Beyond the Cinque Terre: A luxury escape to Liguria

Discovering one of Italy’s most underrated regions

Despite travelling extensively across Italy over the years – from the lakes of the north to the sun‑baked landscapes of the south – Liguria had somehow remained a gap in my personal map. I’d long heard whispers of its rugged coastline, beautifully blue waters and its string of colourful fishing villages, but nothing quite prepared me for finally experiencing it myself. This journey became not only an introduction to a new region, but a reminder of how endlessly surprising Italy can be, even to someone who has spent plenty of time exploring it.

Porto Venere

An easy transfer from Pisa Airport brought me to Porto Venere, a place that immediately felt like the right choice for my first few nights. The Grand Hotel Porto Venere sits proudly above the small harbour, just steps from the ferry terminal and the lively promenade lined with multi‑coloured buildings. Most of its rooms have this delightful view, as does the panoramic terrace on which breakfast and bar drinks can be enjoyed.

Just opposite, the imposing Palmaria is also within this view. A guided morning hike on the island, a protected national park, was a brilliant introduction to the local area. The hike offered fantastic views of Porto Venere and the coastline beyond in one direction, and a glimpse of various headlands and Tuscany’s mountains in the opposite direction.

A private boat trip with lunch organised through the hotel was highly deserved indulgence after this hike. There is no better, nor a more luxurious way, to fully appreciate the magnificent blue waters and the eye catching coastline that makes the area so special.

The rest of the time here, and indeed the main reason to use Porto Venere as a base, was spent exploring perhaps the region’s highlight: the Cinque Terre. These are five small rustic coastal villages situated among a stretch of steep cliffs, often with contrasting characters and layout.