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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

View ready-made plans 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
The red facade of Palazzo Rosso among trees and neighbouring palaces in Genoa

Genoa · Day 1

Palazzi dei Rolli

Tour UNESCO-listed palaces that once hosted foreign dignitaries.

5-day plan →

Photo: Alessandro giudice · CC BY-SA 4.0

What you'll see

Lanterna di Genova
Behold the towering lighthouse, a proud symbol of Genoa since 1128.
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

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 →

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View ready-made plans