Genova
round-trip.
Embark on a yacht charter from Genoa down the Italian Riviera to Amalfi. Cruise through Portofino, Cinque Terre, and cliffside gems—culture, sea & scenic delight
Day-by-day route
Click any pin on the map or any day in the Route summary below to see the daily stop, narrative, and photos.
Genova → Arenzano
Depart from Genova's historic Porto Antico for a gentle eight-nautical-mile reach west to Arenzano. Drop anchor in the sheltered bay, allowing the pine-scented air and the Ligurian coast's quiet charm to set the tone for the week. Explore the elegant Parco Negrotto Cambiaso and savour local focaccia al formaggio.
Distance
11 NM
Sailing
~2.2h at 5 kn
Route at a glance
Best season
May – early October (peak Jun & Sep)
Duration
7 days · Sat – Sat
Departure
Genova
Sailing area
Amalfi
Route summary
Click any day to jump back to the map and see its photos, narrative, and mooring tip.
Day-by-day journey
Named anchorages, restaurants, and route notes for every leg of the week — written by sailors who’ve actually run this passage.
Genova → Arenzano
Cast off from Genova's historic Porto Antico mid-afternoon, leaving the city's vibrant hum for a gentle eight-nautical-mile reach west along the Ligurian coast to Arenzano. This initial passage serves as an unhurried introduction to charter life, with the afternoon sun warming the deck and the air carrying a faint scent of pine resin from the shore. Aim for the bay just east of Marina di Arenzano, where clear waters invite a swim before sunset. Drop anchor in 6-8 metres of sand and shingle, with excellent holding, offering a peaceful overnight stop. Ashore, Arenzano offers a relaxed promenade and the exquisite Parco Negrotto Cambiaso, a Renaissance garden cascading towards the sea. Indulge in authentic focaccia al formaggio from a local panificio, its warm, molten cheese a perfect counterpoint to the cool evening air. The lights of the town reflecting on the water create a serene backdrop for your first evening aboard.
Things to do
Explore Genova's Porto Antico before departure
Sail the gentle Ligurian coast to Arenzano
Stroll through the elegant Parco Negrotto Cambiaso
Indulge in authentic focaccia al formaggio
Mooring tip
Anchor in 6-8m sand and shingle off Spiaggia Libera, east of Marina di Arenzano; holding is excellent. Marina berths are also available, but booking ahead is advisable.
Arenzano → Varazze
Depart Arenzano for a relaxed six-nautical-mile reach west along the Ligurian coast, passing the prominent lighthouse of Capo Santo Stefano. Varazze offers a blend of historic charm and modern marina facilities, providing a sheltered berth for the evening. The town's vibrant character is immediately apparent in its colourful houses and the scent of salt air mingling with pine resin from the hills. Secure your catamaran stern-to in Marina di Varazze, a well-equipped harbour offering easy access to the pedestrianised old town. Spend the afternoon exploring the narrow carrugi, where local artisans maintain age-old traditions, or stroll to Spiaggia di Ponente to search for sea glass. As dusk approaches, join the local passeggiata along the palm-lined promenade, culminating in an authentic Ligurian dinner. Many small trattorias along the waterfront serve excellent, lemon-drenched fritto misto, prepared with the day's catch and best enjoyed with a glass of local Pigato.
Things to do
Stroll the narrow carrugi of Varazze old town
Search for sea glass at Spiaggia di Ponente
Join the evening passeggiata along the promenade
Dine on fresh fritto misto at a harbourside trattoria
Mooring tip
Marina di Varazze offers stern-to berths with lazy lines; booking ahead is advisable in high season. Fuel pier available.
Varazze → Savona
Cast off from Varazze for the short seven-nautical-mile reach west along the Ligurian coast to Savona, a city steeped in maritime history, famously linked to Christopher Columbus’s early seafaring days. The approach to Porto di Savona offers views of the formidable Priamar Fortress, a testament to centuries of Genoese influence and a bulwark against Barbary incursions. Secure your berth in the modern marina, stern-to or alongside, before stepping ashore to explore the city's old quarter. A climb to the Priamar Fortress reveals panoramic views of the harbour and the Riviera di Ponente, with its weathered stone walls whispering tales of ancient sieges. Later, seek out the tranquil Grotta della Sirena, a secluded cove perfect for a refreshing dip in the clear Ligurian waters. For dinner, Osteria dell'Acciughetta offers a genuine taste of local tradition, serving expertly cured anchovies, a staple of Ligurian cuisine, paired perfectly with a chilled glass of Vermentino, the crisp local white wine, against a backdrop of cicadas at dusk.
Things to do
Explore the historic Priamar Fortress and its ramparts
Swim in the clear waters of the secluded Grotta della Sirena
Dine at Osteria dell'Acciughetta for local anchovy specialities
Wander Savona's old quarter, discovering hidden piazzas
Mooring tip
Porto di Savona offers modern marina facilities; book ahead, especially in high season, for stern-to or alongside berths.
Savona → Albenga
Depart Savona for a rewarding 22-nautical-mile passage west along the Ligurian coast, arriving at Albenga, a town rich in Roman and medieval heritage. The approach reveals a skyline dominated by its distinctive medieval towers, a striking contrast to the turquoise waters. Anchor carefully off the old town, where the ancient Battistero Paleocristiano hints at centuries of history, its early Christian mosaics visible beneath the surface in clear conditions. For a more secure stay, Marina di Albenga offers berths, though depths require attention for deeper keels. Take the dinghy to explore the 'Centum Pagine' archaeological site, where Roman columns stand as silent sentinels, partly submerged, offering a unique snorkelling experience. Ashore, the car-free historic centre invites leisurely strolls through narrow carrugi, leading to trattorias serving traditional Ligurian buridda – a rich fish stew – and local Pigato wine, whose grapes are said to draw their unique salinity from the sea spray. This blend of ancient ruins, vibrant local life, and coastal beauty makes Albenga a memorable stop.
Things to do
Snorkel near the Battistero Paleocristiano for ancient mosaics
Dinghy to the 'Centum Pagine' Roman underwater ruins
Wander the car-free medieval old town's narrow carrugi
Enjoy traditional buridda and Pigato wine at a local trattoria
Mooring tip
Marina di Albenga offers stern-to berths; check depths for catamarans, as shallower sections exist. Anchorage off the old town is possible in calm weather.
Albenga → Imperia
Embark on a scenic 22-nautical-mile passage west from Albenga, following the dramatic Ligurian coastline towards Imperia. This charming coastal city comprises two distinct districts, Porto Maurizio and Oneglia, gracefully separated by the olive-oil-rich Prino River. The gentle maestrale often provides a pleasant beam reach for much of the journey. Upon arrival, consider a shore excursion to a local frantoio, a traditional olive oil mill, to sample the renowned Taggiasca olive oil – its distinctive peppery notes a true taste of Liguria. The air here carries the scent of pine and sea salt. Later, drop anchor off Spiaggia d'Oro, a beautiful arc of sand where the water invites a refreshing swim. As evening approaches, stern-to mooring is available at Porto Maurizio, offering direct access to the old town. Dine at a local trattoria, savouring sardenaira, a savoury Ligurian 'pizza' topped with tomatoes and anchovies, while the harbour lights begin to twinkle, mirroring the emerging constellations above.
Things to do
Sample Taggiasca olive oil at a local frantoio
Swim from the golden sands of Spiaggia d'Oro
Explore the historic districts of Porto Maurizio and Oneglia
Dine on traditional Ligurian sardenaira
Mooring tip
Porto Maurizio offers stern-to berths with lazy lines in 4-6m depth; book ahead, especially in high season.
Imperia → Vado Ligure
Depart Imperia for a rewarding 35-nautical-mile passage east to Vado Ligure, a port town that reveals a more industrial yet authentic Ligurian character, where fishing trawlers often outnumber yachts. This stretch of coast can offer a brisk maestrale in the afternoon, making for an exhilarating reach. Upon arrival, secure your berth in the marina, then consider exploring the renowned Pista Ciclabile. This scenic cycling path, carved from a disused 19th-century railway line, snakes through cool tunnels and along dramatic cliffs, leading to the breathtaking Baia dei Saraceni, a crescent of white sand historically named for Saracen incursions. For dinner, Trattoria della Nonna is a local institution; seek out Signora Maria, whose towering seafood salad is a testament to Ligurian culinary tradition, often enjoyed with a crisp Vermentino. The scent of pine and salt air drifts across the harbour as dusk settles, offering a quiet end to a day of discovery.
Things to do
Sail the Ligurian coast east towards Vado Ligure
Cycle the Pista Ciclabile to Baia dei Saraceni
Dine at Trattoria della Nonna for fresh seafood
Enjoy a crisp Ligurian Vermentino with your meal
Mooring tip
Vado Ligure offers berths in its commercial port; expect a working harbour atmosphere. Fuel is available, but book your spot ahead, especially in summer.
Vado Ligure → Cogoleto
From Vado Ligure, a pleasant 12 NM run east along the Ligurian coastline takes you past the dramatic cliffs and sea caves of Bergeggi Island, a marine protected area best explored by dinghy. Continue another 15 NM to Cogoleto, a charming coastal town with ties to Christopher Columbus's ancestry. Drop anchor in the sheltered bay beneath the ancient watchtower of Punta Martinetto for a final swim in the clear, jade-green waters, the salt-laced air carrying the scent of wild herbs from the shore. This gentle cruise serves as a fitting crescendo before the return to Genoa's historic Porto Antico. As evening descends, the iconic Lanterna, one of the world's oldest operational lighthouses, guides you back into the bustling harbour. Secure your berth and wander into the labyrinthine caruggi, where a traditional trattoria awaits with fresh pesto, focaccia, and a glass of Vermentino, reflecting on a week of Ligurian discovery.
Things to do
Explore Bergeggi Island's sea caves by dinghy
Swim near Cogoleto's Punta Martinetto watchtower
Visit Genoa's Lanterna for panoramic harbour views
Dine in a traditional caruggi trattoria in Genoa
Mooring tip
Genoa Porto Antico offers well-equipped stern-to berths; book via Navily or ACI app, or anchor off Cogoleto in settled conditions.
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