Riviera and Portofino – Independent
Enjoy spectacular scenery and views as you walk from Sestri Levante's beautiful Bay of Silence. Cool woods and terraced olive groves cloak the tall hills in green and silver while the sea and sky frame the landscape with intense blues. Tucked away in the coves and bays are the brightly painted seaside settlements for which this coast is famous.
The Riviera is about colour and contrast: vibrant architecture and Italian life in the villages, peace and serenity on the ancient slate-paved paths that wind between them.
Portofino National Park hosts one of the largest flower concentrations in Europe and bird spotters will see everything from sea birds to woodland species and raptors. For bathing, the sea is warmer in the autumn and remains pleasantly refreshing until the end of October.
Duration: 6 or 8 days
Itinerary
Trompe l’oeil painted houses smile across the Bay of Silence. A bustling pedestrian street, flanked with shops and fine palazzi, leads up onto the ‘Isola’, Sestri’s pine-covered peninsula. Excellent beaches. 4-star hotel overlooking the bay with terrace and beach (upgrade option - a room with sea views).
Trompe l’oeil painted houses smile across the Bay of Silence. Follow the bustling pedestrian high street, flanked with shops and fine palazzi, which leads up onto the ‘Isola’, Sestri’s pine-covered peninsula. Excellent beaches.
On the Bay of Silence with terrace and beach
Upgrade rooms have sea view
Time to explore Sestri Levante with its picturesque medieval streets and port, tranquil bay and excellent beaches. Optional circular walk (4 miles, 2.5 hours) or coastal walk southwards (10.5 miles, 6 hours).
On the Bay of Silence with terrace and beach
Upgrade rooms have sea view
Follow the coastal path with fine views, then cross hills to the 12th century basilica of San Salvatore dei Fieschi, before continuing to bustling Chiavari with its medieval centre and fine Botanic Gardens (12.3 miles, 7 hours). 4-star hotel with pool in quiet, central location.
Medieval porticos line the streets in the atmospheric heart of old Chiavari. The elegant seafront promenade is perfect for an evening stroll to watch the sun set over Portofino. Home of the ‘Chiavari’ chair, a design classic (as exhibited at New York’s MOMA). Beautiful botanic gardens and beach. Excellent fresh produce market Monday to Saturday.
Quiet location in the medieval centre, with pool
Upgrade option is a deluxe room
Paved paths through olive groves and small farms lead past two fine churches before descending to Rapallo (8.3 miles, 4.5 hours). Alternative high route through remote, wilder country with spectacular views (9.4 miles, 5.5 hours). 4-star hotel on the promenade (upgrade option - a room with sea views).
Rapallo’s castle was built on a rock in the bay, following a daring raid in 1549 by the Pirate Dragut. The colourful resort developed around the town’s medieval core at the turn of the 19th century, its fame peaking between the wars when Ezra Pound was in residence and literary and political figures came to the Riviera to indulge in that recent invention (in its current form), the ‘holiday’. Visit Rapallo lace museum.
Renovated hotel on the promenade
Upgrade rooms have sea view
Optional cable-car ascent to Montallegro, above Rapallo, with pilgrim path descent (2.8 miles, 2.5 hours). Then, from Rapallo, quiet paths and alleys lead around the bay to Santa Margherita Ligure, continuing, with swimming opportunities en route, to the tiny cove of Paraggi – Standard 2-star hotel situated on exclusive cove (4.8 miles, 3 hrs). Those choosing an upgrade continue on a paved walkway around a wooded headland to the delightful village of Portofino –4-star boutique hotel in former palazzo (1.1 miles, 30 mins).
A magical bay surrounded by dense woods of holm oak and pine – the most exclusive beach on the Riviera and the perfect location for a visit to Portofino.
Friendly hotel in exclusive cove
Boutique hotel in renovated palazzo
Opportunities to explore this famously picturesque resort, where exotic ‘glitterati’ coexist with the local fishing and farming community. (3.1 miles, 2.5 hours).
Exquisitely pretty, Portofino stays just the right side of twee to retain its crown as the ‘most beautiful small harbour of the Mediterranean’. Visit the Castello Brown. Set up high above the sea and overlooking Portofino, this military fortress is worth visiting for the fine views alone. Inside are exhibitions including fascinating photographs of life over the years in this beautiful fishing village.
Friendly hotel in exclusive cove
Boutique hotel in renovated palazzo
Climb past ruined mills to pine-shaded paths with lovely views and down to the 11th century monastery of San Fruttuoso. Opportunities to visit the monastery and swim to view the famous underwater statue Cristo degli Abissi. Paths through woods and terraces lead up to the central ridge, before descending past the church of San Rocco to Camogli and your 4-star grand hotel with private beach and pool (upgrade option - a room with sea views) (7.6/7.2 miles, 5.5-6 hours).
Charles Dickens’ favourite town on the Riviera is a saltier, fishier place, its tall, painted houses looming over the harbour and the moorings of a very active little fishing fleet. On a clear day the views from the seafront promenade extend across the gulf of Genoa to France and the Alps.
Charming grand hotel with private beach and pool
Upgrade rooms have sea view
Trip Planner
Walking & Terrain
Walking: Moderate to challenging. The walk lengths vary from 2.5 hours to a maximum of 7 hours. Hours of walking, which may vary from individual to individual, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing or rests.
Terrain: Long coastal traverses with some steep climbs and descents to seaside villages. The paths are very varied, some along more rugged terrain but generally footpaths are well-maintained. Some sections are paved with slate, which become slippery when wet. A few long flights of steps, but these are rarely very steep. Some sections of path could cause problems to vertigo sufferers which you should discuss with your Route Manager if you have any concerns.
All ATG trips include facilities and options so that you can arrange to walk as much or as little as you like – or not at all - and your Route Manager will be able to advise you on public transport or taxi options.
Walking & Terrain
Walking: Moderate to challenging. The walk lengths vary from 2.5 hours to a maximum of 7 hours. Hours of walking, which may vary from individual to individual, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing or rests.
Terrain: Long coastal traverses with some steep climbs and descents to seaside villages. The paths are very varied, some along more rugged terrain but generally footpaths are well-maintained. Some sections are paved with slate, which become slippery when wet. A few long flights of steps, but these are rarely very steep. Some sections of path could cause problems to vertigo sufferers which you should discuss with your Route Manager if you have any concerns.
All ATG trips include facilities and options so that you can arrange to walk as much or as little as you like – or not at all - and your Route Manager will be able to advise you on public transport or taxi options.
Additional activities available locally
This is a wonderful area offering additional local experiences – which can be booked to fit in with your chosen itinerary or you may wish to customise your trip to have an extra leisurely day or two to enjoy.
All activities are paid for locally. Please contact the ATG office 3-4 weeks in advance of departure and we will put you in touch with your Route Manager to book or, in the case of booking the gardens at Cevara Abbey, as early as possible.
Pesto Cooking class in Sestri Levante. Cost 40€/person
Private yoga class in Sestri Levante. Cost 40€/person
Boat Hire in Rapallo or Portofino. Cost 500€ for 4 hours
Garden Visit at Santa Margherita, near Portofino. The gardens at Cervara Abbey are privately owned but it is possible to pre-book a private tour of the gardens (availability is limited and early booking is essential). The cost of a private tour is 150€ for a group of up to 6 people on weekdays (mon-fri) or 300€ for a group of up to 12 people on Saturdays. Additional persons charged at 25€/person.
Your Personal ATG Route Manager
I was brought up here in Liguria, in Sestri Levante – a beautiful seaside town nestled between the stunning Portofino and the rugged trails of the Cinque Terre. I love the outdoors, hiking and nature, all of which have fuelled my lifelong passion for exploration and travel. I joined ATG in 2017 and love to show off all that this beautiful coastal region has to offer.
Route Book
The ATG Route Book is a detailed, day-to-day guide. The book anticipates your needs with easy-to-follow instructions, maps, plans and other information that will guide you to discover the best that the area has to offer and is the key to the success of an independent holiday with us.
Walking App
Your Route Manager can provide you with a link to download an app to your smartphone. This app provides the GPS track for your route on your phone. You can use this digital support to find your position and navigate the route, even without an internet connection or mobile phone reception.
Accommodation & Meals
You can expect each hotel to be one of the most characteristic, comfortable and best located for travellers on foot, with the character and sometimes the standard varying from place to place.
Star ratings indicate official classification, although many delightful places have no star rating. In more remote areas hotels may be of a generally lower standard in relation to their ‘star ratings’.
Single travellers are accommodated in double rooms for single occupancy for a supplemental charge.
On this route, upgraded accommodation is available at some overnight stops, as specified on the itinerary.
Breakfast is included and there are suggestions in the Route Book about where to buy provisions for a picnic lunch, as well as restaurant recommendations. Dining options often include a choice of restaurants that can be pre-booked for you by your Route Manager.
Food & Wine
Menus along the Italian Riviera are bursting with a colourful array of fresh, local seafood, whether it be a lavish dish of lobster or a more modest plate of grilled anchovies. Liguria is also famous for its aromatic pesto sauce (originating from Genoa) and focaccia bread, a staple lunchtime snack. The Route Book contains a section on the cuisine and wines of the region, and a list of recommended restaurants en route. The Route Manager will be pleased to help you with any queries, requests or advice.
History
The local Ligurians were gradually subjugated by Rome’s northward expansion – by 109 BC the Via Aurelia extended along the coast as far as Genoa. The Lombards left a lasting mark in the 7th and 8th centuries and by the time of the First Crusade (c1100) Genoa was becoming a serious maritime and commercial power. The towns along the coast came under the city’s expanding influence, contributing ships and men to its wars with sea-borne rivals Pisa and Venice, but were always vulnerable to sudden attack by Corsair fleets. A period of relative stagnation ended in the late 19th century as the Riviera became a fashionable destination and the resorts began to grow and flourish. The Route Book provides a detailed account of the history of Liguria.
Flora & Fauna
Palm trees, cacti, wisteria, bougainvillea and citrus all thrive along the coastline while higher up the slopes are covered in a patchwork of neat olive groves, Mediterranean scrub and dense oak woods. Portofino National Park hosts one of the largest flower concentrations in Europe. Bird spotters will see everything from sea birds to woodland species and raptors. Our Route Book provides further detail while apps such as ‘LeafSnap’, ‘Flora Incognita’, ‘ChirpOMatic’ and child-friendly ‘Seek by iNaturalist’ can identify the flora and fauna en route.
Travel arrangements
Travel arrangements, including flights, for ATG Independent Footloose trips should be made independently.
Outward travel to Sestri Levante: Take the shuttle bus from your arrival airport to the main city station from where you can catch onward trains to Sestri Levante. Somerains from Pisa and Milan might be indirect.
Return travel from Camogli: Take the train from Camogli train station back to Genoa, Pisa or Milan central stations for onward shuttle services to the airport.
Trip Options & Prices
Overview
This 6 day independent walking tour in Liguria includes 4 days walking from Sestri Levante to Camogli for those looking for a dedicated walking trip along the Italian riviera. A perfect short trip to Italy combining scenic walking, nature, swimming opportunities and pretty coastal towns.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Sestri Levante*
Day 2: Sestri Levante to Chiavari*
Day 3: Chiavari to Rapallo*
Day 4: Rapallo to Paraggi / Portofino*
Day 5: Paraggi / Portofino to Camogli*
Day 6: Departure
*The upgrade price option includes upgrades at all locations
Prices (per person)
Overview
This 8 day independent walking tour is a more in-depth visit to the area with more time to explore Sestri Levante (or to enjoy an additional walk if you prefer) and Portofino, ‘the most beautiful small harbour of the Mediterranean’. Enjoy the Italian Riviera at a more relaxed pace on this weeklong trip to Italy.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Sestri Levante*
Day 2: Sestri Levante* - free day
Day 3: Sestri Levante to Chiavari*
Day 4: Chiavari to Rapallo*
Day 5: Rapallo to Paraggi / Portofino*
Day 6: Paraggi / Portofino* - free day
Day 7: Paraggi / Portofino to Camogli*
Day 8: Departure
*The upgrade price option includes upgrades at all locations
Prices (per person)
Our Independent Footloose itineraries have the flexibility to be customised if you would like to spend more time in any of the places en route; perhaps to incorporate some of the add-ons available locally or just to create a more relaxed pace to your holiday.
If you wish to build your own itinerary please complete our customise form and our Sales team will provide you with a bespoke quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
On each route there is an ATG Route Manager, who is there to take care of all the practicalities and ensure the success of your trip. Route Managers have all been ATG-trained, speak English and the language of the country fluently, and live in the local area. Your Route Manager will make contact with you a couple of weeks prior to departure (usually by email) and will then meet you at the start of your trip and will be available during your trip to move your luggage from hotel to hotel, provide local information, make restaurant reservations and do everything possible to ensure that you derive maximum enjoyment from your holiday.
Please let us know about any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that our Route Manager can ensure that you are catered for during your holiday. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem on our trips and the Route Manager can discuss your requirements in more detail with you at the start of your trip.
The walks are graded according to difficulty but you can walk as much or as little as you like.
Easy: walking along well-established paths and tracks with some short ascents/descents. These trips are suitable for most people who enjoy occasional exercise.
Easy to Moderate: walking along well-established paths and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces. Ascents/descents up to 1 hour. These trips are suitable for most people who have a reasonable level of fitness.
Moderate: walking along a variety of paths and tracks. Occasional uneven areas. Ascents/descents 1-2 hours. These trips are suitable for those who have a reasonable to good level of fitness.
Moderate to Challenging: walking along varied paths and surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents/descents of 2-3 hours. These trips are suitable for more experienced walkers who have a good level of fitness.
If you are planning to take an Independent trip as a single traveller, we would ask you to consider the potential dangers of walking alone before making a booking and if necessary discuss this with our Sales team.
Single travellers will be booked into a double room which will carry a single occupancy supplement.
Flights are not included in the price of your ATG holiday and should be booked independently.
The trips in our Independent programme make ideal family holidays for those with children who are old enough (and keen enough!) to enjoy a walking holiday or young enough to be carried in a backpack.
You would need to consider costs for lunches (either a picnic style lunch or lunch in a café as you prefer) and evening meals. Where an evening meal is included at a hotel this is indicated on the trip page. For evening meals not included, the route book provides restaurant recommendations to suit a wide range of budgets. You would also need to factor in any entrance fees to museums, churches, galleries and other sightseeing costs, items of a personal nature, shopping expenditure and transport if you choose to not to walk on some days.
Tourist Tax
This tax is charged per guest per night and the rate is determined by the local council based on the star rating of the accommodation. The rate usually varies from €2 up to €5 per person per night, although the rate can be higher in major cities. This tax is not included in the price of your holiday but where applicable will be payable direct to your hotel in cash.
We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension hotel booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.
ATG does not provide any form of insurance cover. However, it is a condition of booking that you have fully comprehensive insurance cover, including:
Cancellation/curtailment up to the cost of the holiday (preferably including flights)
Medical emergencies and repatriation
Travel delay / missed departure
Lost or stolen personal belongings
Personal liability
Legal expenses
Natural Disasters
Although most credit card companies offer travel insurance as something that is included when paying the balance with the card, it may be advisable to check that the cover offered is what you expect it to be. Very few companies include cancellation and curtailment or medical expenses. Whatever the insurance policy you have taken out, please read the documentation carefully. Please ensure also that you take it with you on your trip and refer to it in the case of any claim or emergency.
Yes, please click here for what to bring. A packing checklist is also included with your booking confirmation.
Sustainability
ATG was founded on principles of conservation and sustainable development. It was the first company to win the tourism industry’s two top awards: Tourism for Tomorrow (UK) and the World Legacy Award (National Geographic and Conservation International USA) and also the first to have an accredited Environmental Management System.
Everyone who walks with ATG contributes to the ATG Trust, which funds projects that benefit local communities in the regions visited. By supporting these initiatives, ATG promotes sustainable tourism. Past projects have included heritage restoration projects, environmental conservation and educational projects.
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