The Italian Riviera and the Tuscan coast offer some of the most beautiful — and most photographed — sailing anywhere in the Mediterranean. From the pastel glamour of Portofino to the cliff-clinging villages of the Cinque Terre and the Gulf of Poets at Porto Venere, this is short-hop, scenery-dense cruising where the pleasure is as much ashore as afloat.
Why charter here?
Nowhere else packs so many iconic harbours into so few miles. Days are short and relaxed, leaving time to walk the village trails, swim in clear coves and eat exceptionally well. It suits couples and first-timers who want beauty and culture over long passages — and photographers, because every anchorage is a postcard.
Good to know: this is a marina-and-mooring coast rather than a wild-anchorage one. Berths at Portofino and Santa Margherita are limited and should be booked ahead, and the Cinque Terre is a protected marine area with anchoring rules — we brief you on all of it.
Where you'll sail
The Gulf of Poets & Porto Venere
The sheltered gulf around La Spezia, Porto Venere and the island of Palmaria is the classic base — calm water, a UNESCO harbour and easy first-day sailing.
The Cinque Terre
Five villages — Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso — stitched into the cliffs and best seen from the water. A protected marine park with restricted mooring, so local knowledge matters.
Portofino & the Gulf of Tigullio
The Riviera's most glamorous corner: Portofino, Santa Margherita, Rapallo and the boat-or-foot-only abbey of San Fruttuoso, tucked into the wooded promontory.
Coming soon: the Tuscan Archipelago
Further south lie Elba, Capraia, Giglio and the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park — a natural extension we're adding to our cruising grounds. Ask us if you'd like to combine the two.
7-day itineraries
A sample week to shape your trip — with day-by-day distances, harbours and a coast-following map.
Best time to sail
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| May–June | Warm, green and quiet, with light winds and few crowds — a beautiful time on this coast. |
| July–August | Hot and busy; Portofino and the Cinque Terre are at their liveliest. Book berths well ahead. |
| September | Warm sea, thinning crowds and settled weather — arguably the finest month. |
| October | Quiet and atmospheric, with more variable weather later in the month. |
Winds & weather
The Ligurian Sea is generally gentle in summer, with light mornings and a pleasant afternoon sea breeze. The wind to watch is the libeccio, a south-westerly that can push swell onto the coast; because there are fewer all-weather anchorages here than in Greece or Croatia, we plan a route with sensible marina options in reserve.
Which yacht should you charter?
Comfortable monohulls in the 38–46ft range suit this coast well, and a catamaran is superb for stability and space if you plan to anchor off Portofino or the Cinque Terre. Read our guide to catamaran charters →
We now have a yacht based right here at Porto Mirabello, La Spezia — Lampo, a 2020 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 — ready to sail this itinerary. Browse the full fleet →
What it costs
Prices sit towards the premium end in peak season, especially around Portofino. For a full breakdown of weekly prices and what's included, see our Italy charter costs guide.
Sailing guides
Practical know-how for your Riviera charter, from mooring stern-to to planning each passage.
Getting there
Fly into Pisa (PSA), about an hour from La Spezia, or Genoa (GOA), a little over an hour. Both have direct UK flights in season, and onward trains and transfers are quick and easy.