Cinque Terre, translating to “Five Lands” in English, is a spectacular example of the beauty of the Italian coastline. Widely regarded as a smaller and slightly less expensive version of the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre still receives its fair share of tourism from Italy and the rest of the world. As the name suggests, there are 5 towns of Cinque Terre (or villages) that make up this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wondering what are the best things to do in Cinque Terre towns? Read on.
The five Cinque Terre towns, in order, are Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. A trip to Cinque Terre is perfect for travelers who love beaches, hiking, Italian food and gorgeous ocean views.
Disclaimer: This helpful post contains some Affiliate links. This means that if you click on any of the links in this post (AND make a purchase) I may receive a small commission at absolutely no cost to you. As such I thank you in advance should you decide to click & buy.
Although Cinque Terre is a must-see in Northern Italy, visiting these hilltop towns can be a bit of a challenge. Train travel is currently the only way to pass between the 5 Cinque Terre towns and trains only run until a certain time each day. Poorly planned trips to this region often leave travelers stranded overnight and oftentimes lead to an expensive and unforeseen Airbnb rental. To learn how to visit without a hitch, keep reading for what to do and how to get to Cinque Terre.
Page Contents
How to Get to Cinque Terre
Train: No matter where in the world you’re visiting from, you will eventually need to get to the La Spezia Centrale train station. This is the only train station where you can board the train (the Cinque Terre Express) that takes you between the 5 Cinque Terre villages. It is easy to make this region a part of your Italy itinerary.
Flight: If you’ll be flying into Italy to visit Cinque Terre, the closest airport is Pisa (PSA), a mere 60 km away. Milan and Florence are also good options to fly into and then take a train to Cinque Terre. From Pisa, you can easily board a train to La Spezia Centrale. To book trains within Italy, on either Trenitalia or Italo, check fares and book on Omio platform.
Car: The closest big cities are Genoa and Pisa, each at a distance of about 70-80 km. You can easily get to Cinque Terre from other Italian cities like Rome, Florence, Milan. But Cinque Terre roads are narrow and parking is difficult to get. So I wouldn’t recommend taking a car to any of the Cinque Terre towns.
Best time to visit Cinque Terre towns
Cinque Terre has a long main season that effectively spans May to October, due to the region’s mild Mediterranean climate.
The best time to visit Cinque Terre is spring (from April to May) and fall (from September to October). During these months, the weather is mild and pleasant, and the crowds are a bit lesser than the peak summer season in July and August. June and September tend to be busy as well with cruise ships arriving on an almost daily basis. Cinque Terre is a great choice amidst best European destinations to visit in October, due to mild weather, fewer crowds, and beautiful views.
Cinque Terre in winter is very quiet, with many shops and restaurants closed, train and ferry timetables reduced, and rainfall can close off some hiking trails. So this is not a good time to visit.
How many days to spend in Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is on a 2-mile (3 km) stretch of Italy’s northwest coast, also known as the ‘Italian Riviera’. You can plan for a 2-3 days Cinque Terre itinerary to get a feel of it.
The 5 Towns of Cinque Terre
When visiting Cinque Terre, you must make sure to visit all 5 towns! Below, I’ve listed all the Cinque Terre towns in order. You can take a day trip to Cinque Terre, but you might miss some of the best sights. I recommend staying in one of the 5 towns or in the neighbouring town of Porto Venere, which tends to be less expensive and less crowded during the on-season. Keep reading for the best things to do in Cinque Terre.
Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is the first town in Cinque Terre. It’s full of fried seafood cones, colorful houses and amazing ocean views. Although I didn’t spend much time in Riomaggiore myself, it’s known as one of the best places to watch the sunset in Cinque Terre.
Grab a pizza or a seafood cone and savour it on the rocks while watching a spectacular sunset over the Italian coast. One of the things to do in Riomaggiore is to take a small group cooking class at a local’s home.
Manarola
When most people think of Cinque Terre, Manarola is usually the picturesque hilltop town that comes to mind first. This is also a beautiful place to watch a sunset. You can also enjoy the beauty of Cinque Terre on a boat tour during the golden hour.
Having aperitivo at Nessun Dorma with a view of Manarola and the Gulf of Genoa is one of the very best things to do in Cinque Terre.
Nessun Dorma also offers a pesto-making class for amateur chefs! The class is held from 10:30-12PM before the restaurant opens and, after you’re done making delicious pesto, you’ll enjoy a tasty charcuterie board with Italian wine.
Corniglia
As the only town in Cinque Terre not directly on the water, Corniglia often gets passed by for its ocean-adjacent counterparts. However, the views in Corniglia are NOT to be missed. If you plan on booking accommodation directly inside one of the 5 towns, Corniglia might be your best option to avoid the insane summer crowds.
Corniglia is the perfect stop for a delicious Italian aperitivo overlooking the Gulf of Genoa and the rest of the Cinque Terre towns.
Vernazza
Vernazza is my personal favorite town in Cinque Terre for snacking on tasty Italian food. Sampling homemade pesto focaccia and fried seafood (in a cone) at Bati Bati is one of the best things to do in Cinque Terre by a landslide.
When it comes to hiking Cinque Terre, the Azure Trail from Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare is a great place to start.
The trail takes about an hour and a half and can be quite strenuous at times. Make sure to pack enough water and comfortable hiking shoes. Once you arrive in Monterosso al Mare, you can reward yourself with a margarita bucket and a chilly dip in the ocean.
Monterosso al Mare
As the name suggests, Monterosso al Mare is the best town in Cinque Terre for a relaxing beach day and some fun in the sun. I would recommend bringing your own beach towel since it can be kind of expensive to rent chairs and umbrellas in such a touristy location.
When relaxing on the beach in Monterosso, don’t miss out on a delicious and alcohol-filled marg bucket from Bar Colpi di Timone! There’s nothing that makes a beach more enjoyable than a bucket-sized alcoholic drink.
Where to stay in Cinque Terre
I hope you have decided on which of the 5 villages of Cinque Terre to stay in. Whichever village you decide, there are traditional and luxury hotels, apartments in historical buildings to stay at. Browse through options:
No matter your interests, there are plenty of things to do in Cinque Terre. During your visit, make sure to soak up all the beautiful views and local Italian food you can. There’s a reason why tourists from all over the world flock to Cinque Terre – it’s truly awe inspiring.
Travel Tips for Cinque Terre
If you want to make the best use of your time in Cinque Terre towns, follow these travel tips:
- The Cinque Terre Card can be purchased at the train stations or at the trailheads for any of the hikes in the region. The card costs €7.50 and covers the cost of hiking and taking the trains between the villages. If you purchase the card at the trailhead, keep in mind they only accept cash.
- Due to proximity, a trip to Cinque Terre can be combined with a visit to Florence / Tuscany area.
- Explore on foot: The best way to explore and experience the Cinque Terre towns is on foot. With many trails being rocky, you do need a certain level of fitness with no knee issues. Also comfortable shoes are a must in your Italy packing list to explore this area.
- Eat local: Make sure you eat and drink local to support the local producers here.
- Aim to see Cinque Terre in the mornings and evenings, if you want to avoid the crowds. The most photogenic spots are always going to be busy.
If you prefer a day trip to Cinque Terre, check out these options:
Planning a trip to Italy? Here are some more guides to help you plan your trip –
Italy Itinerary: The classic two-week Italy Itinerary
Italian cities: One day in Florence, 4 days in Rome, Visit the Vatican City, 2 days in Venice
Italian regions: Amalfi coast itinerary for 4 days, Lake Towns in Northern Italy, Capri day trip, Lake Como in 3 days, Best places to stay in Tuscany
Italy in June: Weather, What to expect, Travel Tips, Best places
Souvenirs: Good Souvenirs from Italy
Packing Guide: Packing checklist for Italy in summer
Food in Italy: 21 of the Best Local & Traditional Italian Food you must try
____________________________________________________
Pin it for later!
____________________________________________________
This is a guest post by Madison Krigbaum.
Madison is a solo travel blogger and social media micro-influencer based in Roatán, Honduras. She fell in love with solo travel during her 2017 semester abroad in Rome, Italy. After the pandemic, she packed her bags and moved to the Caribbean where she’ll be living the island life until moving to Bali, Indonesia in 2022. Her favorite things include rooftop bars, handwritten menus and a strong, Italian espresso. To view more of Madison’s travel guides, follow this link. Do follow her on Instagram @madisonsfootsteps
[This post was originally published in 2022, and last updated in Feb 2024.]
________________________________________________
Have you visited any part of Italy? If yes, which is your favorite one? Share with us in the comments below.
Join me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook as I share my travel experiences.
