to Rapallo in September and we are really looking forward to it. Some great tips here.

Thank you and enjoy Rapallo!

Hi Erin, I must say you have a way with words! You almost vicariously walked me through the lanes of Rapallo. I am supposed to visit in July and chanced upon your blog while searching what to expect and I am glad I did. This looks like any other laid back Italian riviera town I have been to but still seems to have a unique charm of its own. Keep writing!

Aw, thank you so much!

Great blog – I’m there late September and this has put me right in the mood for the trip. Some great excursion tips here thanks.

Have an amazing time Julie! We miss this part of the world.

We are staying in Rapallo the end of Sept. 2018 for 10 day’s after visiting Genoa for three nights and feel we have picked a great spot to travel the Italian Riviera.After reading your post we are so happy now we chose here.Can’t wait to arrive.Many thanks for your beautiful pictures and wonderful blog.

Have an amazing trip Deb – Rapallo is wonderful!

Thanks for the information on Rapallo. My children and I are traveling to Italy in June and are staying two nights at Rapallo. Your post has really made me excited about staying there. I appreciated knowing how far neighboring places are and the best way to get there. I also liked the fact that you mentioned some places to eat and what you enjoyed eating. Although I am of Italian heritage and frequently cook Italian cuisine, it is nice to find out about new dishes we may want to try. Thank you for all of your tips.

I hope you have a wonderful trip Lucia. It’s a beautiful part of Italy with so much good food to eat!

I love Rapallo. It was my vacation place when I was a child. There are a bautiful beach near Rapallo, San Michele di Pagana. You can arrive walking along the cost, there are big villas and hotels. It’ s a beautiful passegiata too.

I think we passed that beach on our walks to Santa Margherita. It’s such a beautiful area – we really want to return for a longer stay.

Rapallo is a beautiful spot for exploring the Ligurian coastline but check out Zoagli next door for that small town, Italian coastal feel. Great, inexpensive restaurant right on the beach as well, next to the Castello Canevaro.

Thanks for the tip Rebecca. We’ll add Zoagli to our list for next time!

Just stunning … thinking about visiting this part of Europe on my trip there later in 2017 … you might have convinced me!

Yep. Rapallo is like one of those Norman Rockwell paintings that shows what life was like fifty years ago. The locals feel the place has been ruined by overbuilding apartments in the 1960’s, but for a California boy this place couldn’t be much more charming. The whole Ligurian area stinks with history, and a bunch of the sites and ruins around here pre-date even the Romans. The snorkeling here is fabulous on spring and summer days, and it feels like swimming in a huge aquarium filled with colorful fish. The surrounding hills are covered by ancient trails, and there’s edible stuff to collect almost every month. Rapallo is packed with arrogant Milanese tourists and vacation-homers in the summer, but they are usually kind enough to just ignore the scattering of American tourists. I suppose I could live anyplace in the world. I’ve tried Bali, Hawaii, Mexico, Amsterdam and a bunch of places in the states, but I moved to Rapallo in 2000, and I don’t believe I’ll move anywhere else now. I know it’s heretical for Americans, but I don’t even have a car anymore, just a cool old Vespa I fixed up.

hello thanks for your input, how did you manage to get a visa to live in Italy not being European?, usually isnt possible.

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Cinque Terre Tour

Our Day Tours are the perfect way to experince the Cinque Terre, allowing you to explore the beautiful coastline and picturesque villages of the area from the comfort of a private boat and under the guidance of our expert crew.

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Our dynamic backgrounds and love for this unique area of Italy allow us to best satisfy your every request, helping you to create the ideal tour for your time in the Cinque Terre.

The Blue Boat team includes two locals, Simone and Sergio , who both have more than twenty years of experience navigating our coasts with a passion for the sea, and Megan, a Californian who fell in love with our territory and has been working in the Cinque Terre tourism sector for more than a decade.

Cruise to the Cinque Terre

Departing from La Spezia, we will sail across the Gulf of the Poets towards Portovenere. Here we will cruise past this stunnning and historic village, commonly known as the “sixth village of the Cinque Terre” and famous for it’s unique architecture, Byon’s Grotto and the iconic St. Peter’s Chiruch perched on the rocky point that protects the entrance to the gulf.  

From here, we will head up the coast enroute to the Cinque Terre. Along the way you will see the dramatic landscape and historical relics between Portovenere and Riomaggiore that are only visible by sea.

Once we enter the Cinque Terre National Park,   we will explore the five villages by sea. Depending on the tour you decide on, there will also be an opportunity to get off the boat and explore one or more of these charming villages.  

Throughout the day, you will have the opportunity to stop and swim and snorkel in some of the pristine, protected coves along the coast, and have ample time to photograph not only the most famous sights along the way, but also all the hidden gems we are eager to share with you.

After having some time to relax on the boat with good music, we will then return to La Spezia.

* water, beer and wine will be at your disposal during the tour.

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No overcrowded beaches, no lines. We will help you discover the true angles of paradise, in absolute relaxation!

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Reserve your tour with your friends or family, as our boats can accommodate up to 7 to 10 people on board!

You can enjoy the coast of the Cinque Terre, with all the comforts our boats can offer!

We love everything around us and we know how to convey this love for our territory to our guests!

The Blue Boat

Tiara Coronet 29 – Maximum 7 people: The most exclusive boat in our fleet offers you spacious comfort, privacy and the possibility to have lunch on board.   Depending the tour you choose, you will have the opportunity to visit up to 3 villages.

Day Tour – 5 hours

Lunch without any village stops

Day Tour – 6 hours

Lunch and a stop in Vernazza , the most characteristic village of the Cinque Terre

Day Tour – 7 hours

Lunch and 2 stops in Vernazza and Portovenere.

All Day Tour

This complete tour expands on the itenerary of our Day Tours, by adding the opportunty to enjoy the magic of a Cinque Terre sunset at the end of the day. With this tour, you will have the opportunity to stop in three villages (Vernazza, Monterosso and Portovenere), and have plenty of time to swim, snorkel, and relax on the boat. Our All Day Tour includes an aperitivo in the evening, served in front of the beautiful backdrop of Portovenere, by far the most stunning place to enjoy the enchanting light of sunset.

THE BLACK BOAT

Baylainer Xr7 Elements – Maximum 8 people:   This boat is very versatile, comfortable and suitable for both families with children and groups of friends with its large open spaces that make interaction between between passengers easy.   Depending on the tour you choose, you will have the opportunity to visit up to 4 villages with a tasting on board of local wines and typical products.

Baylainer Xr7 Elements – Maximum 10 people:   This boat is very versatile, comfortable and suitable for both families with children and groups of friends with its large open spaces that make interaction between between passengers easy.   Depending on the tour you choose, you will have the opportunity to visit up to 4 villages with a tasting on board of local wines and typical products.

The Black Boat

Tasting of local wine and typical products of the Cinque Terre, and a stop in Vernazza , the most characteristic village of the Cinque Terre.

Tasting of local wine and typical products of the Cinque Terre, and 2 stops in Vernazza and Portovenere.

Tasting of local wine and typical products of the Cinque Terre, and 3 stops in Vernazza, Monterosso and Portovenere.

This complete tour expands on the itenerary of our Day Tours, by adding the opportunty to enjoy the magic of a Cinque Terre sunset at the end of the day. With this tour, you will have the opportunity to stop in four villages (Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Monterosso and Portovenere), and have plenty of time to swim, snorkel, and relax on the boat. Our All Day Tour includes an aperitivo in the evening, served in front of the beautiful backdrop of Portovenere, by far the most stunning place to enjoy the enchanting light of sunset.  

THE GREY BOAT

Capelli Tempest Work 750 – Max 10 people: The most agile boat in our fleet that will take you to discover hidden caves and other parts of the coastline that our other boats can’t reach.   Depending on the tour you choose, you will have the opportunity to visit up to 5 villages.

The Grey Boat

2 stops in Vernazza and Monterosso.

3 stops in Vernazza, Monterosso and Portovenere.

4 stops in Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Monterosso and Portovenere.

This complete tour expands on the itenerary of our Day Tours, by adding the opportunty to enjoy the magic of a Cinque Terre sunset at the end of the day. With this tour, you will have the opportunity to stop in five villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Monterosso and Portovenere), and have plenty of time to swim, snorkel, and relax on the boat. Our All Day Tour includes an aperitivo in the evening, served in front of the beautiful backdrop of Portovenere, by far the most stunning place to enjoy the enchanting light of sunset.  

Why Choose Blue Boat Tours

Our various itineraries allow all of our guests to enjoy the beauty of the Cinque Terre and the Gulf of the Poets at any time of the day. Contact us for more information or to create your personalized experience!

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Plenty of shade from the sun, many places to sit, snorkeling equipment, and all day drink service.

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Our itineraries have a variety of departure times, from the morning to the late afternoon! Choose the one that best suits you!

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All details are agreed upon at the time of booking, from the departure time to the itinerary to the final cost.

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Snorkeling is possible but only if you are 100% self-sufficient. The waters of the Cinque Terre are considered among the richest in marine flora and fauna in Italy, and we will have the pleasure of accompanying you to admire these crystalline waters, far from the crowds and reachable only by sea.

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Contact us directly and we can provide all the information regarding availability and pricing. Just let us know how many people are in your group and the dates you are interested in, and we’ll take care of the rest!

What happens in the case of bad weather or rough seas?

We will contact you a few days before your tour to touch base. In the case of bad weather or rough seas, we will see if it’s possible to reschedule the tour. If not, we will cancel the tour with no penalty with as much warning as possible.

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All of our reservations are booked on a first come, first served method so in order to ensure availability, we suggest you book as soon as you are certain of your travel plans.

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Upon confirmation, we will send detailed directions based on whether you are arriving by car, train or by foot. All our tours originate from La Spezia, however in certain cases we can make other arrangements. Contact us directly for more information.

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There are two large parking lots near the meeting point where our tours depart. Depending on where you are arriving from, we will send you directions to the most convenient option.

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Cinque Terre

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Line 02 connects the Gulf of La Spezia, Cinque Terre and Levanto

Line 02 connects the towns of the Gulf of La Spezia : La Spezia , Lerici , Porto Venere with the Cinque Terre . And the same, from the east, with Moneglia , Deiva and Levanto . It is possible to move between the following coastal villages: Riomaggiore , Manarola , Vernazza and Monterosso and all the locations indicated in the previous list. This allows you to move comfortably, quickly, enjoying a unique view and benefiting from various services: such as access to Wi-Fi and, by purchasing a day ticket, the possibility of listening, from your smartphone, to a collection of audio guides produced specifically for you.

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Which ticket should I choose?

It is possible to purchase tickets online for line 02. Daily ticket: travel ticket that allows you to get on and off the motor ships, any number of times, at each landing place indicated on Line 02 over the course of an entire day and without having to pay a supplement. One-way ticket: travel ticket valid for one way, on a single route, from the port of departure to a single destination. Return ticket: travel ticket valid for the outward and return journey, on a single route, from the port of departure to a single destination and the return to the port of departure. It is always possible to buy the ticket at the appropriate ticket offices (La Spezia, Porto Venere, Lerici; Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Monterosso; Levanto, Deiva and Moneglia).

If the dock does not have a ticket office, or it is closed, it will be the responsibility of the on-board staff to issue the ticket (Tellaro, San Terenzo, Cadimare, Fezzano, Le Grazie, Pozzale e Terrizzo).

The service may be subject to variations based on weather and sea conditions.

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Attention! There are no restrictions on entering Cinque Terre in 2024! Do not trust unverified sources of information that spread the news of the visitors’ limitation - this information is not correct! Don't forget to check status of trails .

Prices and timetable of boats in Cinque Terre

Schedule of boats in cinque terre.

The season opens late in March and closes early in November. Additional Information: www.bestofcinqueterre.com

How much does it cost to travel by boat in 2024 in Cinque Terre

Click the switch to choose between adult and child prices.

Note: -----> - one way WITHOUT stops. -|-|-> - one way with stops. - return ticket without intermediate stops. - return ticket with intermediate stops.

Children up to 6 years: free. Unlimited for 1 day in the Cinque Terre, Portovenere, La Spezia: 41 euro. Unlimited for 1 day in the Cinque Terre, Portovenere: 41 euro. Unlimited for 1 day in the Cinque Terre only: 41 euro. Excursion around the three islands from Portovenere: 15 euro (5 euro if you buy the unlimited ticket). Tickets are sold ONLY for the current day. You can buy them online on navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it website or before taking a boat. 20% discount when buying a ticket that costs more than 41 euro after 2pm.

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FULL DAY TOURS! From Florence, Pisa, Milan. Read more

How to travel from Rapallo to Cinque Terre, Italy

The distance between Rapallo and Cinque Terre is around 48km (30 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train which takes around 45min.

6 routes found

We've found 6 different ways to get from Rapallo to Cinque Terre by train, bus, taxi and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out Cinque Terre → Rapallo if you're planning a return trip.

Take the train to Levanto and then to Corniglia.

• Duration 45min
• Departs hourly
• Typical cost €6 ( $6 )

2 similiar route s

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

Bus and Train

Take the bus to Viale Mazzini - ex I.N.P.S. then take the train to Corniglia.

• Duration 1h 45m
• Departs every 2 hours

Multiple operators

Take a taxi to Cinque Terre.

• Duration 1h 10m
• Departs on demand
• Typical cost €140 ( $140 )

Drive to Cinque Terre.

• Distance 79km (49 miles)

Frequently asked questions about travel between Rapallo and Cinque Terre

Popular questions, how do i get from rapallo to cinque terre.

There are several options for getting from Rapallo to Cinque Terre by train, bus, taxi and car. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around €5 ($5) and will take around 1h 20m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and arrive in approximately 45min, though it is a bit more costly at approximately €6 ($6).

What is the distance between Rapallo and Cinque Terre?

The distance between Rapallo and Cinque Terre is around 48km (30 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 46km (29 miles)

How long does it take to travel from Rapallo to Cinque Terre?

It takes around 45min to get from Rapallo and Cinque Terre by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1h 10m to drive there.

What is the fastest way to travel from Rapallo to Cinque Terre?

The quickest way to get from Rapallo to Cinque Terre is to take the train which takes around 45min and will set you back approx €6 ($6).

What is the cheapest way to travel from Rapallo to Cinque Terre?

The cheapest way to travel between Rapallo and Cinque Terre, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around €5 ($5) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Is there a train that runs from rapallo to cinque terre.

Yes there is a train service that runs between Rapallo and Cinque Terre. It typically takes around 45min and departs hourly.

Is there a direct train service from Rapallo to Cinque Terre?

Yes there is a direct train service that runs between Rapallo and Cinque Terre with no changeovers required. The train runs every 4 hours and takes 1h 20m.

Who runs the train services between Rapallo and Cinque Terre?

Trenitalia run train services between Rapallo and Cinque Terre. Trains depart hourly and will take around 45min, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Is there a bus that runs from Rapallo to Cinque Terre?

Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Rapallo and Cinque Terre. We recommend that you take the train to Levanto and then to Corniglia. instead which will take 45min.

Flights and Airlines

Can i fly from rapallo to cinque terre.

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Rapallo to Cinque Terre. We recommend that you take the train to Levanto and then to Corniglia. instead which will take 45min.

What is the closest airport to Cinque Terre?

The closest major airport to Cinque Terre is Pisa International Airport (PSA) (PSA) which is approximately 72km (45 miles) from Cinque Terre. Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA) (GOA) and Parma Airport (PMF) (PMF) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Can i drive from rapallo to cinque terre and how long does it take.

Yes it is possible to drive from Rapallo and Cinque Terre. The distance is around 79km (49 miles) by road and it will take around 1h 10m in normal traffic conditons.

How do I get from Rapallo to Cinque Terre if I don't have a car?

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Rapallo to Cinque Terre is to take the train which takes, on average, 45min and will usually cost around €6 ($6).

Compare travel options between Rapallo and Cinque Terre

Top carriers operating between rapallo and cinque terre, train operators.

Bus companies

Airports near cinque terre.

The following major airports near Cinque Terre offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Italy and internationally.

Pisa International Airport (PSA)

Genoa cristoforo colombo airport (goa), parma airport (pmf), where to next from cinque terre, arvó is currently in private beta testing.

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THE 5 BEST Rapallo Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in rapallo.

• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Speed Boats Tours
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Water Sports
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Abbazia di San Fruttuoso
• Faro Di Portofino
• The Green Boat
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Luxury Sunset Cruise with Aperitif

2. Andrea Boat Charter Portofino

3. Private Boat Tour in Portofino Natural Reserve or Cinque Terre

4. Private Boat Tour Portofino, Golfo Paradiso and Tigullio

5. Gulf of Portofino Private Boat Tour

6. Private Boat Excursion to Portofino

7. Private boat tour in the Tigullio and in the Portofino area

8. 7-Days Italian Lakes and Riviera Tour from Milan

9. 4 Day Italian Riviera from Milan

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Sunset Cinque Terre Boat Tour with a traditional ligurian gozzo from Monterosso

Cinque Terre Private Boat Tour

Cinque Terre Sunset Tour

Cinque Terre tour with a traditional ligurian gozzo from Monterosso

Tour of Genoa and Day Trip to Portofino from Genoa

Cinque Terre Sunset Boat Tour

Cinque Terre Sunset Tour by Boat

Relaxing Boat Tour with Aperitif in Cinque Terre

Sunset Boat Tour to Cinque Terre with aperitif on board

6-Hour Guided Tour Portovenere and Cinque Terre with aperitif

Paddle along the Cinque Terre

Classic Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre Lunch boat tour

Cinque Terre Morning Tour

Cinque Terre Half Day Kayak Trip from Monterosso

Boat Tour of the 3 Islands & Portovenere

Exclusive Private Day Trip: Portofino & Santa Margherita from Portofino's Port

2-Hour Boat Tour at sunset in the Cinque Terre with Pesto tasting and focaccia

Guided Day Tour on Private Boat to Cinque Terre private boat

Kayak tour from Monterosso to Vernazza

3-Hour Private Boat Tour of the Cinque Terre

What travellers are saying.

• Luxury Sunset Cruise with Aperitif
• Private boat tour in the Tigullio and in the Portofino area
• Private Boat Tour in Portofino Natural Reserve or Cinque Terre
• Boat Rental in Portofino and Tigullio Gulf
• Private Boat Tour Portofino, Golfo Paradiso and Tigullio
• Abyss Diving Center
• Style Diving
• Tortuga Diving Portofino
• Diving ScubaLibre Portofino
• Le Vie del Mare Diving

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. 

We will do our best to reply in 24 hours

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Cinque Terre Private Boat Tours

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Destinations, private tours, shore excursions, shared tours.

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7 Best Things To Do in Cinque Terre on a Romantic Couples Getaway

Cinque Terre, which translates to "Five Lands", is made up of five villages on the northwestern coast of Italy in the Liguria region.

While each of the villages is teeming with tourists throughout the day, there is a much quieter romantic vibe in the evening as day trippers leave. Time to start planning and then packing.

Are YOU Looking for the Best Things To Do in Cinque Terre?

You'll be happy to hear that USNews Travel ranks Cinque Terre as the 6th best honeymoon destination in Europe .

If you are looking for fun AND romance along with the best things to do in the town of Cinque Terre on a getaway for couples, plan to stay for at least two to three days. Especially if you really want to capture the magic of Cinque Terre... and each other.

Weekend getaways for couples are the perfect way to add a little spark to your relationship . How?

• Getaway from the responsibilities of work and home
• Gives you time away from your children
• One-on-one time to focus on each other
• There's no set routine so you can sleep in or stay up late
• Show affection and shake up your sex life
• Take time to talk
• Enjoy the anticipation of travel
• Step out of your comfort zone together
• Practice some relationship self-care
• Get a couple's massage
• Take travel selfies together
• Enjoy some gelato Italiano
• Build great memories

>> Related: Romantic Instagram Quotes for Couples Who Love to Travel

7 Best Things To Do in Cinque Terre

1. sunbathe at monterosso beach.

Monterosso has the longest stretches of beaches of the five villages. Monterosso Beach really is the best beach in Cinque Terre. These beaches are located in both the new part of the village as well as in the old town area.

Both sections offer traditional beaches where you can rent umbrellas and a lounging chair OR find a free section of beach where you can spread out with your own beach towel, chair and umbrella.

2. Explore All Five Towns of Cinque Terre

If you plan to visit the coast and are looking for the best things to do in Cinque Terre, you really ought to plan to visit all of five towns of Cinque Terre. Each one is a little different from the others and offers a variety of sightseeing options.

3. Hike from Monterosso to Vernazza

If you plan to hike during you visit, I recommend you plan for an early start, especially in the summer months. The best time to hike in Cinque Terre is during the morning hours. You'll find fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and less humidity.

Signage at the beginning of the hike makes it clear that hiking in flip flops can result in a fine. The family of four in front of us, three of whom were wearing flip flops, turned around at the pay station to avoid being fined. Getting fined is NOT one of the best things to do in Cinque Terre!

The narrow path is not easy with steps going up from the very start. There are many fitness levels, ages and agility levels of tourists who hike this trail. The hike is 2.2 miles with an elevation gain of 705 feet.

Take time to enjoy the journey. Stop every so often to take a few pictures and selfies. The views are amazing and as you get closer to Vernazza, you see the brightly colored iconic village. The colorful homes, the boats, the people swimming…all fantastic.

The hike takes about an hour and a half for the average hiker. You'll hike past quaint homes and terraced farms of olive trees along the way. Be sure to bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen.

>> Related: The 10 Essentials for Your Best Day Hikes

4. Enjoy Delicious Food at The Best Restaurants in Cinque Terre

Did you know that the region of Cinque Terre is the birthplace of pesto ? The recipe for pesto calls for grinding basil (which flourishes in the temperate seaside climate) with pine nuts, garlic, two varieties of cheese (half parmigiano cow cheese and half pecorino sheep cheese), and olive oil. Pesto is eaten with pasta, in lasagna or as a spread for your bread.

One of the fun things to do in Cinque Terre during your visit is to take a pesto-making class in nearby Levanto.

You can also enjoy all types of pasta during your stay, anchovies and fresh seafood, focaccia bread, pizza, and of course... gelato.

Be sure to make dinner reservations in advance. All of the tourists will be looking for the best places to eat in Cinque Terre. Just like you!

La Cucina Italiana recommends these Top 10 Favorite Restaurants in Cinque Terre and close by:

• Ristorante Miky, Monterosso
• La Cantina di Miky, Monterosso
• Agriturismo Missanega, Monterosso
• Causa Persa, Monterosso
• L’ancora della Tortuga, Monterosso
• Osteria a Cantina de Mananan, Corniglia
• Da Aristide, Manarola
• Rio Bistrot, Riomaggiore
• Fuori Rotta, Riomaggiore
• Agave, Framura (just three stops from Monterosso on the local train)

5. Savor the Gelato Italiano

You can't come to Italy and not try gelato. Italy is also the birthplace of this delectable treat. Perhaps it should be #1 on your list of things to do in Cinque Terre ... everyday.

You may be entranced by the brilliantly colored gelato, but if you are looking for an authentic-tasting gelato , follow these tips:

• Look for subdued earthy colored gelato indicating the gelatos are handmade, fresh and contain natural flavors and ingredients such as fruit and nuts
• Brightly color gelato is full of chemicals to preserve them (the same goes for the fluffy-looking gelatos in the cooler that are likely mass produced elsewhere)
• Check the banana gelato. If it is bright yellow, move on. If it has a grayish color, it was most likely made with real bananas
• Look for the sign "fatta in casa" . This means that the gelato was made fresh and in-house

Gelato Italiano

For some of the best gelato Italiano along the coast, try Alberto Gelateria in Corniglia or Gelateria Vernazza .

6. Enjoy Market Days

If you love to wander hand-in-hand with your sweetheart through local markets while eating gelato Italiano, search for vintage treasures, and find fresh produce and goods, there are a number of markets in and around the villages of Cinque Terre .

• Vernazza Market on Tuesday
• Monterosso Market on Thursday
• Friday Market in La Spezia (about a ten minute train ride from Riomaggiore)
• Food Market in La Spezia - open every morning until 1 pm (except Sundays)
• Friday Market in Chiavari (about one hour from Monterosso)

If you are staying in a vacation rental and cooking your own meals, you may wish to stop by the La Spezia food market first.

7. Book a Sunset Boat Tour of Cinque Terre

Chris and I found many sunset boat tour options during our stay in Monterosso as we walked along the harbor. I imagine in the summer months that you would need to book in advance to guarantee your romantic evening cruise when planning for a boat tour of Cinque Terre.

As we traveled to Cinque Terre close to the end of the summer season, we were able to book a romantic evening boat cruise the day before. We were the only ones on the cruise and enjoyed asking our captain questions and getting in close to the villages for unobstructed photos and the best views in Cinque Terre.

>> Related: 10 Getaways and Adventures as a Couple

How Do You Pronounce Cinque Terre?

The correct pronunciation of Cinque Terre is  cheen-kweh teh-rreh .

Listen to the pronunciation a few times to get it down.

Overview: The Five Towns of Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre was added to the  UNESCO World Heritage List  in 1997 and became a National Park on October 6, 1999.

Cinque Terre features terraced agricultural land and colorful homes that seem to be built one on top of another as they cascade down rugged cliffs along the Mediterranean Sea.

Approximately 4,000 residents call the five towns of Cinque Terre home, however the area is an attraction for around three million tourists every year. People arrive for day-trips, weekend getaways, family vacations , friend trips, the gelato Italiano, and for a little sunbathing along the coast, especially Monterosso beach.

5 Towns of Cinque Terre Map Courtesy of Google Maps

Things to Do In Monterosso al Mare

Chris and I chose Monterosso as our home base for our three-day getaway. For us, it was the best place to stay in Cinque Terre. We arrived on the afternoon train from Milan and were immediately enamored with the views of the coast and Mediterranean Sea.

As we exited the train station with our bags in tow, we walked right out to the waterfront area of the "newer" section of Monterosso. I couldn’t help but take pictures .

Known for the great beaches , if sunbathing is on your wish list of things to do while visiting Cinque Terre, Monterosso beach is the perfect option. It also makes is one of the best places to swim in Cinque Terre.

We found the best place to stay in Cinque Terre in a vacation rental right in the heart of the town.

>> Related : Paragliding Switzerland's Mt. Pilatus: An Epic Adventure for Couples

Vernazza Things To Do

Vernazza is a popular village with a little something for everyone.

This village boasts the only natural harbor along the coastline of the five villages. Beyond a small area of beach for sunbathing and playing in the water, there are plenty of places and restaurants to do a little people watching.

Hiking from Monterosso to Vernazza is one of the best things to do in Cinque Terre if you want to see the amazing vistas of each of the villages.

Things To Do In Corniglia

Escape many of the crowds as you climb the 382 steps up to the village. Not to worry, there is a bus that will transport you up the hill as well if that many steps are daunting.

Corniglia is the only village that does not have waterfront access. One thing you CAN do is wander through the narrow streets to see picturesque viewpoints, visit tourist shops, and find something fresh and tasty to eat.

Things To Do In Manarola, Italy

Manarola offers fabulous views .

Although there is not a real beach in Manarola, locals and tourists love it for some of the best deep-water swimming around.

Like the other villages, Manarola is all ups and downs, with steep narrow alleys to explore.

Best Things To Do In Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore is the largest of the five towns of Cinque Terre. It is the most southern village and is closest to La Spezia. It offers plenty of fine dining opportunities and a great nightlife .

If you have seen Cinque Terre in pictures or postcards before, you have most likely seen the village of Riomaggiore.

How to Get From One Village to Another

Taking the Cinque Terre Express train is the best way to travel from one village to another. The Cinque Terre Express runs approximately every 20 minutes from mid March until 1st of November.

Trekking Card

If your plan for things to do in Cinque Terre involves hiking between the villages, you can purchase the Cinque Terre Trekking Card  which gives you access to all  footpaths .

Please note * The only trails that require the trekking card (all other trails are free) are:

• From Monterosso to Vernazza
• From Vernazza to Corniglia

Be sure to check the website for up-to-date information on whether or not trails are open to the public. Some trails are currently closed.

The  Cinque Terre Train Card , on the other hand, allows you to access the hiking trails AND gives unlimited access on the Cinque Terre Express trains on the Levanto—Cinque Terre—La Spezia line . Some discounts are available.

The Cinque Terre Cards can be purchased at:

• All train stations
• Cinque Terre Tourist Information Points (including on footpaths)

Cinque Terre Train Schedule

Where to Stay in Cinque Terre

You'll want to give some consideration on where to stay during your visit to Cinque Terre, and more specifically consider which village will work best for you.

• Do you love the beach? Pick Monterosso
• Do you love to play in the water, wander through amazing alleyways, and hike? Vernazza may be your best bet.
• Would a quiet village with amazing sea views be your priority when planning things to do in Cinque Terre? How about Corniglia ?
• Manarola has great views, great food, and great deep-water swimming.
• If you want to be close to markets in La Spezia, Riomaggiore is a good option. It also has a great nightlife if you love to party together.

Booking.com

Gear for Taking Great Travel Photos

Whatever your skill level with a camera, be prepared for some amazing photos while visiting all of the Cinque Terre villages.

Canon Powershot G1  – This camera is great if you leave the camera in AUTO mode and work well with a point and shoot. It does give you the option to switch to MANUAL mode if you choose.

Canon T8i  – If you are just beginning your photography journey and want to switch back and forth between Auto, Aperture Priority, or Manual Mode, this makes a great entry level DSLR.

Canon 6d Mark II  – This is a great camera for advanced photographers who are comfortable shooting in Manual Mode. You’ll get some outstanding shots of the Mediterranean coastline and the colorful Cinque Terre villages. Just know that it can get heavy around your neck if you are sightseeing all day long.

Smart Phone  – The camera on your phone may be amazing. If this is your picture-taking device, you will surely capture some great images. Smart phones are perfect for those days when you don't want to carry bigger cameras.

For the best tourist-free photos, you may wish to arrive early in the morning or wait until the evening when many of the day trippers are gone. Whatever you choose as your camera as you explore ALL of the best things to do in Cinque Terre, you will want to have the battery charged and ready to go for the day!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, the amalfi coast or cinque terre.

It depends on your goals when visiting Italy. If your planning to travel Northern Italy, then adding Cinque Terre makes sense . If you're travel adventures take you to Naples or Pompeii or other places in the south, choose the Amalfi Coast. Both destinations are awesome.

How many days do you need to explore Cinque Terre?

Two to three days at a minimum in order to explore, eat enough gelato Italiano, enjoy Monterosso Beach, book a sunset cruise and discover the culture of the area with a cooking class.

What are the best months to visit the towns of Cinque Terre?

Planning a trip to Cinque Terre in September and October is perfect. There are fewer crowds and the weather is still enjoyable.

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Final thoughts on the best things to do in cinque terre for a couples getaway.

There are plenty of Cinque Terre must see moments:

• Beautiful scenery
• Incredible photo opportunities
• Colorful homes
• Perfect couples getaway
• Awe-inspiring sunsets
• Pesto, pizza and pasta

The five towns of Cinque Terre make a perfect destination if you are looking for a romantic getaway with your sweetheart. And what makes them even better, there are no cars in Cinque Terre.

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THE 5 BEST Rapallo Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in rapallo.

• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Speed Boats Tours
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Water Sports
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• Abbazia di San Fruttuoso
• Faro Di Portofino
• The Green Boat
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Luxury Sunset Cruise with Aperitif

2. Andrea Boat Charter Portofino

3. Private Boat Tour in Portofino Natural Reserve or Cinque Terre

4. Private Boat Tour Portofino, Golfo Paradiso and Tigullio

5. Gulf of Portofino Private Boat Tour

6. Private Boat Excursion to Portofino

7. Private boat tour in the Tigullio and in the Portofino area

8. 7-Days Italian Lakes and Riviera Tour from Milan

9. 4 Day Italian Riviera from Milan

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Sunset Cinque Terre Boat Tour with a traditional ligurian gozzo from Monterosso

Cinque Terre Private Boat Tour

Cinque Terre Sunset Tour

Cinque Terre tour with a traditional ligurian gozzo from Monterosso

Tour of Genoa and Day Trip to Portofino from Genoa

Cinque Terre Sunset Boat Tour

Cinque Terre Sunset Tour by Boat

Relaxing Boat Tour with Aperitif in Cinque Terre

Sunset Boat Tour to Cinque Terre with aperitif on board

6-Hour Guided Tour Portovenere and Cinque Terre with aperitif

Paddle along the Cinque Terre

Classic Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre Lunch boat tour

Cinque Terre Morning Tour

Cinque Terre Half Day Kayak Trip from Monterosso

Boat Tour of the 3 Islands & Portovenere

Exclusive Private Day Trip: Portofino & Santa Margherita from Portofino's Port

2-Hour Boat Tour at sunset in the Cinque Terre with Pesto tasting and focaccia

Guided Day Tour on Private Boat to Cinque Terre private boat

Kayak tour from Monterosso to Vernazza

3-Hour Private Boat Tour of the Cinque Terre

What travellers are saying.

• Luxury Sunset Cruise with Aperitif
• Private boat tour in the Tigullio and in the Portofino area
• Private Boat Tour in Portofino Natural Reserve or Cinque Terre
• Boat Rental in Portofino and Tigullio Gulf
• Private Boat Tour Portofino, Golfo Paradiso and Tigullio
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• Style Diving
• Tortuga Diving Portofino
• Diving ScubaLibre Portofino
• Le Vie del Mare Diving

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Itinerary critique - hiking Cinque Terre - Cinque Terre Forum

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Itinerary critique - hiking Cinque Terre

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Firstly - I realise that given the fabulous train connections through the area, the sensible thing would be to stay in one location and go backwards and forwards on the trains. But I'm not that sensible.

What I want to do is to hike one way between Framura and Porto Venere over a few days in early June. I'm a female travelling alone, fairly fit/accustomed to hiking. I'm happy to spend a decent chunk of each day hiking but would like a bit of time each day for exploring, relaxing, eating etc - 5-6 hours a day hiking seems reasonable.

My planned itinerary is:

Day 1 - Arrive Genoa, catch train to Framura

Day 2 - Hike Framura to Monterosso

Day 4 - Hike Riomaggiore to Porto Venere

Day 5 - Porto Venere to La Spezia (hike? boat?) then train to Pisa. Quick visit to Pisa before flight home.

And a few practical questions about hiking...

Recommendation for the best map to purchase?

Will trail shoes suffice or do I need walking boots?

How much water should I plan to carry? I've read there's places to refill water bottles, but I don't know how frequent?

Is this a moderately safe plan for a lone female (who can hike, read maps etc)?

14 replies to this topic

In June you will need to have accommodations booked, so that means five places to book, check in, and check out, when you could do that once. Up to you!

For the causal hiker, I tend to say shoes are fine, but since you will be carrying a lot of extra weight and doing longer hikes, I would take boots.

Not sure about the prevalence of water fountains, but someone will.

*In June you will need to have accommodations booked, so that means five places to book, check in, and check out, when you could do that once. Up to you!*

I know...I actively enjoy all the research and moving from place to place. I realise this is most people's idea of madness. And there's something enticing about travelling from A to B under your own steam.

From my research so far, it doesn't feel like the plan is biting off more than I can chew, but given the need to book accommodation, I don't want to commit myself to an over ambitious plan.

Just because I would find it misery does not mean you would--but I would definitely scope out the accommodations first. Some places may have a stay minimum.

My reasoning: After a hike, I like to shower and enjoy my space, not deal with a check-in process, which can be tedious. You never want to be rude and rush someone, but some proprietors want to give you a rundown you may not necessarily need (or have time for--because you need to go get food and water, etc.).

Either way, please report back because people ask this from time to time and are always discouraged. I welcome being wrong!

It seems to me that finding accommodation in five different locations, just one night for each, in the month of June is really difficult.

Plus you have to carry your luggage with you on every excursion.

Assuming the individual hikes aren’t too ambitious I think I have scouted out accommodation that fits my budget.

I’m happy to report back but I know my tolerance for moving from place to place is much higher than the average person so I’m not sure an endorsement from me would be that helpful!

What I would find informative is any time constraints you experience. Good luck!

Good trail shoes/trail runners will be fine. You need grip and support.

I will go out on a limb and suggest something that you already said you don’t want to do. Just stay in one spot and train. You can then use a smaller pack with a 2 liter water bottle and the wasted time moving will be saved, except for the small train trips to get back. Train travel between the villages is quick and easy.

However, we have done tons of point to point so I can understand the appeal and lack of concern about a new place each night. As others have said, it may be more difficult to find one night accommodations.

It is safe for lone hikers and trails are fairly well marked, assuming you have hiking experience and can recognize the markings.

You can get a map at the train station for the Levanto to porto venere sections and the framura to Levanto part you can print out from an online source.

Water needs will be dictated by the heat. There is water available in the villages along the way so that won’t be a problem. More is better than less, as you know, but weight is a factor if you are carrying everything.

It is all doable, and the plan is sound. The trails are not smooth and there are some good elevation changes but, again, if you are experienced, it is no problem.

For the Monterosso to Riomaggiore part, were you going to go up and down to each village on the way or go up and over and then down to Riomaggiore ? The former will take more time, dependent on trail choices.

Riomaggiore to Porto Venere is a fun 4.5hr hike and not many distractions.

Fromura to Bonassola is very nice but we didn’t bother with the part to Levanto as it was the old train tunnel. There is another path but haven’t done it. Levanto to Monterosso is gorgeous.

Thank you - helpful to hear that it seems managable - I've need to do a bit more research on route detail etc, to decide whether to go down to each village or not. I guess the advantage of doing so is it's always possible to opt out and take the train if I feel like it.

I've managed to find budget accomodation for 1 night everywhere I'm planning to stop (the overnights were planned around where I could find hostels) - There's a 2 night minimum in one location but as the hostels are cheap it's not adding too much to the budget and still much cheaper than any other accommodation options.

I am not discussing accommodations.

In terms of your hiking plan, it sounds perhaps a tad ambitious, unless you are a fit hiker, used to hike long days - with LOTS of height gain/loss - for several days in a row.

As for maps, the absolute best is this one https://tinyurl.com/yc2fs2nv

Since you are in the UK, you may want to order it from Amazon ahead of time.

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