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Genoa, Santa Margherita & Cinque Terre: Route Guide

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Vernazza Cinque Terre — The Ligurian Coast & Cinque Terre
Photo: Timothy A. Gonsalves · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Follow the Ligurian railway from Genoa's palaces to Santa Margherita Ligure, then continue through the five Cinque Terre villages and La Spezia. Trains make the coast practical without a car; trails, ferries and side trips remain optional and should be checked against current conditions.

Genoa, Santa Margherita & Cinque Terre is a 100 km one-way journey (rail). It works best as 4–5 days; the plan below is the 5-day version for May, built from 111 verified places, with published scheduled journey times, opening hours and daylight checked.

4–5
days
100km
distance
8
Stops
111
curated stops

Plan your own version → 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go

The route

Genoa→ 30 kmSanta Margherita Ligure→ 45 kmMonterosso→ 5 kmVernazza→ 5 kmCorniglia→ 5 kmManarola→ 4 kmRiomaggiore→ 6 kmLa Spezia

What you'll see

Palazzi dei Rolli
Tour UNESCO-listed palaces that once hosted foreign dignitaries.
Genoa
Cervara Abbey
Visit a serene 14th-century abbey on the road to Portofino.
Santa Margherita Ligure
Monterosso
Walk between Monterosso’s old lanes and waterfront as the northern Cinque Terre village.
Monterosso
Vernazza
Explore Vernazza’s colourful harbour and steep village lanes beneath its old castle.
Vernazza
Corniglia
Climb from Corniglia station to its cliff-top lanes and public sea views.
Corniglia
Manarola
Walk Manarola’s steep main street to its small harbour and public village viewpoints.
Manarola
Riomaggiore
Explore Riomaggiore’s rising village lanes between the station, marina and upper town.
Riomaggiore
Castello di San Giorgio
Explore the ancient walls and towers of this Genoese fortress, the city's oldest military site.
La Spezia

Choose your length

4-day plan15 stops · 5.4 h transit3.8 stops/day · 1.4 h transit/daySee the full plan →5-day plan15 stops · 5.0 h transit3 stops/day · 1 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: April, May, June

Good walking weather is common, but trail sections can close after weather or maintenance. Check the Cinque Terre National Park status before choosing any hike.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →