a harbor filled with lots of boats under a cloudy sky

The Italian Riviera

The Italian Riviera is Liguria's coast, where Genoa, the Cinque Terre and the villages between them are linked by regional trains.

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The Italian Riviera is the coast of Liguria, the region in northwest Italy that runs from Ventimiglia, on the French border, east to La Spezia. Genoa, the regional capital and one of Italy's busiest ports, sits near the middle of the coast. Its old town is one of the largest medieval historic centers in Europe, a maze of narrow lanes, churches and palaces that is best explored on foot.

East of Genoa, the Levante has Portofino, a small harbor village on a headland, and the Cinque Terre, five villages built on steep cliffs that form a UNESCO World Heritage site. West of Genoa, the Ponente includes Savona and Sanremo, and the flower coast around Sanremo is quieter. Regional trains run along much of the coast, so one base can cover several day trips. Late spring and early autumn are the easiest seasons for walking and swimming. Plan at least three or four days, or a week to see both halves.

The Italian Riviera in five

Choose Levante or PonenteLevante runs east of Genoa to La Spezia, with Portofino, Santa Margherita and the Cinque Terre. Ponente runs west to France with San Remo and Savona, and is calmer and cheaper.Savona
Ride the coastal train, but expect delaysRegional trains stitch together most villages and are the best way to move without a car. Tunnels and weekend crowds slow them, so check live times.Italy by train
Book the Cinque Terre days outside peakThe five villages are crowded from April to October, and trail sections close from time to time. Check the national park's official page before you plan a hike.Cinque Terre
Use boats for Portofino and Porto VenereFerries run from Santa Margherita and Rapallo to Portofino and from La Spezia to Porto Venere. A boat avoids a congested coast road and shows the cliffs.Portofino
Skip a car on the LevanteRoads are narrow, parking is scarce and ZTL zones catch visitors. A car is useful on the Ponente hills and inland valleys only.Genoa

Neighborhoods

Portofino

Best for: Couples, short stays
To airport: About 40 min by train from Genoa to Santa Margherita
Price band: $$$

Boats to Portofino and San Fruttuoso
Higher rates
Busy summer weekends

Skip if you are on a tight budget.

Read about Portofino Hotels in Portofino

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Things to do in The Italian Riviera

See all attractions in The Italian Riviera

Historic site · The Italian RivieraDoria Castle

white and pink concrete buildings during daytime

Museum · The Italian RivieraPalazzo Spinola National GalleryThe entrance can be easy to miss; follow the small street from Piazza di Pellicceria and turn right.

Park · The Italian RivieraVilla Durazzo

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to The Italian RivieraPut the places you like in The Italian Riviera on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Genoa (GOA), Pisa (PSA), Nice (NCE) or Milan
Getting there: Fast trains to Genoa and La Spezia; Genoa from Milan about 1.5 to 2 hours
Getting around: Regional trains, ferries and walking paths
Best base: La Spezia or Levanto for Cinque Terre; Santa Margherita for Portofino
Time needed: 4 to 7 days for the Levante; a week for both halves

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain12 rainy daysHigh11°Low7°Mild, quiet
FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Mild, quiet
MarchRain12 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Spring starts
AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Walks, Easter
MayRain14 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Warm, green
JunePartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh24°Low19°Beach season
JulyClear6 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Hot, crowded
AugustClear8 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Hot, Ferragosto
SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Warm, calm
OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh19°Low15°Mild, rain
NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Rain, wind
DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low8°Mild, lights

Average daily high and low in Genoa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in The Italian Riviera

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 4°
Humidity: 66%
Wind: 10 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

The Italian Riviera

09:38 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today17°13°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue18°14°3%Tuesday: Clear. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 3%.
Wed15°12°18%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 18%.
Thu14°12°23%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 23%.
Fri16°12°24%Friday: Rain. High 16°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 24%.
Sat13°11°21%Saturday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 21%.
Sun14°11°23%Sunday: Rain. High 14°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 23%.

Updated 05:52 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in The Italian Riviera

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

SepPalio di AstiPiedmont, a day trip

Day trips by train

Before you go to The Italian Riviera

Trains along the RivieraGenoa, Cinque Terre and VentimigliaRead the guide

Riviera boat toursPortofino and Porto VenereCompare boat tours

eSIM for the Ligurian coastTrain apps and ferry times on the goRead the guide

Travel insurance for the RivieraCover for cliff trails and boat delaysRead the guide

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Rules for The Italian Riviera, checked

Non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area. Check current entry rules on the Italian visa portal before you book.Source
Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
Cover shoulders and knees before entering churches along the coast, including in Portofino and Porto Venere.
Many restaurants add a coperto, a per-person cover charge, to the bill. Check the bill before you tip: service can already be included.

Plan around The Italian Riviera

Cinque Terre

Five villages, trails and trains

Read the guide Portofino

A harbor village on the Levante coast

Read the guide Genoa

Port city at the center of the coast

Read the guide Savona

A calm Ponente base with a fortress

Read the guide San Remo

A flower coast resort on the French side

Read the guide All of Italy

Regions, rail, entry rules and money

Read the guide

The Italian Riviera FAQ

What is the Italian Riviera?

Liguria's coast: Levante to the east of Genoa and Ponente to the west. It includes Portofino, the Cinque Terre, Genoa, San Remo and long beach towns.

Is the Italian Riviera or the Amalfi Coast better?

The Riviera is easier by train and spans more variety, with a mix of cities and villages. The Amalfi Coast is more dramatic and busier by road. Pick the Riviera if you prefer trains and walking.

How many days do you need on the Italian Riviera?

Four days for the Cinque Terre and Portofino, a week to include Genoa and one Ponente town. A long weekend covers one area only.

Do you need a car on the Italian Riviera?

No. Trains and boats serve the main villages, and cars face ZTL zones and scarce parking. A car helps only for inland valleys and the Ponente hills.

When is the best time to visit the Italian Riviera?

May, June and September for walking weather and open beach clubs. July and August are crowded and hot, and winter is quiet with many closures.