How to Visit Cinque Terre: The Ultimate Guide

To visit the Cinque Terre, in the region of Liguria, in Italy, is to discover magnificent villages with colorful houses, located by the sea. Surrounded by terraced vineyards, there is no doubt that you will fall under their spell!

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cinque Terre National Park truly offers splendid landscapes and exceptional viewpoints.

To help you organize your visit to the Cinque Terre, I have prepared a complete guide for you, with all the villages to discover and the different options for getting around.

Of course, you will also find all my advice and tips for a great stay!

At the end of the article, I also give you my selection of the best hotels to sleep in when visiting the Cinque Terre and practical information for reaching the national park.

So what to see in Cinque Terre? 

The 5 villages to see in the Cinque Terre

There are 5 villages not to be missed during your visit to the Cinque Terre:

Monterosso al Mare

Monterosso is the northernmost village of the Cinque Terre and it is also the largest.

The locality is divided into 2 parts by a rocky strip jutting into the sea:

1) The district of Fegina.

It is on this side of Monterosso that you will arrive if you come by train: the station opens directly onto Via Egina, a shopping street with shops and restaurants.

It is also along this street that the largest beach in the Cinque Terre is located . Monterosso being the only village in the 5 Terre where you can swim on real beaches and not in the port.

The majority of the beach is privatized and covered with orange and blue parasols/deckchairs, certainly quite photogenic seen from above, but synonymous with a high tourist influx!

Count about fifteen euros to rent one for the day, or else you will have to try to make room for yourself in the limited public space.

At the end of the beach, after the parking area, there is also a curiosity of Monterosso: a giant statue of the God Neptune 14 meters high erected on the sides of cliffs.

Built in 1910, it was in poor condition and has just been restored!

2) The historic center is the second area of ​​the village where you can stroll.

It also has a small beach (still privatized) and many souvenir shops and cafes where you can sit on the terrace along Via Roma. You can also discover 3 religious monuments:

• The Capuchin convent located on the border of the 2 zones
• The Church of San Francesco
• The Church of San Giovianni Battista, built in the 13th century and recognizable by its two-tone facade in white and dark green marble.

Tips for your Cinque Terre itinerary:

From Monterosso, you have the possibility of doing a very nice activity to visit the Cinque Terre: a kayak trip.

The walk along the coasts of the Italian Riviera allows you to contemplate the cliffs, the typical terraced developments and to observe the villages from a new angle.

Vernazza

Vernazza is in a small bay at the bottom of the cliff.

With its church by the sea, the colorful fishing boats moored in the port and its houses with brightly colored facades all around, it is one of the most picturesque villages of the Cinque Terre.

Take Via Roma, where the shops and restaurants line up, and you’ll come to the square of the Santa Margherita church and the harbour, which has a tiny pebble “beach” perfect for cooling off if you feel like it.

Then go up to the Doria castle tower (1.50€), which dominates the village with its 60 meters high and from where the panorama of the sea, the vineyards and the Cinque Terre national park is just sublime!

Did you know? In 2011, the Cinque Terre suffered from exceptional floods. The village of Vernazza was one of the most affected: a mudslide devastated everything almost 4 meters high and the village was evacuated. 100 million euros were needed for repairs.

Tips for your Cinque Terre itinerary:

The most beautiful point of view on Vernazza is located at the start of the path to go to Monterosso. Photos worthy of the most beautiful postcards guaranteed!

Cornilla

Corniglia is the only village in the Cinque Terre to be built on top of the cliff and not to have direct access to the sea.

To get there from the train station, you can either take a fairly steep staircase of more than 300 steps (the Lardarina), or opt for the less tiring solution: take the shuttle!

But if you choose this method, expect to queue a bit as the minibus only holds around 20 people at a time.

Surrounded by vineyards, Corniglia has a slightly different architecture from the other 4 villages: the houses are certainly colorful but narrower and lower.

It is also the smallest village of the 5 Terre, the walk along the main alley, the Via Fieschi is therefore quickly done but very pleasant. I also advise you to go through the panoramic Santa Maria terrace to enjoy the view of Vernazza and Manarola.

Tips for your Cinque Terre itinerary:

The best view of Corniglia is when arriving by the path from Vernazza.

Manarola

Fourth must-see village in the Cinque Terre: Manarola.

If you only have to make one, this is the one I recommend! It is not for nothing that Manarola is the best known and most visited village of the 5, it is for me the most beautiful village of the Cinque Terre!

With its houses built along the cliff, its stone bridge and its rocks beaten by the waves, it is not surprising that it is considered the most typical and picturesque village in the region.

On leaving the station, go down towards the sea and take the landscaped promenade that runs along the seaside.

This is where all the photos that you find on the postcards are taken. The view is amazing!

Riomaggiore

The last village to visit in the Cinque Terre is that of Riomaggiore. It is the closest town to La Spezia.

There are 2 walks to do in the village:

• Go up the main street leaving the station. It is lined with shops and cafes.
• Go down to the pier to admire the view of the whole village and the colorful houses located on each side. You can also take the opportunity to take a dip if you’re hot!

At the level of historic buildings, you can go through:

• Riomaggiore Castle built in 1260
• The Church of Saint-Jean Baptiste built in the 14th century
• The oratory di Santa Maria Assunta, a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary and with beautiful stained glass windows.

What is the most beautiful village in the Cinque Terre?

Here is my ranking of the most beautiful villages in the Cinque Terre (this is just my opinion!):

1. Manarola
2. Vernazza
3. Riomaggiore
4. Cornilla
5. Monterosso

The 5 options for visiting Cinque Terre

To visit the villages of Cinque Terre and move between each of them, you have several options.

I’ll detail them for you below:

Visit the Cinque Terre by train / Cinque Terre Card Train

A train line from La Spezia to Levanto (or vice versa) passes through all the villages of the Cinque Terre. It only takes 20 minutes to go from La Spezia to Monterosso al Mare, the furthest village.

Fast and practical, it is by far the best option for getting around and visiting the Cinque Terre!

You can buy your train tickets at the ticket machines in La Spezia, Levanto or throughout the day in each small station of the 5 villages.

A trip costs 4€, it’s the same price whether you choose to do La Spezia-Monterosso (the longest trip) or just a short trip between each location. You will have to retake a train ticket each time.

If you plan to take the train more than 4 times in the same day, I recommend that you choose the Cinque Terre Train card (“Cinque Terre Card Treno MS”) which entitles you to unlimited travel on the regional train.

Valid for 1, 2 or 3 days, prices start from €16 for adults (free for children under 4 years old, reductions up to 12 years old and possible to take the Cinque Terre Family Card = 2 adults + 2 children).

The Cinque Terre Card Train can be purchased at the Cinque Terre park offices in the stations and not at the ticket machines. It is nominative and you may be asked for an identity document to confirm your identity or the age of the children.

It is also possible to buy it in advance on the official website.

In addition to unlimited train rides, this card also includes:

• Access to hiking trails (I’ll tell you about it in detail right after)
• Use of the park’s minibuses, in particular the one to go up to Corniglia from the station
• Free Wi-Fi at stations
• Free access to toilets in stations (1€ otherwise)

There are trains every 20-30 minutes daily until midnight/1am depending on the season. You will be given the list of timetables when you purchase the Cinque Terre train card.

Tips for your Cinque Terre itinerary:

Don’t forget to stamp your train ticket or card before boarding!

Small dogs are accepted on the train free of charge. On the other hand, for larger dogs, you will need to buy a Cinque Terre Card Treno for children. Also compost!

The hiking trails of the Cinque Terre / Cinque Terre Card Trekking

You can also visit the Cinque Terre on foot.

Hiking trails connect the villages to each other and offer exceptional viewpoints.

Just a clarification: don’t expect a quiet walk by the sea. Most of the time, you will first have to climb the cliffs between the vineyards and the fields before descending to the villages.

Please note that access to the trails is regulated:

• You will have to show your Cinque Terre Train card or Cinque Terre Card Trekking at the start of each path at the keeper’s hut.

The Trekking card works on the same principle as the Train card except that it does not include unlimited train journeys and just allows access to the trails. It costs €7.50 for 1 day and can be purchased at stations or on the national park’s official website .

It is imperative to have one of these 2 maps to hike in the Cinque Terre!

• It is forbidden to take the paths in flip-flops or barefoot. It’s fairly recent as regulations but frankly it makes sense when you see how the trails are. I’m always amazed at the number of people you meet in flip flops on the hiking trails…

Here are the details of the different trails that connect the 5 villages and are grouped together under the name “azzurro trail”:

• Monterossa-Vernazza: 4 km for about 1h30 to 2 hours of walking. There are a lot of steps and it climbs quite a bit at the beginning (130 vertical meters). We do not go along the seaside but we pass through the vineyards. Steep descent at the end before reaching Vernazza.
• Vernazza-Corniglia: 4 km for 1h to 1h30 walk. The path climbs a lot and all the way.
• Corniglia-Manarola: 3 km, just over an hour’s walk. Trail closed, no re-opening date scheduled for now.

The last path that allows you to go from Manarola to Riomaggiore is certainly the best known and the easiest.

Named the Via dell’Amore, it is a very pleasant walk without any difficulty of about 1 km which is even accessible to strollers. Unfortunately, it is also closed, with no scheduled re-opening date.

In addition to these paths between the main villages, there are many other routes to visit the Cinque Terre National Park on foot. You will find all the information about hiking in the Cinque Terre here.

Tips for your Cinque Terre itinerary:

For your Cinque Terre walking tour, you can also choose a guided hike.

Thanks to your local guide, an expert in the national park, you can hike in complete safety and enjoy unique views of the villages. And don’t worry, time is also provided to walk around the villages and enjoy the atmosphere.

The Cinque Terre Train card is included in the daily price.

Visit the Cinque Terre by boat

The villages of the 5 Terre all have a small port to dock (except Corniglia), boat trips to discover them are also available.

It works on the same principle as the train, with maritime connections between each village, but necessarily slower. A day ticket costs around €35. Departures are from the cities of La Spezia, Levanto or Portovenere.

Only one company offers to visit the Cinque Terre by boat. Unlike the trains which run all year round, the cruises only take place from the end of March to the beginning of November and can be canceled in the event of bad weather.

You will find practical information, timetables and prices on the official website.

As these outings are very touristic and the boats are crowded (therefore not necessarily ideal for contemplating the landscapes or taking photos), I advise you to choose a more upscale cruise instead.

Far from the crowds, you can enjoy the Cinque Terre National Park from the sea and in peace. Swimming breaks are even planned to refresh you. Lunch, drinks and wines are also included in the price.

Book your Cinque Terre cruise here.

And for an even more exceptional experience and a romantic moment, I recommend a sunset cruise.

Taste an excellent typical “aperitivo” with good Italian products and admire the sun setting over the villages. All in a small committee!

Tips for your Cinque Terre itinerary:

From La Spezia, you can also opt for a boat rental for your visit to the Cinque Terre.

Visit the Cinque Terre by car

I prefer to tell you right away that this is not the best way to visit the Cinque Terre.

You will not be able to reach the centers of the 5 villages by car, you will have to leave your car in the car parks located above the villages and go down (and then go back up everything!) on foot. Not to mention that they are not necessarily very large and that the prices are high.

For example, the Vernazza car park, located 1 km from the city center, only has around 50 spaces and costs almost €20 a day!

If you come to the Cinque Terre by car, it is best to park your car in one of the car parks in Levanto (the ones at the train station are around 5€/day) or in La Spezia and then take the train to visit the park.

Visit Cinque Terre on a day trip

If you are staying in Pisa, Florence or Milan, you can easily visit the Cinque Terre with an organized excursion.

Transport, guide, train and ferry tickets are included in the price.

• From Pisa
• Visit the Cinque Terre from Milan
• Departing from Florence

Cinque Terre Wines

All around the Cinque Terre villages are terraced vineyards. These cultures on the sides of mountains and overhanging the sea are an integral part of the emblematic landscapes of the national park.

The Cinque Terre wines produced by the 5 villages all have a controlled designation of origin (DOC – the equivalent of the French AOC).

All are dry white wines except the famous Sciacchetra. Recognized throughout the world, the latter is a sweet sweet wine with enough alcohol (18°).

If you hike between the villages, you will surely be able to observe trenino. These are specific installations, sorts of mini cogwheel trains that run on rails and are used to bring the grapes down to the cellars.

Before they were set up, all the grapes were lowered by porters who placed the baskets on their heads.

These dry white wines will go perfectly with your seafood dishes so don’t hesitate to bring a small bottle in your luggage or at least to taste them during your trip to the Cinque Terre!

What to do around Cinque Terre?

When arriving or leaving Cinq Terre, take the opportunity to take a short tour of the surrounding towns.

Here are the main towns located around the Cinque Terre:

Port Venus

Porto Venere is located between La Spezia and the village of Riomaggiore.

This charming little coastal town is really nice to walk around for half a day.

In particular, you will be able to discover:

• The fishing port bordered by colorful houses, for a taste of the villages of the Cinque Terre!
• The seafront and its restaurants
• The Church of San Pietro and its lovely view of the sea
• The San Lorenzo church, on the way before the castle
• The fortifications and the Doria castle (entrance fee of €5)
• The Arpaia cave and its panorama (just next to San Pietro)

From Portovenere you can also take a boat that will take you to the island of Palmaria, the largest island in Liguria. It is famous for its many hiking trails.

Boat trips are also organized to go around 3 islands: Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, all listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Tips for your Cinque Terre itinerary:

There is no train to Portovenere, you will have to go there by car, bus or boat from La Spezia.

La Spezia

La Spezia is the nearest large town around the Cinque Terre.

It is above all considered a city of passage, a practical stopover to go to the Cinque Terre.

But if you have some time, before or after your visit to the Cinque Terre, I advise you to see in La Spezia:

• The castle of San Giorgio where the archaeological museum is located and which offers a beautiful view of the city
• The Church of Santa Maria Assunta built in 1271
• The Tecnico Navale museum of the military navy and its collection of ship models and figureheads of old ships
• The marches of La Spezia on the Piazza Cavar
• Public gardens
• The waterfront

Pisa

Still close to the Cinque Terre, I recommend you visit Pisa.

The town, quite small, is ideal for a day trip.

What to do and see in Pisa?

• The Square of Miracles which concentrates all the emblematic monuments such as the tower of Pisa and the cathedral
• Climb to the top of the Leaning Tower to admire the view
• Visit the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Camposanto
• A walk on the ramparts
• The Square of the Knights
• The Borgo Strait

Genoa

Last city you can visit around the Cinque Terre: Genoa.

Compared to the 3 cities mentioned above, it is opposite the Cinque Terre, about 1h30 by car from Monterosso al Mare.

The main places of interest to see in Genoa:

• The Bocadasse district, a former fishing district
• Take the Castelletto lift to reach the heights of the city and contemplate the view
• The Via Garibaldi bordered by palaces now converted into museums
• Ferrari Square
• Christopher Columbus’ house
• The Cathedral of San Lorenzo
• The lungomare, a 3 km long promenade by the sea
• Genoa Aquarium
• The “Bigo”, a panoramic glass elevator that takes you 40 meters high.

How many days to visit the Cinque Terre?

The villages of the Cinque Terre being really small, you can do them all in 1 day if you travel by train between each of them.

But you can of course choose to visit the Cinque Terre in 2 or 3 days, if you also want to go hiking.

1 Day Cinque Terre Itinerary

If you have decided to spend a day in Cinque Terre and want to see the 5 villages, the best is to take the train.

If you come from La Spezia, I advise you to go directly to Monterosso then go down gradually, making stops in Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and ending with Riomaggiore.

Another possibility : from Monterosso, rather than taking the train, take the hike to Vernazza (1h30/2h walk). From there, take the train to visit the other villages.

The more athletic among you will even have time to do a second hike, from Vernazza to Corniglia and then take the train to visit the other villages.

By leaving not too late in the morning, it is quite doable!

2 Days Cinque Terre Itinerary

For a 2-day Cinque Terre itinerary, plan to sleep one or two nights in one of the villages (see my selection of hotels below).

So you can hike the first day.

On the second day, you will have time to visit the villages that you could not reach on foot the day before. You can travel by train or boat.

From Monterosso, the kayak trip can also be really great fun to do for the day or if you fancy a bit more luxury then go for the sunset cruise.

Accommodation in Cinque Terre

To visit the Cinque Terre, you have several choices of places to stay:

• In one of 5 villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola or Riomaggiore
• In La Spezia, just 5 minutes by train from Riomaggiore
• In Levanto, 5 minutes by train from Monterosso
• Pisa can also be an option, the city being only 1h20 by train from La Spezia

Here is my selection of hotels to stay in to visit Cinque Terre based on these options:

In Monterosso:

• La Rosa Dei Venti: Located 10 minutes walk from the train station and 5 minutes from the beach. Comfortable and very clean double room from 100€. Most: the location, the very warm welcome.
• La Casa di Zuecca: Located 250 meters from the beach. Modern and bright double room from €150, breakfast included. Most: the roof terrace, the location, the quality of the reception.
• Hotel Villa Adriana: Located 400 meters from the train station and 100 meters from the beach. Double room from €160, breakfast included. Most: the swimming pool, the garden, the free and private car park.

In Vernazza:

• Vernazza vacation 3: Located in the village, this B&B offers double rooms from €120 per night, breakfast included. Most: the warm welcome, the equipment of the room.
• Cadè Ventu: Located 4 km from Vernazza. Modern and spacious double room from €135, breakfast included. The pluses: the exceptional view of the Cinque Terre, the calm, the quality of the catering (breakfast and dinner), the private car park.
• MaDa Charm Apartments Terrace&Carugio: Located in the heart of the village. Superb apartment completely renovated, very well decorated and arranged from 200€ per night. Most: comfort, cleanliness, terrace with view.

In Corniglia:

• Daa Maduneta: Located in the heart of the village. Recently renovated double room with sea view from 135€, breakfast included. Most: the view, the very friendly host. The best place to stay in Corniglia!

In Manarola:

• Posidonia Cinque Terre: Located 2 minutes from the center. Spacious, clean and well-equipped double room from €115. Most: the garden, the terrace, the friendliness of the owner. It is our favorite for its price/performance ratio in the Cinque Terre!
• Ca’ D’Andrean: Located in the center and 5 minutes walk from the train station. Very comfortable and tastefully decorated double room from €170, breakfast included. The pluses: the panorama from the terrace, the good breakfast, the garden, the caring staff. One of the best choices where to sleep in the most beautiful village of the Cinque Terre!
• Arpaiu: In the heart of the village of Manarola. Double room with exceptional sea view from €180, breakfast €20. Most: the large terrace with view, the size of the rooms.

In Riomaggiore:

• Affittacamere Le Giare: Located 500 meters from the train station. Spacious double room with balcony from €110. Most: the view, the excellent welcome, not far from the public car park if you come by car.
• Alla Marina Affittacamere: Located right next to the port. Modern and welcoming double room with sea view from €120, breakfast €2. Most: the superb location, the comfort of the beds, the staff will pick you up at the station. It is our favorite for its price/performance ratio in Riomaggiore!
• Hotel Villa Argentina: Located 10 minutes walk from the train station. Double room from €155, breakfast included. Most: the availability of staff, calm, parking spaces.
• Stellio Affittacamere: Located 5 minutes walk from the train station. Double room with neat decoration and walls with exposed stones from 210€. Most: the exceptional service, the very nice owner, the layout of the rooms, the parking lot, the fridge is filled with the necessary for breakfast.

In La Spezia:

• Hotel Firenze e Continentale: Located 50 meters from the train station. Cozy and warm double room from €100, breakfast included. Most: the convenient location for visiting the Cinque Terre, the breakfast buffet.
• Via Chiodo Luxury Rooms: Located 15 minutes walk from the train station. Comfortable double room with parquet floors and air conditioning from €110. Most: the availability and the advice of the person at the reception, the impeccable cleanliness.
• CDH Hotel La Spezia: Located 10 minutes walk from the train station. Double room from €110, breakfast included. Most: private parking, location to take the train.

In Levanto:

• Creuza de Legnà: Located 5 minutes from the city center. Spacious and bright double room from €75, breakfast €5. Most: the very warm welcome, the owner speaks French, the setting and the garden with a view of the valley.
• Hotel Abetaia: Located 10 minutes by car from Levanto. Spacious double room with private entrance and terrace from €150, breakfast included. The pluses: located in nature, the restaurant which offers good cuisine based on local products, the attentive staff. It is our favorite for its price/performance ratio in Levanto.
• Hotel Al Terra Di Mare: Located 1.5 km from Levanto train station. Large bright double room from €160, breakfast included. Most: the shuttle service, the swimming pool, the calm, the person speaks French.
• Agriturismo Costa di Faraggiana: Located 5 minutes drive from Levanto, in the countryside. Double room with rustic and refined charm with exposed beams from €200, breakfast included. Most: the swimming pool, the wellness center, the superb location, the free shuttle to the train station, the excellent breakfast. This is our recommendation for an upscale stay in Cinque Terre.

And Pisa:

• Hotel La Pace: Located 100 meters from the train station and 20 minutes walk from the tower. Double room with period wooden furniture from €70, breakfast €9. Most: the comfort of the rooms, the excellent breakfast. It is our favorite for its price/performance ratio!
• Hotel Roma: Located just 100 meters from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Double room with a view of the tower or the cathedral from €85, breakfast included. The pluses: the garden, the proximity to the Place des Miracles, the good breakfast.
• Hotel Bologna: Located 5 minutes from the train station and 15 minutes walk from the leaning tower. Warm and colorful double room from €105, breakfast included. Most: the great welcome, the excellent breakfast buffet, the comfortable room, the parking lot.
• Grand Hotel Duomo: Located just 2 minutes walk from piazza del Duomo. Double room with a view of the monumental complex from €105, breakfast included. Most: the panoramic roof terrace, the friendliness of the staff, the good and varied breakfast. An excellent choice to stay near the Leaning Tower of Pisa!
• Hotel Pisa Tower: Located 50 meters from piazza dei Miracoli. Spacious and bright double room from €115, breakfast included. Most: the very pleasant terrace for breakfast, the setting of the hotel, the smiling staff.
• Il Giardino Dei Semplici: This B&B welcomes you a 5-minute walk from the Square of Miracles. Double room neatly decorated, modern and comfortable from €125, breakfast €8. Most: the warm welcome, the comfort of the rooms, the calm, the excellent location. The best choice for an upscale stay in Pisa!

How to get to Cinque Terre?

By plane

The nearest airports to the Cinque Terre are those of Pisa and Genoa. From these 2 cities, you will then have to reach the Cinque Terre by car or train.

By train

The 2 train stations near the Cinque Terre are those of La Spezia and Levanto.

If you land in Pisa, it is best to take the train to La Spezia and then the special train to the Cinque Terre (just a 5 minute journey to the nearest Cinque Terre village).

Arriving at Genoa airport, you can take the train to Levanto + the train to Cinque Terre.

By car

From the airport, you can also choose to rent a car to go to the Cinque Terre. But as I told you, it is better to park it in one of the station car parks and take the train to get to the Cinque Terre.

There are really too few parking spaces at the top of the villages and the prices are really high.

When to go to Cinque Terre?

You can plan a visit to Cinque Terre at any time of the year. The climate is Mediterranean, characterized by rather mild winters and dry summers.

In summer, high season + tourist destination obliges, however, you should expect to see a lot of people. The small streets of the villages are quickly congested and you will be crammed into the train.

But for this last point, you should survive since the journey takes a maximum of 20 minutes from one end of the line to the other.

For hiking, it is better to avoid the warmer months, because it hits the paths that are not shaded. There is also no water point so plan your bottles.

I recommend more the months of May, June, and September/October when it is less hot. These 4 months are for me the best time to visit the Cinque Terre because there are also (a little) fewer people.

From November to April, you will not be able to take a cruise since the outings stop, but you will still be able to enjoy the villages since the train operates all year round.

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