Staying in one or more villages to truly appreciate this Unesco World Heritage Site and avoid overtourist crowds is ideal.
Steep seaside cliffs rise up around five ingeniously designed fishing villages. Here, locals create marinated anchovies and enjoy Ligurian focaccia before growing grapes for sweet sciacchetra wine production.
Riomaggiore
Cinque Terre (or “Five Lands”) is an extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of five coastal villages connected by pastel-hued buildings that tower from improbably high heights, while aquamarine waters lap against rugged shores. Over centuries, man has adapted and altered this remarkable landscape into an incredible harmony between nature and architecture, producing something truly remarkable in this incredible landform.
Riomaggiore, located at the southernmost end of Cinque Terre, is a hilltop enclave of narrow alleys, colorful tower houses, and an inviting small marina. Most visitors to Cinque Terre arrive here first and use Riomaggiore as a hub to visit all five villages if traveling as part of a group. Riomaggiore also is well known for its rich artisan traditions with numerous workshops offering jewelry and pottery production.
Cinque Terre visitors often start their adventure here; its main train station serves La Spezia to Levanto with fantastic ocean views from various points throughout town. A fantastic place for exploring on foot.
Riomaggiore is an ideal spot for day trips or more relaxing stays in one of its hotels with sea views – providing a much-needed respite from other towns’ hustle and bustle. There’s an excellent choice of restaurants here as well as being an ideal starting point for hiking along the coastline up to Manarola and beyond.
Find an abundance of activity at the beaches, with visitors coming here for sunset swims and to enjoy the sunshine. Though small and rocky in places, they provide enough room for everyone.
If you need a break from the beach, visit the Riomaggiore Pointe de Viewpoint above the Harbour for stunning views of its colourful houses and harbour. Beware that evenings can get busy; this spot may become popular.
Tours and activities abound here, from wine tours and tastings to tours that cover food & drink or outdoor activities – so there’s sure to be something here that fits into your trip perfectly! Explore your options under food & drink or outdoor activities below to select one that is just right for you.
Manarola
Manarola, one of five villages making up the Cinque Terre, offers breathtaking panoramic views with its picture-perfect tower-houses perched precariously along rocky cliffs. Although Manarola may be difficult to access by train or boat, its beautiful church square and secluded terraces make it worth your while for sunset viewing!
Manarola’s most beloved attraction is its famed Via dell’Amore (“Path of Love”). This elevated and narrow walkway provides one of the best vantage points of Cinque Terre coastline. However, beware that the path can become congested with tourists looking to curate their Instagram feeds; be wary as bad weather could render the route dangerous and use caution while walking on it.
An additional highlight of each village is its handful of restaurants, from creative contemporary options such as Rio Bistrot in Riomaggiore to small family-owned spots like Cappun Magru on Manarola’s church square. To experience Cinque Terre fully, dine at one that supports local vineyards; these establishments will pair your meal with wines produced in Liguria to give a full flavor experience of Ligurian cuisine and wine!
Are You an Adrenaline Junkie? Manarola provides the perfect starting point to discover the crystal clear waters surrounding the coast and discover hidden coves for swimming and exploring by boat. Take part in a cooking class to make Ligurian pesto or enjoy local vino at Nessun Dorma bars while taking in stunning ocean views – or hop aboard the Cinque Terre Express ferry service that connects Manarola, Vernazza and Monterosso with additional stops in Corniglia and Levanto
As a visitor to the area, it’s advisable to use this service as your main mode of transport between villages. Otherwise, rent a private driver for scenic coastal route drives or book an organized tour that covers all five villages within one day. Furthermore, local trains connecting La Spezia and Sestri Levanto offer service through Manarola — however tickets should be secured prior to visiting as they are limited in number.
Corniglia
Corniglia stands apart from the other Cinque Terre villages by being unique due to its location atop a high cliff and breathtaking sea views. Due to this rocky spur, however, this settlement lacks direct access to the Tyrrhenian Coast beneath this settlement on top of a clifftop settlement.
Cornelia dates back to Roman times, as evidenced by amphorae found during excavations at Pompei. After the fall of the Empire, land ownership passed on to local families who became famous for their artisanal traditions – this explains why so many shops sell local products and souvenirs like Corniglia wine produced locally vineyards.
Corniglia is one of the five villages, but also the quietest. Its tiny main square offers just enough room for several tables; yet this bustling square serves as the heart of activity in Corniglia. Here you can start your day right with Sicilian granita and pastries from Cappun Magru before moving on to Nessun Dorma for an aperitivo with breathtaking village views and local wine!
At Corniglia, you can visit the Church of Saint Salvatore e Nicol and Cemetery which offer spectacular views. But the true gem of this town lies behind and beneath it; that hidden beach can be reached following signs to Marina di Corniglia; although its waters may only be suitable for experienced swimmers due to deep depth, making for a refreshing and relaxing stop after your trek!
Corniglia offers several family-run affittacamere (room rentals), which provide an authentic Cinque Terre experience without the crowds that tend to gather in Riomaggiore and Manarola. You may even enjoy spectacular sunset views – and, with any luck, in peace.
Vernazza
Vernazza was once an attractive pirate lookout during medieval times. Its picturesque rocky outcrop gazing out across calm, cerulean blue waters and gentle waves lured opportunistic plunderers from far and wide. Today, however, Vernazza remains just as captivating and picturesque but far less visited by tourists; instead it features charming houses decorated with vibrant Italian colors on steep hills dotted by colorful cliffs and hills covered by colorful homespun buildings with distinct Italian flair.
Cinque Terre’s most developed town, Vernazza hasn’t changed much over time, yet its residents remain deeply appreciative of nature or visitors alike. Once dependent on fishing for food and income from travelers who appreciate both view and meal. Church bells chime periodically while waves wash across its shores creating an enjoyable soundtrack punctuated with kids at play, happy diners, yellow webs of fishing nets and gritty little boats tied securely to buoys – it all adds up to an idyllic scene!
Vernazza may not boast many hotels, but there are numerous bed-and-breakfasts and vacation rentals that cater to any traveller’s budget. As the villages are so compacted together it is easy to travel between them on foot or train; hiking and biking trails also run throughout Vernazza including its signature 508 route; this challenging but rewarding trail heads from Vernazza uphill towards Force Drignana for incredible mountaintop views and its very lonely monastery.
Traditional Ligurians were traditionally farmers, fishermen, winemakers, and seafarers; today many work in tourism. Staying in one of Liguria’s villages can give visitors an intimate view into their world and way of life; especially for families or tour groups. Artisan traditions still thrive here with locals producing high-quality cheeses and wines such as Sciacchetra (a honey-sweet white wine produced on terraces above towns) being produced locally; basil grows abundantly allowing fresh pasta as well as basil ice cream!
Experience the Cinque Terre by selecting one village as your base and exploring all five by boat or on foot. When planning a trip, it is wise to book accommodation early – this is especially important during peak summer season and national holidays/special events such as Festival della Musica in September – in order to avoid disappointment and check your hotel or bed-and-breakfast’s cancellation policy in order to book well in advance if possible.