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Cinque Terre Yacht Charter Guide

Read the full Italy Yacht Charter Guide. View Charter Yachts in this part of Italy >

One of the most idyllic and rustic areas of the Italian Riviera which is known to luxury yacht captains and superyacht owners is the Cinque Terre. It's an important yacht charter desination in the western Mediterranean and Cinque Terre yacht charters are very popular. Protected by UNESCO as a world heritage site, this particular area offers sandy cliffs and colorful houses in the five villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Every village in Cinque Terra is unique in design and character and offers a jumble of crooked streets, enchanting cafes and tiny beaches that are waiting to be explored. The cuisine here is at its authentic best and the views at every corner are magnificent.

La Spezia

The Port of La Spezia is able to cater to larger superyachts and as such the town is a popular embarkation/disembarkation point for exploring Cinque-Terre. The town has a variety of restaurants serving both local and international cuisine, and the quiet nightlife on land means that the true party will be on board your superyacht.

The Gulf of La Spezia is also known as 'The Gulf of Poets', and whether heading towards or away from the 'Five Lands' there are plenty of sandy bays along your route for family fun on the water toys or a languid afternoon in the sunshine.

Porto Verne

The rocky location of Grotta di Lord Byrone deters sunbathers enmasse and makes the perfect place to snorkel or paddle along in the canoes and explore the caves above the brilliant blue water.

While in the area, the 12th Century Church of Saint Peter is a great photo opportunity before your charter group heads off to Palmaria Island to Scuba dive, sunbathe and spend the daylight hours leaning to jet skis and water skis with an on board instructor. At night, anchor in a bay and enjoy clear night skies glittering with stars.

Le Rosse

Between Porto Verne and Riomaggiore are the rosy cliffs of Le Rosse which are made even more stunning by the vibrant green vegetation, chalky white surrounding cliffs and the mirror effect of the blue water and the summer sky. The site is virtually inaccessible by land, which ensures that your superyacht charter group will likely be the only people around to admire its stunning beauty.

The coast up to Riomaggiore has numerous beaches, including the nearby Persico Beach and Schiara Beach which are best accessed by tender. The shallow water is excellent for younger members of the group and crates rock pools filled with wildlife ideal for snorkelling.

Riomaggiore

From the south, Riomaggiore is the closest village to La Spezia, a vibrant and colourful town. The village has narrow streets and pretty buildings that treat visitors with old Italian hospitality and charm and amazing seaside views.

Riomaggiore is the closest settlement to La Spezia and this vibrant, colourful town dates back to the 13th century when it also established its reputation for wine. Narrow cobblestone streets ascend past primary coloured buildings into the hills, and the high cliffs fringed by pale blue waters add to its marvel as you approach. Visitors can expect old Italian hospitality with timeless charm and unforgettable seaside views.

Manarola

One of the best known views of Cinque Terre are the one that are enjoyed on the path that leads to the village of Manarola from Riomaggiore with flourishing undergrowth, sweeping beaches and overhanging rocks. The village of Manarola is peaceful, pleasant and picturesque. It offers a little more cosmopolitan feel with a sprinkle of restaurants and bars overlooking the sea. The pastel coloured houses and fishermen boats are just as charming.

Manarola is the second smallest village among the Cinque-Terre and the Sciacchetrà wine is one of its most famous exports. A coastal path connects Manarola to Riomaggiore, and hikers in the group can arrange for pick-up in the next town. Stroll through the picturesque streets and explore underwater with Seabobs, snorkelling equipment and Scuba diving gear to uncover the impressive wildlife making its home on the seabed.

This tranquil location has little in the way of modern day distractions and visitors can watch the sunset from one of the restaurants or bars overlooking the sea and the pastel-coloured fishermen's boats below.

Corniglia

The quietest village in Cinque Terre is Corniglia and it is the only one that is located above the sea level. This beautiful village offers locals a private hideaway as it is sheltered high. This little gem can be reached by the bus or the train after a challenging walk.

Corniglia is the quietest of the five villages and the only one which is perched upon the cliffs without reaching all the way down to sea level, and visitors will need to climb 382 steps to reach Corniglia. The terraced levels contain vineyards that look spectacular in the morning and evening light from the sea.

The stretch of coastline from Corniglia to Manarola has beaches with a shallow incline into the water for easy swimming and paddling: Seize the opportunity to bring out the motorised water toys for fun in the sun, or use the privacy to stretch out on your sundeck and enjoy a cocktail as colourful as the seaside houses.

Vernazza

Vernazza is known to be the most captivating, bustling and bright of all the Cinque Terre villages. It offers waterfront cafes, quaint shops and a small harbor filled with immense charm. Vernazza has a very casual, elegant and jovial atmosphere and is the perfect location to enjoy a delicious lunch or just sit and enjoy the postcard style breath-taking views.

From Corniglia to Vernazza the coast is riddled with caves for charter guests to explore on jet skis or kayaks, and the quiet beaches look out over sapphire blue water that sparkles in the sunshine.

Vernazza is considered the most captivating, bustling and bright of all the Cinque Terre villages and as your sailing yacht or motor yacht cruises past it is an excellent opportunity to capture its beauty on camera. Waterfront cafes, quaint shops and a small harbor add immeasurable charm, and the jovial, casual yet elegant atmosphere sets the scene for a strong Italian coffee and authentic local cuisine while listening to the seagulls and the waves.

Monterosso al Mare

The last in the Cinque Terre villages is the village of Monterosso al Mare, the most modernized and the largest of all five villages. It is the only village in the region that resembles a resort town and this is where the most beautiful beaches and the finest hotels can be found. Monterosso is known for its beautiful seaside promenade, its innumerable gelato parlours, its uphill streets and its trinket stalls that make an evening walk pleasurable.

Monterosso al Mare is the final, the most built-up and most modernised of the five Cinque Terre villages. This resort-like town has the best maintained and sandiest beach in the region and the castle beside the water adds to the unique character of the location with an impressive stature called the Monterosso Giant.

The promenade, its innumerable gelato parlours and its uphill streets lined with trinket stalls make for a pleasurable evening stroll before an evening of family films and parties aboard your superyacht charter.

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