Located along the northern coast of Italy is Cinque Terre. Its vibrant, pastel-coloured villages, crystal-clear waters, and rugged cliffs that overlook the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, are a must-visit on any Italian itinerary.
The name “Cinque Terre” translates to “Five Lands,” referring to the five enchanting fishing villages that dot this coastline: Riomaggiore, Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola and Corniglia. Each village offers its own unique charm and attractions.
When planning our trip, I found it confusing figuring out how to get there, how to get around, and where to stay. So, to help you plan your perfect Cinque Terre adventure and explore these charming villages with ease, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to Cinque Terre, including an itinerary on how to spend three days exploring each of the villages.
When to Visit
Like most coastal towns in Europe, if you are planning on relaxing by the water and enjoying the sunshine, summer is the best time to visit. However, if you want to avoid the crowds that come with the European summer, I would recommend visiting in the shoulder season of May or September.
How to get there
The most convenient way to reach Cinque Terre is by train. You can fly into major cities like Milan, Florence, or Pisa and then take a train to La Spezia. To find the best travel route for you, check out Omio for convenient options and deals on trains, buses, and flights.
From La Spezia, you can take the Cinque Terre Express, the local train service that connects all five villages. I recommend purchasing the Cinque Terre Train Card, as it not only serves as your ticket from La Spezia to one of the five villages but also provides unlimited train travel between the villages and includes access to all trekking paths.
How to get around
Getting around Cinque Terre is best done by train, on foot, or by boat. The Cinque Terre Express train runs every 10-15 minutes, making it easy to hop from one village to another.
Hiking is a popular way to explore, with scenic trails linking the villages. Ferries and boat tours also provide a unique perspective, offering beautiful views of the colourful villages from the water.
Where to stay
Cinque Terre, like many small European towns, features numerous flights of stairs and cobblestone streets. I highly recommend picking one town as your home base and then exploring the other towns during the day. The towns are quite close together and this will save you from having to lug your suitcase around.
We chose to base ourselves in Riomaggiore, staying at a cute pink Airbnb right on the water with iconic views of the harbour.
RIOMAGGIORE
Riomaggiore is considered the most romantic of the Cinque Terre villages, offering both daytime charm and lively nightlife. Renowned for its colourful houses cascading down the cliffside, it surrounds a picturesque harbour where you’ll find B&Bs with sea views, perfect for a romantic getaway. This is the first village you’ll encounter coming from La Spezia.
MONTEROSSO AL MARE
Monterosso al Mare is known for having the best beaches in Cinque Terre. Renowned for its turquoise blue waters and rocky shorelines dotted with colourful umbrellas, it’s the largest of the five villages and the only village with a sandy beach. Monterosso also offers the most accommodation options.
VERNAZZA
Vernazza is considered the most picturesque of the five villages. This traditional fishing village features colourful houses, a beautiful piazza, and boats bobbing in the harbour. Surrounded by olive groves, Vernazza is also known for producing some of the finest olive oil in the country.
MANAROLA
Manarola is perched high on the rocky coast, metres above sea level, and is one of the most iconic villages along the Cinque Terre coastline. Known for its small harbour and boat ramp, the village is also a popular spot for sun baking. The town features picturesque multicoloured houses facing the sea and a tiny piazza with charming seafood restaurants.
CORNIGLIA
Corniglia is the quietest of the five villages and is the only one without direct beach access. Perched on a hilltop, it requires a climb of 382 steps to reach it from the train station. The effort is rewarded with stunning views and a more peaceful atmosphere.
Three Day Cinque Terre Itinerary
Day One
Catch the train to Cinque Terre early and leave your bags at the storage lockers. This is a good option if your accommodation doesn’t allow baggage storage before check-in. We stored our bags at the luggage storage store located just outside of Riomaggiore station, but there are other storage options available as well.
Wander through the picturesque village of Riomaggiore, where you’ll find colourful buildings, narrow streets, and stunning harbour views. Find somewhere to stop for lunch, or grab takeaway fish and chip cones from Tutti Fritti and continue to wander around town. After lunch, head to Lo Scalo Lounge Bar for a couple of drinks. This bar is pretty small inside, try to get a seat outside to admire the harbour view.
After lunch, return to the station to collect your bags and head to your hotel for check-in. Spend some time relaxing and admiring the view from your hotel.
In the evening, catch the Cinque Terre Express train to Vernazza for dinner at Ristorante La Torre. Allow extra time for the walk from Vernazza Station to the restaurant. You will need to walk up the trail towards Corniglia, where you will be treated to beautiful views of the town along the way.
Be sure to book a table in advance, as it can get quite busy, especially during peak season. While we were waiting to be seated, many people were turned away because they didn’t have a booking.
Day Two
Start your day early with a sunrise hike to the Vernazza lookout. Take the train to Vernazza station; if you purchased a Cinque Terre Express pass, this will cover both your train ride and hiking pass, if not, you will need to purchase this from the Tourist Information Points at the train station. Once you arrive in Vernazza, start walking towards the hiking trail that leads to Monterosso al Mare. After walking upwards for a few minutes you’ll see a small clearing that overlooks Vernazza.
Once you’ve finished taking photos and admiring the view, head back into Vernazza for breakfast at Blue Marlin Bar. If you’re there on a Tuesday, be sure to visit the Farmers’ Market, which is held in Vernazza every Tuesday morning.
After breakfast, catch the train to Corniglia and hike up the many stairs to the village. Grab some gelato from Alberto Gelateria, then wander around the small town, taking in the views from above.
Next, head to Manarola for a pesto-making class and lunch at Nessun Dorma. This restaurant is extremely popular, and with its stunning views overlooking the ocean and Manarola village, it’s easy to see why. Booking the cooking class is a great way to skip the wait and enjoy an authentic pasta-making experience. If a cooking class doesn’t interest you, you can still visit the restaurant. I recommend downloading the Nessun Dorma app, which allows you to join the virtual queue. You can then explore the town while waiting for your table to be ready.
After lunch, make your way down to the boat ramp where you can have some fun rock jumping or simply relax in the sun.
Head back to your room and get ready for dinner, then make your way to the marina in Riomaggiore to enjoy a pizza and watch the sunset. Find a cozy spot along the rocky shore where you can relax and take in the stunning views as the sun sets over the sea. I’d recommend arriving before sunset, as it can get quite busy.
Day Three
Spend your last day in Cinque Terre in Monterosso, the largest of the Cinque Terre villages. Take a relaxing walk along the path that runs along the beach, enjoying the fresh sea air and beautiful coastal views. For breakfast, stop at Gelateria La Scogliera. Although it’s a gelato shop, they also serve delicious pancakes and coffee.
Book an umbrella and spend the rest of the day relaxing on Monterosso beach. The sandy beach here is perfect for unwinding and soaking up the sun. There’s also a small section of free beach, where you can lay your towel down, though, this fills up quickly in summer.
If you’re staying another night, consider booking a sunset boat cruise. This is a fantastic way to experience the beauty of the Cinque Terre coastline from the water. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time for this, but it’s something we would have loved to do!
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