Italian Riviera Towns Worth Visiting for a Luxury Escape

Amalfi often grabs the headlines, but the Italian Riviera is having its moment. Searches for Italian Riviera towns have shot up by 5,000% in a month, and interest in Cinque Terre doubled in a single week. It is easy to see why. The coastline runs from the French border down towards Tuscany and has more Blue Flag beaches than anywhere else in Italy.

Picture pastel cliffside villages, elegant seafront promenades and plates of very fresh Ligurian seafood. Heather Green, Head of Product at Citalia, has put together a route that mixes famous names with quieter finds.

Sanremo, a classic of the Italian Riviera towns

Sanremo is all palm-lined promenades, a centuries-old casino and Belle Epoque architecture. You can spend a few relaxed days walking Corso Imperatrice and the seafront, or settling in for an aperitivo or seafood by the marina.

Heather’s tip is to wander into La Pigna, the old quarter, in the early evening. You will find viewpoints and tucked-away restaurants that many visitors miss.

Genoa for culture and pesto

If you want a city alongside the coast, Genoa is a strong choice. It has grand palaces, lively piazzas and one of Italy’s oldest ports. Take in UNESCO-listed Via Garibaldi, look for traditional trattorias in the old town and try pesto in the place it began.

Heather suggests stepping off the main squares and into the narrow alleyways known as caruggi, where small bakeries and old wine bars hide. Trains also make it simple to carry on east along the coast.

Rapallo and Portofino for a touch of Hollywood

Rapallo is a handy base for one of the Riviera’s best-known stretches. From here you can reach Portofino, with its luxury yachts, designer boutiques and picture-postcard waterfront. The marina and coast even appeared in The Wolf of Wall Street.

According to Heather, arriving by boat and watching the colourful harbour appear is as cinematic as it sounds.

Santa Margherita and Camogli for romance

Santa Margherita is one of the most romantic places to stay. Nearby Paraggi Beach is known for its Blue Flag water, and scenic coastal paths link the town with Portofino.

For an evening to remember, hop on a train to Camogli for dinner. This is a traditional fishing village, and the legend goes that fishermen’s wives would wait on the shore each night, with the town lighting up to guide the boats safely home.

Portovenere and Cinque Terre

Portovenere is often called a quieter alternative to Cinque Terre. Think terracotta harbours, dramatic cliffs and wide views over the Gulf of Poets. You can visit the Church of St. Peter, take a boat trip along the UNESCO-listed coast or enjoy a sunset spritz overlooking the water. Head towards Doria Castle in the late afternoon, when the coastline starts to glow.

Then there is Cinque Terre itself: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. These five villages are among the most photographed in Europe, and their pastel look reportedly inspired Pixar’s Luca. Heather’s advice is to slow down and stay an evening in one village after the day visitors leave, when it feels most authentic.

With glamour in Sanremo, flavour in Genoa and quiet corners in Portovenere, the Riviera suits many kinds of trips. Pick two or three bases, hop between them by train, and leave room for long lunches. Evenings are the best part, so build in time to linger over dinner before heading back to your hotel along the water.