Lavagna
round-trip.
Sail from Lavagna along the Ligurian Riviera to Portofino & Cinque Terre. Charming seaside towns, hidden coves & gourmet Italian coastal culture await.
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.
Lavagna → Sestri Levante
Begin your Ligurian journey from Lavagna, sailing a short distance to the enchanting Sestri Levante. Discover the iconic twin bays, Baia del Silenzio and Baia delle Favole, before a panoramic hike along the Punta Manara Trail. Savour authentic Ligurian flavours at a harbourside trattoria.
Distance
3 NM
Sailing
~0.6h at 5 kn
Route at a glance
Best season
May – early October (peak Jun & Sep)
Duration
7 days · Sat – Sat
Departure
Lavagna
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.
Lavagna → Sestri Levante
Cast off from Lavagna, a town known for its historic slate quarries and elegant port, for a gentle five-nautical-mile reach south along the Ligurian coast. Sestri Levante greets you with its famed 'twin bays' – the tranquil Baia del Silenzio and the more open Baia delle Favole. Drop anchor in the sheltered Baia del Silenzio, where the water is calm and the scent of wild rosemary drifts from the shore, providing excellent holding in sand and mud. After a refreshing swim, take the dinghy ashore to explore the car-free old town, then embark on the Punta Manara Trail. This well-maintained path offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Ligurian Sea and the Riviera di Levante, winding through Aleppo pines and Mediterranean scrub. As dusk settles, choose a harbourside trattoria in Baia delle Favole for dinner. Indulge in local specialities such as trofie al pesto, a dish embodying Genoa's culinary heritage, paired with a crisp Vermentino. The evening air carries the gentle sounds of the harbour and the distant cicadas.
Things to do
Anchor and swim in Baia del Silenzio's calm waters
Hike the Punta Manara Trail for panoramic views
Explore Sestri Levante's car-free old town
Dine on trofie al pesto at a Baia delle Favole trattoria
Mooring tip
Sestri Levante offers anchoring in Baia del Silenzio (3-8m, sand/mud, good holding) or stern-to berths at Marina di Sestri Levante.
Sestri Levante → Moneglia
Depart Sestri Levante for the short four-nautical-mile passage west to Moneglia, a picturesque Ligurian village nestled between verdant hills and the azure sea. The approach reveals terracotta rooftops cascading towards pebbled beaches, a classic Riviera scene that feels untouched by excessive tourism. Drop anchor in the well-protected bay off Spiaggia di San Giorgio, where the water is clear and the seabed offers good holding in sand and gravel. Spend the afternoon swimming or snorkelling in the calm waters, observing small fish darting through the seagrass beds. Later, take the dinghy ashore and ascend to the sixteenth-century Castle of Monleone, offering panoramic views of the coastline as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in soft hues. For dinner, Osteria del Porto is a local favourite, known for its authentic focaccia di Recco — a paper-thin dough filled with creamy stracchino cheese — best enjoyed with a chilled glass of Vermentino, a perfect end to a serene day.
Things to do
Anchor and swim off Spiaggia di San Giorgio
Snorkel the clear waters near olive groves
Hike to Castle of Monleone for sunset views
Dine at Osteria del Porto for focaccia di Recco
Mooring tip
Moneglia bay offers good anchoring in 5-10m of sand and gravel off Spiaggia di San Giorgio, generally well-protected from northerlies.
Moneglia → Bonassola
A brief five-nautical-mile passage north from Moneglia brings the catamaran to Bonassola, a charming coastal village where the rhythm of the Ligurian Sea dictates the day. This car-free haven, known for its tranquil atmosphere, offers a genuine escape. Drop anchor in the bay, ensuring a good hold in the sand, then deploy the kayaks to explore the secluded coves and sea caves stretching towards Framura, often only accessible from the water. Ashore, the former railway line has been transformed into the scenic Ligurian Greenway, a paved path perfect for cycling through old tunnels and fragrant lemon groves, connecting Bonassola to Levanto. As evening approaches, the scent of pine and salt air fills the promenade. Seek out a family-run osteria, such as Osteria Antica Bonassola, to enjoy local specialities like acciughe sotto sale (salt-cured anchovies) paired with a crisp Vermentino. This gentle passage offers a glimpse into a quieter Ligurian past, far from the bustle of larger ports.
Things to do
Kayak the secluded sea caves towards Framura
Cycle the Ligurian Greenway through lemon groves to Levanto
Dine at Osteria Antica Bonassola for local acciughe sotto sale
Swim and snorkel in the clear waters of Bonassola Bay
Mooring tip
Bonassola offers anchoring in 5-8 m of sand and rock outside the small harbour; holding is generally good, but check your set carefully. Alternatively, limited stern-to berths may be available in the small marina, inquire upon arrival.
Bonassola → Monterosso
The brief seven-nautical-mile passage from Bonassola to Monterosso al Mare offers a spectacular introduction to the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre coastline. Here, the rugged Ligurian cliffs give way to the only extensive sandy beach among the five villages, inviting a refreshing swim as soon as the anchor is set. Monterosso, with its vibrant old town and a modern Fegina district, presents a charming blend of history and leisure. Secure a spot in the designated buoy field outside the harbour, which offers protection from the prevailing maestral, allowing for comfortable overnight stays. Once ashore, wander through the car-free alleys, where the scent of lemon groves mingles with the sea air. Consider a leisurely walk along a section of the Sentiero Azzurro towards Vernazza, an accessible trail offering breathtaking views of terraced vineyards and the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea. For dinner, Ristorante Miky, nestled in the old town, serves exquisite trofie al pesto and fresh anchovy fritters, a true taste of Liguria.
Things to do
Swim and relax on Monterosso's sandy Fegina beach
Hike a section of the Sentiero Azzurro towards Vernazza
Explore Monterosso's car-free old town and artisan shops
Dine at Ristorante Miky for Ligurian seafood specialties
Mooring tip
Monterosso offers a buoy field for overnight stays; anchor outside in 8-15m sand/rock if buoys are full. The small harbour is usually full and shallow.
Monterosso → Vernazza
The brief three-nautical-mile hop south from Monterosso to Vernazza offers an intimate approach to one of the Cinque Terre’s most iconic villages, its pastel houses clinging to the cliffside. As you round the headland, the harbour opens, framed by the steadfast bell tower of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia and the ancient walls of Castello Doria. Drop anchor outside the main harbour and launch the tender to explore the car-free, cobbled lanes, absorbing the scent of basil and sea salt. The underwater topography near Punta Mesco provides excellent snorkeling opportunities, with clear visibility and abundant marine life. Ascend to Castello Doria for panoramic views across the terraced vineyards and the Ligurian Sea, a vista that captures the essence of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Conclude the day with a lemon granita from Gelateria Vernazza, its bright flavour a refreshing counterpoint to the day's sea air and exploration.
Things to do
Tender ashore to explore Vernazza's car-free village lanes
Hike to Castello Doria for expansive coastal views
Snorkel the clear waters and rock formations near Punta Mesco
Savour a traditional lemon granita by the harbour
Mooring tip
Vernazza's small harbour is generally unsuitable for catamarans; anchor in 10-15m sand/rock outside the main harbour, ensuring good holding, and use your tender to go ashore.
Vernazza → Anzo-Setta
Set a course east from Vernazza for a gentle twelve-nautical-mile passage towards the less-frequented Ligurian coast around Anzo-Setta. This stretch reveals a rugged shoreline where ancient pine forests meet secluded pebble beaches, a welcome contrast to the bustling Cinque Terre. Aim for the protected waters near Paraggi Bay, known for its exceptional clarity; drop anchor in 8-12 metres over sand and rock, offering good holding. From here, a short dinghy ride leads to the car-free cove of San Fruttuoso, home to the magnificent 10th-century Benedictine Abbey. Its stone walls, steeped in centuries of maritime history, offer a glimpse into a bygone era. Explore the abbey and its small museum before the day's warmth softens into evening. For dinner, seek out a local trattoria offering trenette al pesto, traditionally pounded with a marble mortar and pestle, its aroma mingling with the evening's pine resin and salt air.
Things to do
Anchor and swim in the exceptionally clear waters of Paraggi Bay
Dinghy to car-free San Fruttuoso Abbey and explore its history
Hike the coastal path above San Fruttuoso for panoramic views
Savour authentic trenette al pesto at a local trattoria
Mooring tip
Anchor in 8-12 m over sand and rock near Paraggi Bay; holding is generally good. San Fruttuoso offers limited buoy moorings in season.
Anzo-Setta → Portofino
The final day begins with a short, gentle six-nautical-mile passage west from Anzo-Setta to the iconic fishing village of Portofino, a fitting crescendo to your Ligurian adventure. The harbour, framed by vibrant pastel-coloured houses, is a scene often captured on postcards, best experienced by strolling the famous Piazzetta, where local fishermen's boats share water with elegant superyachts. Ascend the path to Castello Brown, a historic fortress offering breathtaking panoramic views of the entire Gulf of Tigullio and the crystalline Ligurian Sea. Before the return leg to Lavagna, a final swim awaits in the secluded, golden-hued Cala dell'Oro, a serene spot perfect for reflecting on the week's journey. Later, as the sun dips below the cliffs, enjoy a classic Italian aperitivo in Portofino, savouring the last moments of the Riviera's charm before heading back to Lavagna for disembarkation.
Things to do
Stroll the iconic Piazzetta and admire Portofino's pastel houses
Hike to Castello Brown for panoramic views of the Gulf of Tigullio
Swim in the secluded, golden waters of Cala dell'Oro
Enjoy a classic Italian aperitivo overlooking Portofino harbour
Mooring tip
Portofino harbour berths are extremely limited and costly; consider a pre-booked buoy or anchor outside if conditions allow.
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