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Chiavari

Chiavari, one of the pearls of the Tigullio Gulf, where the elegance of the Riviera meets a thousand-year history.

The city is best known as the "city of porticoes": its medieval and 19th-century arches allow you to stroll sheltered from the sun or rain, creating a unique open-air lounge in Liguria.

The beating heart of the city is its historic center, "Carruggio" (Via Martiri della Liberazione). Here, among historic shops, pastry shops, and pastel-colored noble palaces, you can breathe the authentic atmosphere of a village that has preserved its commercial and artisanal charm intact.

A few steps from the lively porticoes lies the sea: a long promenade runs along beaches and a modern marina, offering breathtaking views that stretch from Sestri Levante to the Portofino promontory.

Hidden among the streets of the historic center is Parco Rocca: a green oasis brimming with attractions, offering splendid views of the city and the gulf.
Created in the early 20th century, the garden features exotic and centuries-old plants from around the world, offering visitors a fascinating botanical journey to distant lands. This green space blends harmoniously with the beauty of the 17th-century Palazzo Rocca, offering a unique experience of nature, architecture, and history.

Camogli

Camogli is a seaside village of rare beauty, famous worldwide for its tall, pastel-colored houses overlooking the harbor and pebble beach.

Its most fascinating feature is its scenic appearance: the facades are decorated with the trompe-l'oeil technique, simulating friezes and shutters, once created to help fishermen recognize their homes from the sea. The heart of the village is the area around the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and the Dragonara Castle, which protect the harbor where traditional wooden fishing boats still bob.

However, Camogli jealously guards its magic: space is limited, and finding parking is a notorious challenge. Parking spaces are very limited, almost all of which are paid or reserved for residents, especially on weekends and in the summer season.

Precisely because of this lack of parking, the best way to get there is undoubtedly by train, which drops you off just a few steps from the center, or by boat to enjoy the arrival from the sea.

Portofino

Portofino is a global icon of elegance and beauty, an ancient fishing village transformed into an exclusive gem nestled in the greenery of the eponymous Regional Natural Park.

The Piazzetta is the beating heart of the village, surrounded by the famous pastel-colored houses and overlooking the marina where luxury yachts bob alongside traditional fishing boats.

Castello Brown is an ancient fortress overlooking the bay, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the entire Gulf of Tigullio.

The Church of San Giorgio is spectacularly located on the promontory and dominates the square.

The most evocative way to visit Portofino is undoubtedly by sea.

Arriving by boat allows you to admire the coast, enjoy the view of the historic villas and the cliffs overlooking the sea, impossible to see from the road.

During your visit to Portofino, a stop at the Bay of San Fruttuoso is a must. You can reach it by sea or with a long excursion starting from San Rocco di Camogli.

The Abbey is a thousand-year-old monastery, now a FAI property, located directly on the beach and accessible only by boat or on foot via the park's trails.

In the waters off the bay lies the famous submerged statue of Christ of the Abyss, a must-see for diving enthusiasts and also visible on a glass-bottom boat tour.

Nervi

Nervi, the easternmost tip of Genoa, is a neighborhood that retains the refined elegance of an ancient resort town, where cliffs and greenery blend together in a unique panorama.

The "Anita Garibaldi" promenade is one of the most beautiful seaside promenades in Italy. Approximately 2 kilometers long, it winds along the cliffs overlooking the waves, offering breathtaking views, waterfront restaurants, and access to the picturesque marina.

The Nervi Parks are an immense green space spanning approximately 9 hectares, created by combining the gardens of ancient noble villas. Here, you can stroll among exotic plants, manicured lawns, and the famous Rose Garden, which offers spectacular blooms in spring.

The recommended way to reach Nervi is undoubtedly by train. The train station is strategically located: one exit leads directly to the seaside promenade and the other to the main entrance to the parks. Arriving by train allows you to avoid the heavy traffic on the Via Aurelia and the chronic parking difficulties in the area.

Genova

Genoa's Old Port, redesigned by Renzo Piano in 1992, is today the vibrant tourist hub of the city, an area where the historic charm of the old pier meets modern architecture.

The attractions of the Old Port include:

Genoa Aquarium: The largest in Europe, a must-see for families and enthusiasts.
Galata, the maritime museum, retraces the history of the emigrants who left Genoa to seek their fortune in America. A visit inside a real submarine is not to be missed.
Bigo: The panoramic elevator inspired by port cranes, offering a 360° view of the city.
Biosfera: The glass "bubble" on the water that houses a tropical ecosystem.
Neptune Galleon: A majestic reconstruction of a 17th-century vessel that dominates the docks.

Leaving the sea behind, we enter the heart of the old city along a monumental route:

Via San Lorenzo: One of the most iconic streets, dominated by the majestic Cathedral of San Lorenzo with its black and white striped façade and imposing marble lions.
Piazza Matteotti: Further up, we encounter the majestic Palazzo Ducale, the former seat of the Doge and today the city's main cultural center.
Piazza De Ferrari: The route culminates in Genoa's elegant living room. Recognizable by its large circular fountain, the square is surrounded by monumental buildings such as the Teatro Carlo Felice and the Palazzo della Regione, representing the meeting point between the historic center and the modern city.

Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is one of Liguria's most enchanting destinations, known worldwide as the "City of Two Seas." This definition stems from its unique shape: the historic center sits on an isthmus connecting the mainland to a promontory, overlooking two opposing bodies of water.

The Bay of Silence, located to the east, is one of Italy's most enchanting beaches. A crescent of sand surrounded by pastel-colored houses that reach the water's edge, creating a magical and intimate atmosphere. Climbing up to the Capuchin Church offers a breathtaking view of the bay.

The historic center is the beating heart of the village (Via XXV Aprile), a typical narrow and elegant Ligurian alleyway. Here, a succession of historic shops, artisanal ice cream parlors, and traditional restaurants liven up the town year-round.

One of Sestri's distinctive features is the fluidity of its spaces. The historic center almost merges with the seaside promenade: just turn into a narrow alleyway from the alleyway and you'll immediately find yourself on the Baia delle Favole seafront, creating a seamless and harmonious path where commerce and seaside relaxation blend seamlessly.

It's a perfect village to explore on foot, losing yourself among the colorful facades and the scent of the salty sea air wafting through every alley.

CinqueTerre

(Five Lands)

The Cinque Terre are a picturesque stretch of the eastern Ligurian coast, famous throughout the world for its colorful villages and breathtaking landscapes overlooking the sea.

The Five Lands:

Monterosso al Mare:It is the largest village and the only one with a sandy beach (both public and private).It is divided between the historic and m odern parts of Fegina

Vernazza: Often considered the most photographed village, it has a characteristic natural port dominated by the Doria Castle and the church of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia

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Corniglia: It is the only one of the five villages not located directly on the sea, but perched on a promontory at about 100 meters above sea level, surrounded by terraced vineyards.
Manarola: Famous for its tower houses that slope down towards the small rocky landing place, it is one of the most romantic stops, also known for its historic illuminated nativity scene in winter.

Riomaggiore: Characterized by a steep valley, it has a port carved into the rock and pastel-colored houses overlooking narrow alleys

How to move

All the villages are easily accessible by:

Train: Trenitalia's Cinque Terre Express service connects La Spezia to Levanto, stopping in each town within minutes. Departing from Chiavari, there is no Cinque Terre Express service; you must buy regular train tickets. Departing from Sestri Levante, in addition to having more trains available to the Cinque Terre, 9 Cinque Terre Express trains per day will arrive and depart from this location.

Ferry boats: During the summer season, boats run regular connections by sea, offering a unique perspective of the coast (with the exception of Corniglia, which has no dock).

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Trekking::There is a dense network of panoramic paths that connect the villages to each other, such as the famous Sentiero Azzurro

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Are there any paid trails?

Some sections are subject to a toll during the high season (generally from late March to early November).

What you pay: Mainly the coastal stretches of the Blue Path (from Monterosso to Vernazza and from Vernazza to Corniglia) and the famous Via dell'Amore

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Price: It is necessary to purchase the Cinque Terre Trekking Card, the price of which for an adult varies from €10 to €15 per day depending on the expected attendance (prices are indicative).

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Portovenere

Portovenere is a charming medieval village located on the western tip of the Gulf of Poets, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Famous for its "Palazzata" (the colorful houses overlooking the harbor), the majestic Doria Castle, and the evocative

Church of San Pietro, perched on a promontory overlooking the sea, it is often called the "sixth land" due to its proximity to the Five Lands

Getting Here

Portovenere does not have a train station. Here are the recommended options:

Bus: (Recommended for saving money): From La Spezia Centrale station, walk about 10 minutes to the Via Garibaldi stop and take line 11/P (departs every 20-30 minutes). The trip takes about 30 minutes and costs around €3.

Boat: (Recommended for the view): From late March to early November, you can reach the village by sea from Chiavari.

Car: Accessible via the highway, exit at La Spezia, then follow the signs for Portovenere. Parking is limited.

Boat excursions

Portovenere is the ideal starting point for various sea excursions managed mainly by the Consorzio Navigazione Golfo dei Poeti:

Three Islands Tour (Palmaria, Tino e Tinetto): A scenic excursion of about 40-45 minutes that circumnavigates the archipelago.

You will be able to admire cliffs, caves (such as Byron's Cave) and historical remains

Palmaria Island Tour:

You can take a fast ferry (just a few minutes) from Portovenere to Palmaria Island to reach the beaches of Punta Secco or Pozzale and hike the island's nature trails.

Santo Stefano d'Aveto

About an hour's drive from Carasco, located in the heart of the Ligurian Apennines, Santo Stefano d'Aveto is a mountain gem offering Alpine scenery just steps from the sea.

It is a charming mountain village located in the heart of the Aveto Valley, dominated by the imposing Malaspina-Fieschi-Doria Castle. This ancient fortress, dating back to the 12th century and characterized by an irregular pentagonal plan with wedge-shaped bastions, testifies to the village's historical importance as a strategic hub between Liguria and Emilia.

Just above the town centre is the town of Rocca d'Aveto.

From here you can:

Take the chairlift to comfortably reach the Prato della Cipolla Refuge (1578 m) where you can enjoy some well-deserved relaxation surrounded by large green meadows, ideal for cooling off and enjoying local flavours.

Take the circular path that, starting from Prato della Cipolla, leads to the suggestive Lago Nero, a basin of glacial origin nestled at the foot of the mountain of the same name

Casermette del Penna

The Rifugio Casermette del Penna, located at the foot of the imposing Penna Forest, is a key reference point for nature lovers in the Aveto Valley.

The structure offers various possibilities for experiencing the mountains:

Relax: You can enjoy the peace and sunshine by relaxing on the large lawn surrounding the refuge, perfect for a regenerating break.

Sport and Adventure: For those seeking exercise, it's possible to rent e-MTBs directly on site to explore the area's numerous cycling routes with the support of pedal assistance.

Trakking: The refuge is the ideal starting point for taking the trail to Monte Penna, a classic climb that leads to the panoramic peak offering spectacular views spanning the Apennines to the sea.

The climb to Monte Penna starting from the Casermette Refuge has two main variants with different levels of difficulty:

From "Cengia Rocciosa" ( North Side):It is classified as EE (Expert Hikers). The trail tackles the rocky section via a ledge equipped with fixed chains. Although it is not a true via ferrata and does not require specific equipment in normal conditions, it requires sure-footedness, a head for heights and caution, especially if the ground is wet.

From" Passo dell'Incisa": It's classified as E (Hiking) and is the easiest option. It follows a comfortable dirt road up to the pass and then a trail that climbs the gentler slope of the mountain, making it suitable even for less experienced hikers.

The smal lake of " Penna": A small and peaceful body of water nestled in the forest, ideal for a short detour during walks

It is a very scenic place, perfect for nature photography lovers.