Anyone who has visited Cinque Terre, Italy—or merely Googled it—can picture the gorgeous pastel buildings perched atop each other that appear to rise dramatically from the sea along Italy’s Ligurian Coast. Ever since tourists started visiting the seaside oasis a generation ago, it has captured the hearts of countless travelers—and it’s easy to see why. “Cinque Terre’s coastal villages are a must-see for anyone wanting to surround themselves in a quintessential Italian setting,” said staffer Jeff after his Northern Italy & Cinque Terre Walking Tour. “Every town we visited was more beautiful than the next, as if these little hamlets were in competition to be the most breathtaking.” Read on for our rundown on each of the five towns before you book your Cinque Terre tour today.
The Fab Five
So, what do you need to know before taking a trip to Cinque Terre, Italy? Well, first of all, it’s not a single destination. Cinque Terre, which translates to “five lands,” is made up of—no surprise here—five distinct fishing villages that hug the Mediterranean coastline in Northwestern Italy. Each one is nestled into the protected Cinque Terre National Park. Reachable by boat, train, or foot, the five villages aren’t the easiest to access, but if you travel with us, you won’t have to worry about logistics. On our tours, we’ll make the arrangements so you can admire the picture-perfect harbors, stacked colored houses, and crystal-clear waters without having to even glance at a train schedule.
What to expect
All of the five villages, except for Monterosso, are car-free, which gives them a nostalgic, slow-down-and-enjoy-the-view vibe. Cinque Terre National Park is also home to a network of hiking trails that connect the five villages, making each a hikers paradise. As a result, visitors should expect to see lots of hikers making their way from one town to the next. If you want to spend your free time on one of our Cinque Terre tours hiking on your own, be sure to check online or ask your Tour Director if any trails are closed due to unsafe conditions.
Interested in a hike? Check out one traveler’s story about hiking Cinque Terre on our Northern Italy & Cinque Terre Walking Tour.
What to eat in the 5 towns of Cinque Terre
Local seafood (think: anchovies, mussels, and other shellfish) is as fresh as it gets when you’re in cities in Cinque Terre. Another must-try? Pesto. The Ligurian Coast is famous for the basil-and-oil delicacy, often served on trofie pasta—a regional twisted noodle traditionally made with chestnut flour.
Traveling between the 5 towns of Cinque Terre
“We took a unique approach to visiting Cinque Terre on my Northern Italy & Cinque Terre Walking Tour,” said staffer Jeff. “We started our day hiking up winding pathways above the town of Riomaggiore—taking in breathtaking views of the Mediterranean along the way—before making our way down to meet the town of Manarola, where we stayed to shop, dine, and continue sightseeing. After having our fill of fine foods and finer gelato, we boarded a boat and traveled to the town of Vernazza, where we continued to take in the beautiful views from the water.” Follow Jeff’s journey (and chart your own) with this Cinque Terre map.
A village-by-village guide to Cinque Terre
Monterosso
For beach lovers
The northernmost village of Cinque Terre is also the biggest and most resort-like thanks to its gorgeous, sandy beaches (which are not the norm in this part of Italy where most are rocky and guarded by cliffs.) While all five villages are carved into dramatic, cliff-side locations, Monterosso is the flattest of the bunch, making it the best option for anyone with mobility concerns.
Monterosso is also known for the lemon and olive trees that lace up the mountains behind the flat town. If you’re on our Barcelona, Southern France & the Italian Riviera tour, we’ll take you right to this iconic village to see them. Pro tip: Plan your visit for May and use your free time on tour to join in on the annual lemon festival!
Go here if: you’re a beach bum who enjoys freshly caught anchovies, all things lemon, and olives.
Vernazza
For photographers
Often described as the most beautiful of the five towns (but who can really choose?), Vernazza is likely the picture you have in your mind when you imagine Cinque Terre’s candy-colored harbor, with boats bobbing in the sea. It has a small beach near the harbor and is not quite as steep as the remaining three villages. All in all, it’s a traveler’s (and a photographer’s) dream!
While this stunning medieval town is accessible by train, we’ll take you there on our Lake Como, the Italian Riviera & Venice tour via boat. You’ll get to see the pastel-colored homes adorning the jagged mountains as you motor up to the dock. Once there, you’ll feel far from the modern world, tucking into local shops and restaurants in this quintessential small village that doesn’t allow cars.
Go here if: you want to see and photograph the iconic colorful homes and aquamarine waters of Cinque Terre without the sounds of cars rushing by.
Corniglia
For hikers
Continuing from north to south, next in line is Corniglia—the tiniest village of the five. It’s set high atop a hill and is the only Cinque Terre town without a beach or harbor. Its remote location makes it harder to get to than the others (visitors arrive via train or the 383 steps of the Lardarina Stairs), so there are fewer tourists here and it has a true off-the-beaten-path feel. While the days include some visitors, the evenings are quieter and more for the locals and tourists who crave a serene setting. Feeling adventurous? Use your free time on our Lake Como, the Italian Riviera & Venice tour and spend a day in this hidden gem of Cinque Terre. (Your Tour Director will gladly help you make travel arrangements.)
Go here if: you’re a nature lover looking to hike and enjoy some peace and quiet. Although Corniglia isn’t a major draw for nightlife, it has plenty of locally owned restaurants and bars for authentic Italian meals.
Manarola
For wine lovers
Manarola may be in the middle of the pack when it comes to the size of the five villages of Cinque Terre, but don’t overlook the charm of this brightly colored village. It’s a great spot for sunbathing on the rocks and tasting local specialties, like sciacchetrà: a sweet wine the region is known for. Manarola is not quite as quiet as Corniglia, but it’s definitely a peaceful reprieve from crowded streets elsewhere in Cinque Terre. We’ll take you right to Manarola on our Northern Italy & Cinque Terre Walking Tour, so you can wander the quaint fishing village, enjoying fresh focaccia topped with pesto alongside the sights.
Go here if: you love sampling hard-to-find wines from the source. Say “cheers!” with a glass of sciacchetrà while you gaze over the picturesque harbor and breathe in the salty Ligurian Sea air.
Riomaggiore
For foodies
Riomaggiore, Italy is the southernmost village of Cinque Terre. It’s the second largest, offering nightlife and plenty of eating, hiking, and sunbathing oportunities. This little gem on the coast is known for all-star dining experiences, featuring an unparalleled atmosphere and fresh seafood, like paranza (a term for a variety of very small whole fish), squid, and shrimp.
Arrive in style with us, via boat, on our Journey through Italy: Milan to the Amalfi Coast tour, and use your free time to shop and eat your way through this Cinque Terre village. Pro tip: Don’t miss out on the castle ruins of Castello di Riomaggiore. It’s not just for history buffs; the site offers panoramic views from its cliffside perch.
Go here if: you love bouncing around different restaurants and tasting local food, like fried seafood. Whether you explore in the morning or late in the evening, when the town has an active nightlife, you’ll fall in love with the charming coastal scenery.
Ready to plan your Cinque Terre adventure? Book your tour today.
