Cinque terre (“the five lands”) offers strikingly beautiful fishing villages to visit for food, wine and scenic beauty – but to do it properly requires careful planning and preparation. As part of its UNESCO World Heritage status.
Car ownership isn’t necessary to visit the five villages, as their narrow mountain roads make accessing them easy. Instead, consider purchasing a timed Cinque Terre Card which includes train travel between Levanto and La Spezia (Porto Venere). These cards include hiking fees at EUR5-10 per day.
The five villages
Cinque Terre is a Unesco World Heritage Site consisting of five medieval villages set among hills above Ligurian Sea. These picturesque towns with steep cobbled streets and pastel-colored houses seem straight out of a fairy tale; thus inspiring many writers, including Eugenio Montale.
It’s understandable why the villages of cinque terre have become such a draw for visitors each year, drawing millions to them every year. Unfortunately, their fame has caused overcrowding; to ensure an unforgettable experience don’t let crowds detract from your experience of this incredible landscape! Plan ahead and prepare yourself accordingly but don’t let crowds affect how you enjoy this great destination.
Riomaggiore is the first village on any train trip from La Spezia and features an idyllic, picturesque harbour framed by dramatic cliffs that makes for stunning Instagram images. Additionally, this village boasts an ideal sandy beach perfect for children as well as amazing sunset views – making Riomaggiore an excellent option for families to stay. There are countless family-oriented activities and restaurants here!
Manarola is another picturesque village located within Cinque Terre that boasts a picturesque harbour and small beach, surrounded by vineyards for perfect sunset watching conditions. Foodies will appreciate Manarola with plenty of delicious dining options such as Nonna Grazia restaurant. Be sure to make a reservation here in advance if possible as its popularity warrants.
Vernazza stands out among Italy’s five villages as perhaps its most iconic. A cluster of multicolored houses clings precariously to a cliff edge and offers panoramic views of surrounding mountains and sunset. Vernazza provides an idyllic environment in which to watch this glorious event and has many restaurants including Il Capanno for fine dining experiences.
Corniglia stands tall above the sea and is the only clifftop village in Cinque Terre. Surrounded by vineyards that produce strong local wine, this tranquil village features few restaurants but remains less crowded than others in its vicinity.
Hiking along the trails connecting villages is an activity not to be missed, but be sure to wear appropriate hiking footwear; avoid flip-flops! As paths can become very crowded in the afternoon hours, it may be wiser to start hiking early each day in order to beat crowds.
Hiking
Cinque Terre hiking trails are vertiginous and cliffside, and even slight rainstorms can turn them treacherous and hazardous, so beware. Wear sturdy footwear with sufficient grip and support; flip flops are not permitted and any attempt at hiking in them could incur fines; hiking poles may provide extra stability or extra knee protection if needed, and don’t forget your water bottle and sunscreen!
The best time to visit is between April or May and September or October when there are fewer tourists and mild temperatures. Summer can bring large crowds that clog up paths quickly; to get the best experience during these hotter months, plan ahead by starting early and avoiding peak midday sun hours.
Cinque Terre boasts two main hiking trails: Trail #1 and #2. Trail #1 is the more popular of these, offering breathtaking views and being relatively straightforward for experienced hikers in good physical condition; however, due to its popularity it has occasionally led to overcrowding issues or safety concerns due to overuse.
Trail #2 is more challenging and requires a high level of physical fitness and conditioning, as well as a permit from the national park. From Portovenere to Levanto, this route should take around 12 hours; we suggest taking it at a leisurely pace in order to fully appreciate its scenery and avoid overcrowding.
Booking accommodations early is highly recommended when visiting Monterosso or Riomaggiore during high season as there will be many hotels and apartments to choose from in these larger villages. Smaller villages may have some options as well; these will be more costly. To guarantee yourself an accommodation during this season it is wise to secure accommodations early.
Staying more than one night in each village will allow you to fully experience it, especially at different times of day and season. Towns are most enjoyable during early mornings and late afternoons/evenings when they are quieter.
Boating
One of the best ways to explore Cinque Terre is by boat. This activity is especially popular during peak summer season as it gives a different perspective of each village and allows visitors to escape crowds. A ferry or boat tour also allows you to appreciate the rugged terrain which surrounds these picturesque villages.
Cinque Terre’s rugged cliffs and crystal blue waters are truly breath-taking when seen from a boat tour. A trip out into the Mediterranean could last from several hours to full days depending on your interests, though guided boat tours offer additional educational benefits that not only allow for amazing photo opps but also reveal more about history and culture of its coastal villages.
Furthermore, you can enjoy exploring the villages at a more leisurely pace while having lunch or drinks on board and even having time built into some tours for swimming and snorkeling in the Cinque Terre Marine Protected Area waters. For an intimate experience, book a private boat rental for either half or full day; this allows you to create your itinerary according to your own tastes and the skipper can stop off in hidden bays and grottoes without crowds getting in your way!
As there are multiple boat trips available to visitors to this coastline, the most convenient and quickest method for getting around is taking advantage of one of five ferries that run between all five villages from March to November. Although this provides quick travel between each village, it may feel more like organized mass transportation system than just another boat ride option.
Alternative tours include full-day boat tours that depart from La Spezia and include welcome drinks and an open buffet cruise, with some excursions including stops for swimming and snorkeling in a grotto or beach that is only accessible via boat – providing an opportunity to get away from crowds while having a memorable adventure!
Getting there
Many visitors make Cinque Terre part of a day trip from Florence and Pisa, or via cruise ship. Unfortunately, this approach fails to do justice to its beauty; experiencing all that Cinque Terre offers in one day would be impossible; crowds also make your experience better; it would be wiser to spend several days here for optimal enjoyment. To avoid these crowds and maximise your trip experience try arriving early each day before staying late – or plan an earlier entry time and leave late each time!
Cinque Terre is a national park and therefore cars are not allowed within its villages, making rail travel the best means of travel to reach each town quickly and affordably. Cinque Terre Express trains run regularly between towns at just EUR5 per ride for single rides or you can purchase an unlimited-ride Cinque Terre Treno card that grants access to hiking trails as well as train travel!
Traditional Cinque Terre tourism involves walking from town to town on coastal paths. While this can be challenging due to many steep steps and uneven surfaces, some routes are closed due to landslides; those still open may become very busy quickly.
If hiking is too strenuous for your knees, or you prefer taking things at a more leisurely pace, another alternative would be taking a boat between towns. Though more expensive, this option allows you to enjoy the beautiful landscape without all of its inhabitants crowding onto trails. These boats only run between April and October though; otherwise they won’t operate.
At first glance, Cinque Terre may appear expensive; especially during high season when hotels tend to be quite small and demand is high. Luckily, however, there are numerous great hostels located throughout the region that may be much less costly than hotels.
Travel to Cinque Terre can be fairly straightforward, though planning ahead can make your experience even better. Fly into Genoa and catch a train there, though driving directly to La Spezia would also work. Leave yourself enough time for traffic delays; additionally, validate your train ticket before using it!