Cinque Terre: The Ultimate Guide to Italy’s Five Magical Lands

Cinque Terre, the 5 villages nestled on the cliff’s edges are as picturesque as seen in the postcards, being one of the most beautiful places on the Mediterranean coastline.

The five villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia, and Riomaggiore are interconnected by trails and offer stunning views of the Italian Riviera. Belonging to the UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997, the region combines all the charm of the traditional Italian towns: picturesque fishing villages with colorful houses, lemon-trees, vineyards with breathtaking views over the coast and the cliffs, and dramatic sunsets.

In this post, I will share my top tips for getting around, sights to see, accommodation and the best spots for panoramic views.

Best sights in Cinque Terre

In each of the five villages you’ll find unique sights and experiences. I recommend exploring the Church of San Giovanni Battista in Monterosso, the colorful facades of Vernazza, the castle of Manarola, the lighthouse of Corniglia and the iconic harbor in Riomaggiore.

 There are many walking trails between the 5 towns revealing stunning panoramic views over the cliffs and the towns. We made the trail from Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza, which takes 1 hour and half. It is not a difficult hike and it has many beautiful panoramic views over the cliffs and the villages. For all the hikes is required a proper pair of shoes and it’s s good to know that there are fines for walking the trails in slippers or sandals.

Traveling between the villages

The easiest way to travel between the 5 villages is by train because the distances between the towns are very short, less than 5 minutes. Traveling by car in Cinque Terre is not as easiest as by train, since the roads between the towns are difficult for cars and parking places are more difficult to find and more expensive.

One train ticket costs 4 EUR, but there is also an option to buy a day pass – Cinque Terre card – which includes unlimited train rides Levanto – Cinque Terre – La Spezia, plus the entrance fee to all trekking paths.

Where to stay

If you want to experience true Italian living, you can’t go wrong with the B&B’s in the area. From cozy studios in Riomaggiore to exclusive mansions in Vernazza, you can find a place to stay that suits your budget and taste. If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, the nearby towns of La Spezia or Levanto have a variety of hotels and resorts to choose from.

For this trip, our base town was La Spezia, which is the gateway to the Cinque Terre due to its central location and convenient access to the train station. It takes only 20 minutes by train from La Spezia to Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore being the closest town. La Spezia was a better option for accommodation, since it’s a bigger city, we found more and better hotel deals. This town is a truly hidden gem, with many beautiful streets to explore, shops, good cafes and restaurants.

Discover the best hotels in Cinque Terre with a simple search:

The food

When I visit Italy I don’t miss any opportunity to eat pizza and pannini, which are among my favorite Italian food. Every village has its own food specialities, and you can find local cafes and restaurants everywhere. You must try the focaccia di Recco, a flatbread filled with cheese that is eaten as a snack or can be served as a meal.

When is the optimal time to visit Cinque Terre

During the spring and autumn is definitely the best time to visit, when the weather is good, not too warm, not too cold and the most important, it is less touristy. Cinque Terre is an amazing destination but it isn’t a hidden gem any longer, being extremely popular especially during the high season. During May – August is the busiest time to visit. We visited at the end of March and the weather was perfect, although you will never know with the weather, being so pleasant to explore the picturesque villages and to hike between. However, you need to bear in mind that if you visit outside the season some of the hiking roads are closed.

Where to find the best panoramic views in Cinque Terre

Every town has its own charm and all 5 villages are so beautiful in a specific way. It is hard to choose which of them is the most beautiful, since every village is so colorful and lively, sits by the sea and has some incredible panoramic views.

• The Lover Trails: This coastal walk offers spectacular views of each of the villages on the Cinque Terre. You can take the walk from Monterosso to Vernazza and enjoy the views of the terraced vineyards, the castle and the Ligurian Sea. 
• Santa Margherita Ligure: If you’re looking for a different way to enjoy a view of all the five villages, then head to Santa Margherita Ligure. There you can watch a stunning sunset over the five villages and it’s definitely worth the trip.
• Vernazza the most colorful among the five villages, it has some incredible views from above as well. You will find the best view points on the way to Monterosso al Mare (Vernazza – Monterosso al Mare). Since the trail to Monterosso al Mare takes minimum 1 hour and a half, if you don’t want to hike, you can find the panoramic viewpoint hiking few minutes on this way, from Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare.
• Manarola has the most panoramic viewpoints from all the 5 villages, all being easily accessible by walk or by an easy hike. Hiking just a little bit up from the church we found the best spot from where we caught the most beautiful and romantic sunset.