Planning a visit to the Cinque Terre National Park? This is what you need to know before you go.
Italy’s five towns, more famously known as Cinque Terre, are a vision of winding cobblestone streets and colourful houses. They make up an entire national park and have become a bucket list destination for many people.
And we can’t say we’re surprised. Sitting to the northwest of Florence, this corner of Italy looks like something you would find on a postcard. From hiking to kayaking, there’s also an abundance of fun things to do in between sipping wine and knocking back cone after cone of the region’s impeccable gelato.
Explore This Guide
The 5 Cinque Terre Towns
Manarola
If it’s a romantic trip you’re after, Manarola certainly is one of the dreamiest Cinque Terre towns. Don’t believe us? This town sits on a rock above the tranquil sea, with a small harbour, boat ramp, and picturesque piazza bursting with seafood restaurants below.
One of our favourite things to do in Manarola is to get lost in the town’s winding streets before heading to the harbour for a refreshing dip. Reward yourself with a glass of wine (and a cheese board) from Nessun Dorma and thank us later.
Monterosso
Monterosso al Mare is probably the town that you are most familiar with when thinking about Cinque Terre. It’s the largest of the five and is surrounded by verdant greenery with an abundance of lemon and olive groves. Plus it’s also home to one of Cinque Terre’s best beaches (but more on that later).
Monterosso is divided into two different parts. The old town is where you’ll spot the iconic colourful houses, castle ruins, and narrow medieval streets, while Fegina is where you’ll find the best restaurants and bars, as well as the statue of the Giant that is the focal point of Monterosso.
Vernazza
While Monterosso might be the most famous town, we think that Vernazza is the most idyllic. We’re sure you can see why, right? This tiny fishing village is home to Cinque Terre’s only natural harbour, perfect for exploring while tucking into gelato from Gelateria Vernazza.
Vernazza is a pastel haven, lined with colourful houses and bursting with high-quality restaurants. Time your visit here with a Tuesday morning and spend an hour or so at the farmers market – you’ll find delicious local produce and snacks to boot.
Read Next: An Epic Guide to Kayaking in Cinque Terre
Riomaggiore
We don’t like to pick favourites, but Riomaggiore is definitely our favourite of the Cinque Terre towns (please don’t tell the others). Cinque Terre actually inspired the Pixar film Luca – and we definitely get Luca feels every single time we step foot in Riomaggiore.
From the hodge-podge of cobblestone streets lined with rustic restaurants to the rugged and dramatic cliffs, Riomaggiore is truly one of the most breathtaking places in the world. We also love that there’s plenty to see and do here. Our top picks are hiking to the Sanctuary of Montenero or taking in the sweeping views from Castello di Riomaggiore – head up the Scalinata della Valle staircase to find this gem.
Corniglia
While you can’t laze around on the beach in Corniglia (sitting atop a cliff, it’s the only Cinque Terre town without direct access to the sea), the Roman history of the area is absolutely fascinating. Not to mention the views from this town are second to none.
Corniglia is one of the more underrated places in Cinque Terre, but it’s the best spot for those who fancy hiking the Blue Trail or the Vineyard Trail to Manarola. The village is surrounded on three sides by agricultural fields, so you can expect delicious food – and even better wine.
The Best Things to do in Cinque Terre
Hike the Coastal Trail
One of the reasons we love Cinque Terre so much is because it’s a haven for hikers. The scenic coastal trail that connects the five villages is our favourite – it’s around 8 miles long and can take up to five hours to complete, depending on your pace. Of course, you can also choose to only hike part of it if you’re not up for the full challenge.
The trail offers stunning ocean views, as well as gorgeous vistas of the colourful villages, terraced hills, and rolling vineyards. The hike is fairly straightforward and should be manageable for most people with a basic level of fitness. Even so, make sure you wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water, especially in the hot summer months.
Read Next: The Best Hikes in Cinque Terre
Discover Cinque Terre’s Best Beaches
Cinque Terre’s beaches are some of the best in Italy – they’re perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. Though, this comes with a fair warning: the majority of the beaches are small and rocky. But the crystal clear water and epic views more than make up for this.
So, where should you hit up? There are a fair few gems in the area, but the most popular beaches are Monterosso Beach, Vernazza Beach, and Fegina Beach. And, once you’ve had your sunbathing fill, snorkelling is popular at these spots. But we recommend renting a kayak and making your way out around the coastline to hunt out hidden coves for yourself.
And, if the water looks all-too-tempting (we promise it will), check out this incredible boat cruise to Riomaggiore and Monterosso. You’ll get to admire the pretty Cinque Terre towns from a totally new perspective.
Read Next: Exploring Hidden Beaches in Cinque Terre
Catch the Sunset
One of the most memorable experiences in Cinque Terre is watching the sunset over the Mediterranean. To be honest, it’s a complete understatement to say that the sunsets in Cinque Terre are beautiful… they’re breathtaking.
One of the best places to catch the sunset is from Riomaggiore’s gorgeous harbour area that offers unobstructed views of the sun setting over the sea. In Corniglia? You’ll be able to enjoy watching the sun set over the hills and vineyards no matter where you are in town.
Sample Local Cuisine and Wines
Like pretty much everywhere in Italy, the food in Cinque Terre is mouthwateringly delicious. This particular region is famed for toothsome Ligurian cuisine and excellent wines, so expect plenty of fresh seafood, pasta, pesto sauce, and olive oil. Trofie al pesto – a pasta dish with pesto sauce – and focaccia are the must-try dishes.
For the wine lovers among you (hey, join the club), the area is also known for its Cinque Terre DOC wine. Unsurprisingly, this white wine pairs incredibly well with fish. If you want to chow down like a local, add Ristorante Miky in Monterosso, Trattoria dal Billy in Manarola, and Enoteca Dau Cila in Riomaggiore to your itinerary.
Map – Cinque Terre
Where to Stay in Cinque Terre
There are plenty of budget-friendly accommodation options in La Spezia, the small town that borders Cinque Terre. This is where we recommend you bed down during your trip. You can then hop on a very short and direct Cinque Terre Express train to travel between the five towns or opt for a guided tour of Cinque Terre.
It’s more expensive to stay directly in Cinque Terre, though there are a few impressive hotels and Airbnbs in Monterosso al Mare and Riomaggiore.
When is the best time to visit Cinque Terre?
May to October is the busiest time of year to visit Cinque Terre – and for good reason. The summer months bring incredible hot weather and dry days.
We recommend heading to this stunning part of Italy either at the very beginning or very end of this period (we love early May) to avoid the heaving crowds. The slightly cooler weather in the shoulder season is also better for hiking and kayaking in the area’s tranquil waters.
How To travel around Cinque Terre
Getting to Cinque Terre is fairly easy. Pisa Airport is the closest at around 90 minutes away from Cinque Terre – from there you can take a taxi or rent a car and drop it off in La Spezia.
You can travel between the Cinque Terre towns on foot very easily, though that’s not always the easiest method if you’re lugging suitcases around. The Cinque Terre express train runs every 15 minutes between towns, so we recommend utilising this – especially if you’re staying in La Spezia.
You can also travel between the towns on the Cinque Terre Ferry, which connects La Spezia to Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso (but not Corniglia). Full day- and afternoon-only tickets are available so that you can town-hop in style.
We don’t recommend renting a car during your time in Cinque Terre. The roads are steep and narrow and you will struggle to find parking. There is the option to take a taxi, however it is a rather uncommon method of transport between towns.
