The Ligurian coast from the French border to La Spezia. The stretch from Portofino to Portovenere is arguably the most dramatic coastline in mainland Italy.
Build this itinerary →Genova Caruggi old town, Palazzo Rosso on Via Garibaldi, focaccia di Recco, pesto trofie, old port.
Train to Santa Margherita (40 min, €5). Walk to Portofino (30 min coastal path). Harbor, Castello Brown (€5), lighthouse walk. Paraggi beach (between SML and Portofino — the only sandy beach here, small, gorgeous).
Monterosso (1h from SML). Day 3: hike Monterosso–Vernazza, swim, sunset from Manarola. Day 4: Riomaggiore, Corniglia (quietest village, 382 steps from station), boat trip (€18 day pass). Sleep La Spezia.
Bus or boat to Portovenere (30 min). UNESCO: painted houses, Church of San Pietro on cliff tip where Byron swam. Ferry to Palmaria island (€5, nature reserve). Afternoon: Lerici (30 min) — castle, beach, Shelley's favorite bay. He drowned here in 1822.
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