10 Incredible Things To Do In Cinque Terre, Italy

Looking for ideas or inspiration on the best things to do in Cinque Terre? We’ve got you covered!

Made up of 5 small towns, the Cinque Terre villages are nestled high above the Italian Riviera coastline, in the Northwest of Italy. It is one of the most photogenic and popular destinations in the world and one not to be missed.

Italy is a country that has so much to offer. From its sprawling mountains to lush vineyards to authentic cobbled streets to its beautifully rugged coastline. Not even mentioning the incredible wine and arguably the best cuisine in the world. It might be small, but it’s a country that you could spend months travelling around and feel like you’ve not even scratched the surface. If you had to visit just one part of Italy, then visiting Cinque Terre and its villages should be high up on your list of places to visit in Italy.

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The 5 Cinque Terre Villages

The 5 beautiful colourful towns of Cinque Terre (pronounced chin-kwe ter-re, with a rolled “r” sound) are set along the jagged cliffside. The Cinque Terre villages are made up of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. The settlements here began life as medieval fortified settlements, each protected by a castle overlooking the sea guarding against Saracen raiders. These days the threat is long gone. Instead, Cinque Terre is a tourist haven famous for its colourful coastal village clusters which tumble toward the waves in a perfect pastel patchwork, its rugged hiking trails, scenic train journey, with views set to rival some of Switzerland’s and the beautiful Ligurian Sea surrounding the area.

You can imagine it now, thick Italian accents, the salty smell of the Mediterranean Sea and every flavour of gelato that you can imagine. It is easy to see why Cinque Terre has taken its well-deserved place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

1. Hike the blue trail between the towns

What is the best way to see Cinque Terre? Trains are the easiest way to see the little coastal villages however, if you choose to do this then you might miss some of the incredible views that the area has to offer. When visiting Cinque Terre you will likely want to explore more than one of the small towns. But, it’s best you forget about your car or hopping in a taxi as there are only two choices for travelling through Cinque Terre; a train or a walk.

There are benefits to both. Naturally, with the walks and hikes being a great way to see parts of this region that you’d likely have missed on the train. However, the train is quick (it only takes a few minutes to travel between each town). If you are limited on time a much easier way to see more of Cinque Terre.

How long is the blue train between the Cinque Terre villages?

The Cinque Terre Trail is an 11 km trail (called the Blue Trail) connecting Riomaggiore to Monterosso al Mare. It is a great way to see views from high above the towns, but be warned, it can be a little tough if you’re not used to hiking.

Distances and difficulties on the Blue Trail:

Riomaggiore to Manarola: 1.5 km, easy,  30 minutes, also called “Lover’s Lane” or Via dell’Amore

Manarola to Corniglia: 3 km, easy, 1 hour

Corniglia to Vernazza: 4 km, moderate, 1.5 hours

Vernazza to Monterosso: 3.5 km, moderate, 1.5 hours

To access the Cinque Terre trails you must buy a Cinque Terre Trekking Card. The Cinque Terre Trekking Card can be purchased at every train station or the Tourist Information Points in Cinque Terre, Levanto and La Spezia. The Cinque Terre Trekking Card gives you access to all footpaths and costs 7.50 Euro (adult – 1 day) or 14.50 Euro (adult – 2 days). Take note that the trails from Monterosso to Vernazza and from Vernazza to Corniglia are the only ones that require the Trekking Card. All other trails are free.

There are a few little cafes stops along some of the trails where you can enjoy a freshly squeezed OJ or a fresh lemonade, complete with incredible views like the ones below.

2. Enjoy a delicious Gelato

If you know us, then you’ll know that we love food. And, gelato is certainly no exception!

Italy is famous for Gelato and Cinque Terre, Italy has no shortage of incredible desserts. We enjoyed many, many double scoops all over. There are quite a few spots for gelato in Cinque Terre but possibly one of our favourites has to be Alberto Gelateria in Corniglia. Make sure you don’t miss out on the Olive Oil and Basil Gelato here for a truly unique flavour.

3. Watch the sunset over the sea

There are tons of different viewpoints to watch the sunset in Cinque Terre, Italy… you’ll truly be spoilt for choice. However, one of our favourite spots was down by the rocks in one of our favourite Cinque Terre villages, Riomaggiore.

We aren’t ones for choosing any destination or experience based on its Instagrammability (however, feel free to follow us over on @livingourmemories), but there was one cliché Cinque Terre experience we had to seek out and savour for ourselves.

It might be a popular spot but that doesn’t take away from the incredible experience of watching the sky set on fire here. As we sat down with a glass of local wine and a crisp cold beer we watched as the whole sky filled with an incredible orange glow, the perfect end to a perfect day.

4. Take a dip at Monterosso

Monterosso is the only beach located in Cinque Terre. It might not be your gleaming white sand beach, but the water is crystal clear and the atmosphere is amazing. It’s the perfect spot to spend the afternoon swimming in the sea and enjoying a true beach holiday, even if it is just for a day.

5. Explore Cinque Terre, Italy by boat

This isn’t something that we had the pleasure of taking part in, however, it’s a great way to hop between the towns and make an event out of it whilst you’re at it. Either opt for a sunset boat cruise or a daytime trip between towns.

6. Explore Portovenere

Portovenere might not technically be part of the Cinque Terre 5. However, it has often been dubbed as the “sixth” Cinque Terre town.

We travelled to Portovenere via boat from La Spezia. We would completely recommend doing this as the accommodation in La Spezia is far cheaper than anywhere else in Cinque Terre. The boat ride is a lovely way to get to Portovenere. When arriving in the small cliff-side town you’ll be met with the beautiful sea framed by the colourful buildings that the coastline is so synonymous with.

7. Take in the views from the Vernazza, Cinque Terre viewpoint

Just like we love food, we love a viewpoint and this one certainly did not disappoint. One of the, if not the, most incredible views we visited during our time in Cinque Terre.

If you’re planning on hiking the Blue Trail, you’ll be treated to this view over Vernazza, Cinque Terre, on your hike toward Monterosso. 

You can find the location here on Google Maps – note that access to this requires you to have the Cinque Terre Hiking card (7.50 Euro) since it’s on the official trail.

8. Train hop between the towns in Cinque Terre

The five Cinque Terre villages are connected by a quick and regular train service; the Cinque Terre Express. With some stations only a couple of minutes’ journey from each other made up by the famous Cinque Terre walk.

If hiking isn’t your thing or if you fancy a bit more of a relaxed time in Cinque Terre then the train is ideal.
A single one-way ride, between any of the towns, costs €4 per person. If you’re only hopping on it for one stop then this can very quickly add up. However, if you know you’re going to be using the train a lot in a short space of time, then it’s worth investing the in Cinque Terre Treno card. This includes unlimited train travel within the network for a fixed period.

The train is a beautiful, relaxing way of seeing Cinque Terre and is fundamental to your experience if you only have a short period to see the towns. Just don’t try to cram too much in as you’ll end up missing those hidden gems that are just off the beaten track in every place.

9. Laze on the beach at Monterosso

The famous beach is filled with iconic, hypnotic orange and green parasols. They are enough to draw anyone in and entice them to spend a full day on the beach.

A day spent sprawled out at the beach in Monterosso al Mare is always going to be good for the soul. The paid-for day beds outnumber the free spots on the beach. However, if you’re lucky enough to find your spot on the beach amongst the tourists and locals alike, then you’ll be sure to have a wonderful day. If you don’t manage to find your free spot then there are always plenty of paid-for places to treat yourself to.

10. Indulge at Nessun Dorma, Cinque Terre

One of the most famed restaurants nestled inside the cliffside just outside of Manarola, this small little restaurant combines traditional flavours with fresh ingredients. Despite its wonderful reputation for its food, that’s not what draws in the crowd every day. The views are unbeatable and the perfect spot to enjoy an afternoon bruschetta and spritz.

We didn’t get to Nessun Dorma this time, so grab a crisp glass of white wine and spend a relaxing afternoon here in our honour!

Bonus Travel Tip // Choosing the right base from which to explore the Cinque Terre is essential, and accommodation is in limited supply versus significant demand, especially in the summer months. As soon as you know what dates you will be visiting, start booking!