Cycling the Italian Riviera: from Portofino to Cinque Terre

Day 1 - Welcome to the Italian Riviera - Portofino

Today is your arrival day. Benvenuto! Check-in at your boutique accommodation in Santa Margherita Ligure, a few minutes from Portofino. Relax after a long trip and start to soak up the Italian atmosphere!

Overnight in Santa Margherita Ligure.

Day 2 - Cycle in Portofino Natural Park

After breakfast, you’ll meet your bike tour guides at the reception of your hotel. Today from Santa Margherita Ligure you’ll cycle along the ancient Aurelia road until you reach the village of San Lorenzo della Costa village.

Here your bike ride continues as you will enter the Park of Portofino climbing up to Portofino Vetta, the highest entry point of the promontory natural park.

Biking on roads paths will give you the chance to enjoy the beautiful views and the Mediterranean vegetation of this protected area!

Then, you will stop for lunch (not included) in one of the ancient restored watermills of the area. From here, following a scenic rural path, you will reach the famous village of Portofino and have time free time at your disposal to enjoy it.

From Portofino, you will take the panoramic road overlooking the sea until you reach Santa Margherita Ligure.

Overnight in Santa Margherita Ligure

Day 3 - Live "la dolce vita" in Portofino and Beyond

After breakfast, you will explore the picturesque villages in the heart of Portofino Natural Park at your own pace with your knowledgeable and passionate local private tour guide.

Start from the picturesque village of Santa Margherita Ligure once called the “salotto” of the entire Gulf, famous for its painted facades, its lush gardens, and villas overlooking the sea. Enjoy a panoramic trip by public boat and reach the post-card perfect village of Portofino. You'll be fascinated by the arch of colorful houses and the lovely "Piazzetta" overlooking the water.

Then reach by boat San Fruttuoso, an amazing cove with a medieval abbey built right on the beach, restored and protected by FAI, the Italian National Trust. You’ll fall in love with these unique towns!

Overnight in Santa Margherita Ligure

Day 4 - From the coast to the hinterland

After breakfast, you’ll meet your bike tour guides and by shuttle, you’ll reach the Ligurian hinterland arriving in Borzonasca village and more precisely at the shimmering “Giacopiane Lake”.

Today you are in a wild area of Liguria: you will be immersed in the lush forests where you can admire, from a distance, the incredible view of the sea on one side and the deep crystalline water of the lake on the other.

You will bike along pleasant rural paths surrounded by woods and few farmhouses. If you’re lucky you will have the chance to meet some wild animals, such as wild horses!

Along the way, you will stop in a typical refuge to have lunch (not included) tasting local specialties. After lunch, we will continue cycling until we reach the van.

Back to your accommodation in Santa Margherita Ligure by shuttle.

Overnight in Santa Margherita Ligure

Day 5 - Cinque Terre bike tour

After breakfast, check out from your accommodation in Santa Margherita Ligure and private transfer to your accommodation in Cinque Terre. Check-in at your boutique accommodation in Cinque Terre.

After your check-in you will spend a great day immersed in a stunning landscape, discovering the Cinque Terre off the beaten path, pedaling on the roads and trails that run over the hills overlooking the sea.

With the private shuttle, you will reach the upper road with a comfortable and panoramic drive. From here, accompanied by our expert local guide, you will start your bike tour, enjoying a breathtaking panorama of the villages from the top.

As you will have the shuttle at your disposal, you will have the possibility to visit some of the villages and have a stroll around at your own pace.

You will finish the tour in Monterosso where you can taste a gelato and do some shopping before going back to your hotel with the shuttle.

Overnight in Cinque Terre

Day 6 - Day at leisure

Today you will relax and enjoy your day at your own pace. We suggest you to go to Portovenere village and walk around its historic alleys!

Overnight in Cinque Terre

Day 7 - Arrivederci day

Check-out and departure.

Important information

• This is a private trip idea and can be fully customized.
• Daily departures available all year round upon request.
• Suggested duration: 7 days / 6 nights.

This trip is not suitable for people with mobility problems

What’s included

• 4 nights in one of our selected 3 * boutique accommodations in Santa Margherita Ligure with breakfast included
• 2 nights in one of our selected 3* boutique accommodations in Cinque Terre with breakfast included
• Bike tour in Portofino Natural Park
• Bike tour in the Liguria hinterland
• Bike tour in Cinque Terre
• Professional guiding
• Shuttle service at your disposal during the day tours
• Private transfer from Santa Margherita Ligure to Cinque Terre accommodation
• Private walking tour in Portofino, San Fruttuoso, Camogli
• Ferry tickets
• Water bottle
• Helmet
• 24 h assistance before and during the trip

What’s not included

• meals and beverages other than those mentioned above
• transfers other than those mentioned above
• city tax
• travel insurance
• E-bike rental
• airfare to/from Italy

Price

This is a tailor-made trip. There are a number of factors that could influence the price; these include the standard of accommodation, the season, the mean of transportation you prefer and the number of private tours and activities.

Feel free to ask for a customized quote, send an email to booking@beautifuliguria.com