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Unveiling the Culinary Treasures of Liguria: We live in Liguria, close to Cinque Terre on what’s known as The Ligurian Riveria. This area is well known for pesto and focaccia. But being on the sea, you’ll also discover excellent seafood and dishes inspired by fresh flavors and ingredients. 

As seasoned locals with a passion for great food, we love exploring every nook and cranny of our local culinary landscape. 

Tired of tourist traps? Follow our lead (and your nose) to authentic eateries where locals indulge in the flavors of Italian cuisine.  

From the hidden and humble trattorias of La Spezia to the seafood restaurants of Cinque Terre and the stylish waterfront bistros of Portovenere, we've curated a collection of must-visit dining experiences that will leave you craving more.

And of course, since you’ll probably be here on vacation, (and this is Italy) we also cover the best places to grab an aperitivo, taste local Italian wines, and where to sip classic cocktails with a view of the Mediterranean Sea. 

Sound like your kind of vibe? Our Insider Guide blog posts will point you in the direction of the most authentic and memorable foodie experiences, leaving you spoilt for choice and a chance to savor the true essence of Ligurian gastronomy.

We live in Liguria, close to Cinque Terre on a stretch of coast known as The Ligurian Riveria.

As seasoned locals with a passion for great food, we love exploring every nook and cranny of our local culinary landscape.

Tired of tourist traps? Follow our lead (and your nose) to authentic eateries where locals indulge in the flavors of Italian cuisine. 

Sound like your vibe? Our Insider Guide blog shares authentic and memorable foodie experiences, where you can savor the true essence of Ligurian and Italian gastronomy.

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Levanto Itinerary

ONLY €7

Perfect For

  • Easter to September
  • Sightseeing
  • Culture & History Fans
  • Beach goers
  • Hikers
  • Photographers
Itinerary - One Day in Levanto

What to Expect

Levanto has plenty to offer, including a long sandy beach, a cute historic town, shops, and restaurants serving traditional cuisine.

This itinerary covers a lot of ground. The one-day adventure starts with an (optional) hike from Monterosso, lunch in Levanto, and sightseeing around the historic town.

By mid-afternoon, you’ll have already experienced panoramic lookouts, cultural and historic landmarks, and charming old town streets.

In the late afternoon, there’s an option to enjoy time on the beach before walking the Via dell’Amore (Path of Love) – back in Riomaggiore.

And of course, you’ll have the opportunity to taste Ligurian cuisine at locally selected eateries and enjoy an aperitivo with a view out over the sea.

The itinerary is well-structured so that you know where you need to be and when.  And (because everyone is a little different), we’ve included options so that you can customize it to make your own adventure.

Key Details

Start Time: 9 am
Duration: Full day (12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation)
Activity Level: Good walking ability (optional hike requires good fitness)

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Portovenere Itinerary

ONLY €15

Perfect For

  • Easter to September
  • Sightseeing
  • Culture & History Fans
  • Beach goers
  • Hikers
  • Photographers
Itinerary - One Day in Portovenere

What to Expect

Portovenere is not to be missed!

This one-day adventure starts with a ferry ride (from either Cinque Terre or La Spezia) and includes panoramic lookouts, historic landmarks, cultural sights, charming old town streets, beaches, and a picturesque harbor.

The day continues with sightseeing, historic landmarks and views, or an optional loop hike from Portovenere, and a stop for lunch with spectacular sea views.

In the afternoon, you can enjoy time on the beach before walking the Via dell’Amore (Path of Love) back in Riomaggiore.

And of course, you’ll have the opportunity to taste Ligurian cuisine at locally selected eateries and enjoy an aperitivo with a view out over the sea.

The itinerary is structured with timings, location information, transport guidance and cultural and historical notes. But we’ve given you options, so you can customize it to make your own adventure. We’ve also included notes on a trip over to Palmaria Island, or an optional, organized boat tour of the Gulf of of Poets.

Key Details

Start Time: Just after 10 am (according to ferry times) Duration: Full day (almost 12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation) Activity Level: Good walking ability (optional hike requires good fitness)
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3 Days – Cinque Terre & Portovenere Itinerary

ONLY €27

Perfect For

  • Easter to September
  • Sightseeing
  • Culture, Food & Wine
  • Beach goers
  • Hikers
  • Photographers
Premade Itinerary - Three Days in Cinque Terre and Portovenere

What to Expect

We’ve crafted a three day self-guided tour of all five Cinque Terre towns (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso), plus Portovenere.

This multi-day adventure includes a little bit of everything (panoramic lookouts, historic landmarks, cultural and historical sights, charming old town streets, beaches, and picturesque harbors) and two optional hikes.

You will have the opportunity to taste Ligurian cuisine at locally selected eateries and enjoy an aperitivo with a view out over the sea.

The itinerary is carefully planned out so that you have enough time at each location to enjoy the best bits and get a feel for each town. Most of the activities are free, but (if you’re looking for something extra special) we’ve selected an optional winery tour, sunset cruise, or pesto-making class that can be slotted into the itinerary!

Key Details

Start Time: Just after 9 am
Duration: 3 full days (3 x 12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation)
Activity Level: Good walking ability (optional hike requires good fitness)

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3 Days – Cinque Terre & Levanto Itinerary

ONLY €27

Perfect For

  • Easter to September
  • Small Groups
  • Sightseeing
  • Culture, Food & Wine Lovers
  • Beach goers
Premade Itinerary - Three Days in Cinque Terre and Levanto

What to Expect

This is a complete self-guided tour of all five Cinque Terre towns (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso) and Levanto.

This three-day adventure includes a little bit of everything (panoramic lookouts, historic landmarks, cultural and historical sights, charming old town streets, beaches, and picturesque harbors) plus two optional hikes.

You will have the opportunity to taste seafood and Ligurian cuisine at local spots, and we’ve included our favorite places to enjoy an aperitivo with a view.

The itinerary sets a nice pace with free activities, but you can choose an optional winery tour, sunset cruise, pesto-making class, or bike tour if you’re looking for something extra special.

Key Details

Start Time: Just after 9 am
Duration: 3 full days (3 x 12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation)
Activity Level: Good walking ability (optional hike requires good fitness)

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2 Days – All Villages Cinque Terre Itinerary

ONLY €21

Perfect For

  • Easter to September
  • Small Groups
  • Sightseeing
  • Culture, Food & Wine Lovers
  • Photographers
Premade Itinerary - Two Days in Cinque Terre

What to Expect

This is a complete self-guided adventure of all five Cinque Terre towns: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso.

This two-day adventure includes a little bit of everything (panoramic lookouts, historic landmarks, cultural and historical sights, charming old town streets, and picturesque harbors) plus an optional hike.

The itinerary includes options to enjoy local food and aperitivo with a view.

The itinerary sets a nice pace with free activities, but you can choose to slot in an optional winery tour, sunset cruise or pesto making class to make it extra special.

Key Details

Start Time: Just after 9 am
Duration: 2 full days (2 x 12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation)
Activity Level: Good walking ability (optional hike requires good fitness)

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4 Villages – Cinque Terre in One Day

ONLY €19

Perfect For

  • Easter to September
  • Small Groups
  • Sightseers
  • Food & Wine Lovers
  • Photographers
  • Experienced travelers
Premade Itinerary - 4 Towns Cinque Terre

What to Expect

This is a seamless self-guided adventure through four of Cinque Terre’s most breathtaking villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso.

This full-day journey maintains a good pace and covers four stunning villages. The itinerary gives you a little bit of everything, so you’ll discover panoramic lookouts, historic landmarks, charming old town streets, and picturesque harbors.

There’s also enough time to enjoy a traditional Ligurian lunch, a scenic aperitivo, and a delightful dinner with a view.

The itinerary is jam-packed, but you can also choose to pump the breaks and opt for a winery tour or sunset cruise.

Key Details

Start Time: Just after 9 am
Duration: 12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation
Activity Level: Reasonable walking ability and good stamina are a must!

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Cinque Terre for Cruise Passengers

ONLY €15

Perfect For

  • Easter to September
  • Small Groups
  • Sightseers
  • Food & Wine Lovers
  • Photographers
  • Day trippers
Premade Itinerary - One Day in Cinque Terre for Cruise Passengers

What to Expect

Make the most of your limited time in Cinque Terre with this specially designed itinerary tailored for cruise passengers and day trippers!

This is a seamless self-guided adventure through three of Cinque Terre’s most breathtaking villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Vernazza.

You can expect to experience stunning panoramic viewpoints, historic sites, and charming old town streets. With this easy-to-use plan, you’ll also have enough time to enjoy a traditional Ligurian lunch and an aperitivo with a view.

For an even easier day, you may wish to opt for a short winery tour or boat tour from Riomaggiore!

Key Details

Start Time: Just before 9 am (adjustable to suit your cruise schedule)
Duration: 8 hours of exploration and time for relaxation
Activity Level: Suitable for anyone with reasonable walking ability

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Essential Cinque Terre Itinerary

ONLY €15

Perfect For

  • Easter to September
  • Small Groups
  • Sightseeing
  • Food lovers
  • Photographers
Premade Itinerary - Essential Cinque Terre

What to Expect

This 3 town itinerary covers the must-see sights in Riomaggiore, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Including a walking tour with panoramic lookouts, historic places of interest, and old town shops and restaurants.

A complete full day, that covers good ground but leaves sufficient time for a traditional lunch, aperitivo, and dinner with a view.

For a more immersive experience, we’ve included recommendations for an optional winery tour and sunset cruise.

Key Details

Start Time: Just after 9 am
Duration: 12 hours of exploration and time for relaxation
Activity Level: Suitable for anyone with reasonable walking ability

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Free Cinque Terre Itinarary

Your free itinerary is on its way!

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Vernazza in Cinque Terre in May

In the meantime, our blog has more great content to help plan your perfect Cinque Terre and Italian getaway.

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