Hike the Mediterranean Paradise of Cinque Terre
Welcome to Cinque Terre, where the Italian Riviera unfolds on foot above the warm Mediterranean, linking five historic villages by ancient coastal trail. Choose 4 days for a compact, focused hike, or 7 to continue past the villages onto the quieter Eastern Ligurian Riviera beyond.
Each day, we follow scenic trails carved into cliffs and hillsides, with the sea always shimmering below, the tang of salty air never far away. Evenings bring quiet moments, glowing sunset, and well-earned rest.
As our week comes to an end, we’ll understand why Italy is called Bel Paese—a beautiful country best discovered step by step.
This boot is made for hiking—and that’s just what you’ll do
These guided hiking adventures link all five villages of Cinque Terre on foot, following historic trails high above the sea instead of riding the train between stops. The 4-day version keeps things compact, based the whole way in Monterosso. The 7-day version has us moving village to village each night, all the way down the coast to Rapallo.
Beyond the trail itself, we take in centuries of history carved into these cliffs—terraces, footpaths, and villages built to cling to the coastline. It’s a more grounded, authentic side of Cinque Terre, ideal for travelers who want to earn their views rather than watch them from a train window.
Stretching from the harbor town of Porto Venere to the beaches of Monterosso—and for the 7-day tour, onward past Levanto to Rapallo—this coastline was shaped by centuries of isolation. Long before roads existed, villages were linked only by narrow footpaths. Today, those same historic trails form one of Europe’s most celebrated hikes, inviting us to explore this UNESCO-listed landscape on foot.
- COLORFUL VILLAGES
- MEDITERRANEAN COAST
- DELICIOUS ITALIAN FOOD
- VIBRANT ARCHITECTURE
- RICH HISTORY & CULTURE
- FULLY SUPPORTED
A weeklong feast for the senses
SEASIDE STROLLS UNDER THE MEDITERRANEAN SUN
The villages of Cinque Terre tumble from the cliffs above the Ligurian Sea in vibrant color, inviting us to wander cobbled lanes, harbors, and scenic walkways at an easy pace. Dolce vita moments unfold naturally, set against pastel villages and shimmering coastal views.
Along the way, we uncover hillside paths, quiet terraces, and coastal corners most travelers on the train between stops never see—immersed in the true rhythm of the region.
A TASTE OF ITALY, YOUR WAY
Breakfasts are covered, but the rest of the day is yours to eat exactly how you please—and in Cinque Terre, that’s a very good problem to have. Think focaccia still warm from the oven, anchovies plucked straight from the Ligurian Sea, and pesto made the way it’s meant to be, with basil grown right on these terraced hillsides.
Our guide knows where the locals actually eat, and happily points you toward the best trattoria in whichever village we land in for the night—then leaves the evening entirely up to you. Long dinners, glasses of local white wine, gelato eaten on a harbor wall as the sun goes down—it’s all there for the taking.
Your Italian adventure lies ahead
Take five and enjoy life in Cinque Terre
A BASE THAT SUITS YOUR PACE
On the 4-day tour, our base doesn’t change—we settle into a 3-star hotel in Monterosso for the whole stay, with each day’s hike bringing us back to the same room at night. No daily packing, no hotel changes.
The 7-day tour moves with us instead, one village at a time—Riomaggiore, Monterosso, Bonassola, Deiva Marina, Sestri Levante, and Chiavari each host us for a night before Rapallo closes out the trail. Luggage transfers are included throughout, so our bags are always waiting when we arrive.
FEEL THE OLD-TIME CHARM
Cinque Terre’s car-free villages, ancient stone architecture, and unhurried pace make it feel like a step back in time. Life here unfolds much as it has for centuries, with movement shaped by footpaths and rail rather than roads—inviting us to slow down and experience the region in a more traditional way.
Along the way, we pass through Porto Venere, home to a dramatic seaside church and deep literary roots, before the trail carries us into the heart of the five villages and, on the 7-day journey, the quieter coastline beyond.
Your guide
Guido is an expert mountaineer and the founder of a local outdoor travel company in Italy. Beyond covering thousands of kilometers throughout the Dolomites and building a deep knowledge of them, he also leads tours across the Lake Garda area, Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, and Sicily.
Guido is your go-to expert for all things Italy—the perfect person to have by your side in Cinque Terre, ready to share the local knowledge and insider detail that turn a good hike into a great one.
