Cinque terre villages lie along an astounding near-vertical coastline in northwest Italy. Colorful houses and vineyards cling to steep terraces while fishing boats fill their harbors; plus there’s the scenic Sentiero Azzurro hiking trail offering sea vistas.
Sleep in one village as your base, and then leave when cruisers and day trippers arrive – this way, you can enjoy quiet mornings and evenings without being bogged down in crowds.
Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore, located at the southernmost tip of Cinque Terre villages, boasts one of five natural harbors among them and is situated atop steep rocky cliffs with multicolored houses cascading down toward the sea below. Riomaggiore’s vibrant colors and picturesque architecture attract thousands of daytrippers who cram its narrow streets for quick Instagram shots before moving on. By spending at least one or two nights here you’ll truly experience its magic.
Riomaggiore’s charming atmosphere can best be appreciated on a stroll down Via Colombo (maps). This main drag features restaurants, bars, enotecas and artisanal gift shops lining its length. Don’t forget to admire San Giovanni Battista church – built in 1340 and renovated into Neo-Gothic style in 1870; with its rose window, wooden crucifix and organ.
If you prefer, take some time to sit on the beach and listen to the crashing waves crashing against rocks, or head down to the pier for some food: Tutti Fritti’s cardboard cones filled with deliciously crispy, salty anchovy-stuffed morsels are a local favorite, which you can accompany with a chilled glass of Cinque Terre DOC wine for an incredible meal!
Riomaggiore offers stunning landscapes to be experienced on boat trips around its coastline. A variety of companies provide these tours, giving passengers a new view on craggy landscapes while showing how locals have created terraces from otherwise inhospitable cliffs. One-day tickets cost EUR35 for adults; afternoon or full-day options may also be available.
Alternative experiences of Cinque Terre’s extraordinary scenery can be gained by hiking one of its scenic trails. Riomaggiore-Portovenere trail is most commonly chosen; however, I recommend beginning your trek from Manarola and walking along its southern path toward Riomaggiore instead; this route requires less climbing but offers breathtaking views of its famous rocky cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and colorful villages that define this area.
Manarola
Manarola, one of the five Cinque Terre villages, features a railway station with only two tracks and is ideal for watching sunset. Although Nessun Dorma Cantina doesn’t take reservations directly, their app can help you queue digitally so you can wait your turn when your number appears!
Manarola is an idyllic village, where steep and narrow streets contrast with friendly locals who will welcome you with open arms. Take time during your visit to stroll around Manarola and experience its charming atmosphere; additionally it makes a great starting point for hiking the Via dell’ Amore trail.
This flat hiking trail between Riomaggiore and Manarola has been closed since 2012 due to landslide damage, but will reopen for guided tours only in 2024. If you’d like more insight into its rich history, booking with local guide Yvonne Riccobaldi from Get You Guide is highly recommended!
Manarola’s iconic feature are its vibrant vineyard terraces atop hillside hills. Used for centuries by human cultures and nature alike, these terraces present an exquisite juxtaposition of both elements. Unfortunately, though, this scene is slowly diminishing as young people seek easier jobs elsewhere or move out of the region, leaving behind abandoned terraces to crumble into maquis or forest growth.
Manarola offers some wonderful B&Bs for vineyard lovers looking to visit, many with breathtaking ocean views. Spending a few nights here is well worth your while if visiting Cinque Terre villages via train ride or walking; Manarola being central makes an excellent base from which to discover all it has to offer!
Corniglia
Ligurian coastline boasts five small villages built into its hillside like crusty sea creatures in a tide pool, each one different yet connected by pastel-hued homes clinging like algae to hillsides – each contributing something special and spectacular that was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and remains one of Italy’s national treasures.
Cinque Terre is an alluring tourist destination, drawing in roughly three million annual visitors who walk, take trains or ferries, and admire the spectacular coastal scenery. However, its popularity can lead to overcrowding; especially during peak summer days when thousands of daytrippers descend upon its villages. But if you arrive early or late in the day on weekdays and stay for at least three or four days you will get to truly experience its rich natural and cultural heritage.
Corniglia stands in the center of the cinque terre and stands alone among them as being built onto a cliff 100 meters above sea level, rather than directly onto it. As such, its accessibility differs considerably from that of its neighbouring villages (you must either climb 382 steps from the station to reach it or take a shuttle bus), thus helping it remain less busy and bustling with visitors.
Corniglia is an idyllic village boasting a charming church, locals-filled square, and stunning lookout points across the water. Corniglia also makes for an excellent starting point for hiking up to Vernazza via Sentiero Azzurro path number two which follows a similar ridge as between Manarola and Vernazza; its initial challenges may not prove too challenging; perhaps save it for later in the day when your energy has returned!
Corniglia offers several notable lodging options. Affittacamere or bed and breakfasts tend to be the least expensive but may lack breakfast. If you’re seeking something a bit more upmarket, Locanda Il Carugio Hotel might be just what you’re searching for; its stylish design aesthetic, modern rooms and stunning terrace offer breathtaking views – double rooms start from EUR155 in high season.
Vernazza
Vernazza is famed for its beautiful beaches and sun, but don’t neglect exploring its historic centre either! Packed full of photogenic houses and charming artisanal stores tucked into shaded alleyways, Vernazza also boasts the recently restored Convent of Reformed Fathers of St Francis with breathtaking sea vistas and 14 marble-coated tombs beneath its church floor – one of our favorites.
As the town center can become very congested in high season, a trek up to the castle ruins is well worth your while; here you can access an elevated viewpoint with far fewer people while admiring stunning coastal and cliffside views.
If you’re planning a visit, wake up early so you can experience the town before it fills up with tourists and crowds. Avoiding summer heat by hiking before sunrise will keep the temperatures slightly cooler while giving you an opportunity to see its spectacular sights before dawn breaks.
Cinque Terre began as five isolated fishing villages that eventually came together and have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their unique position along the Ligurian coast in northwestern Italy. From their perch high above coastal cliffs, each village sits above an array of rocky beaches connected by stone walled terraces where grape vines and olive trees thrive.
While their beauty cannot be denied, the future of these breathtaking landscapes appears tenuous. Many young people opt to leave for work elsewhere while abandoned terraces crumble or become overtaken by maquis and wild flowers. A small but growing number of passionate locals work diligently to ensure the preservation of this magical corner of the world, however.
These folks love their region and it shows in how they care for it. By developing a sustainable tourism model, they ensure their children and grandchildren can also experience this extraordinary location.