Practical travel guide to Cinque Terre: how to visit, how long to stay, best things to see and do and essential tips to avoid or at least minimize exposure to crowds while visiting this stunning and popular corner of Italy.
The area of Cinque Terre is one of the most beautiful and popular destinations in Italy for visitors from all over the world, who come here attracted by the many charms of this area.
Cinque Terre is famous for its colorful villages perched high cliffs, as if defying gravity, the scenic hiking trails between them and for a very special use of land that agriculture and viticulture developed here, and that gained for the area a place on the coveted list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The CInque Terre are also famous for being quintessential Italian in feel and while overtourism is posing a significant challenge to this promise, Cinque Terre still very much fulfill visitors’ expectations, especially in the case of visitors’ equipped with the right knowledge and tips.
I am here to give you those tips!
I love Cinque Terre. I love how pretty the villages are and I love the atmosphere of the place and keep going back whenever I can. However, I am not blind to the challenges fame is posing to this area and I have seen the Terre at their best and also at their worst.
On the basis of this personal experience, I wrote this guide, with my tips for enjoying Cinque Terre, what to do, what to avoid and what to expect.
What is Cinque Terre and what makes it special
Ciunque Terre, literally translating from Italian into ‘Five Lands’ are five villages clustered on a small stretch of coast in the North East of Italy, in the region of Liguria.
The villages are close to one another and have raised to international fame thanks to a couple of distinctive traits that make them stand out from pretty much anywhere else in Italy.
The villages are made of brightly colored houses and develop on the slopes of very high sea cliffs, a position that gives them a striking appearance and seem to defy basic rules of gravity and land use.
While their pretty and social media friendly appearance is what attracts tourism here, the real reason why these towns are culturally unique however lies elsewhere.
Due to the harsh environment and the challenges posed by the tall and rocky nature of the terrain here, the villages were vastly inaccessible by land until the late Nineteenth century.
This isolation meant the people of the area had to come up with communal and clever ideas for the use of agricultural land and these shaped the area as we see it now: a unique and unexpected sequence of agricultural terraces connected by trails, where locals grow all they needed to complement the other source of sustenance, a thriving fishing community.
Why visit Cinque Terre
In the past, the main reason to visit Cinque Terre was to enjoy the beauty of these pretty and colorful villages while getting in touch with a traditional way of life still in existence in this area.
Now, after mass tourism has discovered Cinque Terre, you don’t come here anymore to tap into old Italy but you still have plenty to enjoy.
The reasons to visit Cinque Terre are:
See the pretty villages and take in the beauty of their unique position and color seeing them from the water
Take a boat trip and jump in the water in the hottest months.
Hike between them and marvel at the clever use of land and the skill and effort that created the beautiful terraces we see now.
Why not to visit Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre suffer from overtourism to such an extent, you may find the experience overpowering.
Thankfully, there are ways to escape the worst of it, I’ll get to them below!
How to escape the crowds in Cinque Terre
There are three main ways to avoid crowds in Cinque Terre.
1 – Avoid the month of August. August is the peak of high season for coastal destinations in Italy and the number of visitors in Cinque Terre is off the chart.
Coming at this time you will have difficulties finding accommodation, you’ll be fighting for space and will only find other tourists here, so there will be nothing of the authentic experience many hope for.
| Top Tip: If coming in August, I recommend to look into the option of taking a boat trip, so you can stay away from the crowds, get into the water and see views of the villages from the stunning vantage point of the open sea. |
2- Avoid weekends. Weekends are a popular time to visit Cinque Terre as people come her from the nearby cities of Milan and Genoa to enjoy the coastal scenery.
This is particularly true in the good season, so between May and September, when locals go on day trips. While weekends outside of the summer are not as bad as August for crowds, if you can I strongly recommend you come during the week instead
| Top Tip: outside of the busy times services for tourists are limited. If you have anything specific in mind such an activity or a specific restaurant for lunch etc, make sure you make contact to ensure they are open. |
3- Stay the night. Cinque Terre are a popular destination for day trips so if you can stay the night, you have moments of quiet before and after the day trippers have gone.
4- Come in late spring or early autumn. If you want to avoid the worst of the crowds, late spring and early autumn are usually good times to visit.
In these seasons, the weather is usually warm enough to be able to enjoy the coast and a boat trip but since the water tends to be too cold for swimming, you don’t have as many people as you do at hotter times.
Rain is possible, but it is also possible in summer, so I wouldn’t let that worry stop you!
Best things to do in Cinque Terre
Enjoy the views of the town from the water
The best way to get stunning views of Cinque Terre and appreciate their uniqueness is to see them from the water.
You can do this in two ways:
By taking the ferry – this is an easy, inexpensive way to see the Terre and hop from one to the other. You can get tickets there and then and, if you sit on the top deck, you’ll see the villages in all their splendor without blowing the budget!
By private boat trip – if budget allows, a boat trip with a private company is a fantastic way to see Cinque Terre, swim and go snorkeling.
Hike
The villages of Cinque Terre are connected by hiking trails that offer a unique way to catch views of the villages and also an understanding of the use of the land unique to this area.
The trails are proper hiking trails, must not be underestimated and are subject to closures due to the temperamental nature of the weather and the soil here.
It is therefore paramount that you stop by one of the local info point before tackling any, to have all the relevant and up to date information you may need.
Learn to make and eat pesto
This area of Liguria is world famous for the production of pesto and is therefore a great place to learn how to make it too!
Pesto is everywhere here and there are many places offering tasting and classes so that especially for tasting you really do not need any special preparation.
For classes, since the demand from overseas visitors is so high, booking is recommended. A popular and worthy class in a scenic location is this one by Nessun Dorma in Manarola and another lovely one is this one in Vernazza via AirBnB experiences.
Wander around the pretty towns
Cinque Terre is not a place for full on sightseeing but the towns are lovely for a wander. The towns are not so significanlty different from one another that you have to see them all, yet they are different enought that you’ll feel a unique vibe in each.
At a glance, this is what you can expect in each.
Manarola
Manarola is one of the most popular and prettiest towns in Cinque Terre as well as one of the most photographed.
Like other towns, it has the pretty and colorful homes that make this area special, yet unlike others it jas an easy to access view point that makes for great views and photos, a definite plus in favor of it notoriety (from the port, go up left, following the signs for ‘Nessun Dorma’.
Manarola has a mellow, romantic atmosphere, great views, a famous pesto class and one of the bet kids’ playgrounds in Cinque Terre so it is very much a place that pleases all types of visitors!
Vernazza
Vernazza is another crowd-pleaser and one of the prettiest and most romantic towns in Cinque Terre.
The town has the colorful homes and narrow streets typical of this area, stunning views from the highest trails, a very pretty church and a small stretch of sand, a very rare occurrence in this area!
The towns i very well know to tourism and is one of the busiest yet if you have the stamina to climb up the many steps to the top of the town, you’ll find some quiet viewpoints and will be rewarded by jaw-droppingly beautiful birds-eye view of the towns and the sea around it.
Monterosso
Monterosso is one of the biggest towns in Cinque Terre and one of the flattest, an element that makes it stand out from all the others, known for their rather vertical geography.
The flatter terrain of Monterosso means it is slightly less scenic than others in terms of views, yet also comes with advantages, namely easy to access coastline which allows for beach time!
The beaches of Monterosso are pebbly yet pleasant and well equipped: in this areas of small coves, this is the best town for beach time, swimming and also the vest towns for families with small kids or anyone with mobility challenges.
Corniglia
Corniglia is the lesser visite3d of all towns on Cinque Terre due to its unique position uphill: unlike oehrs, Corniglia doesn’t have a port and direct access to water.
Because oft his more mountainous position, Corniglia gets less tourism but also retains a more quiet, relaxed charm and atmosphere, more subdues.
The towns is idea for hikers and people who want to stay away from the maddening crowds.
| One word of warning: Corniglia is connected to the train station but hundreds of steps! A significant reason for its quiet vibe but also a challenge if you have mobility issues or have a lot of luggage (there is a bus from the station but wait can be long) |
Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is the closest town of Cinque Terre to La Spezia and one of the biggest.
The town develops around a small scenic port and is develops very much vertically up the cliff.
The town is very popular and sine it is a little bigger, it has more restaurants and cafes than others, including some with later opening hours.
Because of this, while the town is very much not a party place (no town in Cinque Terre has great nightlife, these are small fishing villages) it tends to attract slightly younger crowds than family friendly Monterosso, quiet Corniglia or romantic Manarola and Vernazza.
Like the others, the town is blessed by lovely colorful home and offers a very cute photo spot just above the port (go up right to take the iconic Riomaggiore photo!)
Take a photoshoot with a professional photographer
In the last few years I have started booking photo sessions with professional photographers and they have quickly become my favorite way to keep home a memory and keepsake from a place.
A photo session with a professional is fun while you do it, it is a great excuse to get a local to bring you to the most scenic spot and it is also a wonderful memory to bring home!
In Cinque Terre my favorite photographer is Giulia from Flytographer (tell her that Marta from Mama Loves Italy says high!)
Where to eat in Cinque Terre
There are plenty of lovely food options in Cinque Terre, from simple yet delicious forno (bakeries for fresh bread, focaccia, sandwiches and homely hot plates) to traditional and high end restaurants.
Special addresses you may enjoy are:
Cantina De Mananan, via Fieschi 117, Corniglia
Cappun Magro Bistrot – via Riccobaldi, 1 Manarola
Nessun Dorma, Manarola (they are the same that do the amazing pesto class! The views from here are stunning too)
Miky, Via Fegina 104, 19016 Monterosso
L’ancora della Tortuga, Salita dei Cappuccini 4, 19016 Monterosso (the location of this one is also incredible, right in the cliff)
How long to stay in Cinque Terre
I like to stay in Cinque Terre 1 to 3 days.
If you have one day, I recommend you take a boat trip and focus on two to three town, my favorite being Manarola, Vernazza and Monterosso
If you have two days you can see three towns one day, two another day and take a class
If you have three days, you can spend one day taking it easy on the beach on Monterosso or the ferry to Porto Venere, which is an adorable town close to La Spezia with stunning views and a charming center, shops and ferries to the islands of the Gulf of La Spezia.
Where to stay in Cinque Terre
The area of Cinque Terre has a small number of hotels. We recommend the following:
Hotel Villa Adriana, in Monterosso, a lovely hotel with pool and restaurant, walking distance from Monterosso beach, the best beach in Cinque Terre. Family rooms available.
Hotel Baia, in Monterosso, nice hotel close to the beach and the station, a handy base for exploring the area
Hotel Marina, Monterosso: 3 star, pretty hotel close to the beach and the station, right in the center of town, with small but pretty rooms and restaurant.
Cinque Terre with kids
Cinque Terre are a lovely area to visit with kids but due to the uneven terrain, many steps and the lack of sandy beaches, it is a destination you enjoy best if you have some family friendly tips to rely on!
I am a mama of two and I have visited and loved Cinque Terre with kids, so I can help!
My complete guide to Cinque Terre with kids has all you need to know from best towns to stay (Monterosso!) to playgrounds and practical tips for strollers and beach time.
How to move around Cinque Terre
There are two main ways to explore Cinque Terre: train and ferry
The train connects the towns all year round and it a pleasant and efficient way to move from one to the other.
Depending on how many towns you want to see, you can get a single ticket or a pass for the day and hop on and off as you please.
Need to know: the trains connecting Cinque Terre are mostly local trains with no assigned seating. This means that at bust times you may have to stand, a little bit like a city bus. However the distance between the is so little (few minutes) this sis usually not a big problem
The other way to get around the towns are ferries.
Ferries are efficient, pleasant and connect all the towns (except Corniglia) with one another, with Levanto and other bigger center in the area such as Rapallo.
The ferries only go in the good season and are subject to weather conditions. However, they are my favorite way to get around and the bet way to get view
| Top tip: if budget allows I recommend to mix and match train and ferry. We usually get a day ticket for the ferry and single ticket form train so we can make up our itinerary as we go. While this may not be the most budget friendly way to do it, having the flexibility to pick on or the other on the basis of weather, mood and crowds is my go-to way to enjoy this area at best. |
Good to know: access to Cinque Terre by car is tricky as access to the towns is limited. If you arrive very early yo may be in luck and find space in some of the designated parking.
However, I strongly recommend to eave the car in La Spezia instead (Or at your accommodation, if this is an option) and explore by public transport instead.
Parking in Cinque Terre
Parking spaces in Cinque terre are:
- Parcheggio Fegina, Monterosso.
- Parcheggio Loreto Terrazza, Monterosso.
- Vernassoa Parking (guarded), Vernazza.
- Vernassoa Parking (public), Vernazza.
- Parcheggio Corniglia, near San Lorenzo Church
- Parcheggio Manarola.
- Parcheggio Rio Park, Riomaggiore,
- Parchieggio della Zorza, Riomaggiore,
Cinque Terre Day Trip: Guided vs Self Guided
Cinque Terre are easy to explore on your own and are not sightseeing heavy, so you do not need a guide to understand or appreciate what you are seeing.
I only recommend to get a guided tour if you are short on time are worries multiple connections between trains and ferries might make you late, for instance if this is a shore excursions and you need to make it back to your cruise ship or you need to catch a specific train to catch a light.
In this case, organized trips you may consider are:
Guided day trip with expert guide covering the towns by train and boat, a great, comprehensive day trips to explore the towns at best – by LivTours (my favorite tour provider in Italy!)
Organized Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence by GYG originals (includes boat trip in summer)
Cinque Terre day trip from Pisa
Cinque Terre Travel Guide – getting there
Cinque Terre are easy to reach from La Spezia, which is in turn well connected by train to Milan, Pisa and Rome.
