Genoa to Cinque Terre Coastal Railway
Travel east along the Ligurian coast from Genoa's old town to Camogli, Portofino, and the Cinque Terre by train.
This route follows the coastal railway from west to east, avoiding backtracking as well as parking hassles and ZTL (limited traffic zones) along the coast. The first half covers Genoa's palaces, aquarium, and historic alleys; the middle section features boat trips to Camogli, San Fruttuoso, and Portofino; the second half is based in Riomaggiore to explore the five villages. As major sections of the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) are closed, the villages are best connected by train. Hikers should check trail conditions and consider high-level routes instead.
Several sections of the Sentiero Azzurro are closed; check park announcements on the day. Winter may bring weekend rail maintenance closures.
Day by day
Day 1 · Genoa's Via Garibaldi and Old Town Alleys
Genoa（Strade Nuove & Palazzi dei Rolli、Musei di Strada Nuova、Caruggi & Via del Campo、Genoa Cathedral (San Lorenzo)）
Walk about 10 minutes from the station to Via Garibaldi; explore the old town alleys and churches on foot.
Stay: Old Town (Centro Storico)
Day 2 · Old Port Aquarium and Boccadasse
Genoa（Aquarium of Genoa、Porto Antico、Boccadasse）
Walk to the Old Port in the morning, then take a city bus to Boccadasse in the afternoon (about 30 minutes).
Stay: Old Town (Centro Storico)
Day 3 · Camogli and Boat to Portofino
Genoa（Camogli、Abbey of San Fruttuoso、Portofino）
Take a 35-minute train to Camogli, then a boat via San Fruttuoso to Portofino; return to Nervi by train.
Boats do not run in rough seas; the backup option is to take the bus to Portofino from Santa Margherita Ligure.
Stay: Nervi
Day 4 · Nervi Promenade to Riomaggiore
Genoa（Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi, Nervi） → Cinque Terre（Sestri Levante and Baia del Silenzio、Riomaggiore）
Walk the Nervi seaside promenade in the morning, then take the train to Sestri Levante and on to Riomaggiore (about 1.5 hours total).
Stay: Riomaggiore
Day 5 · Cinque Terre by Train
Cinque Terre（Monterosso al Mare、Vernazza、Corniglia、Manarola）
The local train takes just a few minutes between villages; head straight to Monterosso first, then make your way back south village by village.
The trail from Corniglia to Monterosso is closed as of September 2026; taking the train is recommended.
Stay: Riomaggiore
Day 6 · Via dell'Amore and Portovenere
Cinque Terre（Via dell'Amore、Portovenere）
Walk the Via dell'Amore in the morning, then take a boat or travel via La Spezia by bus to Portovenere; head to the station in the evening.
The Via dell'Amore is one-way only and requires a Cinque Terre Card and a booked time slot.