The Cinque Terre National Park is located in eastern Liguria – a region of Italy that stretches like a crescent along the north-west coast. Framed by mountains and sea, picturesque like something out of a picture book, Liguria is one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in Italy and is therefore a very popular holiday destination, even with the locals. It is said that Christopher Columbus prepared for his great crossing here.
The Cinque Terre is probably the most famous part of the Ligurian coast. These are the five former fishing villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – nestled in the breathtaking cliffs. They truly seem like a fairy tale from a bygone era with their pretty, colourful facades and beguiling alleyways that simply invite you to stroll and marvel.
In my article, I would like to introduce you to the five villages of the Cinque Terre and their best sights and, as usual, include my personal tips. At the end you will find a Cinque Terre map with all the spots.
The best travel time for the Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre and its popular sights attract millions of visitors every year like a magnet, even in the low season. I recommend that you avoid the summer months for a visit. The best time to visit is spring, with its magnificent flowers, and autumn, with its enchanting colours. The temperatures are also pleasant during these seasons.
How many days are ideal?
If you are a hiking enthusiast, it is perfectly possible to visit all five villages in one day via the Sentiero Azzurro hiking trail. However, if you want to make your stay in the Cinque Terre more relaxed, I would recommend two days for the best sights in Cinque Terre.
How to Get Around Cinque Terre
Hiking trail:
The five villages stretch for around 12 kilometres and are connected by the famous Sentiero Azzurro hiking trail – which means blue trail. This trail is known for its fantastic views of the sea and the villages.
Time: You should plan around 7-8 hours for the entire route on foot and without breaks. But of course, the many great viewpoints and exploring the individual villages are what make the route so appealing. You should therefore split the route over a full day, or even better, two days, so that you have enough time to marvel and enjoy.
Cost: A ticket – the Cinque Terre Trekking Card – must be purchased for the hiking trail. Depending on the season, it costs 7.50 euros or 15 euros per day and can be purchased at all access points to the hiking trail.
Car & Train:
In principle, it is possible to reach all places by car. However, I recommend that you use the train connection. Firstly, the trains run very frequently and secondly, the journey alone is a great experience.
By car, you would have to make long detours due to the unfavourable and narrow road connections. It is therefore worth parking your car near one of the villages and then travelling on by train or on foot.
Cost: The Cinque Terre Treno MS Card one-day train ticket for adults costs between €19.50 and €32.50, depending on the season. If you want to explore the area for two days, the 2-day ticket costs between €34 and €59 (valid for two consecutive days).
Included in the ticket: unlimited travel on the regional train between La Spezia and Levanto and entry to the Cinque Terre National Park, including use of the hiking trails.
By Boat:
In addition, four of the five villages (except Corniglia) can be reached by a small passenger boat several times a day. This allows you to enjoy a very special view of the Cinque Terre and its fantastic sights from the sea.
My map with all Cinque Terre Highlights
Cinque Terre Highlights: The best sights
1. Monterosso al Mare
Monterosso al Mare is the northernmost of the five villages and also the largest. It is also the only one with a sandy beach. The approximately 1.5-kilometre-long beach is stunningly beautiful with its breathtaking scenery, fine sand and crystal-clear water – one of the most popular attractions in the Cinque Terre. Here you can swim and relax in the sun, but also go diving or snorkelling. There are also cosy cafés, restaurants and bars on the beach, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the sea.
The old town centre of Monterosso al Mare is also beautiful with its narrow streets. A special sight is the 13th century church of St. Giovanni Battista with its striped façade. It’s worth taking a look inside – you’ll also find the striped pattern inside the church. The statue of St. Francis of Assisi towers high above the town, in the immediate vicinity of a Franciscan monastery. From there, you will be rewarded with a marvellous view of Monterosso al Mare.
2. Vernazza
For most visitors, Vernazza is the most beautiful of the five villages and therefore probably the most popular attraction in the Cinque Terre. The view of its beautiful harbour from above alone is breathtaking. The colourful houses and the turquoise blue water will enchant you. And it’s true, you’ll find the best photo opportunities here. Take a relaxed stroll along the small fishing harbour, enjoy the lively atmosphere on the market square and let yourself drift along the pretty houses. Stop off at one of the cute cafés with a view of the glittering sea.
Above Vernazza, the old tower of a former castle rises into the sky like an eternal landmark of the town – another sight of the Cinque Terre that you shouldn’t miss. It’s worth climbing up to its foot as the view is simply fantastic.
My favorite photo spots in Vernazza
My favourite photo spot: the Vernazza View Point. It’s easy to find on the hiking trail that leads from Vernazza to the neighbouring village of Monterosso. The view is breathtaking. Even if you are travelling by train, you can walk the short distance to the viewpoint along the hiking trail. To do so, you must pass an access point to the Sentiero Azzurro Trail and show your Cinque Terre Trekking Card.
3. Corniglia
The highest village of Corniglia differs from its sisters in that it has neither a harbour nor access to the sea, as it was built on a plateau – a sight in the Cinque Terre that is also worth a visit. Corniglia is located in the heart of the Cinque Terre and is in no way inferior to the others with its colourful houses where you can see laundry dangling happily in the wind. There is a pretty church in the centre and at lunchtime the streets are bustling with life. It is said to have the best ice cream in the Cinque Terre. Even if you can’t sip your coffee by the sea here, it’s fun to immerse yourself in the unique flair.
And of course, Corniglia looks just as picturesque from above as the other four villages. As you stroll through the village, you will inevitably come to one of the viewpoints from which you can admire Corniglia.
4. Manarola
The view over the pretty fishing harbour to the colourful houses is so fantastic that you simply can’t get enough of it. You can see just how enclosed Manarola is – as if in a cauldron surrounded by vineyards. Incidentally, viticulture was one of the most important sources of livelihood for the inhabitants of the Cinque Terre for centuries. Until the 1960s, over 1200 hectares of the steep slopes were cultivated by hand. Today, only around 100 hectares are still cultivated. The work as a winegrower is no longer as hard as it used to be, as you will find so-called mini cogwheel railways everywhere on the vineyards, which are used to transport the grapes. A particularly fine wine that only comes from this region is Sciacchetrà – one of the best liqueur wines in the world, made from a grape variety whose grapes are still traditionally stomped with the feet.
If you are a fan of Italian cuisine, it might be worth buying the typical Ligurian pesto that is made here. The olive oil used to make it (from olives grown exclusively in the Cinque Terre, of course) is mild and gives the Pesto Genovese its unmistakably magical flavor.
I highly recommend visiting the famous Nessun Dorma restaurant, which is a sight in itself in the Cinque Terre. Here you can enjoy a fantastic traditional meal with an incredible view of Manarola. However, you should book in advance due to its popularity.
My tip: One level above the restaurant is my favourite photo spot in Manarola and probably even along the entire coast: a cemetery with a fantastic view over the sea and the colourful houses. If the cemetery is closed off (I’ve read online that this is sometimes the case), you can enjoy an almost identical view from the Manarola Overlook Viewpoint.
5. Riomaggiore
Romantic, picture-perfectly beautiful, inviting you to dream – that’s Riomaggiore. The small fishing harbour is one of the best sights in the Cinque Terre. From here you have a wonderful view of the colourful houses carved into the rocks and built on top of each other. It is a popular meeting place, especially before sunset. You can even climb onto large boulders in the sea to enjoy an even better view. You’ll be amazed at how colourful the facades of the houses are until the sun has finally sunk behind the sea. Round off the evening in one of the cosy restaurants, which also offer unforgettable views of the sea and the Cinque Terre coastline.
The magical Cinque Terre – my résumé
You may have already decided while reading my article: ‘I absolutely have to see the Cinque Terre with its unique sights!’ And I can only encourage you to fulfil this wish. For me, this indescribably dreamlike region of Italy is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world that I have ever visited. It really feels like you’re travelling back in time.
The charm that the five cute villages along the breathtaking coast exude is balm for the soul and absolutely magical. Once you’ve fallen in love with the Cinque Terre, you’ll never want to come back. I hope my article has inspired you to come and see for yourself.
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