Colorful mountainside houses and a wooden dock and kayaks in the water, in Cinque Terre, Italy.

October 5, 2026

Best Things to Do in Cinque Terre: Complete Guide + Tips for Your First Visit.

Planning your first trip to Cinque Terre? I’m so excited for you!

Cinque Terre is a cluster of five colorful seaside villages located along the rugged coastline of northern Italy – and it’s easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in the country.

What makes it so special isn’t just the postcard views, but the mix of experiences you can have there.

You can wander through charming village streets filled with little shops and cafés, hike scenic coastal trails, relax on the beaches, and even try cliff jumping!

Each village feels a little different, which is part of the charm, but after our visit, I can tell you that they are all beautiful and absolutely worth a visit.

Let me share with you the best things to do in Cinque Terre, along with some practical tips, like getting around and how to spend your time in the iconic “Five Towns”

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What is Cinque Terre?

As I mentioned, Cinque Terre is a group of 5 picturesque villages set along a 15 km long stretch of the coast of Liguria, between La Spezia and Levanto, in northwestern Italy.

Starting from the one closest to La Spezia, these are the Cinque Terre villages:

Riomaggiore
Manarola
Corniglia
Vernazza
Monterosso al Mare

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its unique cultural landscape (like vineyards set on terraces along the steep hills) and focus on a slower pace, traditional lifestyle.

The villages are also part of the Cinque Terre National Park, and the park’s official website is where you can find this super helpful interactive map of Cinque Terre.

A screenhot of a map of Cinque terre from the official Cinque Terre National Park website. — *Interactive map of Cinque Terre (from the Cinque Terre National Park website)*

Cinque Terre is located about 105 km south of Genoa (Genova) and 165 km northwest of Florence.

How to get to Cinque Terre?

Most travelers who plan a visit to Cinque Terre will arrive from Florence and will start their journey in La Spezia – a small town just a few minutes away from Cinque Terre – so I’ll use Florence as a reference here.

A screenshot of Google Maps driving directions from Florence to Cinque Terre, Italy — *Click here or on the map for directions.*

I’ll cover how to get to La Spezia in this section and will go over the transportation to and within the Cinque Terre villages later in this article.

There are a few ways to get to La Spezia:

1. By train

You’ll take a regional train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to La Spezia Centrale. The journey typically involves a change at Pisa Centrale and takes about 3 hours.

There are direct trains as well, but they run much less often and the ride takes about 2.5 – 3 hours.

Check the train schedules here.

Helpful hint: If you haven’t visited Pisa yet, I highly recommend making a stop there on your way to Cinque Terre – it’s wonderful!

2. By car

The drive from Florence to La Spezia takes about 2 hours.

There is a large parking garage near the train station, Park Centro Stazione, where you can (and should!) leave your car. Rates vary depending on the season, but on average it costs about € 2 per hour.

Check current rates here.

I do not recommend driving within Cinque Terre as the roads are narrow, congested and often steep, and most villages are car-free. I’ll cover how to get around Cinque Terre in the next section.

Another parking option is a parking lot at Piazza d’Armi, where the first 12 hours are free, and the rate after that is € 2 per hour, so it’s extremely budget-friendly. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the train station.

Find rates and more information here.

➡️ Need a rental car? Explore Expedia Car Rentals or Discover Cars for great deals!

Helpful hint: just be aware that in peak season you’ll encounter some traffic near the train station so allow time for that in your travel plan.

3. With a tour

This is actually how we visited Cinque Terre and were very happy with that.

I feel like it’s a great way to get introduced to this area and get familiar with the villages and the logistics of getting around.

Now that I’ve had that “overview” with the guide, I feel much more comfortable visiting on my own (and I definitely will return to visit and explore more!)

We booked this tour from Florence and opted for the hike (I’ll share more on that a little later in this article), but here are more amazing tours to Cinque Terre:

How to get around in Cinque Terre?

The best way to travel between the villages is by train.

You can purchase individual tickets for train rides between the villages (which are only a few minutes apart), but the more cost-effective and convenient option is to buy a Cinque Terre Treno MS card (also called Cinque Terre Train Card)

Image of four green Cinque Terre Train Cards.

It gives you access to all regional train connections between La Spezia and Levanto, buses within the Cinque Terre National Park and the Cinque Terre hiking trails.

You can purchase the card online or at any train station between La Spezia – Cinque Terre – Levanto.

Helpful hint: do not confuse the train card with the Cinque Terre Trekking Card, which DOES NOT give you access to trains, only to hiking trails.

Good to know:

Cinque Terre Cards are non-transferable; you’ll have to sign your name on the front of it and be prepared to show both the card and a valid ID to a train inspector if asked
Trains run mostly inside tunnels, typically every 20 minutes
Streets leading to train stations in the villages are also located in tunnels
In peak season both the streets and the train stations get VERY crowded
Train rides are very short, lasting anywhere from 3 to 8 minutes
There are attendants at the train stations, directing “traffic” on the platforms – super helpful!

Things to do in Cinque Terre

Now that you know how to get to Cinque Terre and how to get around the villages, let’s give you some ideas on how to spend your time there!

1. Explore the villages

The villages are just beautiful, each one with its own charm and character.

Riomaggiore

This is where you’ll see the iconic Cinque Terre view – the colorful cliffside buildings with a wooden dock in a tiny marina, where you can swim or rent a kayak.

Then just stroll around the main street and stop into all the cute cafes and souvenir shops.

Manarola

Pastel colored houses and narrow streets in Mararola, Cinque Terre, Italy.

This village has a lot to offer!

Navigate some stairs and narrow streets to reach a scenic overlook (Manarola viewpoint or Manarola Punto Panoramico) with amazing views of the water, the pastel-colored, houses and terraced vineyards on the hill.

A person going down steep narrow stairs near a viewpoint, looking over the Ligurian Sea and houses and vineyards of Cinque Terre, Italy.

A narrow street in Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy,

Watch the cliff jumpers – a very popular Manarola activity.

A panoramic view of the Ligurian Sea and the mountainside vineyards of Cinque Terre, Italy.

Then relax at the tiny piazza with more stores and cafes – and more views!

A small plaza with a mosaic pattern in the center in Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy.

An entry door to a small cafe. lined with real oranges, in Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy.

An entry to a souvenir show in Manarola, Cinque Terre, with different items displayed outside.

Corniglia

If you’re looking for a workout right after you leave the station, you’ve got one here!

To get to the actual village you have to climb a zig-zaggy set of nearly 400 stairs!

A person standing on the stone stairs with a view of the sea and the train station in Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy.

A view of the stone stairs with switchbacks and a view of the Ligurian Sea in Corniglia, Cinque Terre.

They are not tall stairs. Scenic. And fairly wide. However – when you climb that on a VERY HOT August day (like we did!), it may be a bit of a challenge!

But don’t worry – there is a small free shuttle that runs every 15 minutes between the train station and the village so you’re able to skip the stairs, especially if you’re travelling with luggage.

The shuttle is included in your Cinque Terre Card.

We didn’t explore a whole lot of Corniglia during our visit – after climbing the staircase, we had some lunch and headed for our hike to Vernazza (more on that in the next section).

People walking through a very narrow street in the village of Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy.

A store front in a narrow street in Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy, with a display of oranges and sunflowers outside.

Fun fact: Corniglia is the only village in Cinque Terre without access to the beach.

It is a great starting point for hiking to either Manarola or Vernazza.

Vernazza

For me, you get the best view of Vernazza from above – as you hike down from Corniglia. It’s simply stunning…

It’s a quaint, colorful fishing village with a small sandy beach by the harbor.

I don’t have a picture of that beach as I was just so tired from hiking in over 100 F, that when we finally reached the village, we just sat and rested, not willing to move till it was time to go to the train station.

But I did take a look from a distance, and it is a really nice beach! Those who chose not to hike during our tour had time to enjoy it and were only saying good things about it.

Monterosso al Mare

This village feels more like a seaside resort than a charming historic spot, although it is still very pretty with its signature orange umbrellas, a promenade and a large beach.

A paved promenade near the sea in Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre. — *Monterosso al Mare promenade*

We actually got to spend some time at that beach and went for a swim there – it was amazing!

This is also where you can get on the ferry back to Manarola, which offers some fantastic views of the Cinque Terre coastline.

2. Hike the Sentiero Azzurro Trail (Blue Trail)

All five villages of Cinque Terre are connected by hiking trails – some easier and some more difficult.

A white sign with black letters for the Sentiero Azzurro Trail in Cinque Terre, Italy.

Some trails are free to hike, and some require an entry fee but are included in both the Cinque Terre Train Card and the Cinque Terre Trekking Card.

They all offer amazing views of the water and other villages.

The most popular routes are:

Riomaggiore to Manarola (Via dell’Amore)

This is the famous Via dell’Amore – a 1 km flat, paved path along the cliff. It was closed since 2012 due to a severe landslide and was reopened to tourists in August of 2024 – just days before our visit.

It wasn’t on our tour’s itinerary, so it is now on our to-do list for when we come back to Cinque Terre.

If you have a Cinque Terre card, the entry fee is already included; if not, you’ll have to pay a fee of € 10. You do have to reserve a time slot to walk the path – either at the time of purchasing the card or later on, at the info booth in Riomaggiore.

The entry is located near the Riomaggiore train station.

It takes about 30 minutes to walk this path.

Important: this is a one-way trail and can only be walked from Riomaggiore to Manarola.

Learn more and book tickets + Cinque Terre Card here.

Corgnilia to Vernazza

This is a moderate difficulty hiking trail, 3 km long, mostly through a wooded area in the first half (on the way up) and along the coast in the second half (on the way down to Vernazza).

People walking on a trail in a wooded area in Cinque Terre, Italy.

You get sweeping views of the Ligurian Sea and Vernazza rooftops as you get closer to the village.

A person walking on a trail near the sea in Cinque Terre, Italy.

Two people posing for a picture on a trail in Cinque Terre, Italy, with the rooftops of the village of Vernazza and the sea in the background.

This is the hike we did during our tour and it was a great – though extremely HOT – experience. I highly recommend this trail, especially if you choose a cooler day than we did!

The highlight: a tiny store/bar at the highest point, Prevo, serving the best lemon slushies you’ll ever have – especially after walking uphill for about 45 minutes.

A noarrow pink building and an archway with a sign "Prevo" on a trail in Cinque Terre, Italy.

A view of colorful signs of menu items and against an orange wall of a small shop in Cinque Terre, Italy.

It takes about 1.5 hours to complete this trail. The fee to hike it is included in the Cinque Terre Card.

Helpful hint: relax at Vernazza beach after your hike – it’s a wonderful way to cool off!

Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare

We did not hike this trail but have heard that it’s also beautiful, offering amazing panoramic sea views.

It takes about 2 hours to hike and the trail fee is included in the Cinque Terre Card.

Learn more about Cinque Terre hiking trails here.

3. Relax at the beach

There are two main beaches in Cinque Terre: a small sandy beach in Vernazza and a larger one in Monterosso al Mare.

We didn’t have time to enjoy the one in Vernazza after our hike, but we did go to Monterosso Beach. It is a great spot with easy access to the village and the boat-rental marina.

There is also another, larger beach in Monterosso, near the promenade, with its signature rock and orange umbrellas.

A view of a triangular black rock and striped orange umbrellas on the beach in Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italy.

While Manarola doesn’t have a dedicated beach area, you can sunbathe on the rocks and either watch the cliff jumpers or try it yourself!

A large rock in the sea with people sunbathing on it and swimming, in Cinque Terre, Italy.

4. Get out on the water

If you like water activities, you can rent a kayak or go on a boat tour in Cinque Terre. The best towns for this are Riomaggiore, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare.

Take a look at these kayaking options:

Or go on a boat tour:

5. Take a ferry or a boat ride

The ferry ride is a great way to spend some time on the water and get a different view of the Cinque Terre landscape. It truly looks amazing!

A view of a rocky coast and a distant village in Cinque Terre, Italy, from the ferry ride.

The ferry runs between La Spezia and Levanto and stops at every village except Corniglia, which doesn’t have water access.

Check the official website for Line 02 (yellow) Cinque Terre ferry schedules and the F.A.Q. (including ticket information)

I would recommend taking a ride between the “end” villages of your trip, either at the beginning or at the end of your time in Cinque Terre.

We took the ferry from Monterosso al Mare to Romaggiore at the end of our tour and it was fantastic. A very relaxing 25-minute ride, with stunning views was a perfect ending to our day.

Our tickets were arranged by our tour company, but you can get them from the ticket offices at the dock in each village the ferry goes to.

6. Try Cinque Terre local delicacies

Cinque Terre is known for its pesto Genovese and delicious focaccia bread – you can try those delicacies at many local cafes or book a cooking class and make them yourself!

The other local treat to definitely taste is seafood in a cone.

A person standing in the street of a village in Cinque Terre, eating seafood in a cone.

I tried it in Romaggiore – fried fish and fries and it was just what I needed after a long day of hiking and exploring. Don’t miss it!

Helpful hint: if you don’t eat fish – they also make these cones with chicken!

7. Visit a vineyard

Wine making is a big part of Conque Terre’s culture and the “heroic viticulture” of harvesting grapes by hand due to the vineyards set on steep terraced cliffs is one of the reasons this region was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The most famous Cinque Terre wines is the sweet Sciacchetrà.

If you’d like to visit a vineyard, you have some great tour options:

And of course – get your fill of the amazing views just about from anywhere!

Best time to visit Cinque Terre

If you have flexibility in your schedule, I recommend visiting Cinque Terre in the spring and fall, especially if you’re planning on hiking. You’ll avoid crowds and hot summer temperatures.

If you’re visiting in the summer months:

plan the hikes for early morning and late afternoon
bring plenty of water
be ready to share the trail with other visitors
bring your bathing suit to cool off at one of the gorgeous Cinque Terre beaches

Winter months are also a great time to visit, as both the prices and the crowds get lower, but some trails will be closed for maintenance and due to weather – check the official Cinque Terre website for updates.

For ideas on how to incorporate Cinque Terre into your Italian vacation, check out our 7-days Italy itinerary and see exactly how we spent our days!

How many days do you need in Cinque Terre?

You can definitely see the highlights of this amazing area in one day, especially if you’re not planning to hike.

If you’d like to hike, spend time at the beaches and do some water activities, I’d allow 2-3 days, depending on how many activities you plan.

Where to stay in Cinque Terre?

There are many places to stay in Cinque Terre.

You can stay in one of the villages – each of which has its own features that appeal to different travel styles – or you can book accommodations in one of the larger end towns: La Spezia or Levanto.

Monterosso al Mare and Vernazza are great for beachgoers and those looking for water activities.

Riomaggione is the closest to La Spezia, which makes it very convenient for visitors hoping to experience some nightlife. Our guide told us that there is not much of that in Cinque Terre itself 😊

Corniglia is a really good base for hiking and Manarola for quaint, romantic atmosphere and scenic views.

Explore this map for more accommodation choices:

Is Cinque Terre worth visiting?

Oh yes! Cinque Terre is one of the most scenic regions I’ve visited.

The amazing thing about a trip to Cinque Terre is that you can fit as much variety into your visit as you like – it can be as quiet or adventurous as you make it.

You can just go on a hike, relax at the beach, take a cooking class, visit a winery, try cliff jumping or just wander through the colorful villages and take in the views – nothing beats those views!

So it is definitely a special place, absolutely worth visiting!

Are you ready to plan your trip?

Read this guide to avoid common first-timer mistakes: 21 Practical Tips for Visiting Italy for the First Time

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