Visiting Cinque Terre, Italy – The Ultimate Travel Guide

What is Cinque Terre?

Before going to the Cinque Terre, I thought it was one village: a very pretty little village, with colorful houses. Maybe you’re thinking the same thing.

Let me get this out of the way: the Cinque Terre is made of 5 different villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso.

Pronounced “shink way terrey” in Italian (meaning “Five Lands”), the 5 villages are part of the Cinque Terre National Park, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In total, with the 5 villages, the coast, and the park, Cinque Terre covers an area of 45 sq km (17 square mi), which is about less than half the size of the city of Paris.

Where is Cinque Terre?

Cinque Terre is located northwest of Italy, between Genoa up north and Pisa down south. It’s pretty close to Florence too, that’s why it’s a favorite destination for a day trip from Florence. 

It belongs to the province of La Spezia, part of the Liguria region.

Discover the Villages of Cinque Terre 

I’ve listed the five Cinque Terre villages starting from the south of the area to the north. Let’s discover them! 

Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore is the southernmost village of Cinque Terre. It’s located south of Manarola.

If you’re coming from Pisa or Florence, you will stop in La Spezia, and take the train there to Cinque Terre. Riomaggiore is the first stop on the La Spezia – Sestri Levante line.

Riomaggiore is considered the most peaceful of the 5 villages. The most popular spot is the harbor, with viewpoints, but you can also walk around the city to discover the churches and see the village from above. The village also has a pebble beach, where you can relax and swim in the sea.

Riomaggiore is the starting point of the lovely hiking trail Via dell’Amore or “Way of Love”, which is a very nice pathway leading to Manarola, going above the sea. Hiking on the Via dell’Amore is a lovely way to explore the Cinque Terre.

Learn more about Riomaggiore in this guide.

Where to Stay in Riomaggiore

As the first stop when coming by train from La Spezia, Riomaggiore is a smart choice for a home base when visiting the Cinque Terre. Here’s a quick selection of accommodations in this village:  

✅ Best Hotel – Cinqueterre Residence: In addition to comfy large rooms, this beautiful property offers a wonderful terrace with a hot tub and great sea views for an incredible price. Look no further!  

💰 Budget Pick – Hotel Villa Argentina: Perfectly located in town about 10 min walk from the train station, this place has everything you need to have a great stay. Kudos to the breakfast and the staff! 

⭐️ Luxury Pick – La Vista di Marina by The First: The location of this place is unbeatable, right on the harbor. Everything is perfectly thought out in this beautiful hotel, and some units come with a wonderful terrace to enjoy the view. 

Want more options in Riomaggiore?  Check out this guide of the best Riomaggiore hotels. 

Manarola

Manarola is located north of Riomaggiore, and south of Corniglia. It’s a 2-minute train ride from Riomaggiore or Corniglia and a 25-minute walk from Riomaggiore on the Via dell’Amore. Manarola train station is actually outside the village, so you’ll have to walk for around 5 minutes in a tunnel to reach the heart of the village.

Manarola is considered by many tourists to be one of the most beautiful towns in the Cinque Terre. It’s also the oldest one, with the church of San Lorenzo (Chiesa di San Lorenzo) dating from 1338.

You can walk around the village, and take trails that will take you above the village for nice views. There are many nice restaurants where you can eat. I recommend the ones in the harbor, where you have a sea view while enjoying fresh seafood.

Learn more about Manarola in this guide.

Where to Stay in Manarola

Manarola is simply stunning, no doubt you’ll want to choose it as your home base for your Cinque Terre trip. Here are my recommended hotels in Manarola: 

✅ Best Hotel – La Torretta Lodge: This is the best value hotel in town! Housed in a renovated Medieval tower, everything here is beautiful and stylish. The staff is great, the views are breathtaking, and the breakfast is delicious… What more could you ask for? 

💰 Budget Pick – Ca de Gianchi – Verdeblù: Conveniently located in town close to the train station, this lovely property provides modern and comfy rooms with all amenities at a reasonable price. Look no further if you’re on a budget! 

If you want more options in Manarola, check this list of the best-rated hotels in Manarola; I’m sure you’ll find the perfect one for you in the list!

Corniglia

Corniglia is the village in the middle of the Cinque Terre. It’s located between Vernazza up north and Manarola down south.

Corniglia is the smallest of the 5 villages, and it’s also the only village not built directly by the sea. The village is located on top of a cliff, and you have to climb no less than 382 steps to reach it! 

From the train station, you’ll have to walk 5 minutes to reach the stairs, then climb the steps called La Lardarina. For those who can’t do it, there’s a shuttle bus you can take from the station. 

Perched at the top of a cliff, the village appears like the edge of the world. Its charming center holds a few hidden gems to explore, not least its delightful cliffside vineyards.

Learn more about Corniglia in this guide.

Where to Stay in Corniglia

Less popular than the other towns, accommodations in Corniglia tend to be a bit cheaper than elsewhere in the Cinque Terre. Here are my recommendations: 

✅ Best Hotel – Residenza Solferino: This beautiful property is located close to the beach and provides big rooms, large enough to fit families, and nice amenities in a clean and neat decor. 

⭐️ Luxury Pick – Luxury Penthouse Sea View: This holiday villa is simply outstanding! Of course, everything is comfy and beautifully decorated with great facilities. But what makes it exceptional is the breathtaking sea view it offers from its terrace. 

For more options, check out this list of the best Corniglia hotels with more recommended picks. 

Vernazza

Vernazza is located between Monterosso up north and Corniglia down south. It’s deemed as the most beautiful village in Cinque Terre.

The train station is in the heart of the village, and you’ll have a stunning view of colorful streets right from the train platform.

Vernazza truly has an air of holiday and dolce vita with its charming streets I highly recommend taking the time to explore.

On the harbor, the only natural harbor in the Cinque Terre, the church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia is surprisingly built on a rock, right on the water’s edge. In fact, you can go for a swim right at the foot of the church, either from the rocks or from the narrow sandy beach.

Learn more about Vernazza in this guide.

Where to stay in Vernazza

Vernazza is quite popular, so you’ll have to book as early as you can if you want to stay here. Don’t waste any more time, here are the best accommodations according to your travel style:  

✅ Best Hotel – Albergo Barbara: Located inside Vernazza city center, this lovely place provides cute rooms with great views over the waterfront. The staff is helpful and the amenities are well-thought. 

💰 Budget Pick – Camere Anna: Located perfectly in the city center not far from the train station, this place is very convenient with comfy beds, good facilities, and a nice host. This is the best value for money you can find in town! 

⭐️ Luxury Pick – Fivestay Casa Gabriella: This beachfront apartment provides everything you need to spend a perfect stay in the area. The rooms are large, the facilities are of high quality and the terrace offers wonderful sea views.  

If you want more option, check out my guide for the best hotels in Vernazza; I’m sure you’ll find one you’ll love!

Monterosso

Monterosso is the northernmost village in Cinque Terre. It’s located between the town of Levanto up north, and Vernazza down south.

Monterosso is the largest and liveliest village in the Cinque Terre. It’s also the only village where you’ll find a real sand beach, which makes Monterosso a very crowded destination in summer in Italy. During the hot season, the beach is full of long chairs and sun umbrellas, and it’s truly one of the best beaches in Cinque Terre, if not the best one.

The town is divided into 2, with the beach and the new Fegina district to the west, and the medieval village to the east, where you can discover a stunning Ligurian-style church.

Learn more about Monterosso in this guide.

Where to stay in Monterosso

If you’re visiting in the warm months, Monterosso is the best place to stay due to the variety of activities available. Here are the best accommodations in this town: 

✅ Best Hotel – Hotel 5 Terre: Located in a quiet area close to the beach, this hotel provides large and comfy rooms for a good price. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the breakfast is delicious!

💰 Budget Pick – Albergo Al Carugio: Clean, central, and convenient, this hotel has everything to ensure you an amazing trip. And the price will surprise you!

⭐️ Luxury Pick – A cà da Alba Rooms: This property located in the old town not far from the beach is simply beautiful. Enjoy a full apartment just for you, well-furnished with high-quality facilities and stylish decor.

For more hotels in Monterosso, check out my Monterosso hotel list. 

Which is the Best Town to Stay in Cinque Terre?

Out of the 5 villages, I find that Riomaggiore is the best place where to stay in Cinque Terre. Why? Because it has the most hotels and the lowest prices. The village is also relatively quiet compared to the others, so I think it’s the perfect choice.

Monterosso is also a good choice if you’re planning on chilling on the beach. You can wake up in the morning and directly walk to the beach.

You should know hotels in Cinque Terre can be expensive, especially in the high season. So, if you’re on a budget, the best option is to stay outside of Cinque Terre, in cities with direct train connections to Cinque Terre. La Spezia, for example, is a great choice as it’s only 10 min train away from Manarola. 

Riomaggiore

When is the Best Time to Visit Cinque Terre? 

The best time to visit the Cinque depends on what you plan to do there. But for the best balance between hiking, swimming, and visiting the villages, I recommend going to the Cinque Terre in May, June, September, or October.

For me, the most optimal months to visit are June and September, as temperatures are still high, and the crowds start to thin out.

If you can, avoid July and August at all costs. The heat and overcrowding on the footpaths and villages considerably spoil the experience.

Get more info in this Cinque Terre monthly guide

How Many Days Do You Need in Cinque Terre?

Well, this really depends on your style of travel. I personally like to get up early (or very early let’s be honest, I’m always chasing sunrises), and get on with exploring the location. I’m not really into sitting on a terrace all day or chilling in a pool. So, for me, 3 days are ideal to explore Cinque Terre.

Each village can be done in half a day, and then you’ll have 1 extra day for a hike from one village to another, such as the Via dell’Amore between Manarola and Riomaggiore. Again, this is if you want to explore the villages at a steady pace and make the most of your time.

If you’re more of a slow traveler and prefer to fully visit the villages and have time to chill on the beach, you should plan 5 days in Cinque Terre.

Can You Do Cinque Terre in a Day?

No. I wouldn’t recommend doing Cinque Terre in a day. Even for me, only a day in Cinque Terre would be way too short to explore the villages.

If you only have 1 day and really want to see the 5 villages, then you could technically do it. From sunrise to sunset, you can go from village to village, and check all of the viewpoints. Each village is only a 2-minute train ride from the next, so you’d have 1h45 in each village. Check out this guide to get the perfect 1-day itinerary in Cinque Terre. 

Vernazza old town streets

What Budget Do You Need to Visit Cinque Terre?

Trying to decide if you can afford a trip to Cinque Terre? You can find below a daily budget per person for Cinque Terre:

This budget is based on my way of travel, i.e. comfy, but looking for the best price/quality ratio: 

• Accommodation: Private room and private bathroom
• Local transportation: 4€/train ticket from one village to another, and you’ll take the train 3 times per day max.
• Food: Buy groceries for breakfast & lunch, and a nice dinner in a restaurant

How to Get to Cinque Terre? 

To get to Cinque Terre, the best choice is to fly to either Genoa, Florence, or Pisa. Which city to fly to depends on where you can get the cheapest flight! Personally, I found a very cheap flight to Pisa (30€ round trip) so I flew to Pisa.

Once you’re in Italy, simply take the train to reach the village. The train system in Italy is very developed, and tickets are cheap!

A one-way train ticket from Pisa to Riomaggiore costs between 10€ and 20€ in 2024. Of course, like everywhere else, the earlier you book the cheaper! The whole journey takes about 1 hour with a connection in the town of La Spezia.

Book your train tickets here: Trenitalia

Corniglia

Can You Drive to Cinque Terre?

Yes, you can drive to Cinque Terre, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Here’s why I don’t recommend driving to Cinque Terre:

• Road tolls are very expensive
• Gas is expensive
• Parking fees are expensive (20€ per day)
• You can’t drive in most villages so you’ll have to park your car outside the village and walk from there
• The roads are single-lane
• Traffic gets ridiculous during summer

You’re better off saving on rental costs and taking the train, which is pretty cheap and reliable.

If you still want to come to Cinque Terre by car, you’ll pay a lot, spend time looking for parking spots, and might get stuck in traffic.

Vernazza harbor

Hiking the Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is a wonderful hiking location. There are hiking trails all around and the 5 villages are all connected by one trail, the Blue Trail (Sentiero Azzuro).

How long does it take to walk the Cinque Terre?

The Blue Trail is an 11-kilometer (7-mile) hike going from Monterosso to Riomaggiore. Hiking the entire trail takes around 5 hours, of only walking. This doesn’t take into account the time you’ll spend exploring the village and enjoying the views.

Do I need to pay to hike the Cinque Terre?

Yes, you need to pay to hike Cinque Terre, but not for all the paths.

The trails from Monterosso to Vernazza and from Vernazza to Corniglia are the only ones that require a payment fee. There are checkpoints in each of these towns where they check the tickets, so I don’t recommend playing with that. 

As for 2024, there are 2 options for tickets:

Cinque Terre Trekking Card (7.50€/day)

• Access to all trails
• Use of the shuttles in Cinque Terre
• Use of the toilets in the train stations of the 5 villages  

Cinque Terre Treno MS Card (19,50€ to 32,50€/day depending on the season)

• Access to all trails
• Use of the shuttles in Cinque Terre
• Use of the toilets in the train stations of the 5 villages
• Unlimited train rides on the Levanto – Cinque Terre – La Spezia Line

You can buy this card here, at every train station, or the tourist centers in the Cinque Terre. 

During the low season, you don’t always have to pay for the hikes. Check with the local tourism centers when arriving.

What to See Near Cinque Terre

If you’re planning your trip to Italy, and more specifically Cinque Terre, there are several interesting things to see in the area.

Of course, you want to be sure that you plan enough time to fully explore the Cinque Terre. If you have more time than what’s needed, or if you’re planning a longer trip in Italy, you’ll find below my recommendations for what to see around Cinque Terre.

1. Levanto

Levanto isn’t technically part of the Cinque Terre. But the little village still has the charm of the other villages in the Cinque Terre, without the crowds. 

As a bonus, Levanto also has a beautiful sand beach, where you can come soak in the sun and relax.

From the villages of Cinque Terre, it’s very easy to reach Levanto, as it’s on the La Spezia – Sestri Levante line (the same train line that goes to the 5 villages)

2. La Spezia

La Spezia is the city where all the Cinque Terre visitors stop, yet very few actually explore. If you’re coming from Florence or Pisa, you’ll stop in La Spezia before taking the train to reach the villages.

The coastal town of La Spezia, the capital city of the province of La Spezia, is stunning. Even 1 hour is enough to discover the city, so make good use of your layover!

3. Pisa

I’m including Pisa in the list of recommendations because it’s very close to Cinque Terre, but I’m sure it was already on your list.

Pisa is a 1h30 train ride from Cinque Terre. During my trip, I flew from Paris to Pisa, explored Pisa for a day, and then took the train to discover Cinque Terre.

4. Carrara

The last place on this list of places to see around Cinque Terre is Carrara. It’s the world capital of marble, and you can visit the marble quarries, in the mountains, where the marble is extracted.

100% worth a visit if you have time!

🔍 Read more: 

Need more info about the Cinque Terre? Find below my other guides about the area: 

• Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre?
• Getting to Cinque Terre from Milan
• Getting to Cinque Terre from Florence
• Camping in Cinque Terre
• Best Cinque Terre Boat Tours

Get more more Italy content here: Italy Travel Guides

So there you have it, the complete Cinque Terre travel guide!  If you have any questions or if you want to share your experience, leave a comment below!