Visiting the Cinque Terre is at the top of many a tourist’s wish-list. Luckily, this stretch of Ligurian coast is lovely all year long, and we’re here to help you figure out where to sleep and what to see, eat, and do! 

Sleeping in the Cinque Terre

To best organize your trip to the Cinque Terre let’s start with accommodations. There are 30 wonderful agriturismi in the Cinque Terre where you can get a great night’s sleep and start off each morning well-rested and ready to start exploring. Some of the agriturismi organize excursions on foot or by bike, while others have large pools for relaxing or restaurants that offer menus of genuine local food. 

All are ready to welcome you at your home away from home!

Take a look at the agritourism in the Cinque Terre
 

Attractions in the Cinque Terre

Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore: each of the Cinque Terre is unique and special, and will remain etched forever in your hearts.

Monterosso is the westernmost town of the Cinque Terre and is found next to hills full of olive trees and vineyards. In warmer months, Monterosso is great place for swimming in the crystal-blue water! The historic town center is adjacent to the beach and cliffs, and there are castle ruins to be explored on foot as well as cute alleys full of souvenir shops.

Vernazza is the most colorful town of the Cinque Terre. It dates back to the year 1000 and  is named after an ancient Roman family who founded the village. The narrow alleyways in Vernazza dip down to the main street which ends in the town square facing a small port. It’s a charming place to stop for a bite of local food, such as focaccia ligure or rice cakes.

Corniglia sits on a rocky promontory overlooking the sea. In fact, to get here you need to climb Lardarina, a long brick staircase with 377 steps. All the homes in Corniglia overlook the beautiful blue sea. Beware: you may fall in love and consider buying a flat! At the top of Corniglia pay a visit to Church of San Pietro. A must!

Walking down the main street in Manarola, flanked by ancient shops and traditional restaurants, is an unforgettable experience. The colorful fishing boats in the tiny port just beg to be photographed! The entire town faces the main street and its characteristic houses and the Gothic church of San Lorenzo are delightful.  

Last but not least is Riomaggiore, the first village you encounter arriving from La Spezia. A great place to eat and do some shopping, Riomaggiore abounds with typical restaurants serving fresh fish and souvenir shops. The famous Via dell’Amore walking path starts here, but check to ensure that it’s open before you arrive.

Activities in the Cinque Terre

If you’re visiting the Cinque Terre bring comfortable walking shoes - it’s a haven for hiking! A lovely path joins Monterosso, Vernazza and Manarola, and is easy enough even for less avid walkers. Called Sentiero Azzurro, the trail offers spectacular views of the three towns. Dating all the way back to the Middle Ages, it was the main communication route for seaside inhabitants for many centuries. Along the way you’ll find vineyards and olive groves, with a beautiful crystal-blue sea in the background.

There are also harder paths, like the Crinale, for real trekking enthusiasts. 

In addition to hiking, visitors can also enjoy an array of other activities like sea-watching in summer, wine tastings at local wineries, and excursions to castles where you can savor local food over a glass of wine. Not bad, right?

Eating in the Cinque Terre

Ligurian cooking is quite simple and varied. Traditional dishes are made with top-quality ingredients filled with flavor. Don’t miss the seafood: bream, anchovies, cuttlefish, octopus and calamari, cooked over a fire and seasoned with fresh local olive oil, or even fried.

Then there’s traditional Ligurian pasta with pesto, perfect for pairing with a local Vermentino wine. And for dessert? A delicious vino passito.

Looking for something quick and tasty? Bakeries, pizzerias and supermarkets all sell local focaccia which is excellent at any hour of day or night!. Be warned… it’s addicting! 

For an authentic home-cooked meal, consider stopping by one of our agritourism with restaurant in the Cinque Terre: buonissimo!

Cinque Terre: getting here and around

The Cinque Terre are quite easy to reach. The closest airports are in Genoa and Pisa, while the main train stations are in Genoa and La Spezia.

Once you’ve arrived, getting around the Cinque Terre is simple, especially if you like using the train. The railway line connects all the Cinque Terre with Genoa and La Spezia and trains pass frequently. It’s a very efficient means of transport and offers special daily hop-on, hop-off rates.

Of course, you can always admire the Cinque Terre by boat. Departures start from La Spezia, Porto Venere, Portofino and Lerici.