The Cinque Terre, which translates to ‘5 lands’ or ‘towns’ is a gorgeous collection of seaside towns situated along the Italian Riviera on the North-West coast of Italy. Famous for its brightly coloured buildings, cliffside vineyards, fishing harbours, seafood and pesto, this region is a must-visit when travelling to Italy. The National Park and 5 villages of the Cinque Terre can be reached via train (Pisa – 1.5 hrs, Florence 2.5 hrs, Rome 5 hrs), the closest airport is Pisa. I would highly recommend adding the Cinque Terre to your Italy bucket list, but there are a few pieces of advice I will share before you go, from what time of year to travel, which town you should stay in and what to do while you’re there. Here’s my full guide to the Cinque Terre…
When is the best time to Travel to the Cinque Terre?
The Cinque Terre is increasingly becoming one of Italy’s most popular tourist hotspots, and as a result, it can get very busy in the summer months (June- August). Unfortunately, like most coastal destinations in Italy, this region becomes a bit of a ghost town in the off-season when it gets cold, and many of the stores, cafes and restaurants will close over the quietest months. To avoid the intense mid-summer heat that Italy is known for, and to avoid peak holiday crowds, I would recommend visiting in the shoulder season, either April to mid-May or mid-September to the end of October. During these months, crowds are slightly smaller and the weather is much more temperate. I travelled to the Cinque Terre during early to mid-September, it was hot during the day, but not unbearable, and cooled off overnight. Crowds were still very intense this time of year, so stretching a few weeks further outside of the summer period may benefit you.
How Long Should I Stay in the Cinque Terre?
Well, this depends on your budget and time. Some people will just go for a day trip, which can be a great way to experience the highlights, but may not be long enough to enjoy the region in all its glory.
If you are planning to just go for the day, I would recommend getting there early to beat the crowds and the heat. To truly experience the scenery this region has to offer, and to avoid the busy trains, I highly recommend doing one or more of their famous hikes, if you are capable of doing so. Read my full guide to hiking the Cinque Terre for everything you need to know about hiking between the 5 towns. For a real challenge, you can choose to start at one end and hike to the other, stopping at each town along the way. Total hiking time takes 6 hrs (not including breaks) which is why you would want to get started early. I met plenty of people who went for a day trip and managed to see every town in that time, either by hiking, train or a mix of both.
Personally, I think the Cinque Terre is worth a longer stay. This way you can properly experience the towns and everything that this beautiful region has to offer. I stayed for 5 days, which meant I could spend a whole day exploring each town, with a combo of hikes and train journeys between each.
Where should I stay in the Cinque Terre?
The Cinque Terre consists of 5 towns – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso, each town is beautiful in its own way, so you won’t be disappointed, but they all offer different things.
Riomaggiore is a bustling, lively town, and probably has the largest amount of options for nightlife. In saying that, if you’re a fan of partying and clubbing, you probably won’t find much of that in any of the towns. But, for young people and options to be social, this is probably the best choice.
Manarola is arguably one of the most beautiful, romantic towns of the Cinque Terre. This photogenic town is a top choice for couples who want to relax in the evening. It’s also a great spot for hikes in both directions. I stayed in Manarola, so I might be a bit biased when I say this was my favourite town. I stayed on the top floor of Casa Capellini, a boutique holiday rental owned by a local family. This allowed me to have the most authentic, local experience possible, complete with the most incredible views of the town and the sea.
Corniglia is the only town not to be on the sea, situated higher up on a cliff (though you can still access the water via steps). It is also probably the quietest, least popular town out of the five. Corniglia is a great choice if you want to escape the larger crowds.
Vernazza, on the other hand, is one of the most popular Cinque Terre towns due to its iconic, Insta-worthy scenery. It’s also one of the larger towns, so has plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from. If you want to stay here, make sure you book early before it sells out.
Last but not least is Monterosso al Mare. Unlike its neighbours, this town doesn’t sit on cliffs or hills, with relatively flat terrain. It is also the only town with a proper stretch of beach, so is the perfect spot to sunbathe and swim. Monterosso is split into a modern town and an old town and offers more accommodation, so is a popular choice among visitors. It is also much more suitable for families and those who are less mobile.
If you are travelling to the Cinque Terre and can afford to do so, I would highly recommend staying in any one of the 5 towns. This way, you get to experience the villages in the evenings and early mornings, when people return home from their day trips. This is when the true essence of each town comes to life, and you can take in the beautiful scenery without the noise and bustle of crowds.
If you want a more budget-friendly way to experience the Cinque Terre, the surrounding towns of Porto Venere, Levanto or La Spezia have plenty of accommodation options. These towns are just a stone’s throw from the 5 towns, but likely at a much lower price point. Larger nearby towns will also have a broader range of accommodations available, and you may even be able to find a resort or hotel rather than the B&B accommodation style of the 5 Terre. There are also a number of hostels in the surrounding areas for backpackers/solo travellers, where you can meet people and take part in activities.
What to do in the Cinque Terre?
So now that we’ve covered the logistics, what is there to do in the Cinque Terre? Well, the options are endless really!
This region has some of the best seafood in Italy and is famous for its pesto, so checking out some of the best restaurants is a must-do. To experience even more of the culinary offerings of the Cinque Terre, why not try a cooking class or a wine tasting? My favourite experience of the entire week was sitting up in the hills, eating fresh pasta and drinking local wine at Ittiturismo with the most incredible views over Corniglia and the sea.
Since you’ll likely be travelling when it’s warm, make the most of the swim spots in the area. Monterosso al Mare is of course your best option for beautiful sandy beaches, but you can also take a dip off the Manarola jetty, lie on the rocks and swim in the Riomaggiore harbour, or the boulder beach, walk down the steps to swim at the base of Corniglia’s cliffs, or sunbathe on the rocks and take a paddle in Vernazza. Enjoying the cool, stunningly blue waters of the Ligurian coast is the best way to cool off after a hike – trust me.
The Cinque Terre also offers some of the most stunning sunsets you will ever see, with the glowing backdrop of pastel buildings. Make sure you scope out some good sunset spots while you’re there. Manarola is arguably one of the best spots for this, I would recommend walking up to the Manarola Viewpoint or grabbing a table at Nessun Dorma or Billy’s for sunset.
Alternatively, why not take a sunset boat tour? There are a number of companies in each town that offer private group boat tours, often with wine and snacks included. What better way to enjoy the gorgeous sunset than with a glass of wine and a swim in the sea?
The Cinque Terre was one of my favourite spots in my month-long Italy trip. With this guide, I hope you’ll enjoy it just as much as I did.
