Italian Riviera
Some tips before traveling
Best time to travel
This region of Italy has gained popularity in recent years. As you may be aware, the Italian Riviera is characterized by its charming yet petite beaches, predominantly rocky. Given the towns' small size, I highly recommend exploring the area during the off-season for an optimal experience. I particularly suggest visiting in May and early June or mid-September to October if you plan to indulge in beach activities, although there are arguably better beach destinations in Italy. For those seeking to appreciate the towns and embark on scenic hikes, April would also be an excellent choice.
Best Itinerary
I suggest allocating between 5 to 7 days for your Italian Riviera adventure, but feel free to customize the duration based on your preferences. Start your journey in Genova with a recommended stay of 1 or 2 nights, then move on to Santa Margherita Ligure for 2 or 3 nights. I recommend staying in Santa Margherita instead of Portofino, especially for those with budget considerations, as it offers more affordable dining and accommodation options. While in Santa Margherita, explore nearby gems like Portofino, Bahia de San Fruttuoso, and Rapallo.
For the third leg of your trip, consider La Spezia for 2 or 3 nights. This strategic base allows convenient access to Cinque Terre. I strongly recommend staying in La Spezia rather than the towns of Cinque Terre due to the smaller size, limited accommodations, and higher prices of the Cinque Terre towns. La Spezia provides a more extensive range of options at better prices, all while being excellently connected to the enchanting Cinque Terre villages.If you really want to stay in one of the Cinque Terre towns, I recommend Monterosso, it's the biggest of the five, and has a sandy beach you can enjoy in the morning.