The Cinque Terre – a series of five attractive towns with colorful structures set on the rocky coastline of northwest Italy – is both one of the most scenic places to visit in Italy, and one of the most special geological settings in the country. There are only a handful of locations in the world where the mountains meet the sea, and the Cinque Terre is one of them.
If spending your days exploring the coastline between scenic towns, and your evenings relaxed with a glass of wine as the golden glow of sunset washes over the colorful structures lining the shore, appeals to you, you’re sure to be enthralled by the Cinque Terre.
We need not break any news in saying that the Cinque Terre is on MANY people`s wish lists, which means the area is very crowded, especially in the summer months.
Throughout this guide, we will do our best to help you delve deeper into the history, culture, and unique relationship between humans and the natural landscape that makes the Cinque Terre distinctive.
We have one significant suggestion that we strongly advise you to consider carefully (which is why we repeat it several times throughout this guide). The best way to fully experience the Cinque Terre is to allocate more than one day for exploring it.
The five small communities, which see day trippers and cruise ship passengers overflowing during daylight hours as everyone tries to see the identical things, have a fully different air in the early morning and evening.
If you were to retain only one piece of guidance from this manual, we hope it centers on spending at minimum one night (two is preferable) lodging in the Cinque Terre to genuinely experience what gives it uniqueness.
In this guide, we’re going to cover all of the information we believe you need to plan your Cinque Terre schedule.
We’ll begin with some important logistical details – how many days you need, where to stay overnight, and acquiring the essential Cinque Terre transit pass – which will be necessary to know. Then we’ll provide a detailed 2 day Cinque Terre itinerary, with ideas on how to add more time, or try to see it all in a single day (we don’t advise it).
By the end of the guide, we think you’ll have a pretty good understanding of all of the information you need to explore the Cinque Terre and its abundant natural beauty.
Sound good to you? Let’s get into planning!
Note: If you’re considering a trip to Cinque Terre, you’re in luck! Be sure to review our guide covering the top things to do and our guide to accommodation options to help craft an unforgettable visit based on our experiences.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.
Table of Contents
How Many Days to Spend in the Cinque Terre?
When touring the Cinque Terre, it will become apparent that many are just exploring for the day.
I’m presently situated on the balcony of our apartment in Manarola gazing at the street underneath, which is loaded with visitors who disembarked from a cruise ship in La Spezia and are striving to witness every thing there is to see in the Cinque Terre in a single day.
Multiple considerations support spending more than a single day exploring Cinque Terre.
First, it may prove challenging to visit if included as part of a more extensive Italian itinerary. Trains from Milan and Genoa offer the best connectivity, though it remains feasible from Pisa, Florence, and Bologna as well.
Secondly, part of the allure of the Cinque Terre is the hiking, which is going to take some time because there is a lot of ascending and descending as you climb in and out of the various villages.
At one point, my mother commented that the estimated hiking time of two hours sounded too lengthy for a two mile hike from Manarola to Corniglia. For reference, that hike took us a hair under two hours. It’s steep and slow going, but it’s magnificent.
Additionally, the atmosphere of the Cinque Terre towns transforms significantly when the day crowds depart in the evenings or have yet to arrive in the mornings. This provides residents more space and offers a different experience for visitors.
The ideal time to be in the Cinque Terre is between 8:00 am and 10:00 am, and after 4:00 pm. Especially in summer, when the oppressive heat is an additional factor to consider. If you do a day trip, you’ll be here precisely in the least pleasant part of the day.
Instead of trying to fit it all into a day, we’d strongly advise you only come to the Cinque Terre if you have AT LEAST two days to spend, ideally three. Which is a lot, we know, but we don’t really think it’s worth the journey if you only have a day.
Getting Around the Cinque Terre
The five towns of Cinque Terre are connected through a local train line running between La Spezia and Levanto, stopping at each location along the route. The full journey takes around 15 to 20 minutes, providing a wonderful means of travel between the towns. Trains are frequent, arriving every 15 to 20 minutes, quick, and reasonably priced.
It’s called the Cinque Terre Express, and it operates like most other regional train lines in Italy.
The one choice you’ll need to make is if you want to purchase the Cinque Terre Treno Card or not. Here’s the information we think you require to make that decision.
Travellers were advised that individual train journeys within the Cinque Terre region carry a £5 per person fee. Frequent ticket inspections occured during time spent in the area, emphasizing the importance of acquiring tickets before boarding to avoid issues.
Additionally, be certain to validate your ticket by stamping it at the machines on the platform PRIOR to boarding the train.
Two types of Cinque Terre passes are available.
The primary is the trekking permit, known as the Cinque Terre Card. You need the Cinque Terre Card to wander the world-renowned Blue Trail, which at this time is only open between Corniglia and Vernazza, and Vernazza and Monterosso. In the itinerary under, we have you doing one stretch on each of the initial two days.
The second is the Cinque Terre Treno Card (we know, the names are confusing). which includes everything the Cinque Terre Card does (hiking permit, bathrooms, and ATC buses), along with unlimited rides on the Cinque Terre Express.
One advantage to the Treno Card is bypassing the sometimes lengthy queues at station ticket machines, which could mean the difference between making a train on time or facing a delay to wait another 20 minutes.
We calculated the cost of our trip, and here is how the expenses balanced out:
- The 1 Day Treno Card pays off if you are planning on hiking the Blue Trail AND taking no less than three train rides on the day you’re buying it for.
- The 2 Day Treno Card pays off if you are planning on hiking the Blue Trail (both days) AND taking five train rides over two days.
For what it`s worth, we purchased both a Treno card (truly, two, because we were there for four days) for our time in the Cinque Terre, and it paid off for us both instances.
Our proposal, if you’re pursuing the itinerary above, is to obtain the Treno Card for the first two days.
If cost is a concern for you, one option would be to complete both segments of the Blue Trail in a single day (we could tackle one in the morning, and the other in the late afternoon to avoid being on the route between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm). In this scenario, purchase the Treno card for the day you`re exploring the trails, and pay individually for transportation on other dates.
You can now purchase the Cinque Terre card online here, which is the best approach. Be prepared to download it and present it at the entry points for the Blue Trail.
Water vessels also connect the five towns, but they’re expensive and take more time than the train. If wanting a more scenic journey, it’s a good selection. If looking for the most cost-effective and quickest way to travel between places, it’s the train.
Where to Stay in the Cinque Terre
Firstly, we have an entire guide focused on the best places to lodge in Cinque Terre, where we examine the best towns to use as a base, the pros and cons for each, some of our favorite finds, and a few cool places to stay that we’ve found.
If you prefer a more thorough version, you may want to read the full guide.
A concise overview focused on lodging suggestions follows if time is limited and you need guidance on accommodations.
First of all, we absolutely think you should stay in one of the five towns (also known as the Cinque Terre), rather than in a place like La Spezia, Levanto, or Genoa / Pisa.
Many people choose to do the Cinque Terre as a day trip (we DO NOT recommend that if avoidable), which has them in town from roughly 10:00 am to 6:00 pm or so.
During the peak morning and evening times, these five villages become extremely crowded with visitors, undeniably at their most busy. Only experiencing them during their periods of greatest traffic means failing to appreciate their natural charm and peacefulness.
Spend at least one night in one of the towns if your schedule allows for it. You won’t feel regret.
Secondly, we would certainly not lodge in Corniglia. Not because we dislike Corniglia, but because to travel from the train station up to town requires climbing/descending an incredibly rigorous set of switchbacks. Which would be unpleasant if needed multiple times daily. A shuttle is available, but it’s tiny and crammed in high season at peak hours (10:00 am to 4:00 pm).
Our preferred places to remain are Manarola and Vernazza, and they offer slightly differing things.
Manarola, which is where we stayed, has the least number (notably 30 minutes after sunset) and is most tranquil town of the five, and also presents the most visually appealing vistas (you see it on all of the memorabilia).
It retains its small town feel, particularly before and after the hordes of day trippers arrive. However, that tranquility means there are a constrained number of places to eat and drink in town, which isn’t ideal if you want to explore a variety of bars and restaurants.
From a personal perspective, we lodged at these apartments in Manarola, and enjoyed observing the waterview from our terrace (the apartment itself likely required some renovations, though).
Perhaps the best part about Vernazza is that it`s connected to the two presently open sections of the Blue Trail that are accessible as of late 2022, allowing one to depart directly from their lodging and begin the hike.
2 Days in the Cinque Terre: Planning an Amazing Cinque Terre Itinerary
Now that we’ve covered the logistics we believe you need to know before your trip, on to the itinerary!
We’re assuming you have two full days (likely meaning three nights) in the area.
Here is a high-level overview of this 2-day Cinque Terre itinerary.
- Day 1: Hiking from Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare, exploring Monterosso al Mare, and Sunset in Manarola
- Day 2: Hiking from Corniglia to Vernazza, lunch in Vernazza, exploring Riomaggiore, and a sunset boat cruise
Below the main itinerary, we have additional ideas on spending three days in the Cinque Terre, along with how to spend one day in the Cinque Terre if you absolutely cannot find more time in your planned trip to Italy.
Note: We will be using the English version of the Sentiero Azzurro (“Blue Trail”), which is the famous walking path that connects the five villages of the Cinque Terre
Day 1: Hiking a Section of the Blue Trail and Manarola for Sunset
On the initial day, hike the celebrated Blue Pathway – the hiking route that associates all five of the Cinque Terre towns – in between Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare, explore Monterosso for the afternoon, then head to the picturesque township of Manarola to watch the sunset.
A quick note on the configuration of this itinerary before we continue.
As of 2022, there are merely two portions of the distinguished Blue Trail that are accessible (landslides have caused prolonged closures of the other sections).
Those two portions are the stretch between Corniglia and Vernazza, and the stretch between Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare.
By allocating one location to visit each morning, the itinerary distributes the sights more pleasantly in our opinion. Doing both in a single day remains possible if preferred, but that approach ensures having to navigate the heights of activity no matter how it`s scheduled.
Which – and we’re speaking from experience here – isn’t particularly pleasant (it’s hot and crowded).
If wanting to complete it all in a single day (which does save a few Euros as only a daily Cinque Terre card would be needed), we would highly recommend the hike between Manarola and Corniglia via Volastra (which we enjoyed) on the second day.
You can find details about that hike in the “extra day” section below the main schedule.
We can`t stress enough that aiming to start the trail by around 9:00 am or earlier is best. You`ll beat the crowds and heat for a much more pleasant experience. The sooner, the better!
Start Your Day in Vernazza at the Blue Marlin
It doesn’t seem like much as far as a coffee shop goes, but the Blue Marlin in Vernazza was our favorite coffee that we had while we wandered around the Cinque Terre. It’s more of an evening spot, but they also offer coffee and breakfast in the morning, and it was great.
Since you`re hiking the trail between Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare today, you`ll want to take the earliest train possible to arrive in Vernazza for your hike.
The Blue Marlin, situated next to the train station in Vernazza, makes a good stop to get energized on your way to the beginning of the trail.
Hike the Blue Trail from Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare
Once restored from caffeine and prepared, time to embark on the trail!
This is the checkpoint where they’ll examine your permit, and from there you’ll start a steep, stair-filled climb. However, don’t be discouraged – the effort will be worthwhile with some of the best views of Vernazza you can find anywhere.
At times, the path is narrow, and we did this around midday, which meant spending a lot of time waiting for others to pass. Another reason starting early is preferable!
The trail follows the coastline northward, with some fleeting perspectives of the ocean, but generally keeps forested until you arrive at Monterosso al Mare. However, as you descend into the northernmost town of the Cinque Terre, the views are splendid.
Going down into Monterosso al Mare involves a steep and narrow set of stairs, which isn’t very pleasant. It is only wide enough for a single person or group ascending or descending the trail at once – be sure to yield to those hiking uphill!
Explore Montrosso al Mare
When you arrive in Monterosso al Mare, you’ll enter town from the south. It is important to comprehend how Monterosso is organized. There are two parts of town – the old town and the new town – separated by a tunnel through the mountain.
The train station and the large, sandy beach are on the newer side of town, which is on the far side of the tunnel from where you’ll exit the trail.
The older section of town, located on the southern side of the tunnel, contains many places to eat and drink and has a smaller beach.
Start by exploring the older part of the city, and then make your way over to the beaches on the opposite end before boarding the train to get home / to your next stop.
Here are the places we liked:
Enoteca Da Eliseo: An astounding wine bar with a large number of wines to attempt from both the Cinque Terre and different pieces of Italy. We requested that he assist us with discovering two glasses of Cinque Terre DOC to experiment with that were very not the same as one another, and he was more than upbeat to help.
Buranco: This winery was proposed by Eliseo after sampling a couple of their varietals (a Cinque Terre DOC and a sparking wine, both of which we found quite pleasing). It is a brief uphill stroll from his enoteca, where they host a quaint tasting space and agroturismo facility.
Fabbrica D’Arte Monterosso: A fantastic little pottery shop housing ceramics, stoneware, and terracotta pieces all crafted nearby. They actually have two storefronts in town, and we preferred the one at Via Vittorio Emanuele, 27 (down the street from Eliseo’s enoteca). I left with matching coffee mug and espresso cup, and my mother acquired a lovely painted terracotta piece.
Bar Lo Spuntino: Coffee with a beach vista! It’s in the newer part of town along the main beach.
Spiaggia di Fegina: The main beach in the town. Wide and consisting of sand, this is a nice spot to sunbathe for an afternoon. There’s a pay-to-use beach club situated in the center with chairs and umbrellas, and visitors are allowed to set up on a small section of sand at either end of the beach for free.
Admire the Sunset in Manarola
We might have found ourselves partial to Manarola, as it was where we chose to view our final Cinque Terre sunset from and had a strong appeal. Manarola presented our favorite spot to watch the sun sink below the horizon in the Cinque Terre region, and it was there that we opted to spend our last moments of daylight.
But you don’t need to simply take our word for it. In each of the Cinque Terre`s five villages’ souvenir shops, you’ll find postcards, bags, and various other gifts highlighting beautiful scenes from the area. We`ve noticed around 75% of those depict the view from Manarola.
Try to time your visit to Manarola so that you arrive around an hour before sunset (you can check the time on the weather app on your phone).
When you arrive at the train station in Manarola, initially turn right and head up the hill towards the church – Chiesa di San Lorenzo. The piazza directly in front of it offers a nice perspective of the city as it cascades down the hill into the harbor and sea.
If you’re looking for a glass of wine before sunset, head up to A Pié de Campu, an hilltop wine bar with a pleasant terrace. Otherwise, head back down the hill. Be sure to visit Gelateria Sorbetteria Gelateria 5 Terre on the way down, which we found to serve the best gelato in the Cinque Terre.
For sunset, head out to the point ( here on Google Maps). Specifically, the second stage of the point, which displays that picture-perfect perspective you’re in search of. From that location, you’ll have front-row seats to the vivid hues of those renowned colorful structures as the sun reduces in the sky.
Day 2: Finishing the Blue Trail, Riomaggiore, and a Sunset Boat Cruise
On your second day in the Cinque Terre, hike another section of the Blue Trail from Corniglia to Vernazza in the morning, stopping in Vernazza for lunch, and then head to Riomaggiore for an afternoon of wine and excellent views before ending your trip with a sunset boat tour to see the Cinque Terre from a completely new angle.
Hike the Blue Trail from Corniglia to Vernazza
First, let`s discuss Corniglia. Corniglia is the only village out of the five that lacks a harbor. Instead, it sits high on a precipice overlooking the water. Intriguing, right?
Except the train tracks run alongside the water, requiring a steep climb to reach the town from the station.
A bus halts just outside the train station (incorporated into the Cinque Terre Card, extra incentive to obtain it online in advance), and if you commence early you can board that and eliminate the climbing. However, between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, the bus will be crowded, and walking would be preferable.
The hike from Corniglia to Vernazza along the Blue Trail was our favorite stretch. We did it starting at 9:00 am on a weekday, and saw just a few other people on the trail (plus, we easily got a seat on the bus up the hill). We’d highly recommend an early start here.
The hike itself necessitates little effort – the most facile of the three hikes undertaken in the Cinque Terre (the third being the path from Manarola to Corniglia through Volastra, detailed in the “more time” section). Covering two miles, a total elevation gain of 500 feet is achieved over the distance.
Still, you’ll want to be prepared with plenty of water, sun protection, and proper footwear. Footwear other than sandals and flip flops are recommended – we hiked this in running shoes, which offered ample support and traction for a warm, dry day on the trail.
About two thirds along the way, you’ll start passing establishments as you begin the descent into Vernazza. We’d surely stop at Bar Il Gabbiano for some freshly squeezed orange juice and coffee, which you can enjoy from their terrace overlooking the scenic coastline.
There’s a wonderful panoramic view of Vernazza from the trail as it starts to descend into the town – you can locate it here (you go directly past it, so you truly can`t miss it).
Exploring Vernazza
For the remainder of the morning, spend time exploring the charming town of Vernazza. You`ve already seen the other excellent viewpoint of the city from the trail towards Monterosso al Mare, so we`d linger in town.
Be sure to see the harbor, with its scenic views including the seaside church overlooking the port.
Here are a few places to eat, drink, and shop.
The Blue Marlin: It may resemble a casual tavern more so than a coffee establishment, but this café situated nearby the train station served us the finest coffee we sampled in the Cinque Terre. It also appears to be a lovely place to grab a beverage if visiting in the evening, though we were present in the morning on both occasions, so we restricted our orders to coffee.
Batti Batti’ Focacceria: This was an impulse stop after a mornings hike. Get the pesto pizza version with tomato sauce, pesto, and melted cheese (or just the version with pesto, which is more traditional) and take it over to the harbor to enjoy.
Pippo a Vernazza: Located uphill from the train station, this establishment is a good place to get an affordable lunch or dinner with a rotating selection of sandwiches and pasta dishes. We attempted to stop by, but unfortunately they were closed for the season by the end of October. Another positive aspect is that they are plastic free, which is very appealing.”
An Afternoon in Riomaggiore
After spending time in Vernazza, hop aboard the train heading towards La Spezia and disembark at Riomaggiore. This is the last of the five villages, located at the southern end of Cinque Terre National Park near La Spezia.
We’d essentially suggest taking a large loop around Riomaggiore, starting from the train station at a low elevation, making your way up to the Castelo perched on the hill high above the station, and ending in the picturesque harbor. Here’s an example of what that route appears.”
Along the route, here are a couple of stops we’d advise stopping at.
There are two wines produced in Cinque Terre that you should make an effort to sample – the Cinque Terre DOC (a dry white wine) and sciacchetrà (a sweet, complex dessert wine).
Both can be purchased and sampled here, and the historical and cultural context surrounding their production can be learned.
When touring the Cinque Terre region, be sure to sample some freshly prepared ocean fare. Two establishments across from the wine shop offer this delicacy – Tutti Fritti and Il Pescato Cucinato. Both are excellent choices for fried seafood where you can fill a cone with crisp, battered catch.
We went to Tutti Fritti, for what it`s worth, and they were very friendly and helped me practice my Italian. Anchovies are the local specialty, and my mom – who isn`t particularly adventuresome – enjoyed them. Huge portions, and you can get a “frito mixto” with an assortment of varied fried fish.
After exploring the main areas in Riomaggiore, head uphill and loop around the church. You’ll enjoy scenic views of the city from there, and end up at the castle. Entering isn`t necessarily worthwhile, though there is a pleasant vista outside the castle walls.
Your last stop before your evening plans is the harbor, where you’ll find both an excellent vista of Riomaggiore and a swarm of people attempting to capture the same picture.
It’s still worthwhile visiting, because the view is great, but be prepared for some crowds. You can either head to the platform here, or down onto the rocks that shield the town’s harbor here.
Get Out on the Water with a Sunset Boat Cruise
After exploring Riomaggiore, it`s time to end your trip on a high note with a sunset boat cruise. At this point in your itinerary, you’ve already witnessed some truly stunning views of the Cinque Terre.
The advantage of a sunset boat tour is viewing the Cinque Terre from an alternate viewpoint. To this point, the colorful villages of the Cinque Terre have primarily been seen from above, from viewpoints along the hiking path or from favored sunset viewpoints.
By getting out on the water, you’ll get to see them from below, which is arguably even more stunning. The colorful buildings, awash in a golden glow from the setting sun, sprawl up the mountainside, and the perspective from the water makes them seem even more magnificent.
We’d propose this specific one, which leaves directly from the harbor in Riomaggiore. You’ll make your way northward along the coastline, observing the splendor of all five of the villages of the Cinque Terre – with a glass of wine and some focaccia in hand – before returning to Riomaggiore.
Ending a trip to the Cinque Terre in this way would not be unfavorable.
What to Do with 3 Days in the Cinque Terre?
If visiting the Cinque Terre region for three or more days, there are some additional sights worth including in your itinerary. A more extensive listing of recommendations for things to do in Cinque Terre can be found in our guide linked here: best activities in Cinque Terre!
Hike from Manarola up to Volastra and on to Corniglia
Of the three hikes we did in the Cinque Terre, this one ranked second best for us (after Corniglia to Vernazza), but was by far the most difficult. It takes you from the town of Manarola up high into the mountains above town to Volastra, and then back down the hill into Corniglia.
With the section of the Blue Trail between Manarola and Corniglia closed, this is the only way to hike between the two villages. It’s beautiful – you’re ascending through terraced vineyards with great views of Manarola at your back – but challenging.
It essentially consists of an endless set of stairs on the way up to Volastra, which is not feasible for all.
The hike takes 3.6 miles to complete with 1,350 feet of elevation gain, classification it in the moderate category. Though not an extensive distance, the elevation increase is no minor challenge. Proper preparation is advised with ample water, closed-toe shoes with strong traction and support, and sun protection for those undertaking this hike.
If concerns about the ascent worry you, it`s possible to take the bus from Manarola up to Volastra, then hike downhill from there. The Cinque Terre card includes the bus fair. If choosing this route, we`d opt to hike back down into Manarola instead, because the views from that portion of the trail are considerably better in our opinion.
Important note: A Cinque Terre card is not required for this trail. So if only paying for a single day pass, we could substitute this hike for the one from Vernazza to Monterosso. Or do the entire Corniglia – Vernazza – Monterosso stretch in one day and this hike on the other.
Wine Tasting in the Cinque Terre
We’ve previously discussed a couple of spots to sample a wide selection of local wines in the itinerary noted above, but you can also visit the vineyards themselves to do a guided tasting and sometimes a tour. Here are two places worth considering.
Buranco (Monterosso): Just above town from Enoteca da Eliseo, this place produces (rather than serving as a wine bar or shop), and was suggested by Eliseo. It’s a steep walk from town, but one can taste their wine or join a hike through the vineyards. They have an excellent sparkling wine that was enjoyed. More information here.
Cantina 5Terre (Manarola): The vineyard behind the wine we acquired. Unfortunately closed for the season during our visit, but available experiences like tastings, cellar visits. Good halt near Volastra if hiking from Manarola to Corniglia. More data here.
Learn How to Make Pesto
Pesto, a specialty of Liguria – the Italian area encompassing Cinque Terre – holds no superior place to sample, learn about, and gain instruction on its creation than within the Cinque Terre itself.
Cooking classes are consistently among our favorite travel experiences because it combines several of our preferred aspects of traveling into one activity: eating, cooking, and meeting locals and learning about their perspectives, which are often different from our own.
Unfortunately in this case, classes teaching cooking are not an option for Matt because he has Celiac Disease (which means he needs to eat strictly without gluten), and most cooking classes in Italy involve flour flying all over the place.
However, that doesn’t signify you shouldn’t indulge! Here are a couple of cooking classes that we came across in our trip research that we think would be an amazing addition to your time in the Cinque Terre.
The Excellent Pesto Practical experience (Riomaggiore) : Make home-prepared pesto making use of a mortar and pestle, and then take pleasure in it with a glass of wine and some pasta on a terrace with magnificent views.
Pesto Experience at Nessun Dorma (Manarola) : We mentioned this bar above as a good place to catch the sunset with an excellent view of Manarola. They also do cooking classes! It also includes some wine tasting with a sommelier.
Get Out on the Water in a Kayak
Given the time of year, this wasn’t possible when we were exploring the Cinque Terre. However, if given the choice, we’d much prefer a kayaking trip over a motor boat, akin to what we’ve done in the San Juan Islands and the south island of New Zealand.
We’d opt for a kayak for the relative seclusion (you can access protected areas by kayak not reachable by other watercraft), exercise, and unique perspective directly on the water.
When returning to the Cinque Terre, we will undoubtedly sign up for this kayaking excursion. Meeting the guide in Monterosso al Mare before paddling along the coastline, where stops will be made for snorkeling adventures and exploring Punta Mesco, the portion of the Ligurian coast jutting outward into the surrounding sea located just north of Monterosso al Mare.
You’ll have a qualified guide, a small group, and a couple of hours of tranquility on the water, seeing things from a viewpoint unlike 99% of tourists who visit the Cinque Terre. Which, we believe, is worth the cost of admission in itself.
Can You See Cinque Terre in a Day?
In brief, no, we truly don`t believe one day in the Cinque Terre is sufficient time to see all five villages. And we extremely would NOT advise doing a day trip from another city (like Florence, for example). Here’s why.
Spending a day trip to the Cinque Terre from another Italian city means you`ll have a long journey to get to and from the villages, and you`ll arrive at the same time as most of the crowds, so villages and hiking trails will be packed and usually unpleasant (particularly in summer).
Remaining in the Cinque Terre for just one evening will prove difficult logistically. Upon arrival in the afternoon, checking into lodging and venturing out to explore that day will leave little time ahead of needing to depart again the next morning. It is advisable to reserve at least one full night to properly experience this unique destination.
If viewed in that manner, it’s easy to understand why we advise staying two nights or more.
However, if you really only have one night, here’s how we may spend it (you are able utilize the more detailed sections above to delve deeper into each thing we’re recommending).
Arrive in the Cinque Terre in the afternoon, check in and drop your bags, and immediately head to Riomaggiorre.
In Riomaggiore, make sure to stop at Ghemé for an overview of Cinque Terre wines, Tutti Fritti to enjoy a cone of fried fish, and walk up to the Church of San Giovanni Battista and beyond to the Castelo before heading down to the harbor ( here) for nice city views.
Travel further along the tracks and head to the next settlement of Manarola, which is one we enjoyed particularly during sunset time. Hike upwards on the pathway to the Church of Saint Lawrence, then go back down all the way towards the harbor, where an renowned vista of Manarola can be observed (the exact viewpoint is here). Be sure to stop by Gelateria Sorbetteria Gelateria 5 Terre, which was our beloved gelato parlor in the Cinque Terre. If doable, reserve a table at Nessun Dorma for sunset perspective (they implement a digital waitlist, and it`s highly popular).
Grab dinner in whatever town you’re staying in, and plan on an early morning the next day.
The following morning, store your bags at your accommodations, and take public transportation to Corniglia to hike from Corniglia to Vernazza along the renowned Blue Trail (you probably don’t have enough time to complete the entire stretch from Corniglia to Monterosso al Mare, unfortunately).
Stop in Vernazza for a midday meal at Pippo a Vernazza and view the harbor. Take the train to Monterosso al Mare, and check out the beach, see the handcrafted pottery at Fabbrica D’Arte Monterosso, and grab a glass of Cinque Terre wine at Enoteca da Eliseo (another of our favorite wine establishments in the Cinque Terre).
And that wraps up a packed 24 hours, and you WILL need a vacation from your vacation, but that`s how we would try to experience the best of the Cinque Terre in a single day.
Getting to the Cinque Terre
As mentioned earlier, there are train connections available from major Italian cities to the Cinque Terre, but they are not always straightforward.
For context, we arrived in the Cinque Terre from Bologna, and afterwards headed to Milan. Whereas both demand over 3 hours, the journey to Milan is considerably easier thanks to a direct intercity train connecting Levanto (or La Spezia or Monterosso al Mare) directly to Milano Centrale rail station.
In this section, we`ll cover how to reach the Cinque Terre by train from Milan and Florence, as well as options for getting there from outside of Italy.
In any of the cases above, one will need to initiate a transfer.
Essentially you’ll need to arrive in either La Spezia or Levanto (depending on which city you’re originating from), which are the southern and northern gateway towns to the Cinque Terre, and make a transfer to the train line that connects them with the five towns of Cinque Terre.
The only exception is if you’re coming from Milan or Genoa and staying in Monterosso al Mare. There are direct trains from Milan to Monterosso al Mare (that stop in Genoa), but only a few times a day (at the moment, it’s every two hours starting at noon).
Getting From Milan to Cinque Terre by Train
When traveling from Milan to the Cinque Terre, the best approach is taking the high-speed intercity train from Milano Centrale Station to Levanto, which serves as the gateway town at the northern end of the national park. Trains run approximately every two hours depending on the season, and take around three hours to travel between Milan and Levanto.
From Levanto, take the Cinque Terre Express (more details on that shortly) to reach whichever town you`ll be staying in.
If you know your travel dates and times, booking your leg between Milan and Levanto ahead of time makes sense. Generally, the farther in advance you book, the cheaper it will be.
Getting to Cinque Terre from Florence by Train
Getting from Florence to the Cinque Terre is somewhat more complex than Milan, but remains perfectly possible.
One of the simplest travel choices if starting from Florence is boarding a local train from Florence`s main station of Santa Maria Novella that goes directly to La Spezia Centrale, where you can transfer to a local service to reach your home base in the Cinque Terre region. They operate every two hours, and the journey takes around two and a half hours.
You can also transfer in Pisa, which actually ends up being faster because you’ll take a high-speed train from Pisa to La Spezia. However, if you get delayed, you could miss your transfer, which we only just barely avoided by sprinting between platforms.
From La Spezia, take the Cinque Terre Express to reach whichever town you’re using as your base.
If you know your travel dates and times in advance, it makes sense to book your transport between Florence and Levanto ahead of time. The sooner you book, generally the more affordable it will be.
Flying to Cinque Terre: What Airport to Choose?
It was constructed back in 1914, and sits on the southern shore of Lake McDonald. They have rooms inside the historic lodge itself, and there are also cabins and other buildings with more accommodation options.
In our view, the most convenient airport for accessing the Cinque Terre is Pisa International Airport (PSA). From there, travelers need to get to Pisa Centrale, the main train station in the city, where they can catch a local train to La Spezia (which is inexpensive, fairly frequent, and takes approximately one hour), connecting to the Cinque Terre train line (more details on that below).
Your following preferable options are Genoa or Florence. Genoa Airport (GOA), which necessitates a bus or taxi connection to the train station, where you can catch a rapid intercity train to either Levanto or Monterosso al Mare. Florence Airport (FLR) is your other choice, but it’s going to take no less than two connections to get you to La Spezia to connect with the Cinque Terre line.
Milan is another choice, but we’d only suggest flying into Linate (LIN) if you plan on making the journey to Cinque Terre. Why? Because it takes an hour to get from Milan’s other airport (MXP) to Milano Centrale, which is where you’ll catch the Intercity Train, which makes the journey four hours in all. From Linate, it’s a more timely journey from the air terminal to the train station.
When to Visit the Cinque Terre
First, the Cinque Terre is a very popular tourist destination at basically any given time between April and October.
To discuss this year, we’ll separate it into three time intervals: shoulder season (April & May/ September & October), summer (June – August), and Winter (November – April).
For your planning, we visited in late October, and conditions were pleasant.
Summer in the Cinque Terre is swelteringly hot and teeming with visitors. The climate is quite warm despite the coastal location. Great for tan-seeking at the beach, not so great for much else.
Be certain your lodgings have air conditioning if visiting during warmer months.
Large numbers of people pack the five villages, intensifying the already oppressive heat. Expect many families with children on summer break. Book all plans like tours, lodging and trains well in advance.
Undoubtedly, shoulder season delivers the finest timeframe to visit the Cinque Terre.For our purposes, shoulder season refers to April and May, and September and October.
It will be a little cooler during this period, meaning being outside in the hottest parts of the day isn`t quite as unbearable, and there will be fewer visitors. Those vacationers present are likely to be older retirees, as families with school-age children will have returned home.
The climate holds through late October, though some rain or afternoon thunderstorms may occur.
From November to April, things are quite peaceful. The weather is cooler and duller, meaning far fewer tourists. Sounds pleasant, right?
The biggest problem with traveling in the off-season is that many of the businesses, which rely on tourism, close for the winter and early spring. Restaurants, wine bars, tours – the majority will not be operational in the dead of winter.
