The Ultimate Cinque Terre Guide

In this detailed Cinque Terre guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Cinque Terre, including things to do, where to stay, and a mini guide on each of the 5 towns. You’ll find recommendations for top dining spots, activities, accommodation locations, photo-worthy locations, and insider tips to ensure your visit to this enchanting region is smooth and unforgettable.

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WHAT IS CINQUE TERRE?

Cinque Terre, located on the northwest coast of Italy in the Liguria region, is a breathtaking destination comprising five picturesque hillside villages. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this coastal gem has been captivating travelers with its colorful cliffside homes, scenic trails, and authentic Italian charm. The region’s popularity continues to rise, drawing visitors eager to explore its dramatic landscapes and unique culture.

The five towns or villages that make up Cinque Terre are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Each town has its own distinct character, which we’ll explore in detail later in this guide.

I’ve seen so many photos of Cinque Terre on Instagram and Pinterest, but let me tell you, it is far more beautiful than the photos! It’s a kind of place you have to see for yourself to believe.

Fun fact: The fictional town of Portorosso in Disney’s Luca was inspired by the enchanting villages of Cinque Terre! If it’s beautiful enough to inspire a movie setting, it’s certainly worth a visit. So, pack your bags and let’s dive into how to explore Cinque Terre!

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Summer is the peak tourist season with hot temperatures, crowded villages, and high accommodation prices. If you love swimming and a lively atmosphere, this is a great time to visit, but be prepared for large crowds.

May and early June, as well as September and early October are great times to visit with pleasant temperatures, less crowds and better prices of accommodations compared to summer.

HOW MANY DAYS IN CINQUE TERRE?

THREE DAYS. Many people consider visiting Cinque Terre as a day trip from another part of Italy like Florence, but remember that Cinque Terre isn’t just one destination – it’s a collection of 5 villages, each with its own charm.

While it’s possible to rush through all five villages in a single day, you’d barely scratch the surface and you wouldn’t be doing justice to the region. Spend at least one night in the region – preferably two to three nights – to experience the charm when day-crowds leave. With three days you’ll have itme to hike the scenic trails, relax on the beaches, and explore each village at a leisurely pace.

Cinque Terre deserves more than a quick stop – it’s a place to savor and fully immerse yourself in its charm.

HOW TO GET TO CINQUE TERRE

Flights

✈️ The nearest airport is Pisa Airport (PSA). From Pisa Airport, take a short shuttle to Pisa Centrale, and from here train to Monterosso Station.

Trains

🚊 Cinque Terre is easily reached by train from other parts of Italy. Use Omio to find trains from your departing city to Monterosso, La Spezia, or Levanto Stations.
🚟 Once you arrive, the 5 Terre Express train runs from Levanto to La Spezia 3 times an hour, stopping at each village.

Train to Cinque Terre from Florence

Train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella – La Spezia Centrale (about 2h 30m, some direct trains and some with 1 transfer at Pisa Centrale).

Train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Monterosso (2h 30 – 3h, with 1 transfer at Pisa Centrale)

Train to Cinque Terre from Milan

Take a train from Milano Centrale to Monterosso (3h direct train).

HOW TO GET AROUND IN CINQUE TERRE

The best way to get around in Cinque Terre is by using the Cinque Terre Express Train. It connects all 5 villages, and runs every 20 minutes or so. The train stops at the following stations in this order in both directions:

Levanto – Monterosso – Vernazza – Corniglia – Manarola – Riomaggiore – La Spezia

Times and fares will depend on the season. You can check them here.

I recommend getting the Cinque Terre Treno Card if you’ll be exploring multiple villages. Each one way fare between any two stations will cost 5-10 euros based on season. Below is the prices for the Cinque Terre Card that includes unlimited train rides between the 7 stops mentioned above, and access to the two paid hiking trails in Cinque Terre, free toilet use at the train stations, free buses. You can purchase the cards at any of the stations, or online at Cinque Terre National Park website (card.parconazionale5terre.it).

	Low season (Weekdays in March, April, May, October)	Medium Season (June, September, some weekends)	Peak Season (July, August, weekends & holidays)
Adults 1 day	19.50	27	32.50
Adults 2 days	34	48.50	59
Adults 3 days	46.50	65.50	78.50

You can also hike between each village. The scenic Blue Trail (Sentiero Azzurro) starts in Monterosso and ends in Riomaggiore. Check this page for the trails and for any closures.

THE 5 VILLAGES OF CINQUE TERRE

WHERE TO STAY IN CINQUE TERRE

Cinque Terre has fewer accommodation options compared to other popular destinations in Italy. Most hotels are found in the bigger towns of Riomaggiore and Monterosso al Mare. Due to the high demand and limited availability, Cinque Terre hotels tend to book up quickly, especially during peak season. It’s best to reserve accommodations well in advance to secure the best options.

Keep in mind that Cinque Terre’s villages are built on steep cliffs, meaning some of these hotels may require steps to get to, so make sure to read the descriptions.

You can alternatively stay in La Spezia or Levanto as these are bigger cities, just a short train ride away from the Cinque Terre villages. Accommodation here will be more affordable, although you may not get the romantic vibes and views that some of the Cinque Terre properties offer.

WHERE TO EAT IN CINQUE TERRE

Nessun Dorma – Manarola

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This incredible restaurant opened its doors about 10 years ago, and has been serving food made with fresh local products. The menu consists of bruschetta, meat and cheese platters, and salads.

🧑‍🍳 Pesto classes:
💶 80 euros per person
Twice a day at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm. Includes lunch (burrata, parma ham, melon, bruschetta, focaccia, wine, water).

🍷Aperitivo:
⏰ 4 pm – 8:30 pm
They don’t take reservations. To get a table, download the Nessun Dorma app and you can place yourself on the queue starting 30 minutes before opening each day. Once it says there are less than 10 people in front of you, make sure to head to the restaurant because they call out the numbers and if you’re not there, you lose your spot. A lot of people don’t realize this so numbers get called out and move onto the next number pretty quickly. You can also pull a physical ticket at the entrance and scan it with your phone to be in the queue.

🗓️ Closed on Tuesdays.

🍅 We had other dinner reservations this night so stopped here for a light snack and drinks. There’s over 10 different types of bruschetta on the menu, and we chose #1 on the menu which is 6 bruschetta pieces for €14 and you could choose 2 different types of bruschetta. Fresh pesto, wine, views, sunset – what more can you ask for?!

Trattoria Dal Billy

Located all the way up a hill in Manarola, this restaurant has incredible views out into the sea. We didn’t have a reservation but was able to snag a corner seat, and dined as we saw the sunset.

Gelateria Vernazza

My husband and I have a rule of eating gelato at least once a day when in Italy. And this tiny gelateria in Vernazza had a line out the door so we had to check it out. They had some unique flavors like fig and cheesecake, ricotta, which I actually really liked!

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Fried seafood cones

My husband has an obsession for fried seafood – he orders calamari as an appetizer whenever it’s on the menu when we dine out, and will never pass on the opportunity for freshly fried seafood on the go. There are a bunch of places that have these fried seafood mix in paper cones around Cinque Terre. Most popular places are Tutti Fritti or Il Pescato Cucinato in Riomaggiore, but we got ours from La Bottega Del Frito in Monterosso to enjoy with the views of the beach.

CONCLUSIONS – Cinque Terre guide

Cinque Terre is a breathtaking coastal paradise offering natural beauty, rich history, and mouthwatering cuisine. Whether you’re hiking the scenic trails, relaxing on the beach, or indulging in fresh seafood, this charming region promises an unforgettable experience. I hope I’ve inspired you to visit this picturesque coastline area of Italy with this Cinque Terre guide!