Italian Riviera & Cinque Terre bespoke tours

Yes. The Italian Riviera is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Europe and a highlight of any trip to Italy.

Located in the region of Liguria, in northwest Italy, the Riviera runs along the sea from the French border to Tuscany. It is home to some of Italy’s most famous destinations, including Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, Camogli, Portovenere, and the Cinque Terre.

What makes the Riviera special is its combination of dramatic scenery and authentic village life. Colorful houses cling to steep cliffs, fishing boats fill small harbors, and terraced vineyards and olive groves rise above the sea.

The region is also a paradise for food lovers. Liguria is the birthplace of pesto and focaccia, and its cuisine is built on fresh seafood, olive oil, and local herbs.

Unlike larger cities such as Rome or Florence, the Riviera offers a slower, more relaxed pace. It is ideal for couples, honeymooners, families, and travelers who want to combine sightseeing, coastal walks, boat trips, and fine dining.

For travelers seeking Italy’s classic seaside charm, the Italian Riviera is often one of the most memorable parts of their journey.

To explore the whole Italian Riviera, from Sanremo to the Cinque Terre, we generally recommend 10 to 12 days. For travelers focusing only on Portofino and the Cinque Terre, five to seven days is ideal.

The Riviera is divided into two coasts. The Riviera di Ponente, west of Genoa toward France, is home to Sanremo, Alassio, Finale Ligure, and Albenga, with long sandy beaches and medieval villages inland.

The Riviera di Levante, east of Genoa, includes Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, Camogli, and the Cinque Terre.

A balanced itinerary might include two to three nights on the western Riviera, three nights near Portofino, and three to four nights in the Cinque Terre. This allows time for boat trips, hikes, food experiences, and simply relaxing by the sea.

Many visitors see the Cinque Terre as a day trip from Florence or a cruise ship, but this is rarely the best way to experience it. Day visits are often rushed and coincide with the busiest hours. Staying overnight lets you enjoy the villages early in the morning and in the evening, when they are at their most peaceful.

At Italy Bespoke Tours, our most popular Italian Riviera itineraries range between eight and twelve days, often combined with the French Riviera, Lake Como, Florence, or Rome as part of a longer journey.

The answer depends on your travel style, and many of our clients choose to combine two or three bases along the coast.

The Portofino area, including Santa Margherita Ligure, Camogli, and up to Sestri Levante, offers elegant hotels, refined restaurants, and a sophisticated seaside atmosphere.

Santa Margherita Ligure is often our first choice: it is well connected, easy to walk, and just a short drive or boat ride from Portofino.

The western Riviera is quieter and less international. Sanremo offers elegant Belle Époque hotels and easy access to the French Riviera, while Alassio is ideal for travelers who love long sandy beaches and a relaxed seaside atmosphere.

The Cinque Terre is more rustic and authentic. The five villages are small, steep, and car-free, with charming boutique hotels and guesthouses rather than large luxury properties.

Monterosso is the largest village, with the best beach and the widest choice of hotels and restaurants. It is ideal for first-time visitors and families.Vernazza is one of the most picturesque villages, with a small harbor and a lively piazza. It is perfect for couples.Manarola and Riomaggiore are smaller and more romantic, known for their spectacular sunset views.

For travelers who prefer five-star hotels, we often suggest staying near Portofino or in nearby Levanto or Portovenere, and exploring the Cinque Terre with private boats and guides.

The best time to visit is generally from April to June and again from September to mid-October.

Spring brings mild temperatures, blooming wildflowers along the trails, and fewer crowds than the summer months. It is an excellent time for hiking, sightseeing, and outdoor dining.

Summer, particularly July and August, is the busiest season. The sea is warm and perfect for swimming, and the villages are at their liveliest, especially during the day. Hotels fill up early, and advance planning is essential.

September is often considered the very best month. The sea is still warm, the weather is pleasant, and the grape harvest begins in the terraced vineyards.

October is ideal for walking, food, and wine, although boat services and some hotels begin to reduce their schedules later in the month.

In winter, many hotels and restaurants close, and boat services stop running. At Italy Bespoke Tours, we generally recommend May, June, and September for the ideal balance of weather, atmosphere, and crowds.

For most visitors, we do not recommend renting a car on the Italian Riviera, and especially not in the Cinque Terre.

The five villages of the Cinque Terre are largely closed to private traffic. Roads leading to them are narrow and winding, and parking is extremely limited and expensive, often located far above the village centers.

The Portofino area presents similar challenges. The single road into Portofino is narrow and often congested in high season, and parking in the village is very limited.

The Cinque Terre is connected by a regional train line between Levanto and La Spezia, with frequent services between the villages. Boats also connect the villages from spring to autumn, weather permitting. However, trains and public boat services run to their own timetables, which may not always suit your plans.

For this reason, we generally recommend private transfers for arrivals, departures, and longer journeys, combined with private boats to explore the coastline.

Staying in walkable towns such as Santa Margherita Ligure, Monterosso, or Vernazza means restaurants, beaches, and promenades are always within easy reach on foot.

In our experience, the Riviera is best enjoyed from the water, on a coastal trail, or from a terrace overlooking the sea, not from behind the wheel.

Yes. Hiking is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the Cinque Terre, and the trails offer some of the most spectacular coastal views in Italy.

The most famous route is the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path), which connects all five villages along the coast. The most popular sections are Monterosso to Vernazza and Vernazza to Corniglia, each taking around two hours. The trails are rocky and include many steps, so good walking shoes and a reasonable level of fitness are recommended.

The famous Via dell’Amore between Riomaggiore and Manarola reopened in 2024 after years of restoration. Access is regulated, and booking in advance is recommended.

A Cinque Terre Card is required to walk the Blue Path. Sections of the trails can also close temporarily after heavy rain or for maintenance, so it is important to check conditions before setting out.

Beyond the Blue Path, a network of higher trails leads through vineyards, chestnut woods, and hilltop sanctuaries, with far fewer walkers.

At Italy Bespoke Tours, we arrange hikes with private local guides, who choose the best route for your fitness level and the day’s conditions, and share the history of the terraces and villages along the way.

The Italian Riviera offers a remarkable variety of seaside villages, each with its own character.

Highlights include:Sanremo – The elegant “City of Flowers,” with its Belle Époque Casino, Russian Orthodox Church, and medieval old town, La Pigna.Dolceacqua – A medieval village with a castle and a stone bridge painted by Claude Monet, famous for its Rossese red wine.Alassio – One of the Riviera’s finest sandy beaches, with the celebrity-signed Muretto wall and the lively Budello lane.Albenga – A medieval town of red-brick towers and one of Liguria’s oldest Christian monuments, its 5th-century baptistery.Finalborgo – A walled medieval village listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy.Genoa – A historic port city with grand palaces, lively markets, and a maze of medieval alleys.Camogli – An authentic fishing village known for its tall pastel houses.Santa Margherita Ligure – An elegant resort town with a palm-lined promenade and excellent restaurants.Portofino – The Riviera’s most glamorous harbor, with elegant boutiques and views from Castello Brown.San Fruttuoso – A medieval abbey in a hidden bay, reachable only by boat or on foot.

Sestri Levante – A charming seaside town set between two bays, including the famous Bay of Silence, one of the most romantic spots on the Riviera.

Monterosso al Mare – The largest Cinque Terre village, with the best sandy beach and a charming old town.

Vernazza – Often called the most beautiful of the five villages, with its small harbor and medieval tower.

Corniglia – The only village set high on a cliff rather than by the sea, quiet and surrounded by vineyards.Manarola – Famous for its colorful houses stacked above the rocks and its unforgettable sunsets.Riomaggiore – A lively village with steep lanes and a picturesque marina.Portovenere – A UNESCO-listed village on the Gulf of Poets, with the striking Church of San Pietro.

Together, these destinations showcase the beauty and diversity that make the Italian Riviera one of Italy’s most beloved coastlines.

Liguria has one of Italy’s most distinctive regional cuisines, built on olive oil, fresh herbs, vegetables, and seafood.

The region’s most famous creation is Pesto Genovese, made with local basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmigiano, Pecorino, and Ligurian olive oil. It is traditionally served with trofie or trenette pasta.

Liguria is also the home of focaccia. Each town has its own version, from the classic Genoese focaccia to the famous focaccia di Recco, a thin, crispy bread filled with soft cheese.

Other local specialties include anchovies from Monterosso, fresh seafood, farinata (a chickpea flatbread), and pansoti, a stuffed pasta served with walnut sauce.

The Cinque Terre also produces excellent white wines from its steep terraced vineyards, along with the rare Sciacchetrà, a prized dessert wine made from dried grapes.

At Italy Bespoke Tours, we love to include pesto masterclasses, winery visits, and dinners at local trattorias in our itineraries, so you can taste the true flavors of the Riviera.

Yes, absolutely. The Italian Riviera is one of the easiest regions in Italy to combine with other destinations, both across the border in France and throughout Italy.

The French Riviera – Sanremo is only about one hour from Nice and even closer to Monaco and Menton. Many of our clients fly into Nice, spend a few days on the Côte d’Azur, then continue along the coast into Italy with a private driver. The border crossing is seamless, and the drive is short and scenic.

Lake Como and Milan – Lake Como is around three hours from the Riviera by car, and Milan around two to three hours, depending on which part of the coast you visit. Combining the elegance of the lakes with the drama of the sea is one of our clients’ favorite pairings, and Milan’s international airports make it a convenient start or end point.

Florence and Tuscany – Florence is around two hours from the Cinque Terre. On the way, you can stop in Lucca or Pisa, or continue to the Tuscan countryside for a few days among vineyards and hill towns.

Rome – From Florence, the high-speed train reaches Rome in about an hour and a half. A route from the Riviera through Florence to Rome is a natural way to end a trip, with plenty of direct flights home from Rome.

Venice – Venice is easily reached by high-speed train from Milan or Florence, in a little over two hours from either city.

How we make it seamless:

we plan open-jaw flights (for example, arriving in Nice and departing from Rome), so you never backtrack. We combine private door-to-door transfers with first-class high-speed trains where they are faster, and coordinate every hotel, guide, and connection.

Some of our most popular routes include:French Riviera → Italian Riviera → Cinque Terre → Florence → RomeVenice → Lake Como → Italian Riviera → TuscanyMilan → Lake Como → Portofino → Cinque Terre → Florence

As a local travel agency based in Como, Italy Bespoke Tours specializes in designing seamless itineraries that combine the lakes, the coast, and Italy’s great cities into one unforgettable journey.

Yes. Every Italian Riviera journey we design is private and tailor-made. We do not sell fixed packages or join you to large groups: your itinerary is built from scratch around your dates, interests and pace.

On the Italian Riviera, that means private boats along the Cinque Terre and to Portofino and San Fruttuoso, private guides for the villages and hiking trails, and private drivers along the coast, so you can avoid the busiest times and enjoy each village at your own pace.

Your journey includes hand-picked hotels, private transfers and 24/7 assistance in the Italian time zone throughout your trip. If you would like a shared experience, such as a small-group masterclass, we will always tell you in advance.

To start, tell us about your trip for a free, no-obligation proposal, or book a free 30-minute call with our team.