Here is what you need to know about Cinque Terre, Italy. Tips on getting there, moving around the 5 coastal villages, the trekking card, the Via dell’amore, and more!
Cinque Terre Coast
We want to focus on tips to make the most out of your time in the Cinque Terre. If you have any tips we left out, please leave them in the comments below. Do you have any other questions about what you need to know about Cinque Terre, Italy? Drop it in the comments or send us an email.
Jump to Section of Cinque Terre Need to Knows
- What you need to know about getting to Cinque Terre
- Which Cinque Terre village to stay in
- When to visit Cinque Terre
- What you need to know about getting around Cinque Terre
- Trekking between Cinque Terre villages
- What you need to know about Cinque Terre beaches
- What to eat and drink in Cinque Terre
What You Need To Know About Getting To Cinque Terre
Before getting to everything you need to know about Cinque Terre, let’s make sure you know how to get there! There is no super close airport to Cinque Terre, but it’s worth it, trust us! If you plan to visit Cinque Terre, you are probably coming from Genoa, Florence, or Pisa. Or you’re going to go through one of these cities on your way. Cinque Terre translates to 5 lands, comprised of 5 fishermen’s villages on the Ligurian Coast of Italy. It is so beautiful you won’t believe your eyes.
[image: Map of Italy, Cinque Terre (Red)]
These fishing villages are nestled into the coastline, while once difficult to reach, trains have made them easier to access. From south to north, you enter Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and then Monterosso al Mare. If you are coming from Pisa or Florence, you will be able to take a train or two to La Spezia. La Spezia is a nearby military port town and a short regional train ride to the first village, Riomaggiore. For those entering from the northernmost village of Monterosso al Mare, you will take your train to Levanto. Next, take a regional train to Monterosso.
Cinque Terre Map, Italy
An alternative is to take a ferry once you get to La Spezia, Levanto, or Portovenere. This is probably more comfortable if you are day-tripping and don’t have luggage, as most seating is on deck. If you are planning just a day trip from another city, you might consider a tour that will help coordinate your day. This is a great Cinque Terre tour if you are coming from Florence.
Getting To Cinque Terre From Florence/Pisa
From Florence, you can take a regional train to Pisa and then take a Frecciabianca or an inner-city train. This train will go to La Spezia (roughly 2.5 hours) or Levanto (about 3 hours). Then, catch the regional train to Cinque Terre. This regional train services the Cinque Terre and the two bookend towns (La Spezia and Levanto). It will stop in all 5 cities and then finish on the other end, depending on its direction of travel. Need help planning your time in Florence or Pisa? Read our Florence Travel Guide.
Getting to Cinque Terre From Genoa/Milan
If you are coming from Genoa, which is northwest on the coast, then you can take an Inner-city train. Same as those coming from Florence: take it to Levanto (1 hr 15 min) or La Spezia (1.5 hr). And then you can hop on those same regionals that go through Cinque Terre. For those coming from Milan, you will end up going through Genoa (on the same inner-city route that you would take from Genoa). It’s about 3 hours to Levanto and 3 hours and 15 minutes to La Spezia from Milan. Many people fly in our out of Milan when coming to Italy. Our One-Day In Milan Travel Guide can help you plan a short stay when passing through the ‘Moral Capital’.
Getting to Cinque Terre From Rome
Coming from Rome, you will take a Frecciabianca or an inner-city, through Pisa (This is the same one you’d take from Pisa to La Spezia). This takes about 4-5 hours, depending on the type of train and if you are going to La Spezia or Levanto. We have two guides on Rome, check these out if you need help planning your time in Rome: Rome Travel Guide for first timers and Rome for Repeat Visitors.
Choosing Which City To Enter Cinque Terre From
How can you decide if you want to get to La Spezia or Levanto to catch the Cinque Terre Train? Base this on which city you are staying in. If staying in Riomaggiore or Manarola, then go to La Spezia. Monterosso Al Mare and Vernazza are closer to Levanto. Corniglia is in the middle, so go for the train that is closest to the city you are coming from. It is worth noting that regional trains running between La Spezia and Levanto are generally packed during the high travel season. So don’t expect a seat or a good place for your luggage. It’s a short ride, so take a deep breath and look out the window.
Pro Tip: Day tripping to Cinque Terre? And planning to visit multiple cities? Take the train to the city closest to you (La Spezia or Levanto). Then take the train to the first city of the Cinque Terre (either Riomaggiore or Monterosso Al Mare). When you catch the train back (from the other end), it will be at the beginning of its run. Then you have a better chance of getting a seat on that train versus near the end of its run.
Navigating Italy by Train can be overwhelming. But we got you! Check out our tips for navigating Italy by train and what to do if there is a train strike in Italy.
Which Cinque Terre Village To Stay In
Whew, that is a lot to take in, we know. Now that you know how to get there, the next thing you need to know about Cinque Terre is where to stay. This is essential to booking the right train route. First, we want to say every village is so charming and you will love whichever one you choose.
Monteroosso Al Mare
Monterosso Al Mare is your village if you are looking to relax on the beach with your family. Rent some beach loungers and umbrellas and enjoy “la dolce vita”. Monterosso is the largest village of the 5 and has the largest stretch of sandy beach. In the summer months, the water in the Cinque Terre is fabulous; it’s not hot, but it’s warm, so you can jump right in!
Monterosso Al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italy
Monterosso Al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italy
Monterosso Al Mare, Cinque Terre Italy
Romaggiore and Manarola
A favorite of ours is Riomaggiore (locals call it Rio), it’s a smaller and incredibly charming village. Loved for romantic evenings. This village has a history of pirate attacks. The homes were designed with an easy escape out the back if they were under siege. The next village, Manarola, is very close to Rio. Take a regional train or walk the Via Dell’Amore, a 30-minute stroll between the two villages (more on that later). Staying in either of these cities will give you easy access to the other. Both villages have boutique shops, restaurants, and of course, focaccerie & gelaterie (focaccia bakeries and gelato shops).
Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Italy
Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy
Vernazza and Corniglia
Vernazza is a bustling fishing village. With some shopping, restaurant options, and a swimmable marina area, many families find this to be a great village, too. Corniglia (which is the middle village) is raised up on the cliff side and doesn’t have access to the sea. Because it is smaller, it is a quieter part of the 5 villages. With the train and hiking trails (more on that later, too), you can easily access the other villages from Corniglia. Hiking (Trekking) is a common activity in Cinque Terre, you might select a village based on your hiking plans. In the summer, you will want to start your hike early. Stay in the village of the town you plan to hike out of.
Village of Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy
When to Visit Cinque Terre
The best time to visit the Cinque Terre is in the shoulder months (April – early May & late September – October). I know what you’re thinking- ‘they are beach towns, I want to go in the summer!’ We get it, sort of. Listen, Italy is experiencing overtourism, and Cinque Terre is no exception. We don’t want to deter you from going to these places; there is a reason everyone wants to go. It’s jaw-droppingly gorgeous, serene, and iconic all at once. But we do want you to enjoy it! Unless you enjoy being packed like a sardine in a hot, humid place for your entire trip, then you don’t want to be there in the summer. We know, it’s the easiest time to travel if you have kids in school, if you must, then do it.
Know that you will be joining throngs of people going to all the same places as you. Same train lines, same restaurant selection, same hiking trails, same winding, uphill alley streets. Again, super charming but not so fun when you’re in a perpetual line and you can’t shake ‘that one family’ that annoys you. Joking but not… If you want to hike, imagine that hike being like a long, slow-moving line. Ok, we think you get the picture. Aside from reasons not to go in the summer, there are good reasons to go in the shoulder months. The weather is a lot more enjoyable with warm days, cool breezes, and comfortable evenings. Also, hiking the coast when the weather is nice, without the sun beating down on you, is optimal.
What You Need To Know About Getting Around Cinque Terre
Getting around Cinque Terre is relatively easy; however, transportation options can be packed during high season. The most common thing to do is to hop on the train to go between the cities. There is a ferry that goes through Cinque Terre, with a stop in 4 of the 5 villages (not Corniglia). A more adventurous way to get between villages is to hike the trails, read about this in the next section. There are some buses, but they don’t connect one town to another. These are best for going up to some of the nearby hamlets that are higher up on the ridge. Each village has its own bus that runs short routes within the village. These can be ideal if you are staying higher up in the town or have any difficulty walking.
Some things you need to know about getting train tickets in Cinque Terre.
You can purchase tickets at the red kiosks at the station or on the Trenitalia app. There are no reserved seats for the regional trains that run in Cinque Terre. Before you buy tickets, consider whether you are planning to do any hiking and how many train trips you’ll take. There is a Cinque Terre Trekking card (pass) that is for train travel. Add the Via Dell’Amore path to it if you don’t plan to do any trail trekking. These tickets are worth it if you will take the train more than 4 times.
Green Validation Machine
If you happen to miss your train, you will want to let the train manager know as soon as possible. They should let you use the same ticket for the next train. It’s important to remember that your ticket has to be validated. If you buy the ticket on the app, it will automatically be validated at the scheduled departure time of the train. It is particularly important to let someone know you missed it and you aren’t re-using a ticket. Don’t wait until they say something because they won’t be as forgiving. Paper tickets from a kiosk, must be validated! Find one of the green machines and stick your ticket in, as far to the left as possible, to get the validation stamp. You must do this before you get on the train, and you will find the validation machines on the platform.
Using The Cinque Terre Ferry
You can take a ferry for a different point of view, a fun way to see the Cinque Terre. The ferry runs from the end of March to the beginning of November. Starting in Levanto, La Spezia, Portovenere, or Lerici and stopping in 4 of the 5 villages. It does not stop in Corniglia because it doesn’t have waterfront access. The ferries stop in each of the villages about once an hour, and the cadence varies. Check the timetable for the ferries here.
Taking the ferry is a bit pricier than the train (which is just a few euros). Adult tickets are €28-€42, and children’s tickets are €15. The adult ticket varies: one-way or a round-trip ticket, and full day or afternoon. To clarify: full day does not mean multiple rides, but that each direction can be spread out. An afternoon round trip means you depart and return in the afternoon. Visit this page for more specifics on ticket prices. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket counters near the docking points. You don’t need to reserve a ticket in advance. You can find a list of the docking points with pictures here.
Trekking Between Cinque Terre Villages
One of the best ways to see Cinque Terre is by walking or hiking between the villages. Some stretches are easier than others, but the views make them all worth it. Here’s what you need to know about trekking in Cinque Terre.
Trekking Trail in Cinque Terre, Italy
Dress Functionally For Cinque Terre Trails
It is required that you wear safe footwear, which means no sandals and especially no flip-flops! We’re serious, we’ve seen people get turned away who tried to do this in sandals. Make sure your toes are covered. When you see the trail, you will understand the difficulty of extracting someone who is injured due to poor footwear! Don’t be that guy, don’t try to ‘get one over’ on the park staff, it’s your safety at stake. In the shoulder months, you may want a layer to put on when you get to your destination. It’s hot in the late spring and summer, and there is not much shade, so bring a hat and sunscreen. You don’t want to burn before you get to the next village!
Drink Water While Trekking The Trails
Some of the walks are easy and short, but bring some water and keep yourself hydrated. For the most part, you are not going to be close to the shore when you are trekking. This means you won’t be jumping in the water to cool off until you get to the next village. But let us tell you that Mediterranean blue water is so inviting! And if your next village is Corniglia, then you won’t have any chance of cooling off in the water. You can hop in the water in Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso Al Mare.
Plan Ahead For Your Day On The Trails
We recommend going early; the sun isn’t quite so high yet, and fewer people are on the trails. Purchase your ticket in advance if you plan to include the Via Dell’Amore (details on this shortly). Trust us, you want to do the Via Dell’Amore; we waited 12 years to do this, and it was worth it.
Cinque Terre Trekking Cards
A Cinque Terre Trekking card will be your pass to hike the main trails. There is a variety of Trekking cards. Some are multi-day and others are a single day. The Trekking Card includes the trails that have a fee, and you can add the Via Dell’Amore to these. Most of the trekking cards also include free WiFi (we’ll be honest, it isn’t great). They also have a QR code to get you into the train station bathrooms for free.
There are four types of tickets you can buy. The trekking card gives you access to the hiking trails. Of the 48 trails in Cinque Terre Parco Nazionale, there are 2 trails and one path that you have to pay for. These are the main trails everyone does. The Trekking Plus Card includes the Via Dell’Amore, and you will pre-select a time for this to begin. This is why we recommend buying your trekking card in advance. As previously mentioned, there is also a train card for unlimited rides during the pass validation. Upgrade your train card to the train plus card, which includes the Via Dell’Amore. Every pass can be a 1, 2, or 3-day pass.
How to Purchase Cinque Terre Trekking Cards
Purchase a Cinque Terre Trekking card, in person at the welcome centers near the train stations, or get it online. There are a few websites that sell them, but the easiest is through the Parco Nazionale 5 Terre here. For details on the passes and the perks that come with them, visit the Parco Nazionale 5 Terre website. There are options for adults, children, families, and groups (15+). Prices range from €7.50 for adults in the off-season (single day) to €15 in high season. There is a small discount for multi-day passes. To add the Via Dell’Amore is only a few euros more (it’s the Trekking Plus card). You can also purchase tickets on the Via dell’Amore website.
The Cinque Terre Trekking Trails
Cinque Terre Trekking
The most popular trails are the lower ridge ones that go from Manarola to Corniglia, Corniglia to Vernazza, and Vernazza to Monterosso Al Mare. The two on either side of Vernazza are the two that require a paid ticket (card/pass). These can be done in the opposite direction as well. You’re probably thinking, “Wait, doesn’t this leave out Riomaggiore?” Yes, because it’s more of a path than a trail. There are two ways to go from Riomaggiore to Manerola. You can either take a train or you can take a passegiare on the Via Dell’Amore. Note that all Via Della’Amore walks begin in Riomaggiore, and technically, it is one direction.
Avid hikers may be interested in some of the other trails. You can find more information about each trail, as well as which trails might be closed, on the Parco Nazionale website.
Via Dell’Amore
The Via Dell’Amore is a recently reopened path which you can add to your trekking card. As the name indicates (The Road of Love), it’s a romantic path. A great place for a stroll with the one you love. Prior to having a rail line connecting the villages of Cinque Terre, the inhabitants had to meet each other on the water, by boat. Driving between the villages was difficult due to the terraced nature of the seaside; it could be done, but was avoided. There weren’t roads to reach these villages until the 1970s! The railway came in the late 1800s, but didn’t connect the villages; it just got you to the area.
Via Dell’Amore, Cinque Terre
Via Dell’Amore, Cinque Terre
Via Dell’Amore, Cinque Terre
Via Dell’Amore, Cinque Terre
A path was built between Riomaggiore and Manarola, which brought the people together. It was first built to make the construction of the railway through Cinque Terre possible in the 1930s. It was later expanded as a pedestrian path after WWII, becoming a place for lovers to walk and talk. Prior to the path, the people would go years without seeing each other, even though they were so close geographically. In 2012, the path was closed due to a deadly mudslide. It took 10 years of planning and 2 years of rebuilding the paths before it was reopened in the fall of 2024.
Old Via Dell’Amore Path
New Via Dell’Amore Path
Accessible Trails in Cinque Terre
The Via dell’Amore is one of five accessible trails in the Cinque Terre that can be enjoyed by all persons. If you use a wheelchair, an elevator on each end of the Via Dell’Amore provides easy access for both entering and exiting. The path is wide and smooth, and has a side railing. Other accessible trails are from Colle del Telegrafo to Campiglia, Monte Croce, the Sanctuary of Madonna di Montenero, and Volastra.
Via Dell’Amore, an accessible path in Cinque Terre
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What You Need To Know About Cinque Terre Beaches
First: the views are stunning. Second, the water is an unbelievable shade of blue and teal. Fun fact: these colors inspired our Twice the Traveler logo. Ok, here is what you (really) need to know about Cinque Terre beaches. As previously mentioned, Corniglia has no water access; get your toes in the Mediterranean from the other 4 villages. The water access in Vernazza and Manarola is within the marina area. Picture wide cement slabs and big rocks with locals and tourists sunbathing and jumping in the water to cool off.
Riomaggiore has a small beach area found just south of the marina. You’ll also find large rocks that you’ll see others using to sunbathe. But the biggest beach area is in Monterosso Al Mare, the furthest north village of Cinque Terre. This is where you will see multiple locations for renting sun loungers and umbrellas.
Pro Tip: Use the Spiagge app to reserve your spot at the Bagni and make sure you don’t miss a chance to relax on the beach.
What To Eat and Drink In Cinque Terre
No trip is complete without tasting the local cuisine. Every region of Italy is different than the next. Sure, they all have pizza and pasta, but they have their own take on it. With a heavy focus on local ingredients.
Ligurian Seafood
The seafood in the Ligurian Sea is some of the best in all of Italy. With restaurants and fried seafood stands offering the freshest and tastiest dishes. Whether you indulge in some mussels, fresh fish, or fritto misto (usually fried calamari, shrimp, and vegetables), you’ll never forget the seafood.
Seafood from the Ligurian Sea
Focaccia
Speaking of focaccia, it is also from the Ligurian region. Although there are some variances from Genoa to the Riviera, to Cinque Terre. It is all delicious. There are many focaccia shops throughout Cinque Terre. Focaccia is a great and inexpensive snack (take it with you on your hike!).
Bruschetta
Bruschetta
Before we talk about how good it is, let’s make sure you say it correctly. The CH makes a ‘K’ sound, not an ‘SH’ sound, Broo-sket-tah. This dish is on practically every menu, and the tomatoes here are delicious. Italian food is all about simplicity. Traditional bruschetta is good olive oil drizzled over gorgeous tomatoes, sprinkled with oregano, on a good crusty bread. Molto delizioso!
Cinque Terre Wines
White wine is what Cinque Terre is known for, not red wine. So get some local white wine to go with your seafood. Several places offer wine flights, making a nice introduction to the wines of Cinque Terre. We recommend going to Bar e Vini a Pié de Ma in Riomaggiore. This place gets busy, go early and get a table with a nice view, and wash your worries away.
White wine flight at Bar e Vini a Pié de Ma, Riomaggiore, Italy
Ligurian Pesto
The Ligurian region claims to have invented pesto, and it’s hard to argue if you try it here. The pesto pasta is typically served with a few green beans and a cube or two of potatoes mixed in with the pasta. The most common way to have pesto is to spread it on a piece of bread or focaccia.
Pesto! in Riomaggiore
Take a Pest Making Class- It’s That Good!
The best posto, though, is a pesto that you make from scratch while overlooking the sea in Manarola. Let us tell you about this amazing pesto-making experience that Candace had while on a solo trip in the Cinque Terre. The class began at 10:30 am before the restaurant opened, the sun was shining, and the sea was sparkling. The knowledgeable instructor took the class through an explanation of each ingredient, discussing its origin and importance to the pesto. Candace developed a deep understanding and appreciation for these ingredients.
Fresh ingredients for pesto
Mortar and pestle working the pesto
Tada- Pesto!
After a demonstration of how to use mortar and pestle to make pesto, Candace began to craft her pesto by the sea. While classical Italian music quietly played in the background, she worked her pestle into the ingredients, talk about serene! Tasting the fruits of her labor was pure bliss; there was no doubt that this was the best pesto ever! After making the pesto, they enjoyed their pesto with a wine tasting of Cinque Terre white wines. A refreshing way to finish a perfect experience. The experience ended early enough for a hike from Vernazza to Monterosso, too. But I have to tell you: she got a sunburn, she didn’t use sunblock during her pesto class in the sun!
Fruits of labor in pesto class
We wanted to tell you about this experience because everyone who takes the advice to book this experience says two things. One, “That was the best recommendation I’ve ever gotten,” and two, “That was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had!” When Candace did the pesto experience, it was the only one that she could find in the Cinque Terre. Today, there are many pesto classes in the Cinque Terre. Each pesto experience will be different, but the one Candace did overlooking the sea in Manarola should be booked directly.
Visit the Nessun Dorma website to book a pesto experience today! (This is not a paid ad or review; Candace just loved the experience so much that she wants you to know about it). The experience has become so popular that they now offer 2 sessions each day. We’ll be sure to update this post once Candace finally gets to take Charlene to this experience.
We hope these tips about ‘What You Need to Know About Cinque Terre Italy’ help you plan a wonderful trip to Cinque Terre. We have been there several times and would love to answer any questions you have. Put your questions in the comments below or send us an email. Have any tips we missed? Please put them in the comments below.
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