Destinations
Five romantic and colourful villages perched on cliffs, in the most remote part of the Italian Riviera. Millions of people visit the Cinque Terre, The Five Lands, every year.
Gita Simonsen
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Colourful buildings, narrow streets, beaches, cosy shops and delicious restaurants can be found in each of these small towns. The destination is suitable to both those who want an active trip, as well as those who enjoy themselves best in fashionable restaurants with a good glass of Chianti in hand.
The Cinque Terre is five villages on the cliffs of the Italian Riviera in Liguria: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. The train runs between all five in a few minutes, and the coastal paths link them together. Monterosso has the largest beach and the most hotels.
Our first choice: Hotel Porto Roca in Monterosso, with sea views from the cliff above the town. See rooms at Hotel Porto Roca
For the trails, train tickets and where to stay, see things to do in the Cinque Terre.
Riomaggiore is the southernmost town of the five and is not far from La Spezia train station. The village is made up of houses in pastel colours, narrow cobblestone streets, olive trees and bathing areas. Although it does not have a long beach, it has cliffs and cosy private spots where you can swim and sunbathe. In Riomaggiore you will find a botanical garden, churches and a castle from the 1200s, and restaurants with views of the sea.
Colorful
Colourful buildings, narrow streets, beaches, cosy shops and delicious restaurants can be found in each of these small towns.
Manarola is the town with the most vineyards, widely known for its Sciacchetrà, a sweet dessert wine made from dried the grapes that grow in the steep hills of the Cinque Terre, especially in Manarola. These vineyards are said to be so demanding to operate that the winemakers behind the Sciacchetrà wine are highly respected in the wine community. The wine is relatively rare, so make sure to enjoy a glass or two when you visit the area.
Corniglia is a somewhat quieter town than its four siblings, and is surrounded by hills, cliffs and rows of vines. Just outside Corniglia is the only point where you can photograph all five villages together: the perfect Insta spot. Narrow streets lead up to a large terrace where you can see all five villages. To get to Corniglia, you either have to climb 337 cobblestone stairs or take the shuttle bus up.
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Corniglia
Corniglia is a somewhat quieter town than its four siblings, and is surrounded by hills, cliffs and rows of vines.
The small fishing village of Vernazza is perhaps the most characteristic of the Cinque Terre and is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. And that particular competition is fierce... Here you will find small cafés, sea views on all sides and good olive oil. Vernazza was founded as far back as 3,000 years ago, and its historic medieval fortress Belforte was built in the mid-1500s as protection against pirates.
Monterosso is the largest of the five towns, and the only one with a long sandy beach. The beach attracts both locals and tourists from early spring to late autumn. Monterosso is famous for its lemon trees and anchovies. In Monterosso you will find clear water and the largest sandy beach in the Cinque Terre. Although it may not be the most beautiful of the towns, it must be said that it is the most popular city for visitors.
Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is the southernmost town of the five and is not far from La Spezia train station.
Many people come to the Cinque Terre to walk the paths between the villages. The hiking trails are adapted to different levels, but not every route is open since the forces of nature have ravaged the area. After the major flood in 2011, some routes are temporarily or permanently closed. Always check with the Cinque Terre National Park Office to see what's open.
Between May and September, you can sign up for guided tours. The walks fall into three categories: easy, medium and difficult. The easy routes take about 20 minutes between each stretch. The medium ones are between 1.5 to 2 hours, while the most difficult route is much more demanding than the other two. Altp Via Delle Cinque Terre is about 35 km long and takes between 9-12 hours to walk. Along the way you will find bars and restaurants with a view.
Always remember to wear good shoes and bring enough water for your walk. If you are taking the longest hike, it is recommended to go in spring or autumn rather than summer.
If you would rather take a train between the villages, this is also easily done. The Cinque Terre Expressen is a great way to get from village to village. The Cinque Terre Express runs every 20 minutes from mid-March to November 1. Note that cars are not permitted in the villages.
Grand Hotel Portovenere is a 5-star hotel located between the Cinque Terre and eastern Ligurin but is not within the area defined as the Cinque Terre itself. However, the hotel is located right by the marina which takes you to all the nice bays, such as Spezia Bay and the Cinque Terre, which is about nine kilometres away.
This historic building was once home to the Saint Francis Monastery. Since then, the building has undergone a thorough refurbishment. The hotel has rooms with sea views and a restaurant, the Palmaria. The restaurant has a large terrace and serves Italian Riviera cuisine, but also beloved dishes from the rest of Italy. This is also where breakfast is served.
Cinque terre
The Cinque Terre is a very popular tourist destination, where the high season is in the summer months of June, July, and August.
The Cinque Terre is a very popular tourist destination, where the high season is in the summer months of June, July , and August. It is therefore recommended to travel in spring or autumn to avoid the biggest crowds. The temperature is also much more pleasant during these seasons, as it can get really hot in the summer.
The easiest way to get to the Cinque Terre is by train. From Genoa, you can take the local train towards La Spezia and disembark at your destination. From La Spezia, take the local train, the Cinque Terre Express, in the direction of Levanto. This train stops in all five villages.
It is possible to get to the Cinque Terre by car, although this is not recommended. The Cinque Terre itself is closed to vehicular traffic, but Riomaggiore and Manarola both have small car parks just outside the villages and minibuses to take you and your luggage down. Your car must remain parked throughout your stay, and the car parks fill up quickly. It is also not recommended to drive if you are not an experienced driver, as the roads in this area are demanding.
The closest airports are Cristoforo Colombo International Airport in Genoa, Galileo Galilei International Airport in Pisa, and Florence Airport. Milan Airport is further away but is the biggest international airport, and a good starting point if you are exploring northern Italy.
Enjoy your trip to Cinque Terre and Italy
Gita Simonsen
Hotels
Stay in Monterosso, the largest of the five villages, and take the train or the trail to the others.
Cinque Terre is made up of five colourful villages in the cliffs of the Italian Riviera: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. Each village has narrow streets, shops, restaurants and places to swim. The Cinque Terre Card covers trains and paths.
Just outside Corniglia is the only spot where you can photograph all five villages together. Small streets lead up to a large terrace with the view. To reach Corniglia you climb 337 steps or take the bus from the station.
Sciacchetrà is a special wine from Cinque Terre, made from grapes grown on the steep hillsides, especially around Manarola. The vineyards are hard to farm and the wine is not available everywhere, so try a glass while you are in the area.
