The Towns of Cinque Terre: What to See and How to Get Around

Cinque Terre, which as you might guess means "five lands" is made up of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. It is a unique destination on the Italian coast. Centuries ago, these five towns were built and they still preserve all their customs, traditions and architecture from medieval times, this is due to the difficulty of entering the area through the mountains and valleys that surround these five towns.

I have visited the five towns of Cinque Terre on more than 10 occasions and I never get tired of them. Here I am going to tell you what you can expect from each one, the different options for getting around, restaurants, activities and accommodation that I recommend that you take advantage of your visit to. maximum.

Each town has its charm and particularity, but if they all share something, it is their structure of colorful houses, walks along the coast, cliffs and the turquoise color of the sea so characteristic of this area of Italy.

Some tips before getting into the matter:

• Always wear sunscreen.
• One day is usually enough to see all the towns.
• Don't forget to bring your swimsuit.
• Check the weather before booking your trip with skyscanner if you want to save money and hassle.

If what you want is to visit the towns from Florence or Milan, keep in mind that there are tours that include transportation and entry to the national park to visit all the towns of Cinque Terre in one day:

• All-inclusive tour from Milan.
• All-inclusive tour from Florence.

Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five towns and, in my opinion, the only one that has a good sandy beach, Fegina Beach, the largest and most popular. You can also explore the old town and its 14th-century St. John the Baptist Church, which is characterized by its mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles.

If you like history, the Capuchin Convent and the Church of San Francisco offer a fascinating look at monastic life. Additionally, the convent houses an art collection that includes a painting by Van Dyck. Another point of interest and one of my most recommended stops is the statue of Neptune, known as “Il Gigante”, which has watched over the coast for more than a century. The 14 meter high statue, although damaged during World War II and storms, remains an iconic symbol of the town.

Monterosso is also one of the best places to jump from the rocks into the sea or go cliff jumping. This spot that I found is located right at the beginning of the route between Monterosso and Vernazza, at the end of the Via Corone beach.

Additionally, there are also two activities you can book in Monterosso to start your visit:

• Kayak Tour in which they take you along the coast and explain a little about the history of the towns.
• Snorkeling in the turquoise waters of Monterosso where you can see starfish, fish that live in the area and even an octopus if you are lucky

Recommendations in Monterosso:

• Restaurants: II Castello (with sea views), Pizzeria la Smorfia.
• Hotels: Albergo Degli Amici, Hotel Punta Mesco.

Vernazza, the most photogenic town in Cinque Terre

Vernazza is in my opinion the most picturesque of the five towns. It has one of the best views of Cinque Terre upon arrival from the Monterosso to Vernazza trail, from there you can see the port and the colorful houses crowded around the main square.

Another of the best views is found in the tower of Doria Castle, built in the 15th century. The tower offers a different perspective from the route from Monterosso to Vernazza, being able to see the town from the opposite direction. Entry to the Tower will cost you 2 euros.

In the town we also find the church of Saint Margaret of Antioch, built in 1318. Although there is no sandy beach here, Vernazza has a small rocky cove.

Recommendations in Vernazza:

• Restaurants: Pippo a Vernazza (one of my favorites), they always make fresh pasta and pesto.
• Hotels: Barbara Hostel, Lisetta Rooms.
• Do a wine tasting for 20 euros at Cinque Sensi Vernazza.

Corniglia, The Elevated Viewpoint

Corniglia is the only one of the five towns that does not have direct access to the sea, it is perched on top of a promontory, offering good panoramic views. To get to Corniglia, you must climb the Lardarina, a staircase with 377 steps, or take a bus from the train station, keep this in mind before planning your visit. If you don't have much time for your visit, my recommendation is to skip this town.

Corniglia is famous for its vineyard terraces that produce some of the best wines in the region. A walk along these terraces not only offers spectacular views, but also the opportunity to try local wines at one of the town's many wine bars. In addition, the church of San Pedro, from the 14th century, is a must-see. This Gothic church features a marble façade and an interior decorated with frescoes.

Manarola, the perfect town to take a bath

Manarola is famous for its colorful houses that seem to cascade into the sea. This town is an ideal destination that you will love if you are a wine fan, thanks to its local production of Sciacchetrà, a traditional sweet wine. Manarola is one of the oldest towns in the Cinque Terre, with a history dating back to the 12th century.

Manarola Harbor is perfect for swimming. Although Manarola does not have a beach, this town has a small port with natural pools and stairs that make it perfect for relaxing and not worrying about the tide. You can also go to Punta Bonfiglio which is about 5 minutes walk away to enjoy a panoramic view of the town.

Additionally, there are also two activities you can book in Manarola for your visit:

• Learn to make pesto in Manarola by the locals. Pesto is one of the traditional foods of the Ligurian coast, it is the perfect place to learn how to cook fresh pesto.
• In this wine tasting you will be able to taste three different wines and try the Sciacchetrà, a sweet wine produced locally in the villages of Cinque Terre.

Recommendations in Manarola:

• Restaurants: Nessun Dorma.
• Hotels: Ca' D'Andrean, His per i Coppi.

Riomaggiore, The Most Spectacular Sunset in Cinque Terre

Riomaggiore is the first town you encounter coming from La Spezia and serves as the gateway to Cinque Terre from the south. This town, with its tall, narrow houses descending to the sea, is perfect for exploring the Via dell'Amore, a trail that connects Riomaggiore with Manarola. Unfortunately, part of this road has been closed in recent years due to landslides, but local authorities are working to fully restore it.

Its port is perfect for spending a relaxed afternoon of sun and sea, in fact it has the best spot to watch the sunset on the rocks of the pier. You can also visit the church of San Juan Bautista, built in 1340, which stands out for its Gothic architecture and its location on top of a hill, offering panoramic views of the town and the sea.

Additionally, there are also three activities you can book in Riomaggiore for your visit:

• Make a wine tasting in Riomaggiorre where you will enter the winery and in addition to tasting 5 different wines from the towns of Cinque Terre, they will also explain their history and preparation.
• Can rent a kayak in Riomaggiore and explore for yourself or make one kayak excursion to the shark cave, a cave located near Riomaggiore, and guide David will also let you swim and dive.

Recommendations in Riomaggiore:

• Restaurants: Rio Bistrot, Il Pescato Cucinato.
• Hotels: Locanda Ca Da Iride, AWroom.

How to Move Between Towns

Moving between the towns of Cinque Terre is easy and convenient thanks to the local train that connects all towns in just a few minutes. Normally trains run every 15 minutes in both directions, Levanto and La Spezia (the towns that border the Cinque Terre National Park). The railway line passes through tunnels dug into the rock, offering spectacular views of the sea, the only drawback is that in high season the trains are always crowded with people. To enjoy your visit to the fullest, I recommend purchase the Cinque Terre Pass, which allows unlimited train travel between Levanto and La Spezia. Plus, this pass includes access to the national park trails, making it a very convenient option.

You can get more information and purchase the pass at the official website of the national park. There are also bus services that offer interesting alternatives to move between towns, especially if you want to enjoy the coast from a different perspective.

One of the greatest attractions of Cinque Terre is its network of trails that connect the villages. The most famous is the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path), a coastal path that runs through all the towns from Monterosso to Riomaggiore. This trail offers spectacular views of the sea and the coast, passing through vineyards and olive groves that characterize the landscape.

If you choose to do the trail route, I have to warn you that the difficulty is moderate to high if you are not used to doing mountain routes. Also, keep in mind that the entire duration of the route that connects all the towns lasts approximately 8 hours. My recommendation and what I do every time I go is to move with the trains and do only one of the routes between the towns to have time to see everything.

If you are more adventurous, the Sentiero dei Santuari It is a more demanding route that connects the sanctuaries located in the hills above each town. This trail offers a different perspective of the region, with fewer tourists and more tranquility.

1. Arrive in Monterosso and relax on Fegina Beach.
2. The Sentiero Azzurro trail begins towards Vernazza.
3. Once in Vernazza you can try the pesto at Pippo a Vernazza and do a wine tasting at Cinque Sensi Vernazza (one of my favorite places in the five towns).
4. Take the train to Corniglia and briefly explore the town, it does not have sea access and you can really skip it if you wish.
5. Dip in the natural pools of Manarola.
6. Enjoy the sunset in Riomaggiore, this is something you cannot miss, it is the best place in Cinque Terre to see the sunset.

One of the most important things to take into account when visiting the towns of Cinque Terre is the season in which you are going to make your visit. This decision will mean a drastic change in your experience, a bad decision can lead to days of rain and storms, with trails and beaches closed.

Spring (April to June)

• Climate: Temperatures are pleasant, generally between 15°C and 25°C.
• Crowds: Fewer tourists compared to summer, allowing for a quieter experience.
• Nature: The vegetation is in full bloom, the trails are full of flowers and the landscape is spectacular.
• Activities: Ideal for hiking and exploring the towns without the stress of the heat. It is also a good time to taste local cuisine and participate in spring festivals.

Summer (July and August)

• Climate: Temperatures can be quite high, often exceeding 30°C.
• Crowds: This is the high tourist season, the towns and trails will be very busy.
• Activities: Perfect for enjoying the beaches and swimming in the sea. Boat rides and water activities like kayaking are perfect.
• Considerations: Prices for accommodation and services tend to be higher and advance booking is required.

Autumn (September and October)

• Climate: Milder temperatures, between 15°C and 25°C.
• Crowds: Fewer tourists than in summer.
• Nature: Vineyards and orchards are ready for harvest, making visits to the wineries more spectacular.
• Activities: Excellent for hiking, wine tasting and enjoying local cuisine. The grape harvest festivals are a big attraction.

Winter (November to March)

• Climate: Colder and can be rainy, with temperatures between 5°C and 15°C. Personally, I do not recommend these dates at all.
• Crowds: Very few tourists, which means you can have the towns almost to yourself.
• Activities: Some trails and services may be closed or limited
• Considerations: Some restaurants and hotels may be closed during the off-season, so it's important to plan ahead.

Gastronomy in Cinque Terre is a delight for the senses, combining fresh flavors from the sea and local products. Each town has its own culinary offering, and there are several dishes that you should not miss:

• Pesto alla Genovese: Originating from the Liguria region, pesto is a sauce made from basil, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan and olive oil. It is typically served with trofie, a type of local pasta.
• Acciughe (Anchovies): Monterosso anchovies are famous for their quality. They can be enjoyed in many ways, from fresh and marinated to salted.
• Focaccia: This flatbread, typical of the region, is served in various versions, from simple with olive oil to with onion, olives or cheese.
• Sciacchetrà: This sweet wine, produced in the vineyards of Cinque Terre, is perfect to accompany desserts or simply enjoy alone at the end of a meal.

Two years ago I made the first of many visits to Cinque Terre, so it can be said that I know the area like the back of my hand. It is a unique area of the Italian coast due to its geography, terrain and conservation. Personally, it seems to me that you have to choose the dates very carefully before planning a trip, since tourism in the area is very crowded in high season, the optimal months to enjoy are June and early July or late September.

What you will enjoy most are the activities, there are many things to see and do in the five towns of Cinque Terre, whether you are a sports addict or passionate about Italian gastronomy and wine.

In general I have always had very good experiences in all my visits, but without a doubt, as I have already told you, something that will greatly affect your trip will be the weather in the area.

Finally I would like to recommend you a visit to RapalloWhen I go to Liguria I always stay in this coastal town, it is more economical and quiet. In addition, it is only about 30 minutes by train from Cinque Terre.