Cinque Terre

When to go

What to see

Monterosso al Mare (1.5 hours). The only flat village with a proper beach. Rent a sunbed and umbrella for 25 EUR for a full day. Skip the Fegina beach on weekends. Walk to the Giant statue for free views.

Vernazza (1 hour). The prettiest harbor. Climb the Doria Castle tower (5 EUR). Arrive before 10am or after 4pm or you will not get a clear photo. The piazzetta floods in winter storms.

Corniglia (45 minutes). The quietest village because you have to climb 382 steps up from the train station. Skip it if you have mobility issues. The view from the terrace at the top is worth every step.

Manarola (1 hour). Famous for the sunset photo point. Do the short walk to Volastra for a higher view. The trail costs 7.50 EUR with the Cinque Terre Card. Book a table at Nessun Dorma for sunset aperitivo. Reserve 3 weeks ahead.

Riomaggiore (1 hour). The most lived in village. Walk up to the castle for sunset. The Via dell Amore trail is open again (2026) but costs 15 EUR and requires a reservation. Skip it. The trail is too crowded and you get better views from the boat.

Via dell Amore (the Lovers Lane). Reopened in 2024 after years of closure. Entry costs 15 EUR with a reserved time slot. It is a 30 minute flat walk between Riomaggiore and Manarola. Booking is mandatory. Do it if you like instagram crowds. Skip it if you want solitude.

Hiking the blue trail (Sentiero Azzurro). The whole trail from Monterosso to Riomaggiore takes 5 hours. You need the hiking pass (7.50 EUR with Cinque Terre Card, or 15 EUR without). Carry 1.5 liters of water per person. No water fountains on the upper sections.

3-day itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and sunset

1. Arrive at La Spezia Centrale by train from Genoa or Pisa. Buy the Cinque Terre Card at the ticket office. 10 minutes.
2. Take the train to Riomaggiore (8 minutes, included in card). Drop bags at your hotel. 30 minutes.
3. Walk up to Punta Mesco viewpoint for sunset. 45 minutes uphill. Bring a flashlight for the descent.
4. Dinner at Trattoria Dal Billy in Manarola. Reserve 2 days ahead. Pesto pasta for 14 EUR.

Day 2: The classic hike

1. Train to Monterosso at 7:30am. 20 minutes. Buy focaccia at Il Fruttivendolo for 4 EUR.
2. Start the blue trail from Monterosso to Vernazza at 8:00am. 1.5 hours. Steep in places.
3. Arrive Vernazza at 9:30am. Swim in the harbor. Coffee at Bar Ristorante Giorgio. 2 EUR for espresso.
4. Hike Vernazza to Corniglia. 1.5 hours. Harder than the first section. Many stairs.
5. Train from Corniglia to Manarola. 12 minutes. Lunch at Il Porticciolo. 18 EUR for fish.
6. Rest at your hotel. 2 hours.
7. Sunset boat trip from Riomaggiore harbor. 30 EUR per person. 1 hour. Book at the kiosk the day before.

Day 3: Coastal villages and departure

1. Train to Monterosso. 20 minutes. Rent a kayak from Monterosso Kayak. 25 EUR for 2 hours.
2. paddle along the coast to the Gigante statue. 30 minutes each way.
3. Train to Corniglia. 15 minutes. Climb the stairs. Buy wine at Cantina Cinque Terre. 8 EUR a bottle.
4. Train to La Spezia at 3pm for your onward journey.

Where to stay

Getting around

Trains are the best option. The Cinque Terre Express runs every 15 minutes from 6am to midnight between Levanto and La Spezia. A single ticket costs 5 EUR. The Cinque Terre Card (18.50 EUR for 1 day, 33 EUR for 2 days, 47 EUR for 3 days) includes unlimited train travel plus trail access and WiFi. Buy it at any station or online.

Boats run from March to October. A ticket between villages costs 8 EUR. The boat from Riomaggiore to Monterosso takes 30 minutes and gives you the best views. Skip the boat if it is windy or rainy. They cancel often.

Hiking between villages takes 1.5 to 2 hours per segment. Carry water. Wear sturdy shoes. Do not attempt the full trail in summer heat. Start before 8am.

Driving is a bad idea. Parking costs 25 EUR per day in Monterosso. The roads are narrow. You cannot drive between villages. Park in La Spezia or Levanto and use trains.

Taxis are mostly non existent. There is a water taxi service in Riomaggiore and Monterosso but it costs 50 EUR for a short hop. Do not count on it.

Budget

Mistakes to avoid

Buying train tickets from the wrong machine. The machines at La Spezia and Levanto sell regional tickets, not the Cinque Terre Card. Go to the ticket counter. The queue moves fast.

Hiking in flip flops. The trails are rocky and steep. You will slip. Wear proper hiking shoes or at least trainers with grip.

Eating in the main piazza. Restaurants with a view of the water charge 30% more for average food. Walk one street inland. Better quality, half the price.

Not booking dinner in advance. From June to September every decent restaurant fills up by 7pm. Reserve at least two days ahead. Use The Fork app or call directly.

Buying the Cinque Terre Card when you only take the train. If you do not hike, buy single train tickets at 5 EUR each. The card is only worth it if you walk the trails or visit multiple villages in one day.

Trying to see all five villages in one day. It is possible but miserable. You spend more time in queues and trains than actually seeing anything. Pick two or three. Save the rest for another trip.

Getting off at the wrong station. The train station for Corniglia is at the bottom of the hill. You still need to climb 382 steps or take the shuttle bus (2 EUR). The shuttle runs every 30 minutes. Wait for it.

Falling for the fake tour guides. At La Spezia station, men in yellow vests offer guided tours for 50 EUR. They are not official. They take you to the same spots you can visit for free. Walk past them.