8 days in Cinque Terre & Portofino Itinerary

Made up of five picturesque towns on the Ligurian coast, Cinque Terre is Italy's answer to the French Riviera.

Change things up with these side-trips from Cinque Terre: Lucca (Piazza Anfiteatro, St Martin Cathedral, &more), Pisa (Piazza dei Miracoli & Leaning Tower of Pisa) and Genoa (Piazza De Ferrari, Aquarium of Genoa, &more). There's lots more to do: tour the pleasant surroundings at Footpath Monterosso - Vernazza, explore the striking landscape of Parco Nazionale Cinque Terre, trek along Cinque Terre footpaths, and take in the views from Ponte Thaon di Revel.

To see ratings, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, read Cinque Terre trip app.

Manchester, UK to Cinque Terre is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of car and train; or take a train. The time zone changes from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to Central European Standard Time (CET), which is usually a 1 hour difference. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Manchester in May, with highs in Cinque Terre at 25°C and lows at 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Fri) to allow time to take a train to Portofino.

Portofino is an Italian fishing village and holiday resort famous for its picturesque harbour and historical association with celebrity and artistic visitors. Start off your visit on the 21st (Sat): identify plant and animal life at Area Marina Protetta Portofino, then don't miss a visit to Piazza Martiri Dell'Olivetta, and then go for a stroll along the water at Marina di Portofino. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: explore the historical opulence of Castello Brown.

To see ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Portofino day trip planning website.

Traveling by train from Cinque Terre to Portofino takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in Portofino when traveling from Cinque Terre in May, with lows around 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sun) so you can drive back home.