Genoa, Portofino &
the Cinque Terre
Two nights in a palazzo in Genoa, three on the Portofino promontory, three between Levanto and Portovenere at either end of the Cinque Terre.
The Italian Riviera, from a medieval port to the painted villages
Liguria is a thin strip of land between the mountains and the sea: Genoa, the proud maritime republic with its palaces of the Strade Nuove, the villas and gardens of the Tigullio gulf, and the five villages of the Cinque Terre clinging to their terraces of vines.
- 1Genoa 2 nights
- 2Portofino 3 nights
- 3Cinque Terre 3 nights
8 days, 3 homes
For every stop: what to see and where to go, the dishes to try and where to eat them. Below, two or three of our homes in the area, with live rates for your nights.
Genoa, the superb
Genoa is one of the least visited great cities of Italy, and one of the most surprising: a medieval port with one of the largest historic centres in Europe and the palaces of its banker families.
What to see & where to go
- Via Garibaldi and the Palazzi dei Rolli, a UNESCO site
- Palazzo Ducale and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo
- The caruggi, the narrow lanes of the old town
- Boccadasse, a fishing village inside the city
- The Aquarium and the Old Port by Renzo Piano
- Spianata Castelletto, for the view over the rooftops
What to eat
- Focaccia genovese, dipped in cappuccino the local way
- Pansoti with walnut sauce
- Farinata, the thin chickpea flatbread from wood ovens
- Pandolce, the Genoese sweet bread with raisins and pine nuts
Where to eat
- Focaccia at Antico Forno della Casana, in the old town
- Trattoria da Maria, for trofie al pesto at shared tables
- Pasticceria Klainguti, one of the city's historic cafés
Historic palazzo steps from the cathedral.Why stay hereA historic palazzo steps from the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, in the heart of the caruggi.See the home
Santa Margherita and Portofino
The Portofino promontory is a nature park of pines and holm oaks dropping into the sea. Santa Margherita Ligure, with its villas and palm-lined promenade, is the most elegant base for it.
What to see & where to go
- Portofino's piazzetta and the walk up to Castello Brown
- The Abbey of San Fruttuoso, reachable only by sea or on foot
- Villa Durazzo and its gardens in Santa Margherita
- The coastal path from Santa Margherita to Paraggi and Portofino
- Camogli, its harbour and its tall painted houses
- Sestri Levante and the Bay of Silence
What to eat
- Trofie al pesto, made with Ligurian basil
- Focaccia di Recco, filled with soft cheese
- Gamberi rossi of Santa Margherita, raw or grilled
- Fish soup and fritto misto in Camogli
Where to eat
- Da Puny in Portofino, on the piazzetta
- Rosa in Camogli, with a terrace over the gulf
- Focaccia di Recco, the one with cheese, in Recco or Camogli
Restored villa with a private garden, adults only.Why stay hereA restored historic villa, adults only, with champagne breakfast and a private garden.See the home
19th-century building near the sea, spa and pool.Why stay hereA restored 19th-century building 250 m from the sea, with spa and pool.See the home
Villa with spa, a short walk from the beach.Why stay hereA villa with a spa and a romantic restaurant, a short walk from the beach.See the home
The Cinque Terre and Portovenere
Five villages of painted houses built into the cliffs, joined by footpaths through the vineyards. Stay at either end, in Levanto or in Portovenere, and see the villages early, before the day boats arrive.
What to see & where to go
- Vernazza and Manarola, from the paths above
- Portovenere: the Church of San Pietro on the rocks and the Doria castle
- Monterosso's old town and the Aurora tower
- The Sentiero Azzurro from Monterosso to Vernazza
- A boat to the islands of Palmaria and Tino
- The Sanctuary of Montenero above Riomaggiore
What to eat
- Acciughe di Monterosso, fried, marinated or salted
- Muscoli ripieni, stuffed mussels from the Gulf of La Spezia
- Mesciua, the bean and grain soup of La Spezia
- Sciacchetrà and Cinque Terre white wine
Where to eat
- A cone of fried fish on the harbour in Vernazza
- Nessun Dorma in Manarola, bruschetta and a glass of wine above the sea
- Sciacchetrà, the sweet wine of the Cinque Terre, with a tasting at a local cantina
17th-century monastery on the seafront, spa.Why stay hereA 17th-century monastery on the harbour of Portovenere, with a terrace facing the island of Palmaria.See the home
Historic building with a terrace and far views.Why stay hereA historic building in Levanto with a terrace and far-reaching views, at the gateway to the Cinque Terre.See the home
Ask our assistant
This itinerary is a starting point. Tell the assistant your dates and constraints and it re-plans the stops on our homes, then checks the rooms.
- We only have 7 days: which stop do we cut?
- Same route but with two children under 10: which homes work?
- Can you check the three homes for arrival on May 4?
