Genoa or Rapallo or La Spezia

By that time of year one would hope that the hoards of the CT would subside, but not likely.

We are going later this month and elected to stay in Santa Margherita Ligure. We also considered Camogli. Rapallo is a bit of a bigger town, as is Genoa and we liked the charm of SML moreso. There are also trails to hike in this area. It is also reachable by train to the Cinque Terre. La Spezia is very much a cruise port and I would not choose that as a base. It felt industrial port city to me when I was there a few years ago. Which is fine, just not vacation mode in my mind when there are so many other options.

If you have five nights, I would recommend choosing a location on the Riviera and then the other three nights in Florence. The Cinque Terre is a long trip to and from Florence. Florence to Genoa is 3 hours by train.

Thanks April, I appreciate your comments.
I will definitely look at staying in Santa Margherita Ligure or Camogli for 4 days. We can do day trips to Genoa, and Cinque Terre from there. Do you think that Cinque Terre day trip is good from SML?
Once we leave that area, we are heading to Florence for 5 days and then on Tuscany area for a week, Amalfi Coast for 5 days and then Rome for 7 days. These are all rough time lines, but figure it is a starting place.

Do you have access to YouTube? It’s great for seeing film of places you are looking at.

I love the pace of your trip. You will enjoy soaking in each place. That is the point of Italy.

We stayed 6 nights in Camogli last October and it was an excellent base. We have been to the Cinque Terre many times but desired to see more of Liguria. And we have spent a day in Genoa in the past.

From Camogli you can easily day trip to the Cinque Terre. Pick a couple of the villages you wish to see, have lunch and maybe a short hike if you like. Rapallo is also a nice day. Go up to MontAllegro on the cable car! In Genoa, there is a fabulous aquarium but beyond that I don’t think there is enough for several days. From Camogli, take the ferry to the Abbey of San Fruttuoso and consider hiking th Portofino Peninsula.

If you are into small towns without the crowds of the Cinque Terre I recommend MONEGLIA exactky half way between the Cinque Terre and Santa Margherita/Portofino. You won’t regret it. MONEGLIA is in the list of Italy’s Quaintest Towns Website (Vernazza in the Cinque Terre is also in the list)
http://borghipiubelliditalia.it/en/

I fell in love with Camogli when I stayed a few years ago for a few nights in May. I visited Santa Margherta Ligure - really nice town, bigger than Camogli. I didn't get to Rapallo.

Genoa has some interesting old neighborhoods but otherwise seemed like a sprawling, sometimes ugly city to me.

Since you plan to use one location as a central base to day trip north to Genoa and south to Cinque Terre, you might also want to check train schedules before deciding. Towns such as Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo have more frequent and faster train service than some of the other towns along the coast. It's another factor to consider since you mention using your time efficiently.

thanks everyone for the great comments and suggestions. It has definitely given me a different perspective on where to stay. I will certainly give Santa Margherita Ligure, Camogli or Moneglia consideration as a place to stay rather than Genoa. We do prefer a smaller town.