The five towns of Cinque Terre (2024)

Cinque Terre is a rugged coastline on the Italian Riviera composed of five beautiful hillside villages; Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

The five villages are connected by hiking trails open all year round. For the trails Monterosso - Vernazza - Corniglia you will need a Cinque Terre Card. All other trails are free! The Cinque Terre Express trains are running every 20 minutes between the five villages. You can also enjoy this scenic coastline by taking the ferry and hop on and off where you like.

Monterosso

Monterosso is the largest of the five towns and has the most amenities. Beach-lovers should definitely stay here. Monterosso has the only sandy beach in the area, you can rent chairs and umbrellas, or a kajak to explore the many coves around the coast.

Monterosso has the largest selection of hotels and guest houses situated near the beach. There are plenty of shops, aperitivo bars and seafood restaurants in the old part of town and along the promenade.

Monterosso is relatively flat compared to the other Cinque Terre villages and it is much easier to get around.

More information about Monterosso

Vernazza

Vernazza is probably the most picturesque of the villages and is named as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. It is a traditional fishing village with colorful typical Ligurian houses and boats bobbing on the waters of the small harbor.

In Vernazza there are only a few hotels to stay in but several and apartments for rent. Most of the restaurants and bars are concentrated around the seaside piazza. There is a small, sandy beach at the natural harbor.

Vernazza is the perfect starting point for hikes along the Blue Trail to Monterosso and Corniglia. There are some great photo spots at the initial parts of the trails. You don’t need to walk too far up the steep path to be greeted by the breathtaking view of Vernazza from above.

More information about Vernazza

Corniglia

Corniglia is located in the heart of the Cinque Terre National Park. It is the only village which is not built directly on the sea, but on a cliff 100 metres above sea level. It is the smallest of the five villages and the least accessible. You have to climb 382 stairs to reach the village or you can take the shuttle bus from the station.

Corniglia is probably the most genuine town of the five and with the least amount of tourists. This is a great place to enjoy the sunsets and the romantic atmosphere in the evenings. There are a few small, high-quality hotels in Corniglia, all with amazing sea views.

Corniglia is the ideal starting point for hiking tours. Here starts the two most spectacular trails connecting Corniglia with Vernazza and Manarola.

More information about Corniglia

Manarola

Manarola is one of the most famous villages of the scenic Cinque Terre coastline. The village has a small harbor with a boat ramp, picturesque multicoloured houses facing the sea and a tiny piazza with seafood restaurants. This is the perfect place to spend a lazy day sunbathing and watching people jumping off the cliffs.

Here you will find some really romantic guest houses with spectacular ocean views. If you are travelling with your family or a group of friends, it can be more convenient to rent an apartment in Manarola.

From Manarola you can easily reach the other Cinque Terre villages by boat or by train in just a few minutes. Manarola is also connected to the other towns by hiking trails.

More information about Manarola

Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore is considered to be the most romantic of the Cinque Terre villages, ideal for young travelers or couples looking for a base which is great to hang around in during the day and also has some nightlife. Near the picturesque harbor you will find with sea views perfect for couples on a romantic getaway.

The village is basically a cascade of multi-colored houses in the typical Ligurian style, all tightly clustered around a tiny natural harbor carved out in between the rocks. This is, in our opinion, the best sunset spot in Cinque Terre.

There is a pebble beach behind the rocks, not far from the boat docking point. In the harbor there are compnies offering boat and kayak rentals, as well as boat tours.

More information about Riomaggiore.

Read More About Cinque Terre

  • Hotels near the beach in Monterosso

  • Cinque Terre train schedule

  • Cinque Terre Boat tours

  • How to get to Cinque Terre

The five towns of Cinque Terre (2024)

FAQs

The five towns of Cinque Terre? ›

Cinque Terre Neighborhoods

What is the most beautiful town in Cinque Terre? ›

Vernazza: Located to the north of the Cinque Terre, Vernazza is probably the most beautiful and picturesque fishing village of Cinque Terre, where its colourful houses hang above the sea level on rugged cliffs. It has a charming natural port and an old castle, built to protect the area from pirates.

How long does it take to walk the 5 villages of Cinque Terre? ›

You can walk the entire route in about six hours, if you take short breaks—although many hikers prefer to spread the route out over a few days at a strolling pace, stopping to enjoy the towns along the way. You can start from either direction (Monterosso, heading south, or Riomaggiore, heading north).

What are the 5 villages of Cinque Terre in order? ›

It lies in the west of La Spezia Province, and comprises five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Which Cinque Terre town to skip? ›

You have to skip Corniglia situated on top of a cliff 100 metres above sea level. If you are limited on time, take the train between the villages. The trains are running frequently all year round and stop in all five villages.

Which is more beautiful Amalfi or Cinque Terre? ›

Yes, both the Cinque Terre and Amalfi coast have spectacular, seaside views. But when it comes to specific cultural or historic sights, the Amalfi coast has the Cinque Terre beat.

How many days in Cinque Terre is enough? ›

Instead, you probably need at least three or four full days in Cinque Terre to get a true taste. That gives you time to see the villages, walk some of the Sentiero Azzurro paths, sit back with some of the local wine as you take in the views, and even visit some of the villages further up the cliff sides.

What is the least popular Cinque Terre? ›

Corniglia is the only one of the five Cinque Terre towns that isn't a fishing town and you need to walk up around 365 steps to get there. That puts most people off and means that Corniglia is the Cinque Terre town with the fewest tourists.

Is Cinque Terre expensive? ›

While it's often considered a pricey destination, with a bit of savvy planning, you can experience the beauty of Cinque Terre without breaking the bank. In this guide, we'll show you how to visit Cinque Terre on a budget.

What not to miss in Cinque Terre? ›

6 Things Not to Miss as You Walk the Cinque Terre
  • Guvano Beach. Despite having plentiful beaches due to traveling along the coast, the Cinque Terre's nicest beach has been named: Guvano beach. ...
  • Via dell'Amore (The Love Path) ...
  • Scalinata Lardarina. ...
  • The Sanctuaries Ways. ...
  • Castle of Riomaggiore. ...
  • The Sunset.
Aug 24, 2018

What is the busiest month in Cinque Terre? ›

The busiest months are May, June, September, and October; July and August can be less congested (but hotter). Avoid holiday weekends — especially Easter and Italian Liberation Day (April 25).

How long is the train ride between the towns of Cinque Terre? ›

Thanks to the Cinque Terre Express, there is a train approximately every 20 minutes that connects La Spezia and Levanto, and the journey time is very minimal, 2 to 5 minutes between one village and the next.

Where is the best place to base yourself for Cinque Terre? ›

La Spezia is a great base if you prefer staying in a city full of shops and restaurants, and accommodation prices are also more affordable. The coastline between the Cinque Terre and Portofino is also full of quiet towns with small family-run hotels, not to mention the luxury villas around Portofino.

Which is better Manarola or Riomaggiore? ›

Manarola is like Riomaggiore's more mature older sister. They look alike, but this town is more chilled out, more… “grown-up” somehow. Fewer (if any) events and late-night parties, and a more sophisticated energy.

What is the most photographed town in Cinque Terre? ›

1. MANAROLA. I guess that you may have seen a couple of shots of this place before, specially if you already did a few researches about Cinque Terre.

What is the most famous part of Cinque Terre? ›

The sight of picturesque Manarola tumbling down a rocky cliff towards its little harbor far below is probably the most iconic view of the Cinque Terre.

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