Italy Travel Guide: Cinque Terre Towns
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This article will begin with what you won’t find in Cinque Terre, Italy. You will not find the monuments of Rome, pageantry of Venice, or glossiness of the Amalfi Coast. What you will find is the raw beauty of real life. Our Italy travel guide will give first-time travelers to the Cinque Terre towns information on how to plan the perfect trip.
What should you expect on your first trip to the Cinque Terre?
Expect lots of crowds. Also, expect to be amazed by the network of terraces built into the steep cliffs. Expect tiny churches, simple fishing boats, and slabs of rock to sun upon. Expect the unpretentious magnificence of the Cinque Terre towns tumbling down hillsides and crowding around the Ligurian sea.
The color and beauty of the five fishing villages is not to be missed. However, the area’s remote location, popularity, and expense make it important to be organized. Learn about how to get there, how to get around, how long to stay, and much more in this Italy Travel Guide on the Cinque Terre towns.
Need to Know Info
Currency: Euro
Language: Italian - but in the villages English is widely spoken
Dress: Casual, wear sturdy shoes for uneven surfaces
ABOUT THE 5 CINQUE TERRE TOWNS
Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare (“Monterosso”) make up the Cinque Terre (Five Lands) National Park. In the 11th century, farmers in the area began building terraces on the cliffs between the villages to cultivate grapes, olives, and lemons. Over the course of 1000 years, the cian (terraces) crept up until entire hillsides were covered.
In the 1800s, a railroad was built connecting the villages. In the 1960s, the first connecting motor vehicle road opened. Yet, the landscape between the Cinque Terre towns remained largely unchanged. Today, the paths connecting the villages are still mostly traversed by foot. The area is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its unique cultural landscape.
Although closely linked, each of the Cinque Terre towns has its own personality:
Riomaggiore – known for its picturesque harbor, fine dining, fun atmosphere, and sunsets.
Manarola – known for its lively main street, panoramic coastal paths, colorful villas, and cliff-jumpers.
Coriglia – Known for sitting high above the sea (reached by bus or 383 steps). Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, it is the smallest, least crowded village.
Vernazza – known as the busiest village with a gorgeous waterfront. Its harbor is filled with traditional Gozzo fishing boats that bob in front of a central piazza.
Monterosso – the only village to boast a long sandy beach. It is the Cinque Terre’s largest town, and the one that feels the most like a traditional beach resort.
WHERE ARE THE 5 CINQUE TERRE TOWNS
The Cinque Terre towns lie in the La Spezia province of northwest Italy. The region borders the Ligurian Sea and marks the beginning of the Italian Riviera. The Cinque Terre (Five Lands) lies about 281 miles (453km) north of Rome, and about 58 miles (93km) south of Genoa.
CONSIDER THESE DAY TOURS TO THE CINQUE TERRE REGION
CINQUE TERRE MAP
TRANSPORTATION
How To Get to Cinque Terre
Part of the Cinque Terre’s charm is that it’s a bit off of the beaten path. When traveling to the region, we recommend using nearby La Spezia as your transportation hub. About 9 miles (15km) from Riomaggiore, La Spezia has ample lodging, eateries, and affordable parking.
By Train: Traveling by train to the Cinque Terre is cheap, easy, and fast. Book your ticket to La Spezia Centrale Station from anywhere in Italy. Then, hop on the local Cinque Terre train to the villages. At each train station there is a Welcome Center where you can pick up maps and purchase Cinque Terre Cards. Click this link to explore train tickets to the Cinque Terre towns.
By Car: From La Spezia follow the road signs to Le Cinque Terre. Park in one of the lots outside of the Cinque Terre towns (only local traffic is allowed in the villages). If you are road-tripping in Italy, we recommend you park at the train station in La Spezia and take the local train to Cinque Terre. Click here to explore car rentals in Italy.
By Plane: Fly into Milano, Genova, or Pisa. Then, take the train to La Spezia. Click here to explore flights to destinations in northern Italy.
Getting Around the Cinque Terre Towns
The terrain in the Cinque Terre is hilly with few flat areas. In the villages and on the trails expect lots of stairs and upward climbs.
By Train: A regional (local) Cinque Terre train links the 5 villages to La Spezia and Levanto. The trains run frequently. You can pay by the ride or buy a Cinque Terre train card which allows unlimited rail travel. Be aware, the trains can get very crowded.
By Ferry: You can travel between Cinque Terre towns on a ferry (between April and October). The ferry allows you to see the stunning coast from the water. However, ferries do not run as frequently as the trains (and can also be crowded).
On Foot: While in the villages, foot travel is the only way explore. For those with mobility issues the area can be challenging (Corniglia and Vernazza are relatively flat in town; Manarola and Riomaggiore have many steep inclines). Hiking between villages is extremely popular.
THINGS TO DO IN CINQUE TERRE
Explore each of the five villages
Hike a portion of the Cinque Terre’s Blue Trail
See the coast from the sea by ferry or catamaran
Tour a vineyard and sample the local wine
Have beach day in Monterosso
Watch the cliff jumpers in Manarola
Enjoy the sunset in Riomaggiore
Visit the chapels of the Cinque Terre towns
Go kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, or scuba diving
Visit Doria Castle in Vernazza for amazing sea views
Take a Cinque Terre tour:
WHERE TO STAY IN CINQUE TERRE
While there are many rooms to rent in the Cinque Terre towns, most tend to be smaller pensiones (boarding houses and small hotels). Monterosso has the most “resort” type hotels.
TIP: Book early (12 months ahead) and look for accommodations near the train station or with porter services unless you are willing to tote your luggage up steep hills and stairs.
CINQUE TERRE HOTELS
Here are a few well-reviewed Cinque Terre hotels to consider:
Hotel Marina Piccola - Manarola
Hotel Porto Roco - Monterosso Al Mare
Hotel Luna di Marzo - Riomaggiore
Casa Cato - Vernazza
CINQUE TERRE WEATHER
The Cinque Terre has a Mediterranean climate with dry summers (averaging in the low 80’s F) and mild winters (averaging in the low 50’s F). It tends to rain the most in October, March, and April. Many hiking paths and businesses close during the months of November to February.
BEST TIME TO VISIT CINQUE TERRE
Randy and I recommend the shoulder seasons of September, May, and June as the best months to visit the Cinque Terre towns. In these months generally all hiking trails and businesses are open, the weather is warm, ferries are running, and while it is crowded – it is not unbearably so (like the months of July and August).
TIP: To avoid excess crowds: Check the Italian calendar for holidays before deciding on your travel dates. Also, try to travel to the area on weekdays.
IS CINQUE TERRE WORTH VISITING
With its picture postcard villages, great food, abundance of outdoor activities, and significant cultural value; a trip to the Cinque Terre will be worth every hour and dollar you invest in the area. But don’t go expecting marble statues and gilded cathedrals. There is a raw grittiness to the region – which we think is part of its allure.
HOW LONG TO SPEND IN CINQUE TERRE ITALY
It is possible to see the Cinque Terre in a day if it is your only option. In this span, we suggest using the ferry as hop-on hop-off transport (rather than the train). The scenery will be much more beautiful and you can tour the towns of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso easily from the ferry port.
To really get a taste of the area, we recommend a 3-4 day stay. In this span, you can explore each village, hike, see the coast from the water, and enjoy the area in its natural state after the day trippers have departed.
Enjoy the fresh seafood and panoramic views, Laura and Randy
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