OUR EXCURSIONS

Tour of Cinque Terre and Portovenere

These two locations are a universally recognised symbol of beauty, with the old colourful fishermen’s houses that today are perched on the coast of each of the Cinque Terre villages. Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are the five magnificent centuries-old villages, located in the National Park and in the Marine Protected Area of Cinque Terre, connected with one another by the famous “Sentiero Azzurro”, the Blue Trail, which offers enchanting views overlooking the sea.

Travelling to the Cinque Terre villages by sea is a spectacular experience, offering a priceless perspective of Liguria with its unspoilt charm.

Colourful houses, cliffs, boats, fishermen’s nets, alleyways and flights of steps, all encompassed by turquoise waters. Romantic sunsets with intense colours that envelop everything, offering beautiful panoramas.

Just some of the experiences offered by this tour include visiting coves that cannot be reached by land, with exclusive views of the rocky cliffs, diving into the crystalline turquoise sea, and cooling off under the natural freshwater waterfall of the secluded beach of Canneto di Riomaggiore.

Manarola

The “Sentiero Azzurro” Blue Trail becomes the “Via dell’Amore”, the Path of Love, as it passes through Manarola. You can currently travel the first 200 meters of this trail, part of which was recently closed due to a landslide. Visit the bell tower and the Gothic-style Church of San Lorenzo. The last stretch of Via Belvedere is just as stunning and romantic, as it acts a “balcony” overlooking the sea that flows into a panoramic square.

Climb aboard and enjoy fantastic views

Monterosso

Monterosso is the largest and the least rugged of the Cinque Terre villages, with its historic centre full of small alleyways dotted with the local bars and aromas that embody Liguria. It was here that Ligurian poet Eugenio Montale spent his childhood, and his description of this village can be found in the famous poem “Meriggiare pallido e assorto” (To rest at noon, pale and thoughtful).
Immortalised together with the other four villages, Monterosso is the setting for the Disney masterpiece set in Italy, “Luca”. It also boasts one of the most scenic beaches in Liguria, Spiaggia Fegina, the only sandy beach in the Cinque Terre.

In the village you can admire the Church of San Giovanni Battista, the ancient Oratory of Santa Croce and the Church of San Francesco, which houses a Van Dyck painting. In the month of May, the town’s streets are decorated in yellow to celebrate the Lemon Festival.

Vernazza

Named by the New York Times as one of the 46 places in the world to visit, for many Vernazza is an iconic village. With a noble and elegant appearance, perched on a rocky spur, the village was built in the year 1000 by the Genoese as a defensive bulwark. This is evidenced by its typical tower-houses, the Torrione and the Doria Castle with its Belforte Tower. Do not miss out on the chance to visit the Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia and the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna.

Corniglia

Corniglia is only village of the Cinque Terre that cannot be reached directly by sea, which is why it is considered by many to be the most authentic and the least affected by mass tourism. To access it from the beach, you can climb the Lardarina flight of 377 steps, at the top of which you can admire a breathtaking view overlooking the crystalline sea.

In addition to its beautiful landscape, Corniglia features the gorgeous Guvano beach and houses the Church of San Pietro, an architectural jewel in grey stone and Carrara marble. Also worth visiting is the Oratory of the Disciplinati di Santa Caterina, with its terrace overlooking the Cinque Terre Park.

Climb aboard and enjoy fantastic views

Riomaggiore

Built vertically and squeezed in between two steep terraced hills, Riomaggiore is famous for its enchanting views. As the eastern gateway to the Cinque Terre, it is connected to Manarola by the “Via dell’Amore” (the Path of Love).

In the nineteenth century, this village enthralled Florentine painter Telemaco Signorini. In the upper part of the village, you can visit the Church of San Giovanni Battista, built in 1340 with the layout of a basilica, with pillars in different styles and two Gothic-style doors. The Oratory of Santa Maria Assunta from 1500, the Oratory of Sant’Antonio Abate and the Oratory of San Rocco definitely merit a stop. Also worth visiting is the Castle of Riomaggiore, which dates back to 1260.

Portovenere

Placed alongside the Cinque Terre as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the medieval village of Portovenere welcomes visitors with its characteristic Castle and the historic Church of San Pietro, built on an ancient Roman temple.

After you dock, you can access its historic centre, which dates back to 1113, from Via Cappellini, characterised today by many local shops and restaurants.

From the sea, aboard our luxury yachts, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the village of Portovenere, admire the cliffs of Palmaria Island with its infinite seagull nests, the Portoro marble quarries, the Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto – named for the colour of its crystal clear water), the Grotta Vulcanica (Volcanic Grotto), the military island of Tino with its fascinating buildings, and the Tinetto Island that juts out towards the south, which is also the end of the western promontory of the Gulf of La Spezia.

Choose the thrills you want to experience

Experience the Ligurian Riviera. From a new perspective

Charter Portofino offers luxury experiences aboard magnificent yachts that can take you to the most extraordinary corners of Liguria.

All routes and tours are customisable and exclusive.