Cinque Terre is a stunning region located along the coast of Liguria in Italy. You’ve probably seen one of the picturesque coastal towns as a stock photo computer background option. Every single one of the Cinque Terre towns offers its own unique charm and attractions. Yet – we often discuss Cinque Terre in aggregate.
This guide attempts to provide you with three unique accommodation options and three unique itinerary ideas for each of the five Cinque Terre towns. There are so many incredible things to see and do in the area that you will be hard pressed to spend an afternoon bored in your hotel.
Without further ado, here is my guide to each of the Cinque Terre towns.
Traveling to Cinque Terre
The most popular ways to explore Cinque Terre is by hiking trail or via the train that connects all five towns together. It is not recommended to travel Cinque Terre by car, as a majority of the towns do not have roads suitable for automobiles.
1. Travel by Train
Trenitalia offers many direct train routes from all across Italy to La Spezia, a town just outside of Cinque Terre. I recommend booking a train ticket to La Spezia, and then continuing on to the rest of the towns from there.
If you are traveling from La Spezia by train, you will most likely encounter the towns from easternmost to westermost: First Riomaggiore, then Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and finally Monterosso.
Once you arrive in La Spezia, you can purchase a Cinque Terre Express ticket that will take you from La Spezia to proper Cinque Terre. From there, you can ride the train roughly 5 minutes from town to town.
2. Travel by Foot
If you are a bit more adventurous, you may opt to hike the designated trail that links all of the five towns together. This hiking route can be a bit strenuous and hilly, but the views from the vantage points are unparalleled. The trail is well traveled and marked. You can be sure to meet other travelers along the way!
3. Travel by Boat
I recommend hiking or taking the train in the direction from Riomaggiore to Monterosso. Once you reach Monterosso, you can catch a sunset boat ride all the way back to Riomaggiore to witness stunning views of Cinque Terre from the water. This is a great way to relax from a long day of walking and exploring. Check out the Monterosso boat tour here!
Exploring the Cinque Terre Towns
1. Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is the farthest east of the Cinque Terre towns. Here, you will find sun-faded, pastel buildings crowded atop one another and clinging to rock faces just out of the water’s reach. Riomaggiore is the first town you encounter if you are traveling by train from La Spezia. It is also a great town to book accommodation in, if you are staying for several days.
Where to stay in Riomaggiore:
Things to do in Riomaggiore:
Hike to the Sanctuary of Madonna di Montenero – The Sanctuary of Madonna di Montenero sits at 1,000 feet above sea level, with gorgeous views of the town, vineyards, and waters below. This is one of the best vantage points of all of the Cinque Terre towns. The sanctuary itself is often closed for visitors – but the climb is worth the views alone. A hike from Riomaggiore’s city center to the Sanctuary of Madonna di Montenero takes roughly 45 minutes, and is a bit hilly.
Visit the Castello di Riomaggiore – One of the most interesting architectural structures in Riomaggiore are the castle ruins. Once a great fortress erected in 1260, the castle is now open for visitors to explore. You will see some breathtaking views from this vantage point, and the interesting shape and circular towers are a unique site to see.
Stop by the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista – The church of Saint Giovanni dates all the way back to the 1300s. However, more recent renovations in the 1800s give the church the Gothic-inspired interior that is present today. Here, you will see a gorgeous wooden crucifix, an electric organ, and famous artwork. It is worth a stop if you are strolling around the city center.
2. Manarola
If you have seen promotional photos of Cinque Terre, chances are you were looking at Manarola. Manarola is known for its colorful houses and buildings that jut out into the water. It is easily the most photographed of the Cinque Terre towns. That said, it is also the most packed with tourists. I recommend getting here early before the crowds take over to enjoy some peace and quiet.
Where to stay in Manarola:
Things to do in Manarola:
Enjoy the sunrise or sunset – Manarola is absolutely stunning. And its beauty is heightened at golden hour. I recommend catching the sunrise before the crowds set in, as sunset is quite busy. Grab a coffee and some pastries and enjoy the views!
Eat some pesto, or take a pesto making class – The Liguria region is known for its delicious and fresh pesto. You absolutely have to grab a bowl! Nessun Dorma is a famous restaurant in Manarola due to its epic views of the harbor. The restaurant actually offers local, pesto making classes. I HIGHLY recommend the cooking experience. It was one of my favorite activities we did in Cinque Terre. Check out Nessun Dorma’s website to learn more.
Visit Santuario di Nostra Signora della Salute – This shrine is located outside the typical hustle and bustle of Manarola. The sanctuary itself is quite beautiful – and you will need to hike along a gorgeous, freshwater creek in order to reach it. This is certainly worth a visit if you are looking to take a break from the crowds.
3. Corniglia
Corniglia is the only Cinque Terre town that is not situated on the coast line. Instead, it is perched on a hilltop with sweeping views of the surrounding waters. Because Corniglia is in the middle of the five towns, it is often a bit more quiet than its neighbors. Corniglia was my favorite of the Cinque Terre towns.
Where to stay in Corniglia:
Things to do in Corniglia:
Go for a hike – Corniglia offers some of the best hiking in Cinque Terre. In fact, you’ll absolutely have to hike up to the main village if you arrive by train. Scalinata Ladarin is a 384 step trail leading from the train station and water up to the main city center of Corniglia. It is a beautiful walk, and far better than driving the twisty roads.
Pop into shops, cafes, and restaurants – Because Corniglia is the quietest of the towns, it is also the best place to do a bit of shopping. I recommend spending some time wandering in and out of the storefronts, and spending some time leisurely sipping coffee out on the terraces. It is a lovely and calm afternoon. It is also the best place to stop off to have a quiet meal.
Visit the Chiesa di San Pietro – St. Peter’s Church is one of the major landmarks in Corniglia. It is certainly worth stopping by if you are in the area. On June 29th, the entire town comes together for a celebration of the patron saint. If you’re in town during this time, the festival is a must-see!
4. Vernazza
Vernazza is one of the smaller Cinque Terre towns, but is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. The buildings are packed tightly together and burst with vibrant colors.
Where to stay in Vernazza:
- Santa Marta Rooms
- Note that accommodation in Vernazza is quite limited, so if you are planning to stay here, prepare ahead of time!
Things to do in Vernazza:
Visit the Tower of the Doria Castle – Doria Castle is the oldest fortification still standing in Cinque Terre. The castle was constructed initially to keep pirates at bay. Now, the ruins are a popular attraction for visitors. The Castle is open from 10am to 9pm in the summer months (May to August), with shortened hours (10am to 7pm) throughout the rest of the year. Doria Castle costs 1.5 Euros to visit. Check out their website for more information about ticketing!
Sample some olive oil – Vernazza’s lands produce some of the best olive oil in the region. While you are in town, stop by some local shops for a sampling!
Pop into the Church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia – Legend has it that, many years ago, a chest washed up in the harbors of Vernazza. Inside the chest were the bones of Santa Margherita’s hands. As the story goes, the chest and bones were lost to time, but the residents of the town decided to build a church at the site of the appearance as homage to Santa Margherita.
5. Montorosso al Mare
Montorosso al Mare is the largest and westernmost of the Cinque Terre towns.The town is known for its production of lemons, white grapes, and olives. In fact, every year on May 20th, there is a large lemon festival in the town that draws visitors from all over the region. If you’re spending a day in Monterosso, be sure to grab some limoncello!
Where to stay in Monterosso al Mare:
Things to do in Monterosso al Mare:
Spend a day at the beach – Monterosso al Mare is the only of the Cinque Terre towns that has true sandy beaches. As such, it is one of the best ways to enjoy bathing in the sea or sunbathing on the shore. Monterosso al Mare also has designated areas where you can rent stand up paddleboards or kayaks.
Visit the il gigante statue – Located at the end of Fegina Beach lies a towering statue of Neptune, go of the sea. Neptune is the Roman equivalent of the Greek god, Poseidon. If you’re embarking on a beach walk, be sure to swing by.
Wander through Old Town – Monterosso al Mare is divided into two distinct towns: Old Town and New Town. These districts are separated by a large pedestrian and automobile tunnel. Here, you’ll find the parish church of San Giovanni Battista (St. John the Baptist) and the convent of Monterosso al Mare, which is constructed in Capuchin style. As one local here told me, capuchin monks inspired the word ‘Cappuccino’. The brown base of the coffee symbolizes the robes, the white foam symbolizes the white hair, and the cinnamon dusting symbolizes the monk’s cap. Go figure!
That’s all, folks!
Hopefully this guide gives you a basic overview of the Cinque Terre towns. There are so many incredible things to see and do as you wander from town to town. And the food? Bless. Incredible.
Have you been to Cinque Terre? Drop a comment with some of your favorite things to see and do in the region!
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