Cinque Terre is a world-famous travel destination that almost everyone has seen in a photo at some point. Cinque Terre consists of 5 ancient fishing villages on the northwest coast of Italy and is part of the Cinque Terre National Park. The villages are built against steep cliffs, and each house is painted in cheerful colors. They are surrounded by green mountains with numerous terraces of olive and vineyards. Planning your trip to Cinque Terre can be a bit complicated. How much time do you need, what are the differences between the villages, how do you get there, and what are the things you can do? We have researched it all, and in this article, you will find all our tips for visiting Cinque Terre.

The 5 villages of Cinque Terre

he villages of Cinque Terre may appear similar in photos, but there are indeed distinct differences between them.

Riomaggiore

The southernmost village of Cinque Terre is Riomaggiore. It has a small bay with many fishing boats, and from the rocks in the harbor, you have a beautiful view of the town and the surroundings. The village is lively with many shops and restaurants

Manarola

Manarola is probably the most photographed village among the five and also the oldest village of Cinque Terre. It has a charming harbor with crystal-clear blue water. There are large rocks where many people sunbathe in the summer and occasionally take a dip in the sea.

Corniglia

Corniglia is the smallest village of Cinque Terre. It has only 200 inhabitants and is the least visited by tourists. It is located atop a mountain, without a harbor, making it inaccessible by boat. However, you can reach it by train, although the Corniglia train station is a distance away from the village. To reach the village, you can climb 365 steps or take the small bus that takes you from the train station to the center of Corniglia. The charming aspect of Corniglia is that it is much quieter than the other villages, and it serves as the starting point for many hiking trails. It is therefore a popular place for hikers.

Vernazza

According to many, Vernazza is the most beautiful village of Cinque Terre. From the train station, you can walk to the harbor of Vernazza within a few minutes through the main street. The water there is crystal-clear blue, and you’ll find many cozy terraces. Make sure to explore the center as well and wander through the beautiful narrow alleyways.

Monterosso al Mare

Monterosso al Mare is the northernmost and largest village of Cinque Terre. It has 1,560 inhabitants and features a long beach with many beach beds, ideal for a day at the beach. If you’re visiting Cinque Terre during winter, it’s not necessary to prioritize this village. The other villages are more beautiful, and Monterosso al Mare is mainly known for its beach. However, during the summer months, Monterosso al Mare is definitely a must-visit!

Tips for transportation between and to the villages of Cinque Terre

There are few to no cars in Cinque Terre. The only ways to get around are by train, boat, or on foot. If you’re traveling with a rented car in Italy, it’s wise to park it in La Spezia or Levanto. These are both charming towns located just outside Cinque Terre.

Traveling to Cinque Terre by Train

By far, most people choose to travel to Cinque Terre by train. From La Spezia and Levanto, you can easily hop on the train, and within 10 minutes, you’ll be in the first village of Cinque Terre. Each train ride between the villages takes about five minutes. The train journey from the northernmost village to the southernmost village (Riomaggiore to Monterosso al Mare) takes around 20 minutes. Trains run frequently, and the platforms provide clear indications of the train schedules. Each village has its own train station, but not all trains stop at every village. If you enter your departure and destination on Google Maps and select ‘travel by train,’ it will display the current train times.

Tickets for the train in Cinque Terre

If you plan to use the train multiple times in a day in Cinque Terre, it’s best to purchase a Cinque Terre Card. With this ticket, you can enjoy unlimited train rides throughout the day. Additionally, the card allows access to the official hiking trails of Cinque Terre (more information about this can be found in the next section). You can buy this ticket at the train station or online in advance here. The cost of the ticket is $18 per day for adults. However, if you only plan to take one or two train rides and don’t intend to use the official hiking trails, it’s better to purchase a single ticket. You can buy it at the station from the ticket machine, and it costs $5 per ride.

Hiking between the villages of Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is a paradise for hikers, and it’s the most beautiful way to travel between the villages! Sentiero Azzurro, also known as the Blue Path, is the official hiking trail of Cinque Terre. It spans a total of 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), connecting all the villages. It’s highly recommended to walk a part of this trail. You’ll stroll along the coastline and enjoy breathtaking views of the villages, mountains, and sea. If you’re not traveling by train but still plan to hike on the official trails, you’ll need a Cinque Terre Trekking Card. The cost is $8 per person. There are also unofficial hiking trails in Cinque Terre that are free to use and less crowded. Further in the article, under the section ‘what to do in Cinque Terre,’ you can read more about them.

Tip: Wear proper shoes when hiking in Cinque Terre. In the past, accidents have happened on the official hiking trails because people were wearing flip-flops or sandals. In case of an accident, it’s challenging for emergency services to reach the injured, and often a helicopter has to be deployed. Therefore, since 2019, it’s prohibited to walk on the official hiking trails wearing flip-flops or sandals.

Traveling to Cinque Terre by Boat

Another enjoyable option to visit Cinque Terre is by boat. The train mostly travels through tunnels, limiting the view of the surroundings. However, it’s different when you take a boat. From the water, you’ll have a beautiful view of the villages and mountains of Cinque Terre. There is a hop-on hop-off ferry that allows you to use a day pass for unlimited travel throughout the day. This boat stops at every village except Corniglia, as it doesn’t have a harbor. The boat departs from La Spezia, Portovenere, Lerici, and Levanto, and a day pass costs $39 per person. Check the current schedules on the official website of the ferry.

What to do in Cinque Terre? 5 tips!

The villages of Cinque Terre are like a grand open-air theater. So take your time to explore them at your leisure. Wander through the villages, swim in the harbors, indulge in ice cream, and relax on the terrace. Besides exploring the villages, there are several other exciting things to do in Cinque Terre.

Watch the sunset at Nessun Dorma in Manarola

The restaurant with the most amazing view in all of Cinque Terre is Nessun Dorma. Visit around sunset, have a glass of wine, and enjoy the best view! You can’t have a full dinner at this restaurant, but they offer small bites like various bruschetta. They are generously topped and delicious. Be prepared for a queue because this restaurant is no longer a hidden gem. Fortunately, they have plenty of tables, and since people don’t have extensive dinners, the line moves quite quickly. Additionally, they have an excellent system in place. You receive a QR code with ‘your spot’ in the line. This way, you can see on your phone how many people are still ahead of you and relax on a bench next to the restaurant. Convenient!

Explore the coastline from the water

Exploring Cinque Terre by kayak sounds absolutely amazing, doesn’t it? You’ll paddle along the massive cliffs and enjoy lovely views of the villages. The kayak tour starts in Monterosso, and you’ll make stops along the way to have some food and enjoy a delicious glass of wine. This allows you to experience Cinque Terre from a completely different perspective.

Hike the beautiful trail from Corniglia to Manarola

One of the most beautiful hiking trails in Cinque Terre is the path from Corniglia via Volastra to Manarola, also known as the 6P trail. This is an unofficial trail, so it’s completely free and much less crowded than the official ones. This route takes you through and sometimes even across the nature of Cinque Terre. The hike starts in a beautiful forest, then takes you through vineyards at an altitude of about 400 meters (1312 feet), and along the way, you’ll encounter a variety of plants and flowers.

You can start the hike in either Corniglia or Manarola, but we recommend starting in Corniglia. This way, you’ll finish the hike in Manarola, one of the most beautiful villages in Cinque Terre, and you can enjoy a drink at Nessun Dorma afterward. Make sure to arrive there about an hour before sunset, and you’ll be treated to a fantastic view. If you walk the route in the opposite direction, you’ll have to climb a lot of stairs uphill and end up in a slightly less spectacular village, Corniglia.

The hike takes a total of 2.5 hours and starts in the center of Corniglia. When you exit the Corniglia train station, you can wait for a small bus that will take you to the center in 5 minutes. Alternatively, you can walk up from the station, but that involves an additional uphill walk. The beginning of the trail is quite steep, so we recommend taking the bus. The first 45 minutes of the hike involve an uphill climb, but once you reach the top, the trail is mostly flat. You can find the exact hiking route we took here. Make sure to wear good shoes, bring sunscreen, and carry at least one liter (or more) of water per person, and you’re ready to go!

Hike to the viewpoint of Vernazza

When you’re in Vernazza, you must not miss this viewpoint. It’s located on the official hiking trail from Vernazza to Monterosso, so you’ll need to have a Cinque Terre Card or Cinque Terre Trekking Card to access it.

Relax on a beach chair at Monterosso el Mare

If you’re visiting Cinque Terre during beach weather, make sure to spend an afternoon relaxing on a beach chair. Exploring Cinque Terre can be quite intense, and especially with the high temperatures in summer, a day at the beach is delightful. Monterosso has a large beach with crystal clear blue water and plenty of sun loungers. Order a drink and enjoy!

How many days do you need for Cinque Terre?

If you don’t plan on hiking, you can technically see all the villages in one day. However, we don’t recommend this because hiking in Cinque Terre is truly beautiful. Therefore, we recommend staying in Cinque Terre for a minimum of 2 full days. This will allow you to spend an afternoon at the beach, take one or two hikes, and see all the villages.

Where to stay in Cinque Terre?

There are various accommodation options in Cinque Terre. You can stay in the villages themselves or in a town near Cinque Terre. To experience Cinque Terre at its best, it’s best to stay in the villages. However, keep in mind that hotels in the villages tend to be more expensive than hotels in towns near Cinque Terre. Also, be aware that prices in restaurants in the villages are generally higher. If you choose to stay outside of Cinque Terre, the town of La Spezia is a good option. You’ll find plenty of good hotels and restaurants there.

In the villages of Cinque Terre, you won’t find large hotels but rather small-scale accommodations, often with no more than 3 or 4 rooms. As a result, these hotels often get fully booked six months in advance. Therefore, early booking is a must if you want to stay here.

Our favorite places to Stay in Cinque Terre

Hotels in the villages of Cinque Terre: If you prefer to stay in one of the villages, we recommend staying in Vernazza or Monterosso. Staying in other villages is also possible, but Vernazza and Monterosso have a beach, which is an extra perk. In Monterosso, we recommend I Tibei Guesthouse. Here, you’ll get a comfortable double room with a large balcony just a few minutes’ walk from the train station at a good price. Camere Fontanavecchia is a lovely option in Vernazza that is relatively affordable for a hotel in Cinque Terre.
Hotels in La Spezia: If you choose to stay in La Spezia, it’s a good idea to book a hotel near the train station. One such hotel is L’Opera Rooms & Suite. You’ll stay in a nice room with a modern bathroom. They serve a tasty breakfast in the morning, and many good restaurants are within walking distance. Another good base in La Spezia is Real Rooms. The friendly owner is incredibly hospitable and will gladly provide you with tips about Cinque Terre.

I Tibei Guesthouse More information	Camere Fontanavecchia More information
L’Opera Rooms & Suite More information	Real Rooms More information