The Italian Riviera coastline features dozens of tiny towns and villages, but none are as famous as Cinque Terre. The five “lands” of Cinque Terre are all close together along the Northern coast of Italy, each boasting their own charm and character. In this Cinque Terre overview, we’ll take a look at each of the five towns to get you familiar with them to make planning a trip to Cinque Terre easy.
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Cinque Terre Overview
The Italian Riviera coast features dozens of tiny towns and villages, but none are as famous as Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre is made up of five UNESCO protected fishing villages within Cinque Terre National Park. Each one is nestled into the rugged hillside and bordered on the west by the Mediterranean Sea.
As is common in Italy, the towns themselves are numbered based on the proximity to Rome:
- Riomaggiore
- Manarola – includes Groppo and Volastra
- Corniglia – includes San Bernardino
- Vernazza – includes the village of Prevo
- Monterosso al Mare
Why Visit the Lovely Cinque Terre
Despite its small population, Cinque Terre sees millions of tourists each year. One might wonder why as there aren’t a lot of “sights” in the traditional sense of the word. Well, have you seen pictures of the villages?
The colorful buildings carefully nestled between vineyards and the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea certainly does not suck! Each of the villages offers its own beauty and stunning views, not to mention the amazing food and wine a plenty! Once you’ve seen it once, you’ll likely want to return, and I don’t just say that because I still dream of the pesto lasagna I had in Monterosso al Mare!
How to Get to Cinque Terre
Planning a trip to Cinque Terre may be complex, but fortunately getting there is not. Italy has GREAT public transit. I highly recommend you utilize it rather than renting a car.
Flying into Italy
The closest airport to Cinque Terre is Genoa with Pisa being a close second. If neither of those work, check into Florence. From any of those cities , it is a quick train ride into Cinque Terre. There are many direct trains or you may have to transfer at La Spezia just outside of Cinque Terre.
Train from within Italy
It’s easy to jump a train from just about anywhere within Italy and get to Cinque Terre. And, best of all, you generally do not need to book ahead, making planning easy. If you cannot find a direct train into Monterosso, you can take a train to La Spezia and transfer to Riomaggiore. This ride is only 7 minutes long.
How to Get from One Town to Another in Cinque Terre
There are three main options for traveling between the five lands, or as I refer to them “towns”.
1. Hiking through Cinque Terre
One of the best ways to visit the towns is by foot! There is an 11km trail, called the Blue Trail, that follows the coast stopping in each town. Part of the path is paved and an easy walk, like between Riomaggiore and Manarola, and other parts continue over hillsides and require more effort. Here’s an overview from town to town to know what to expect when planning your Cinque Terre hike.
- Riomaggiore to Manarola (Also called Lover’s Lane): 1.5 km / Easy / 20 – 30 minutes
- Manarola to Corniglia: 3 km / Easy / 45 min – 1 hour
- Corniglia to Vernazza: 4 km / Moderate / 1.5 hours
- Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare: 3.5 km / Moderate / 1.5 – 2 hours
This path requires a park pass, the Cinque Terre Trekking Card, that can be purchased for €7.50. Unfortunately, frequently parts of the trails are closed due to maintenance or dangerous conditions so I would recommend asking the status of the trails prior to purchasing your pass.
There is also the Red Trail that goes higher and is more challenging as it takes you along the top of the ridge. Take note that due to the climb, descending into each town may take serious consideration as it is a long way back up!
2. Taking the Train between Towns
Each town has its own train station and the train runs regularly between the towns with most tickets cost around €4 per ride to make it from one town to another. Alternatively, you can purchase a day pass, the Cinque Terre Train Card, for just €16. Best of all, the train is a super fast way to get around:
- Riomaggiore to Manarola: 2 minute train ride
- Manarola to Corniglia: 2 minute train ride
- Corniglia to Vernazza: 3 minute train ride
- Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare: 3 minute train ride
Tickets are easily purchased from the automated machines in advance or immediately before boarding. As in all of Italy, the tickets must be validated prior to jumping on the train for the first time. You can be fined if your ticket is not validated!
3. Hop on the Ferry
The ferry will only take you to four of the towns as Corniglia sits on top of a cliff and is not easily accessible by water. You can purchase your tickets ahead of each ferry time but they run slightly less regularly than the trains. Additionally, the ferry is slightly more expensive than the train, but it provides great views!! An all-day pass runs around €35.
An alternative in many of the towns is to hire a water taxi which would be your most expensive option but provide the most flexibility.
The Five Towns of Cinque Terre
Let’s get to know the five different towns of Cinque Terre and what makes each one unique.
1. Riomaggiore
Population: 1700 residents
The largest and southernmost of the five lands, Riomaggiore is built into a hillside overlooking a small marina. The main road offers a large selection of restaurants and take away food and there are dozens of winding side streets and staircases to explore. If possible, make your way up the hillside to the church and castle at the top. The roads are narrow and frequently empty adding to the charm.
For the Best Views of Riomaggoire
The best views of Riomaggiore are available down on the rocks of the marina where many locals and tourists can be found sunning themselves.
Top Sights in Riomaggiore
- Piaza Vignaioli: Town square
- Castle of Riomaggiore: Built in 1260
- Church of San Giovanni Battista: Stone church built in 1340
- Church of San Lorenzo: Built in 1338
- Lovers Lane (Via dell’Amore): The footpath carved into the rocks that connects Riomaggiore to Manarola
- Sanctuary of Madonna di Montenero: Just outside of Riomaggiore, located along the coastal road connecting Cinque Terre and La Spezia, it offers panoramic views of the whole coast line of Cinque Terre
Where to Stay in Riomaggiore
There are a lot of great places to stay in Riomaggiore. Just be aware of how much you might have to climb to get there! Check out these top three choices to get started.
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My Visit to Riomaggiore
I spent a couple of hours winding through the alleyways and climbing any staircase I could find until I got to the top of the town where the small castle sits and overlooks the ocean. Absolutely beautiful and peaceful! From there I wandered back down to the marina and through the main road. The only thing missing from this town was more wide open ocean views. After thoroughly satisfied with Riomaggiore I jumped the train to Manarola
2. Manarola
Population: 450 residents
Perhaps the most picturesque of the towns, Manarola does not take a lot of time to explore. With one main road and not a lot of side streets, you cannot get lost! In fact, they do not offer a map of this town for that very reason.
For the Best Views of Manarola
Follow the town down to the water and make your way along the walkway on the right side and into the hillside to get the best views of Manarola.
Top Sights in Manarola
- Church of San Lorenzo: Small stone church built in 1338
- Lovers Lane (Via dell’Amore): The footpath carved into the rocks that connects Manarola to Riomaggiore
Where to Stay in Manarola
Being such a small town, there is a more limited selection of places to stay in Manarola. If you choose to stay here, book early and plan to have to walk uphill a bit! Here are the top three choices help you get acquainted with the accommodations available in Manarola.
My Visit to Manarola
I had been told Manarola was the most beautiful town of the five. It certainly did not disappoint from that aspect as it sits so perfectly overlooking the ocean with a walkway that enables you to fully enjoy its beauty.
Unfortunately, other than its stunning facade, it does not offer a whole lot. It has one main road that is quite short and a small oceanfront area where I spent some time watching people dive and do flips into the water. Feeling overall underwhelmed, I continued on to the next one by train: Corniglia.
3. Corniglia
Population: 245 residents
The highest town and the only one not accessible by ferry, Corniglia sits 100 meters above sea level on a cliff top overlooking the ocean. With 365 stairs to access the city, one for every day of the year, it is not for the faint of heart! Alternately, there is a bus that runs for those unable or unwilling to tackle the stairs.
Despite sitting on the hilltop, there is a marina down below with a separate staircase to access it. Unfortunately, it equates to more stairs, but it does provide a less crowded experience and welcoming blue water. The roads in Corniglia are narrow and winding like the other towns featuring a number of restaurants, shops, and hotels.
For the Best Views of Corniglia
The town offers great views of the water below but to get a good view of the town, you will need to hike out-of-town a ways on the main road or the Blue Trail.
Top Sights in Corniglia
- Chiesa Di San Pietro: Small church in the heart of Corniglia
- Largo Taragio Oratorio Santa Caterina: Small chapel
Where to Stay in Corniglia
If you want a different feel, staying in Corniglia may be for you. With all of the stairs to get into town, just be prepared to carry your luggage a bit, but the views from your windows will surely pay off! Here are the top three choices help you determine where to stay in Corniglia.
My Visit to Corniglia
I took the train to Corniglia and climbed up all 365 steps. Upon reaching the top, to go into town there are many winding roads and alleys which all feature more steps. I naturally climbed all of them until I was able to look out over the water and back at the towns I had just come from.
From there, I did a very smart thing and went down to the marina… Another 300+ steps. It was beautiful and quieter than the others as it is not right next to town. It also featured a swimming cove which looked very inviting. From there it was back up the stairs to find some lunch, and then I decided I had plenty of time to hike into Vernazza.
4. Vernazza
Population: Just over 1000 residents
Surrounding a marina, Vernazza offers a very laid back atmosphere. Many of the buildings have paint peeling but in some ways it adds to the character. Relax in the marina, climb up the “castle” tower or walk through the cave tunnel to the little beach that lies behind the town.
For the Best Views of Vernazza
Views of the front of town are hard to capture fully but you can give it your best shot from the end of the pier in the marina. If hiking from Corniglia to Vernazza, there are great views of the back of the town as you descend into Vernazza.
Top Sights in Vernazza
- Santa Mergherita di Antiochia Church: Old church built on the rocks overlooking the sea
- Tower of the Doria Castle: Castle ruins located above the bay and port of Vernazza
Where to Stay in Vernazza
Staying in Veranazza offers a more traditional Italian village feel. There are some flatter parts of town and yet still plenty of stairs to climb. There are plenty of accommodations to choose from, so don’t be shy to poke around. Here are the three I recommend you take a look at.
My Visit to Vernazza
For those who know me well, I am a flip-flop lover. Unfortunately, hiking in flip-flops is not really suggested, but it did work out. It took about an hour of hiking, which provided great views of Corniglia and the ocean, and I arrived at Vernazza.
Vernazza was very laid-back. The marina is more open providing better ocean viewing and an excellent view of Monterosso to boot. After recovering from the hot afternoon hike, I explored the town a bit through the alleys, up the main road, and through a cave tunnel to a rocky beach which had a number of people hanging out with a drink or two. Not so bad! I spent some time enjoying the waterfront before deciding to jump on the train and head back to the fifth town, my home for the time being, Monterosso.
5. Monterosso al Mare
Population: 1560 residents
The flattest of the five, Monterosso al Mare is also the only town to offer a “proper” beach. Monterosso is spread out on two sides of a tunnel creating the Old Town and New Town. The Old Town offers narrow alleys, old churches, and a number of local restaurants and shops while the New Town offers a more beach resort feel.
For the Best Views of Monterosso al Mare
In the center of the Old and New Town, above the tunnel, there is a statue of St. Francis of Assisi that provides some good views. The New Town can also be seen clearly from just outside the tunnel and the Old Town is best seen up the hill on the left side near where the Blue Trail begins.
Top Sights in Monterosso al Mare
- The Beach: The only village with a proper beach
- San Benedetto d’ Assisi Statue
- Church of San Giovanni Battista: Located on the main square of the Old Town. This Gothic church is from the 1200s and features a black and white marble facade.
- San Francesco Church: Features a number of major art works.
- Statua del Gigante: A concrete statue representing Neptune, the god of the sea located near Fegina beach
Where to Stay in Monterosso al Mare
In Monterosso al Mare you have the option of staying in the Old Town or New Town. I personally recommend you look at the Old Town as it has more of the “Cinque Terre” charm. Here are my three favorite options in the Old Town of Monterosso al Mare to get you excited about the options!
My Visit and Stay in Monterosso al Mare
I ultimately ended up staying in the Old Town of Monterosso as I found a super cute place that I couldn’t pass up. As it turned out, the place I stayed was not only adorable with my single room stone hut, but it also provided excellent company from the people in the other rooms, one other single room hut and a small apartment. They featured a fascinating 58-year-old Canadian women who travels two months per year, including solo travel through Central America, and ~65 year old twin sisters and their husbands from Australia who were quite the characters!
The first evening I explored Monterosso and then settled in to watch the sunset. While watching the sunset, a local asked if I was on wi-fi as I was editing pictures. I was not, but we got to talking and turns out he had been forced to move back from his job in Germany as his grandfather had passed away, and he had inherited an island right off of Monterosso from his grandfather.
As locals take great pride in their towns, he showed me some of the sites around town including the inherited island which is connected by bridge to Monterroso, but gated off. The island provided awesome views to the other 4 towns, and a perplexing problem to him.
He was debating whether to start an artist community on it or not. The local hotels were trying to persuade him to sell it so they could run weddings on it. Oh to have the woes of figuring out what to do with a small island in the Mediterranean… In any case, we parted ways and I returned back to my hut to socialize with my hotel mates.
Activities in Cinque Terre
While the “sights” in each town may be lacking, there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy. From kayaking to pesto making and wine tasting, Cinque Terre offers something for everyone. While planning your trip to Cinque Terre, determine what you’re most interested in to pursue them while in town or book ahead!
Visit Cinque Terre from Other Italian Cities
Can’t make it to Cinque Terre on your own? Don’t worry, there are dozens of options of guided tours from other cities throughout Italy. Let them do the planning for a trip to Cinque Terre while you enjoy all the perks!
Trips from Pisa
Options from Florence
Coming from Milan
More Information for Planning Your Trip to Italy
If you’re planning a trip to Cinque Terre, you’ll want to visit more of beautiful Italy. Check out some additional information on Italy to make your trip planning simple.
- Where to Stay in Cinque Terre
- Getting to Know the Coast of Italy
- 10 Best Things to Do in Bologna, Italy: The City of Porticos
- 10 Secrets of Bologna to Know Before You Go
- How to Day Trip to Siena from Florence: Off to the Races!
- Visiting the Famous Romeo & Juliet Balcony in Verona
- Venice: The Italy Dreams are Made Of
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