Cinque Terre tours

Things to do in Cinque Terre

I have been reading several articles about new travel trends, and it's all about active travel, getting out in nature, and authentic experiences with local people. Instead of sitting on the beach or in bars all day, choose from the fantastic local tours in the Cinque Terre, La Spezia and some other areas of the Italian Riviera, and I am sure it will be the highlight of your trip. It's the best way to meet local people and in case of shared tours it's nice to meet other travellers as well.

During these tours you can learn so much about the history of the five villages and the Cinque Terre National Park, local life and the people who live here. If you'd like to spend a day out on the sea and get a different view of these stunning fishing villages, rent a boat, do a sailing trip or a kayak tour, or discover underwater life during the diving tour. If you'd like to spend time in the hills of the Cinque Terre, take a guided hike or one of the bike tours with comfortable electronic ebikes. For the most adventurous, there are fun adventure tours like paragliding, rock climbing or wild water river trekking.

Don't forget about the gastronomy of the Cinque Terre. Choose a cooking class or a pesto course, learn to make pizza and focaccia, join a wine or olive oil tasting. You can find more information about every tour clicking on the photos below.

A licenced tour guide can add so much to your experience. He will make you understand why the Cinque Terre is so unique and what made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular destinations in Italy. In case of every tour your guide will be an expert, for example an alpine guide, a diving instructor, a chef or a winemaker. Tours are usually in English or Italian, other languages are on request.

In case of the shared tours you'll be joining a small group, usually up to around 10 people. In case of the private tours we recommend certain programs and itineraries, but of course they can be custom made according to your wishes. Prices are usually per person, but in some cases the prices are given for the private group.

For most tours the departure is in one of the Cinque Terre villages, but if you book a private tour from Florence, Portofino, Livorno or anywhere outside the Cinque Terre, you will be picked up there. We can also organize your Cinque Terre tour from Milan, Pisa or Rome.

During the tours the safety of the clients is crucial. Your guide will provide the necessary safety equipments as written in the description of each tour, and you will receive important training at the start of the tour. The local tour companies also pay great attention to Covid safety measures.


Food & wine

When travelling to the Cinque Terre, there are certain foods and drinks you just have to try. Pesto, focaccia, seafood, anchovies, local olive oil and white wine, limoncino, just to name a few of them.

Of course, you can do it all on your own but for a much better experience, participate in a gastronomic tour. Meet the wine maker in the vineyard, taste the wine in the wine cellar, visit the olive grove and learn about local olive oil, learn to make focaccia, pasta and pesto the traditional way, visit the market with a local chef and prepare some seafood dishes together. The experience will be so much more memorable than just sitting in a restaurant or wine bar. I personally love to combine hiking with a gastronomic experience, so I highly recommend the vineyard tours or the hike and wine tours.

Pesto course in Manarola

Learn to make pesto the traditional way and enjoy it on handmade focaccia, with a glass of Cinque Terre wine.

Pesto course in Levanto

Visit the laboratory of pesto in the beautiful seaside village of Levanto and learn to prepare this ancient and well-known sauce.

Cooking class in Cinque Terre

Visit the fantastic market of La Spezia with a local chef and prepare some seafood dishes together.

Pizza and focaccia course in La Spezia

Learn to make pizza, Ligurian focaccia and bread from an Italian pizzaiolo and surprise your loved ones at home.

Cooking course in Monterosso

Learn to prepare traditional Ligurian dishes in a stunning location above Monterosso.

Wine tour above Riomaggiore

Meet the winegrower in his breathtaking vertical vineyard and taste his Triple A wines.

Wine experience in Manarola

Discover the viticulture traditions of Manarola with Alessandro, a local winemaker.

Wine tour in Bonassola

Visit an organic vineyard with beautiful seaview and taste the local wines.

Sensory wine tasting in Manarola

Taste three Cinque Terre white wines with a professional sommelier and visit the wine cellar.

Wine tasting in Manarola/Monterosso

Taste three different Cinque Terre wines with some local snacks in Manarola or Monterosso.

Olive oil experience near La Spezia

Visit an olive farm near La Spezia and learn all about olive oil with the help of an olive oil producer.

Hike & wine tours in Framura

Hike off the beaten path in Bonassola and Framura, then taste some local wines.


Sea

You haven't seen the Cinque Terre until you see it from the sea. The villages look stunning from the water. For the best experience, rent a boat for your family or friends and spend an unforgettable day on the sea. Enjoy the amazing views and don't forget your bathing suit. I personally love swimming on tiny beaches that can only be reached by sea.

If you are staying in or around Portofino, check out the selection of beautiful boats and yachts for rent. Visit San Fruttuoso and Camogli by boat, and enjoy snorkeling in the protected marine area around the Portofino peninsula.

Renting a private boat from La Spezia is a great solution for those arriving by cruise ship in La Spezia. There are also several shared boat tours to choose from, they are cheaper than a private boat but also lots of fun. In some cases you can also enjoy lunch or dinner on board. And if you are looking for something more active, try kayaking, swim with mermaids or go diving.

If you would like to do snorkeling during your boat or kayak tour, please bring your swimming goggles with you, as at the moment it is not possible to rent them because of hygiene reasons.

Boat rental in Cinque Terre

Rent a private boat with or without skipper and enjoy a wonderful day on the sea.

Boat rental in Portofino

Rent a motorboat or yacht in Portofino and cruise around the beautiful peninsula.

Sailing

Book this fantastic sailing tour for a really relaxing day out on the water.

Cinque Terre boat tours

Choose a morning boat tour, a lunch tour or a sunset cruise, and have fun with other travellers.

Big game fishing tour

Dreaming of a big fish? Liguria is a hot spot for catching the giant tuna.

Cinque Terre by kayak

The kayak tour is your best choice if you'd like to spend an active day on the sea.

Swimming with mermaids

Watch the movie Luca, then enjoy swimming with the mermaids.

Diving

Discover the underwater life of the protected marine area of Portovenere.


Land

There is so much to do in the Cinque Terre and the surrounding areas that you could easily spend long weeks here. Many people come for hiking, and if you'd prefer a guided tour, there are several Cinque Terre hiking tours available. If you are only coming for a day, the Cinque Terre hidden gems tour could be a nice option for you, with an authorized local guide. I think it's the perfect solution for those arriving by cruise ship in La Spezia. The self-guided Cinque Terre hiking tours and the longer Italian Riviera self-guided hikes are also extremely popular.

If you are looking for a little more challenge, you might like the ebike tours, rock climbing, wild water river trekking or horseback riding. If you prefer something more relaxing, take a photo tour or visit Carrara.

Private Cinque Terre tours

Make the most of your stay in the Cinque Terre with the help of a professional local guide.

Private tours from La Spezia or Portovenere

Choose these tours if you are staying in La Spezia or Portovenere, or arriving by cruise.

Private tours from Portofino

If you are staying in the Portofino area, take a look at these private tours.

Private tours from Florence

Check out these day trips from Florence to the Cinque Terre.

Self-guided hiking tour in the Cinque Terre

This is really popular! We make it easy for you, you just need to enjoy your hike.

Self-guided hikes on the Italian Riviera

Hike along the most beautiful stretch of coastline in Liguria in a week.

EBike tours

Choose from several different itineraries and discover the area from an ebike.

Rock climbing

Climbing above the sea will be fun for beginners and experienced climbers as well.

Photo tour

Join a professional photographer and take pictures all your Instagram friends will be jealous of.

Carrara marble tour

Visit Carrara and see the quarry where Michelangelo found the marble for his masterpieces.

Horseback riding in Lunigiana

Ride through Lunigiana, a wonderful area close to the Cinque Terre.

Wild water river trekking

Walk between the high walls of a canyon and swim in the clear water.


Sky

If you've tried paragliding before, don't miss the flight above the Cinque Terre. If you have never tried it, this is a great place to start. Flying above the Cinque Terre has been a highlight for many travellers.

Paragliding

A unique experience! Enjoy a bird's eye view of the Cinque Terre.