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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.