We love —
- Exploring the colourful villages and coastal trails of the Cinque Terre, and immersing yourself in the authentic beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Admiring the Gulf of Poets on boat excursions, discovering the islands of the archipelago as well as the charming towns of Lerici and Porto Venere.
- Staying at the Cristallo Park Hotel 4*, just a few minutes’ walk from the sea and the centre of Porto Venere, and enjoying a comfortable stay in a peaceful coastal setting.
Customer reviews —
Your suggested 7-night itinerary in Cinque Terre —
Day 1: Arrival in Porto Venere
Upon arrival, check in at the Cristallo Park Hotel in Porto Venere. Settle in and begin discovering this charming fishing village at your own pace. Wander through its narrow caruggi lined with brightly colored façades, visit the Doria Castle overlooking the sea, and the iconic Church of San Pietro, dramatically perched on the rocky promontory. Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay.
Day 2 | Porto Venere ⇄ Cinque Terre
Spend the day on a breathtaking boat excursion along the Cinque Terre coastline. Sail along the Ligurian Riviera, stopping at the five cliffside villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. Enjoy free time to explore each village, taste local specialities, and soak in the vibrant colours of this UNESCO World Heritage coastline. Return by boat to Porto Venere.
Day 3 | Porto Venere ⇄ Lerici
(Porto Venere → Lerici: approx. 10.6 miles — 25 min by car, or 3.1 miles by sea)
Dedicate the day to the enchanting Gulf of Poets. Discover Lerici with its Angevin castle, historic alleys, and seaside promenade, and enjoy a relaxing aperitif by the water. You may continue on to the peaceful villages of San Terenzo and Fiascherino. Return to Porto Venere.
Day 4 | La Spezia
(Porto Venere → La Spezia: approx. 8.1 miles — 20 min by car)
Explore the lively city of La Spezia. Visit the Naval Museum, the San Giorgio Castle offering panoramic views over the gulf, and stroll along the vibrant Morin waterfront. Take time to browse the covered market and wander through the historic city center’s narrow streets. Return to Porto Venere.
Day 5 | The Three Islands & traditional dinner
(Porto Venere → Palmaria: approx. 0.25 miles — Tino: approx. 1.2 miles — Tinetto: approx. 1.6 miles)
Set out on a boat excursion around the small archipelago. Discover Palmaria Island with its white-pebble coves and the Blue Grotto, Tino Island with its lighthouse and the Abbey of San Venerio (visible from the sea), and the protected natural reserve of Tinetto islet. Return to Porto Venere in the afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner featuring authentic Ligurian flavours.
Day 6 | Sarzana and the Val di Magra
(Porto Venere → Sarzana: approx. 15.5 miles — 30 min by car)
Spend the day exploring Sarzana, a charming medieval town just inland from the coast. Visit the Sarzanello Fortress, the citadel, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, home to the famous painted cross by master Guglielmo. Stroll through the historic centre, known for its antique shops and elegant palaces. Return to Porto Venere. Dinner at leisure.
Day 7| Sestri Levante
(Porto Venere → Sestri Levante: approx. 36 miles — 50 min by car)
Discover Sestri Levante, the jewel of the Tigullio Gulf, famous for its two bays. The dreamy Baia del Silenzio offers a postcard-perfect beach framed by pastel houses and the Church of Santa Maria di Nazareth, while the lively Baia delle Favole pays tribute to Hans Christian Andersen, who once stayed here and was deeply inspired by its beauty. Wander through the pedestrian historic centre filled with cafés, boutiques, and elegant palaces. Return to Porto Venere.
Day 8 | Departure from Porto Venere
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out and departure, taking with you the last impressions of the Ligurian coast and its unforgettable seaside landscapes.
Cinque Terre train card from La Spezia —
Explore the timeless beauty of the eastern Ligurian coast at your own pace with complete freedom. With this exclusive pass, enjoy unlimited access to some of the region’s most iconic treasures: from the postcard-perfect villages of the Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare, to the lively coastal towns of La Spezia and Levanto, and the enchanting seaside charm of Porto Venere.
Travel effortlessly along the coast by regional train or local bus and discover museums, natural reserves, and essential services included in your pass. Everything is designed to help you experience the UNESCO-listed landscape in an authentic and relaxed way, moving at your own rhythm through cliffside villages, panoramic trails, and vibrant harbours.
Practical information:
Valid destinations: Monterosso / Vernazza / Corniglia / Manarola / Riomaggiore / La Spezia / Levanto / Porto Venere
Pass validity: 24 hours
Included benefits:
- Unlimited second-class travel on regional trains (Levanto–La Spezia line, excluding Intercity/ICN/Frecciabianca services)
- Access to the Cinque Terre National Park area
- Use of ATC local bus services within the villages
- Free entry to CAMeC – Centre for Modern and Contemporary Art of La Spezia
- Free access to Podere Case Lovara (FAI property along the Levanto–Monterosso trail)
- Free use of station toilets in Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso
- Free Wi-Fi at Cinque Terre Park information points in railway stations
- Reduced admission to La Spezia’s civic museums, including Museo Amedeo Lia, San Giorgio Castle, Museo del Sigillo, Palazzina delle Arti, Ethnographic Museum, and Diocesan Museum
Meeting point: La Spezia Centrale railway station
Roundtrip boat transfers from Porto Venere to Lerici —
The boat crossing between Porto Venere and Lerici offers a serene journey through the heart of the Gulf of Poets. As you glide across the water, you are treated to sweeping views of the Ligurian coastline, from colourful seaside houses and dramatic cliffs to the scattered, picturesque islands of the archipelago. Both practical and scenic, this crossing is the perfect way to reach Lerici while enjoying a privileged perspective over the sea and the region’s most iconic landscapes.
Panoramic boat tour of the 3 islands (Palmaria, Tino, Tinetto) from Porto Venere for stays from 7 nights —
Departing from Porto Venere, this pleasant 45-minute boat excursion takes you up close to the islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along the way, admire dramatic cliffs, hidden sea caves, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking views over the Gulf of Poets. A short yet unforgettable journey, it offers a privileged perspective on the natural beauty and rich history of these islands from the sea.
Please note: The boat tour is not guided.
Cristallo Park Hotel 4* —
Just for you:
- Late check-out until 11.30am
Set in the heart of the Golfo dei Poeti, the Cristallo Park Hotel 4* appears to emerge naturally from the rocks, like a crystal overlooking the sea. Just a short walk from the shoreline and the centre of Portovenere, its privileged location promises an unforgettable stay. The hotel’s exceptional setting affords breathtaking panoramic views across the Ligurian coast and the open sea.
Your room —
Choose between a stay in a Classic Sea View Room, a Deluxe Sea View Room with balcony, a Junior Sea View Suite with balcony or a Classic Partial Sea View Room with balcony.
Classic Sea View Room (16 m²)
The Classic Sea View Room offers a bright and comfortable setting with views over the Ligurian coast. Simply styled with soft tones, it provides a relaxing base to unwind while taking in the surrounding sea landscape.
Deluxe Sea View Room with balcony (19 m²)
Settle into this modern, spacious Deluxe Sea View Room, defined by clean lines and warm tones. From your private balcony, let your gaze drift across the horizon and the endless blue of the Mediterranean.
Junior Sea View Suite with balcony (25 m²)
Choose the Junior Sea View Suite with balcony, where classic elegance blends seamlessly with modern comfort. This inviting space offers a refined yet relaxed atmosphere, perfect for unwinding.
Classic Partial Sea View Room with balcony (16 m²)
Enjoy restful, memorable nights in the Classic Partial Sea View Room with balcony, featuring comfortable bedding and a soothing palette of soft colours.
Your dining choices
Just for you:
- 1 x complimentary bottle of wine on arrival, per room
This is a bed and breakfast stay.
At the restaurant, indulge in a carefully curated selection of Italian and regional specialities, prepared with local ingredients and inspired by time-honoured culinary traditions. The inviting bar offers a relaxed and elegant setting, perfect for unwinding with a glass of wine, a classic cocktail, or a refreshing aperitif as you take in the serene atmosphere at the end of the day.
Your time
Just for you:
- 1 x roundtrip boat transfer from Porto Venere to Lerici including aperitif in Lerici per person, per stay
- Cinque Terre train card from La Spezia per person, per stay
Surrounded by a peaceful park dotted with centuries-old olive trees, this intimate boutique hotel, with just 23 rooms, invites you to wander, unwind, and embrace the tranquillity of its natural surroundings. Spend unhurried moments by the outdoor pool, perfectly positioned to enjoy sweeping sea views and refresh yourself on warm, sunny days.
Included excursions and extras —
Cinque Terre train card from La Spezia
Panoramic boat tour of the 3 islands (Palmaria, Tino, Tinetto) from Porto Venere for stays from 7 nights
Enjoy a panoramic boat tour of the three islands from Porto Venere, where Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto unfold in a stunning sequence of cliffs, sea caves, and UNESCO-listed beauty.
Roundtrip boat transfers from Porto Venere to Lerici
Enjoy a journey across the Gulf of Poets, where the passage between Porto Venere and Lerici unfolds as a moving panorama of sea, cliffs, and timeless coastal beauty.
Typical dinner at Cristallo Restaurant for stays from 5 nights (excluding drinks)
Enjoy a traditional dinner at the Cristallo Restaurant, where authentic Ligurian flavours come to life in a warm and elegant setting.
Optional excursions —
Cinque terre shared boat tour
Opt fot a thrilling boat experience through the Cinque Terre, where breathtaking coastal scenery, hidden coves, and crystal-clear waters come together for an unforgettable journey at sea.
Car hire: —
Discover Italy in total freedom with your car hire.
Included services —
Assistance at destination
Enjoy an included destination assistance service provided by our local partners trained to Voyage Privé standards. A dedicated contact person, available 24 hours a day (by phone or WhatsApp), will assist you throughout your stay with advice, reservations, or help in case of unforeseen circumstances. Travel with peace of mind.
Your journey to Cinque Terre —
Flights:
You will be able to choose your airline and flight times when you make your booking, in either Economy, Premium, or Business class, depending on the destination and carrier. This flight may include one or more stopovers. Please review your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ, in order to offer the best price.
Luggage information
Luggage, meals and other services on board may be subject to an additional fee on certain airlines. It is possible to view details of luggage allowances when you choose your flights at the next stage of the booking process. If luggage is not included with your flight, please go to the airline's website before your departure to purchase your luggage for an additional fee.
For domestic flights, airlines do not always offer the option of reserving luggage. In this case, you will need to pay for it at the airport counter.
You will receive all the information you need to check in for your flights after you have made your reservation.
Cinque Terre —
Nestled along the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre is a gorgeous region comprised of five colourful cliffside villages that are surrounded by dramatic hills and vineyards. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 15 km stretch of coastline is well known for its incredible hiking trails, picture-perfect views, and quaint village atmosphere, and makes for a memorable Italian coastal break.
Must-sees:
- Monterosso: The largest of the Cinque Terre villages, Monterosso boasts beautiful beaches, vibrant coastal views, and medieval charm.
- Vernazza: Known as the most picturesque village in Cinque Terre, Vernazza features colourful buildings, a charming harbour, and the iconic Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia, perched above the sea.
- Riomaggiore: The first of the Cinque Terre villages, Riomaggiore offers dramatic cliffs, terraced vineyards, and a tranquil atmosphere.
Culinary culture:
Cinque Terre’s culinary scene is heavily influenced by its coastal setting. Indulge in fresh seafood, including anchovies, mussels, and clams, or try the region’s famous trofie pasta, often served with pesto, the Ligurian specialty.
Dive deeper:
Walk the cliffside paths between the villages for breathtaking views of the Mediterranean coastline and terraced vineyards. Explore the lesser-known village of Corniglia, perched above the sea with panoramic views and fewer crowds, or take a boat ride for a different perspective of these stunning coastal towns.
Good to know:
Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its villages are connected by train, ferry, and scenic hiking trails. The best time to visit is during the spring or autumn when the weather is mild, and the crowds are thinner. Be prepared for steep hills and winding paths – comfortable walking shoes are a must.
