Well, hello to you, my reader chums! I'm Italy-obsessed, as many of you may know. It's my most visited country, and I love exploring new regions, cities, and coastlines, and trying out different types of cuisines across the country.
One place I hadn't visited before was the Italian Riviera, and I wish I had gone sooner, as the entire trip was dream-worthy, authentic, and had the best food and gorgeous beaches. I'm in love with the Liguria region, its people, and everything I saw.
If you're planning a trip to the Italian Riviera (Liguria region), here is my guide for 5 days and the best things to see and do.
Day one: Finding your feet in Genoa
- Take a morning flight into Genoa and catch a Volabus into the city centre
- Drop off luggage in the tourist centre and wander around the central area, including Piazza De Ferrari and Via Garibaldi
- Check into your accommodation and figure out your bearings
- Visit the Porto Antico, wander around that area and catch the sunset
- Dinner at Cavour21
Day two: Exploring Genoa's best sights and food
- Buy the 24-hour museum pass for 15 euros to access many palaces and museums
- Visit San Lorenzo Cathedral
- Visit Christopher Columbus House and Porta Soprana
- Walk through the Caruggi area (lots of cute alleyways)
- See San Siro church
- Go to Palazzo Reale, Piazza Ducale, Palazzo Rosso and Palazzo Bianco (all included in the pass and near each other)
- Catch sunset at Spianata di Castelletto
- Dinner at Le Mani Ristorante
Day 3: Boat tour to Portofino
- Book a day boat trip from the Porto Antico port (28 euros each), which stops off at Camogli, San Fruttuoso and Portofino
- In Camogli, enjoy a mooch around the town and swim in the dark pebbly shores
- San Fruttuoso is pretty small - enjoy a drink with the view or chill on the tiny beach
- In Portofino, wander around the colourful streets, grab a gelato (Gelataria San Giorgio) and explore the fancy shops. You can also take a 20-30 minute walk to the Baia di Paraggi beach
- Recharge after a gorgeous boat trip and have dinner at Osteria da Canneto, then take an evening city stroll
Day 4: Day trip to Santa Margherita and Rapallo
- Get the train to S. Margherita Ligure-Portofino station. (4.50 euros one way)
- Mooch around the city centre and visit Villa Durazzo
- Walk along the promenade and have lunch with a view
- Lunch at Panificio Fiordiponti
- Gelato spot: Gelataria Centrale
- Spend the rest of the afternoon on Spiagga Libera and go for a swim
- Take the train or bus to Rapallo and have a mooch before heading back to Genoa
- Dinner at Trattoria Rosmarino
Day 5: Explore Boccadasse Beach and soak up the last of Genoa
- Wander around Genoa and visit the other churches, including Chiesa del Gesu dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea and the Church of San Matteo
- Get the bus to Corsa Italia and walk along the scenic walkway to Boccadasse Beach
- Spend a while relaxing on the beach and enjoying the view
- Gelato stop: Antica Gelataria Amedo
- Hop on a bus toward Genova Nervi and then walk along the coastline, before getting the train back to Genoa
- Dinner at Antica Isterua Di Vico Palla
Where to stay in the Italian Riviera?
The Italian Riviera is huge and has many towns included in the region; it can be hard to know where to stay. However, I'd recommend basing yourself in Genoa (as that's what this itinerary is based on and the easiest to get around). As the capital of Liguria, there are brilliant train, bus, and boat connections to explore all of the areas in the region.
Genoa is a nice-sized city, and staying close to the centre can make it easy to get around. I found there were more Airbnbs than hotels, and ours was near the port, which was the perfect location. We could walk into the centre in around 10-15 minutes and were right next to the port for boat excursions.
How to get around the Italian Riviera?
Genoa is a really easy city to navigate. You can walk around a lot of the central parts, and there's an easy-to-navigate metro line. To leave the city, there are train, bus, and boat options to explore other towns and beaches. If you're not based in Genoa, the other towns across Liguria have similar connections as they're all connected along the coast.
Focaccia places in Genoa
- Focaccia Bakery E Coffee
- Focaccia e Dintorni
- Eataly
Best gelatarias in Genoa
- Aprile coffee & cream
- U Gelatto du Caruggiu
- Gelatina
Best breakfast and lunch spots
- Pesto bene -pesto tasting
- Ugo - for dreamy takeaway fresh pesto pasta
- Verde Salvia - pastries and focaccia
- Romeo Viganotti - pastries
- Tazze Pazze Caffeteria Gourmet - pastries
I hope you enjoyed this post. When are you planning to go?
Thank you for reading <3
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