7 DAYS IN ITALIAN RIVIERA

Start in Santa Margherita Ligure, a small town with pastel façades and a practical harbour. The marina is calm and easy to navigate, perfect for getting settled after boarding. Stroll along the waterfront for cafés or local shops, or take the tender for a short ride along the nearby coast. The town feels lived-in, not staged, giving a real sense of Ligurian coastal life. Anchor the night in Santa Margherita Ligure.

A short cruise brings you to Portofino, one of the Ligurian coast’s most photographed harbours. This village frames a narrow bay with colourful buildings and boutique shops that trace their origins to centuries of fishing and seafaring tradition. Careful planning for berthing is advised at peak season due to limited capacity in the inner harbour; many charters choose to anchor in Paraggi Bay nearby and tender ashore for local exploration or swimming. Use this stop to explore the village on foot, observe local maritime life, and take in the setting from a tender or anchored position offshore. Anchor the night in Paraggi Bay.

Camogli is quieter than Portofino. This seaside village is characterised by its colourful waterfront and a more traditional Ligurian atmosphere. Camogli’s marina offers secure anchorage near the town’s promenade, and the setting is quieter and less congested than larger Riviera ports. Nearby trails and local eateries offer opportunities to experience the region’s culinary traditions, including focaccia and seafood prepared in Ligurian style. This stop provides a contrast to the busier port stops and a chance to immerse yourself in local rhythms ashore before continuing. Anchor the night in Camogli.

Sestri Levante has two bays; the smaller Bay of Silence is tucked away, giving the sensation of privacy even in summer. The town is compact, with cobbled streets and cafés lining the water. Depending on timing, afternoons might include swimming from the yacht or a tender ride to nearby beaches. Sestri Levante’s position along the Riviera community of towns makes it a strategic and culturally engaging stop before heading toward the Gulf of La Spezia and the Cinque Terre. Anchor the night in Sestri Levante.

Progress to Porto Venere, a historic harbour at the southern edge of the Ligurian coast. Classified along with the Cinque Terre as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Porto Venere’s waterfront is distinct for its medieval architecture, including the 12th‑century Castello Doria, and its access to nearby islets such as Palmaria. Cruise options often include tender trips to coves around Palmaria, where protected bays and marine life create natural spaces for swimming or snorkelling. Anchor the night in Porto Venere.

Sail toward the Cinque Terre National Park, a cluster of coastal villages that evolved from fishing communities into historic settlements clinging to steep slopes beneath terraced vineyards and olive groves. Monterosso al Mare is the largest village with a sandy shoreline, while Vernazza’s harbour sits tucked against cliffs and is often considered the most photogenic. Due to marina limitations and regulated anchoring within protected waters, yachts typically anchor offshore with tenders deployed for shore access. Anchor the night off Monterosso or Vernazza.

The final stop is Manarola, perched on cliffs with houses spilling down to the water. The harbour is tiny, so tenders are essential. This stop allows a last chance to observe the dramatic Ligurian landscape before your return. The passage back to La Spezia or Genoa completes the itinerary, connecting this Mediterranean voyage with major marinas and transport links for disembarkation. La Spezia also provides deepwater marina options and proximity to airports for onward travel. Return to La Spezia or Genoa for disembarkation.