The most appealing town north of the Cinque Terre — but also the most distant (one hour by train) — is Santa Margherita Ligure. This easygoing, old-school resort town has an enjoyable urban bustle and a handful of sights (including the Baroque Basilica of Santa Margherita), along with easy access to posh Portofino.

No, Santa Margherita Ligure is not technically part of the Cinque Terre, though it is often visited in conjunction with it. Santa Margherita Ligure is located on the Italian Riviera in the Province of Genoa, about 50 km (31 miles) north of the Cinque Terre. It is the primary gateway to the ultra-glamorous village of Portofino. The "official" Cinque Terre consists of only five specific villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, all of which are located within the Cinque Terre National Park in the Province of La Spezia. However, Santa Margherita is a popular "High-Fidelity" base for travelers who want a more traditional, upscale resort feel with larger hotels and a proper beach, while still being a short 45-minute train ride away from the five famous villages. It serves as a more accessible and often less crowded alternative to staying inside the narrow, cliffside towns of the Cinque Terre, providing a perfect balance of Riviera elegance and easy access to the hiking trails and rugged coastline of its southern neighbors.