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- Not just a great base for visiting other famous hotspots in Liguria, the pretty beachside town of Sestri Levante is now becoming a top destination in its own right. It has two bays, Baia del Silenzio, the (Bay of Silence), and the Baia delle Favole, (Bay of the Fables), named after Hans Christian Andersen who lived here in 1833.
- The pretty fishing village of Camogli is a short boat ride from Portofino. It’s been kept a bit of a secret by Italians, who love to head there from Milan and Turin for sun-soaked breaks. It features the multi-coloured palazzi houses famous in the area, with their forest-green shutters and trompe l’oeil details. Don’t miss the best seafood lunch - and sea views - at Osteria 7 Pance.
- The abbey and small beach at San Fruttuoso are not to be missed. You can hop on a ferry to get here from Portofino or Camogli, and it’s a delight to witness the Benedictine abbey, its church, and a 16th century watchtower, all served by one establishment, the Ristorante da Giovanni, which also offers seven bedrooms. You can also walk to Portofino in 75 minutes from here in the hills behind the hamlet, but the best way to arrive? By yacht, of course.
- Around 35km southeast of Genoa, you’ll find the well-heeled town of Santa Margherita, the next door neighbour of Portofino. Expect to see smart yachts in the harbour and stylish clientele in the palm-fringed esplanade’s restaurants, cafes and gelaterie. For around €8, you can jump on a ferry to Portofino from here, which takes just a few minutes.
- Portofino has been a playground to the rich a famous since the 1950s when it was frequented by Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor and Ernest Hemingway. It’s still a celebrity playground to this day, with the likes of Beyonce and Kylie visiting the tiny town on their yachts. It’s an upmarket, picture-perfect spot, where you can enjoy stylish boutiques and art galleries, or simply a vino overlooking the harbour, which is lined with little cafes. An absolute musn't-be-missed.
- A pretty seaside town popular with wealthy Italians for weekend breaks, Rapallo is in the province of Genoa and is located near to Santa Margherita and Portofino. It is bigger and busier than its neighbours, a little more affordable, and has the autostrada train station, making it a great base to stay while exploring the eastern side of the Italian Riviera.
- Vernazza is one of the five villages that make up the Cinque Terre, collectively now designated a UNESCO world heritage site. Its cobbled streets lead into the main square, Piazza Marconi, and are lined with pastel-coloured buildings. Head out to the medieval castle for fabulous views out to sea, or just relax on the cute sandy beach with the locals.
- Known as one of the prettiest towns in Italy, and there’s a few, Monterosso is one of the Cinque Terre villages, and is the starting point for a 12km trek running along the Cinque Terre coast. There’s also a castle, cathedral, cafes, and lovely beach.
- This is the first Cinque Terre village you’ll come across when travelling up from La Spezia, one of the main regions in Liguria. And it would be easy to start here, and not go anywhere else. Riomaggiore is picture-postcard-perfection: terracotta, yellow, and pastel-pink houses with dark green shutters lead down to the fishing harbour, where you can sip a cocktail overlooking the sea, which is seriously the bluest of the blue.
- Considered the ‘third’ of the five Cinque Terre villages, Corniglia is the only one that does not have an accessible beach front, and is perched high above the sea, surrounded by terraces and vineyards. Possibly for this reason, it is generally quieter here than the other four Cinque Terre villages. Come and sit in the square, drink local wine, take in the colourful houses, or hike the nearby trails.
- Famous for its excellent local wine, Sciacchetrà, Manarola has more grapevines than the other four Cinque Terre villages, although it is the second smallest. It is also thought to be the oldest of the villages, with the cornerstone of the church, San Lorenzo, dating from 1338.
- Portovenere sits within the Portovenere National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Portovenere was once a fortified fishing village but is now a bustling resort surrounded by green hills and olivegroves. Liguria’s only archipelago lies just off Portovenere, made up of three islands.