Cinque Terre

Is 2 days enough for Cinque Terre?

Yes, two days let you taste each village without rushing. You will skip nothing major if you move smart. The key is splitting the five villages across the two days and using the train for longer jumps. Do not try to hike the whole trail in one day. That is a mistake. Spend night one in Monterosso or Levanto to wake up early.

Day 1

1. 8:30 AM, Start in Monterosso al Mare

Buy a one-way train ticket from Levanto (€2.20, 6 minutes). Walk to the old town. Grab a focaccia from Pino, it opens at 7:30 AM and costs €4.50. The old town is flat and quiet before 10 AM. Skip the ferry jetty queue now. You will take the boat later.

1. 9:45 AM, Hike from Monterosso to Vernazza

This is the best segment of the Sentiero Azzurro. It takes 90 minutes at a medium pace. The trail has 280 steps at the start. Wear trainers. No flip‑flops. Pay the €7.50 trail fee at the start (cash only). Water is €2 at the top vending machine. The view of Vernazza from the ridge is worth every drop of sweat.

1. 11:30 AM, Vernazza

Take a swim at the small harbour. The water is cold and clear. Dry off on the rocks. Lunch at Trattoria del Gallo, ask for the daily gnocchi with pesto (€12). Avoid the tourist trap pizzerias right at the train station. Walk up to the Doria Castle (free entry, open 10 AM, 6 PM).

1. 2:00 PM, Ferry to Corniglia

The boat from Vernazza to Corniglia costs €7 and runs every 30 minutes. It lands at the marina. From there, climb the 382 steps (Lardarina) or take the shuttle bus (€1.50). The view from the terrace at Santa Maria beltà is the finest in all five villages. Order a glass of Sciacchetrà (local sweet wine, €5) and just sit.

1. 4:30 PM, Train to Manarola

Corniglia has no direct boat to Manarola, so use the train (€2.20, 6 minutes). Manarola is all about the sunset. Walk the short path to the Nessun Dorma viewpoint. Buy a takeaway focaccia and a beer (€8 total) from the shop before the path, the tables there cost €15 for the same thing.

1. 7:30 PM, Dinner in Manarola

Eat at Trattoria dal Billy. Book a table by phone at 9 AM the same day. They serve trofie al pesto (€14) and grilled anchovies (€11). The terrace overlooks the sea. After dinner, walk back to the station and take the train to Levanto (€4.50, 15 minutes).

Day 2

1. 8:30 AM, Riomaggiore

Take the 8:35 train from Levanto to Riomaggiore (€4.50, 18 minutes). The village wakes up late. Have breakfast at Pasticceria Laura, a cappuccino and a cornetto for €3. Walk to the Marina. The coloured houses stack over the water. Skip the Via dell'Amore (still closed in 2026 for rockfall repairs).

1. 10:00 AM, Boat from Riomaggiore to Porto Venere

Buy the ticket at the harbour kiosk (€20 return, one boat per hour). The crossing takes 25 minutes. Porto Venere is wilder and less crowded. Walk up to the Church of San Pietro (free, open 9 AM, 7 PM). The stone interior has slanting gaps that frame the sea. Swim at the Byron Grotto, the water is deep and cool.

1. 1:00 PM, Lunch at Porto Venere

Eat at Antica Osteria del Carugio. Order the farinata (€5) and mussel soup (€12). The street tables fill fast. Avoid the ferry‑side places that charge €18 for a sad panini.

1. 3:30 PM, Return to Riomaggiore / Train to La Spezia

Take the 3:40 ferry back. From Riomaggiore station, ride the train to La Spezia Centrale (€4.50, 12 minutes). Visit the market at Piazza Cavour (open until 7 PM). Buy a bag of dried porcini mushrooms (€8) or a pesto jar (€6). These make good gifts.

1. 5:30 PM, Sunset at the harbour, La Spezia

Walk to the Morin Promenade. The light on the Gulf of Poets is soft gold. Aperitivo at Bar La Piazzetta, a spritz costs €5 and comes with a small plate of olives and chips.

1. 7:30 PM, Final dinner

Take the train back to Levanto (€5, 18 minutes). Eat at Coco Loco, a wooden table under vines. They make a seafood risotto (€16) that uses catch of the day. End with a limoncino (€4).

Where to stay for this itinerary

Monterosso, Best for Day 1 hiking start. Prices from €130/night in a shared bathroom room. Hotel Villa Steno is a good mid‑range option (€170).

Levanto, Cheap and calm. Trains to Cinque Terre every 15 minutes. Rooms from €80/night. Affittacamere Levanto is clean and near the station.

La Spezia, Budget base. Easy reach to all villages by train. B&Bs from €60/night. La Spezia is a real city with real prices.

Practical tips

Train card: Buy the Cinque Terre Treno Card (€18.20, 2026) only if you plan four or more train rides per day. Otherwise, single tickets cost €2.20, €5 each.

Hiking fee: The coastal trail from Monterosso to Corniglia costs €7.50 per segment. Pay in cash at the trailhead. No card accepted.

Ferry tickets: Buy at the harbour. No need to book ahead except July, August weekend afternoons. Price is €7, €20 per ride.

Sunscreen: The sun hits hard from 11 AM to 3 PM. Bring a hat and a reusable water bottle. Tap water at public fountains is safe.

Mistakes to avoid: Do not try to visit all five villages in one day. You will see only crowds and train stations. Do not stay in a village with no direct train connection to your next one. Do not rely on taxis, they cost €50+ for a 15‑minute ride.

Cash: Many smaller bars and trail fees take cash only. Withdraw cash in Levanto or La Spezia. ATMs in the villages often run out.

Booking ahead: For July 2026, book accommodation and restaurant reservations (especially dinner) at least 3 weeks in advance. For hotels in Monterosso, 4 weeks is safer.