Where to stay on the Italian Riviera: best 7 places + 1 gem

This area of Italy stretches for over 300km (185 miles) no wonder you find it hard to understand what to visit and where to stay on the Italian Riviera.

A must-visit is certainly the Cinque Terre, however, there are another 6 towns/cities that should not be missed, all for different reasons.

I have added at the end of this guide also a short itinerary to experience the best of the Italian Riviera. A quick tip: use the train to get around, easy, inexpensive and quick.

Without further ado let’s jump straight to a summary table with the key points before going to the first place.

Best places to stay in Italian Riviera – Key Points

Area	Best For	Pros	Cons	Character	Train Station	Ferry Station	Parking
Genoa	City stay, Major attractions	Well connected, Great attractions, Lively nightlife	City vibe, Parking challenges, Traffic	Historic, Vibrant	Well connected	Accessible	Challenging
Cinque Terre	Picturesque breakaway	Scenic, Unique villages, Well connected	Extremely busy in summer, Expensive, Touristy	Historic, Stunning coast	Well connected	Well connected	Almost impossible
Portofino	Exclusive stay	Picturesque, Exclusive, Lovely walks	Expensive, Limited nightlife, High demand	Elite, Picturesque	Requires travel to Santa Margherita Ligure	Accessible from nearby towns	Limited
Sanremo	Relaxing coastal retreat with luxury	Beautiful beaches, Historic casino, Lush gardens	Very busy, Pricey accommodations	Glamorous, Lively	Well connected	None	Can be challenging
Camogli	Picturesque fishing village	Stunning sea views, Authentic charm, Excellent seafood	Limited parking, Fewer hotels, Steep terrain	Authentic, Quiet	Well connected	Nearby	Limited
Sestri Levante	Family beach holiday	Family-friendly, Great dining, Amazing beaches	Popular in summer, Higher prices, Busy beaches	Family-friendly, Beachy	Well connected	Close	Limited
La Spezia	Practical, Budget-friendly	Well-connected, Economical, Local vibe	City vibe, not as picturesque	Practical, Urban	Very well connected	Well connected	Reasonable
Portovenere (the little gem)	Off the beaten path	Dramatic scenery, Medieval town, Well connected by ferry	No train station, Busy in summer, Limited nightlife	Picturesque, Historical	Requires bus or boat from La Spezia	Well connected	Limited

Genoa

Genoa is the biggest city on the Italian Riviera, very well accessible by aeroplane, by ferry from the lovely island of Sardinia and by train from the gorgeous region of Tuscany (2h from Pisa), Milan (1h30m) and most of the Northern Italian destinations.

This is where you will find the top attractions of the region, of which a few are actually some of the best in Italy, like the Aquarium or the Biosfera. 

Genoa is one of the oldest cities in Italy, a prehistoric settlement that developed during the Roman times, back in the 4th century BC, to be one of the most important port towns. It was however during the Middle Ages and Renaissance (12th-15th century) that Genoa reached its peak splendour as one of the four Maritime Republics of Italy, alongside Venice, Pisa, and Amalfi.

As you enter the Old City Centre, you will be left open-mouthed by the many historic buildings organised in a maze of medieval constructions and Renaissance palaces. Start your exploration with the UNESCO-listed Le Strade Nuove (Via Garibaldi, Via Balbi and Via Cairoli) or the unique Cattedrale di San Lorenzo.

As sunset time approaches, have a walk to Molo, the neighbourhood famous for its Aperitivo places and dining options all set in the narrow historic lanes and hidden boutique squares. Just magical, especially with the night street lights.

And if Genoa is going to be the only place you will visit in the Italian Riviera, then make a point to visit Boccadasse, a former fishing village, now a district of Genua with the most characteristic Ligurian pastel colours houses.

I have written extensively about the best neighbourhoods to stay in Genua with things to do and places to visit, besides a few hotels. Below is a quick summary table.

Area	Suggested Hotel	Best For	Pros	Cons	Character	Train Station	Ferry Station	How is Parking
Centro Storico	Hotel Palazzo Grillo	Ambience, First-timers	Historic character, dining scene, central	Crowds, noise	Medieval, Renaissance	Far	Close	Limited
Porto Antico	Hotel De Ville	Waterfront, Attractions, Families	Seaside ambience, dining/shopping, central	Touristy vibe, noise, price	Vibrant seaside hub	Far	Very close	Available but pricey
Molo	Casa Marina	Culture, Nightlife	Buzzing energy, dining/drinks scene, museums	Noise levels, limited parking, touristy	Cultural heart, lively	Far	Close	Challenging
San Vincenzo	Le stanze della Lanterna	Budget, Practical Stay	Affordable prices, great location, close to transit	Less charming, busy area	Economical, practical	Very close to Genova Brignole	Requires public transportation	Easier in comparison
Boccadasse	Aurora 20	Romantic couples, Beach Time	Picturesque setting, charming atmosphere, seaside vibes	Farther from the centre, limited nightlife, busy in the summer	Village-like, seaside charm	Requires public transportation	Far	Limited

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is one of the most famous destinations in Italy. I am pretty sure you have seen already pictures of the lovely Vernazza harbour

Cinque Terre refers to the 5 (Cinque) picturesque villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore located along the 18 Kilometres coastline east of the Italian Riviera.

You can visit Cinque Terre by train (5 minutes from village to village) or with a walk along the famous Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail).

If time is a constraint, make it at least to Vernazza, the most spectacular, but also the busiest, of the 5 towns.

The biggest drawback of Cinque Terre is its popularity which brings in so many visitors, especially between June and August, with weekends booked well in advance and the Blue Trail being so busy that on a few days, the Cinque Terre National Park makes the trail doable only one way (check the website for more info).

My tip: if you can, visit the Cinque Terre in May or late September when the weather is still great but there are not as many travellers around.

Also in this case I wrote extensively about the best towns to stay in Cinque Terre with a few suggested hotels and accommodations. Here is a quick summary table.

Best for	Town	Suggested hotel	My notes
Family	Monterosso	Seaside Apartment	It has a nice beach where you can spend some time with the kids when you are not busy visiting the Cinque Terre and it’s an easily reachable place, with or without a car.
Couples	Vernazza	Casa Gabri	It’s so romantic! It can be very busy though, especially during the day. If you are more about a relaxing and quieter spot, then Corniglia is the place to be.
Budget	Manarola	Da Baranin	This is not the cheapest area to stay in Italy, however, you can still find some bargains, especially if you book well in advance.
Nightlife	Riomaggiore	Le Giare	Most of the Cine Terre towns tend to “shut down” at dinner time, not much happening. Riomaggiore is the only one with some late dinner options and a few bars for a drink even after midnight.
Picturesque	Vernazza	Casa Gabri	The Cinque Terre is now world-famous thanks to the sunrise photos of the Vernazza Harbour. I am sure you have seen them everywhere. It’s a beautiful town to walk around, busy with day trips, however, so much quieter in the evening.

Portofino

I still remember my first time in Portofino, when I sailed there with a friend and our tiny boat which was quite sizeable in my opinion (around 12 metres long) but nothing against the huge yachts anchored there. Honestly, our boat looked like a bathtub.

This is Portofino the most exclusive town in the Italian Riviera where rich and famous spend their weekends from Milan or Montecarlo. This is such a picturesque town that became so popular in the 50s and 60s with the Hollywood stars visiting during the movie productions in Rome.

I always suggest a visit to Portofino but if the budget is a constraint, stay instead in Rapallo and visit on a day trip with the direct ferry (btw, a spectacular coastal sea trip).

Behind the town lies the Portofino Regional Park, a great place with plenty of trails with spectacular views. You can even make it to the 10th-century abbey of San Fruttuoso, hidden in a small cove.

Also in this case I wrote extensively about where to stay in Portofino. Here is a quick summary table and a map

Area	Hotel/Type	Best For	Pros	Cons	Average Cost	Restaurants	Good for Families with Kids
Harbour Area	Clara’s House	Classic charm	Central location, iconic architecture, waterfront setting	Expensive rates, crowds/noise, expensive parking	$$$$-$$$$$	Great	Yes
End of Town & Via del Fondaco	Eight Hotel Portofino & Dream Flexyrent	Value for money	Slightly more affordable, near the parking garage, trail proximity	Farther from the harbour, less charming, expensive parking	$$$-$$$$$	Go to the Harbour	Yes
Santa Margherita Ligure	Apartment with terrace	Families	More affordable, beach access, transit links	Farther from Portofino, touristy	$$$	Good	Excellent
Rapallo	Hotel Mignon Posta	Budget	Very affordable, beach access, easy transit	Farther from Portofino, lacks village charm	$-$$	Good	Yes
Portofino Natural Park	Trekking in paradise B&B	Nature & hiking	Incredible scenery, peaceful setting, outdoor activities	Far from Portofino	$$	None	Limited to bigger kids

Sanremo

I previously described Portofino as the most exclusive and boutique place in the Italian Riviera. Sanremo is probably not as exclusive but surely much bigger in size. I would consider it almost a small version of Hollywood in Italy.

The glamorous heart of the city is its iconic casino, one of the five in Italy, where parked Lamborghini and Ferrari are the norm. Even if you are not into gambling like me, it’s worth anyway the short walk there to see the exterior of the building, in beautiful Art Nouveau architecture.

My tip: if planning to gamble, be aware that Italian casinos have a strict dress code. It’s definitely not like in Australia or the USA. Check it out before going there

The beaches of Sanremo are stunning. The main one, right in town, is wide and long mostly organised. Budget 30 to 50 euros for two sunbeds and a parasol. There are only a few metres of free beach on the southern end.

If you do not mind pebble beaches, walk a few hundred metres south to Beach Italo Calvino where you will find three small coves well protected by the wind and waves, ideal if you are travelling with small children.

Sanremo is also known as the City of Flowers, literally everywhere and especially at Villa Ormond Park where you will find also a botanical garden.

You may have already heard about the Sanremo Music Festival (usually end of February), the biggest festival of Italian music where the winner of the young competition has access to the Eurovision Song Contest.

My tip: Do not plan to visit Saremo in February unless uniquely for the festival, and in this case book very well in advance.

Sanremo can be really busy in July and August and besides the accommodations, you will have to book even the tables at the restaurants. Of course, it’s going to be a trendy and expensive experience.

Sanremo has a train station but it’s well off the town centre. Also, plan to be there for your train at least 20-30 minutes in advance because the station entrance is roughly 1 km from the train tracks, and I am not joking.

Camogli

In full contrast to Portofino and Sanremo, Camogli is more of a typical Ligurian fishing town, perched on the hill with pastel colour houses descending to the small beach. That’s as picturesque as it can be.

There is certainly an authentic charm in its characteristic architecture not to mention the stunning sea views you can get from every corner of the town.

I last visited Camogli in late September and I still remember myself sharing a lovely lunch by the beach just with another bunch of other travellers. I am not gonna say that this town is still a secret gem, but certainly not as popular as other destinations in the Italian Riviera.

I already mentioned multiple times how it’s better to visit the Italian Riviera by train. Also in this case there is a train station in town. Once out, take Via della Repubblica and you will be in no time in the heart of Camogli.

You can also easily visit the Cinque Terre on a day trip by train (1 hour to Vernazza), so handy.

I already mentioned that this is a small town and parking is surely going to be challenging. The other point you should consider is the steepness of some streets and lanes. Book close to the beach and you will avoid the many staircases but you may miss some amazing views.

Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante, located halfway between Genoa and La Spezia, is the quintessential family destination on the Italian Riviera.

The old Centre is mostly pedestrian with characteristic pastel-colour 2 and 3-storey buildings and plenty of cafes, gelaterias and restaurants that are so friendly to kids.

The town develops into a small peninsula that unfortunately is accessible only if you are a guest of the Grand Hotel Dei Castelli, which is by the way one of my favourite places to stay.

North of the peninsula you will find the Bay of Fairy Tales with a long and super wide beach very popular with families. The central part is free to enter meanwhile the rest is organised. Expect prices well north of 50 euros for a couple of sunbeds.

South of the peninsula is the Bay of Silence which is mostly free and much more picturesque with the characteristic pastel-colour house sitting basically on the sand. It reminds me a lot of the gorgeous Spiaggia del Porto Vecchio in Cefalu, Sicily.

My tip: visit the Bay of Silence in the morning because the buildings cast shadows over the area in the afternoon.

Unfortunately, Sestri Levante is as beautiful as popular, also because you can visit from here the Cinque Terre by train in just 20-30 minutes. It is such a great base for a family stay with easy access to attractions and beach time.

Book well in advance if visiting between June and August, especially on weekends, because there are not as many accommodations and prices tend to rise by a lot towards May.

La Spezia

I know, La Spezia is not the most appealing city or town on the Italian Riviera. You will find more of an urban vibe than a picturesque destination feeling.

In saying that, I still wanted to add La Spezia for its genuine Ligurian atmosphere. This is still a city where you can experience a local ambience with family-run trattorias, tiny cafes offering cappuccino and cornetto for bargain prices, together with a simple and friendly morning chat.

This is a place where you can feel part of the Italian culture and not part of a travelling destination where all languages are spoken, except Italian. I am maybe exaggerating here, but you understand the point.

A stay in La Spezia is also overall very economical, for both the accommodation and the food/drinks. You will also be very close to Cinque Terre, just a few minutes by train, and a little bit more by boat.

And if you are planning to rent a car in Italy, La Spezia is one of the easiest places to find free or reasonably priced parking.

I wrote extensively about the 3 best neighbourhoods to stay in La Spezia, here is a quick summary table.

Area	Suggested Hotel	Best For	Pros	Cons	Character	Train Station	Ferry Station	Parking
Historic Centre	Boutique Hotel Novecento	First-timers, Central	Charming architecture, lively	Far from the train station, higher prices	Historic heart, pedestrian	Far	Very close	Limited
Quartiere Umberto I	Alby	5 Terre access, Value	Affordable, easier parking	Far from the ferry pier	18th-century charm	Very close	Far	Easier
Quartiere del Torretto	Nautilus Hotel	Parking, Budget	Quiet, affordable rates	Far from the train station	Residential, quieter	1.5-2 km away	10 minutes walk	Easiest

Portovenere – The little gem

For some reason, Portovenere is often bypassed by most which is a pity because this town is really a little jewel, so beautiful that it has been added, together with the three islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, to the Unesco World Heritage list.

The biggest drawback of Portovenere is the lack of a train station and that’s probably the reason why it’s not on the typical must-do list, however, it’s easily accessible from La Spezia by either bus or boat.

During your stay, I suggest visiting the Cinque Terre by boat (really a short trip) and a day on Palmaria Island, facing Portovenere, for some unique walks and beaches.