Liguria is a narrow, crescent-shaped region in northwest Italy, hugging the Mediterranean between the Alps, the Apennines, and the sea. Known as the Italian Riviera, it is famous for the five cliffside villages of the Cinque Terre, the glamorous harbour of Portofino, and the maritime city of Genoa. Liguria is also the birthplace of pesto, focaccia, and a culinary tradition built around the sea and the steep, terraced coast.
- Public
- Excellent coastal rail: Trenitalia regional trains and the Cinque Terre Express link Genoa, the Cinque Terre, and La Spezia frequently and cheaply; Genoa adds AMT buses, a short metro, and funiculars
- Taxi
- Available in Genoa, La Spezia, and Riviera towns but relatively pricey; ride-hailing is limited, so taxis are usually booked by phone or at ranks
- Rental
- Useful only for the inland hills and quiet western Riviera; cars are banned in the Cinque Terre and hampered by ZTL zones and scarce parking on the coast
- Walking
- Genoa's caruggi and the Riviera and Cinque Terre villages are compact and very walkable, though steep alleys and stairs make them tiring
Transport at a glance
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Liguria is long and narrow, and its main coastal railway line is the single best way to travel - it links Genoa with the Cinque Terre, La Spezia, and the western Riviera quickly and cheaply. The Cinque Terre villages are best reached by train or ferry, not car. Genoa has a compact public transport network of buses, a short metro, funiculars, and public lifts. A rental car is only really useful for the inland hills and quiet western Riviera, not for the Cinque Terre or congested coastal towns.
Airports
Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport
Pisa International Airport - Galileo Galilei
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy a Cinque Terre Card (around €18.20/day) for unlimited trains between the five villages plus trail access and station Wi-Fi
Validate regional train tickets before boarding, or carry an e-ticket on the app, to avoid fines from inspectors
Take the Cinque Terre Express rather than driving - cars are banned in the villages and coastal parking is scarce and expensive
Use Genoa's funiculars and public lifts (covered by AMT bus tickets) to climb the city's hills instead of walking the staircases
Avoid driving into Genoa's ZTL-restricted historic centre, where cameras issue automatic fines
Consider Golfo Paradiso and Cinque Terre ferries in summer for scenic links to Portofino, San Fruttuoso, and the villages
The regional train from Genoa to the Cinque Terre costs only about €8, far cheaper than a car and parking