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Genoa, Santa Margherita & Cinque Terre: 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Do
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The 5-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go.
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5
days
100 km
distance
5.0 h
on trains
15
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~14.6 hours of daylight in May — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- 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.
Day 1 Genoa → Santa Margherita Ligure
- Transit
- 1h16
- Finish
- ~14:40
- Temperature
- 10.9°C–19.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~10
- Daylight
- 14.6h
09:00
10:00
Observe marine life in one of Europe's largest aquariums.
50 min · Genoa · Ticket prices vary by day of the week and by season: adult €26-29, child 4-12 €17-20; advance online tickets start at €18 for adults and €12 for children
open: Daily 09:30-20:00, last entrance 18:00
11:00
12:45
Castello di Santa Margherita Ligure read more
Explore a 16th-century fortress with scenic views and history.
50 min · Santa Margherita Ligure
13:50
Cervara Abbey read more
Visit a serene 14th-century abbey on the road to Portofino.
50 min · Santa Margherita Ligure
Overnight: Santa Margherita Ligure
e.g. Hotel Lido Palace
Day 2 Monterosso
- Transit
- 1h06
- Finish
- ~13:30
- Temperature
- 16.5°C–18.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 14.6h
10:00
Monterosso parconazionale5terre.it map ↗
Walk between Monterosso’s old lanes and waterfront as the northern Cinque Terre village.
90 min · Monterosso · Free public village visit
11:40
12:30
Al Carugio ristorantealcarugio.com map ↗
60 min · Monterosso
Day 3 Vernazza → Corniglia
- Transit
- 0h59
- Finish
- ~13:00
- Temperature
- 13.5°C–19.1°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 14.6h
09:25
Vernazza parconazionale5terre.it map ↗
Explore Vernazza’s colourful harbour and steep village lanes beneath its old castle.
90 min · Vernazza · Free public village visit
11:30
Corniglia parconazionale5terre.it map ↗
Climb from Corniglia station to its cliff-top lanes and public sea views.
90 min · Corniglia · Free public village visit
Day 4 Manarola → Riomaggiore
- Transit
- 0h56
- Finish
- ~13:00
- Temperature
- 13.5°C–19.1°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 14.6h
09:25
Manarola parconazionale5terre.it map ↗
Walk Manarola’s steep main street to its small harbour and public village viewpoints.
90 min · Manarola · Free public village visit
11:30
Riomaggiore parconazionale5terre.it map ↗
Explore Riomaggiore’s rising village lanes between the station, marina and upper town.
90 min · Riomaggiore · Free public village visit
Day 5 La Spezia
- Transit
- 0h43
- Finish
- ~12:20
- Temperature
- 13.5°C–19.1°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 14.6h
09:25
10:25
11:30
Nostra Signora della Salute search
Admire the elegant architecture of this historic church, consecrated in 1900.
50 min · La Spezia
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Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.