About this tour
A 12-hour private tour combining two of Italy's most striking coastal regions. Your driver collects you at 7 am, whisking you north through Tuscany and past the marble quarries before reaching Portovenere—a fortified village perched above the Poets' Gulf. You'll explore its church and castle, then head to Manarola as your base for discovering the five UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre villages via boat or local train. Return transport departs Monterosso at 5 pm.
Highlights
- Portovenere's medieval fortifications and seaside church
- Apuan Alps marble mountains en route
- Five Cinque Terre villages by boat or rail
- Manarola's colourful stacked houses and fishing heritage
- Poets' Gulf (Golfo dei Poeti) coastal views
- Private vehicle with English-speaking driver throughout
What to expect
You'll spend the bulk of your day exploring the five villages themselves—whether by boat hugging the rocky shoreline or by the local train threading through tunnels. Portovenere, visited earlier, feels altogether different: more fortified, less touristy. Expect steep streets, modest harbour cafés, and crowds if travelling in summer. The boat option offers swimming stops; the train is quicker. Walking between villages is possible but steep and rocky. Bring water and comfortable shoes.
Good to know
Boat and train tickets are separate purchases at Manarola. Book ahead in peak season. The drive north takes roughly 2.5 hours. Bring sun protection and sturdy footwear. Prams and infant seats available; steep village terrain suits older children better.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.