5 days, 4 nights · Best for Active travelers seeking coastal hikes and Riviera villages
Active Tour of Cinque Terre | Vacation Packages for 2025, 2026
Experience Rapallo, Portofino and Cinque Terre as coastal hikes, charming villages and stunning sea views create the perfect Italian Riviera escape.
Your Adventure Starts Here
This is a starting point. Change the nights, choose the style of hotel, add the experiences you want. Your planner takes it from there.
Rapallo, Liguria
Rapallo
Four nights on the Riviera, hiking daily
Your base is Rapallo, a seaside town on the Italian Riviera with a harbor castle, a palm-shaded promenade and cafés that open to the water. Each morning you board a boat or train with a private guide, then walk coastal paths and village trails that link the fishing hamlets, abbeys and vineyard terraces of the Ligurian coast. You hike from Portofino to the medieval Abbey of San Fruttuoso, from Manarola through Volastra to Corniglia and Vernazza, and from Campiglia down to the fortress town of Portovenere on the Gulf of Poets. Between walks you visit Camogli, explore all five Cinque Terre villages, and lunch at trattorias by the beach.
The terrain is genuine: stone steps, Mediterranean scrub, views over the Ligurian Sea. Trails average ninety minutes to two hours. You return each evening to Rapallo, where the pace slows and the harbor lights come on.
Arranged for you: We arrange your hotel in Rapallo, private guided hikes and village tours on three full days, and public boat and train tickets to trailheads and villages.
Your hotel
Styles, not names. We name the property once we know your dates and your party.
Interests in Rapallo
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Pesto-making class in a Ligurian home Day Trips · Half day
Pound basil, pine nuts, garlic and Parmigiano in a marble mortar with a home cook, then sit down to lunch with the trofie you've made.
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Private sunset boat along the Portofino coast Day Trips · Half day
Charter a wooden gozzo from Rapallo or Camogli and cruise past San Fruttuoso, Portofino and the promontory as the light softens over the bay.
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Wine tasting at a Cinque Terre vineyard Day Trips · Half day
Visit a winemaker on the terraces above Manarola or Riomaggiore, taste Sciacchetrà and white blends, and hear how grapes are grown on slopes this steep.
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Cooking demonstration with a Camogli chef Day Trips · Half day
Watch a restaurant kitchen prepare brandacujun (salt cod mousse), focaccia col formaggio and buridda, then taste the finished dishes with local wine.
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Portofino, Santa Margherita and Rapallo Shore Excursions · Tour in a DayOur Portofino, Santa Margherita and Rapallo tour lets you explore three stunning Ligurian villages, learn about their history and enjoy a relaxing shore excursion during your cruise around Italy.
Day by day in Rapallo
Arrive on your own in Rapallo, a charming seaside town on the Italian Riviera, and check in at your hotel. Take the rest of the day to unwind and explore at leisure: stroll along the palm-lined promenade, visit the small harbor and castle by the sea, or enjoy a cappuccino or aperitivo in one of Rapallo’s inviting cafés. This relaxed first day sets the tone for your Ligurian coastal adventure.
After breakfast, meet your guide and board a public boat to glamorous Portofino, one of the most iconic villages on the Italian Riviera. From Portofino, follow a scenic coastal path on foot to the secluded Abbey of San Fruttuoso, enjoying spectacular views of the Ligurian Sea along the way (walk of approximately 1.5 hours). Visit the historic abbey, nestled in a tiny cove, then enjoy lunch on your own at a charming restaurant right on the beach. In the afternoon, continue by boat to the fishing village of Camogli. During the short cruise, you may catch a glimpse of the underwater memorial “Cristo degli Abissi” (Christ of the Deep), dedicated to those lost at sea. In Camogli, wander among the tall, colorful houses, picturesque harbor, and narrow lanes, and be sure to sample the local “camogliesi” chocolate pastries. Return to Rapallo by private transfer and spend the night at your hotel.
After breakfast, depart by train for Manarola, one of the five picturesque villages of Cinque Terre National Park. Meet your guide and take some time to explore this colorful cliffside town. From Manarola, set out on foot along a scenic trail that passes through the hamlet of Volastra on the way to Corniglia. This relatively leisurely two-hour walk offers sweeping views of terraced vineyards and the dramatic Ligurian coastline, illustrating the true meaning of “Cinque Terre”, land painstakingly reclaimed from the mountains by generations of local farmers. Upon arrival in Corniglia, enjoy a brief visit of this charming hilltop village, then have lunch at your own expense in a cozy local inn with its own wine cellar, where the atmosphere feels like dining in a private home steeped in history. In the afternoon, travel by train to Vernazza to visit one of the most photographed villages in the Cinque Terre, and continue on to Monterosso, where the tour portion ends. Enjoy some free time for shopping or a seaside stroll before returning by train to Rapallo for the night.
After breakfast, meet your guide and travel by private minivan to Campiglia, a small hamlet perched between the Cinque Terre and La Spezia. From here, follow one of the most panoramic trails in the area on foot toward Portovenere. This approximately two-hour hike offers unforgettable views over the Gulf of La Spezia, known as the “Gulf of Poets” for the many writers and artists it has inspired. Descend through the ancient fortress of Portovenere and arrive directly in the heart of this UNESCO-listed seaside town. Enjoy lunch on your own at one of the local restaurants. In the afternoon, we recommend an optional mini cruise on a private fishing boat to the islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto, with a stop in a secluded inlet to taste local products (experience not included). Return to Rapallo by minivan and spend your final night at your hotel.
Day 5
Rapallo
After breakfast, check out of your hotel as your Ligurian Riviera and Cinque Terre hiking and coastal tour comes to an end. Depart Rapallo with lasting memories of Portofino, San Fruttuoso, Camogli, the Cinque Terre villages, and the spectacular Gulf of Poets.
Why plan with Trips 2 Italy?
Designed around you by Italian-born planners
Guides, drivers and boats for your party alone
Hand-selected hotels in every destination
Local English-speaking guides who know their city
Met at the airport, private transfers throughout
Testimonials
Hear from travelers who have planned Italy with us
They took the time to understand our preferences and designed an itinerary that was comfortable, personalized, and enjoyable. They offered thoughtful recommendations while never being pushy.
We missed our connecting flight in Munich. I had just got through customs and was looking up the number to call when Trips 2 Italy called me. They told me exactly what to do and they already knew what flight we had been rebooked on.
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Questions travelers ask
What destinations does this package visit?
Over 5 days this journey brings you to Camogli, Campiglia, Cinque Terre, Corniglia, Gulf of Poets, Manarola, and Monterosso al Mare. Each stop is woven into the itinerary with time for the landmarks, the views, and the local flavor that make it special.
How is transportation handled on this trip?
Transportation is arranged as part of the itinerary, with comfortable train segments between the cities and vehicle transfers where they serve you best. Every connection is planned for you, so you can focus on the scenery instead of the logistics.
Who will enjoy this itinerary most?
It suits independent travelers who love the freedom of the open road with the security of arranged hotels and routing.
Can we tailor this trip to our wishes?
Yes. This sample itinerary is a starting point, and every Trips 2 Italy package is fully customizable. Your travel consultant will adjust the destinations, hotel category, pace, and experiences to fit your plans. A minimum of 2 travelers applies.
When is the best time to take this trip?
The package is available all year around on request. Late spring through early fall is prime time on the coast, with warm seas and long evenings, while April, May, September, and October pair gentle weather with quieter towns.