Did you know that "Cinque Terre", in the Liguria region, is the area in Italy that receives the most visitors each year? There must be a reason for that…
That said, if you really want to enjoy and fall in love with these 5 gems, I recommend visiting in the low season, when the crowds thin out, the sky gets moody, and the sea crashes wildly at the foot of each village.
The villages that give Cinque Terre its name
Monterosso al Mare
Monterosso al Mare is the first land, or maybe the last.
It all depends on whether you're coming from northern or southern Italy.
Having lived for 5 years in Genoa (to the north), for me Monterosso was always the first. 😉
This village stands out from the rest because:
- Trains stop more frequently at its station than at the others.
- It's the largest and most densely populated.
- It boasts the largest beach in the area.
So, it's the ideal spot if you fancy sunbathing, swimming in the sea, or wandering the streets of its historic center in search of a delicious plate of freshly made pasta.
It is also the perfect starting point to hike the first section of the Blue Trail #2 from Monterosso to Vernazza.
Vernazza
If you believe in love at first sight, watch out when you arrive in Vernazza.
Especially if you arrive on foot, whether entering from Monterosso or heading away towards Corniglia.
It has a gorgeous harbor, shielded by razor-sharp layers of rugged rock all around it.
You can climb up the tower, relax at an outdoor café, check out its small beach, or get lost in its narrow alleys to discover impossible viewpoints.
Corniglia
Why did Corniglia become my favorite?
- Maybe it was the views of its colorful buildings, nestled tightly together and perched on a cliff by the sea, as you approach on foot from Vernazza.
- Maybe it was that on my very first visit, its streets won me over with the lively, festive buzz of a homemade pesto competition.
- Maybe the views of Manarola from its viewpoint, and even from the train station (just a short walk and a zigzagging staircase away), added to that sense of beauty.
It's hard to compare them.
It's tough to pinpoint why you love one more than another.
Sometimes, it's simply love at first sight, and reasons just aren't needed.
Manarola
From Manarola train station, you reach the village through a tunnel connecting the main street to the other side of the mountain.
And once you get there, all you have to do is make your way down to the small harbor to enjoy one of the most stunning views around.
Fancy taking a dive right off the rocks?
Riomaggiore
The southernmost land of all takes its name from the river that flows through this valley.
It's especially famous because it marks the start of the Via dell’Amore, the final (or first) and most renowned section of the Blue Trail #2.
This path connects Riomaggiore with Manarola along the coast, offering views so breathtaking they could serve as the backdrop for any love story.
However, from 2013 to early 2018, I never managed to walk it, as it was always closed to the public due to landslides.
It's true that I didn't check its status every day and that I avoided visiting the 5 terre in summer to dodge the crowds, so it's likely they opened it one August and I just missed it.
Since every cloud has a silver lining, that'll be my excuse to go back! 🙂
How to get to and get around the Cinque Terre
By train
The best way to visit the 5 Terre?
Without a doubt, the train: fast and affordable.
There are several regional routes that stop in some of the villages making up the Cinque Terre, along with other lines connecting them to each other.
Their frequency (and price, if we're talking about the ones stopping in Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) varies depending on the season.
I recommend checking the official Trenitalia website (link at the end of this post) to find your ideal schedule and route. 😉
Boat
Another great way to explore the 5 Terre is to take a boat tour.
The Golfo dei Poeti ferry company operates routes from La Spezia and Levanto, running more frequently during the summer.
This option costs a bit more and limits your visiting time in each village, but it undoubtedly offers coastal views you just couldn't get any other way.
Car
Don't even think about it.
On foot
This doesn't mean you'll be walking all the way to the 5 Terre (though you technically could!). 😉
Instead, once you're there, you have the option to hike cross-country from one village to the next.
The most famous (and popular) paths make up the Blue Trail #2 (Sentiero Azzurro), as they're the most accessible, the shortest, and closest to the sea.
Here are the two stretches we were able to complete during our stay in Genoa (some of them multiple times!):
- Route along the Blue Trail #2 from Monterosso to Vernazza.
- Route along the Blue Trail #2 from Vernazza to Corniglia.
Only 2 in 5 years?
Yep, really! Depending on the time of year, you might find some sections closed for maintenance due to damage caused by autumn and winter storms.
Want to check the current status of the trails? You can find (almost) real-time info on this map.
Because near-constant upkeep is required, accessing the Blue Trail #2 requires purchasing an entry ticket in advance, which also grants you access to buses, public restrooms at the train stations, and even a few museums.
The price of this ticket varies depending on the condition of the trails and can be bought as a simple pass (€5 to €8) or including unlimited local train rides throughout the area (€16 for one day).
Where can you get this ticket?
- Online.
- At the trail entrance points.
- At local train stations.
Top tip: if you're buying it with the train service included, get it before arriving in the 5 Terre to make the most of it! 😉
When to visit the Cinque Terre
It really depends on how you want to experience it.
You can visit the villages of the Cinque Terre at any time of the year, but…
- If you want to enjoy the sea: you'll want to go in summer (June, July, August, and September). Heads up: you might get an unforgettable swim, but the streets, trains, and trails will be packed to the brim. In other words, this season isn't for you if you're allergic to crowds.
- If you want to go hiking: the best time is in late September or early October, before the autumn storms hit, or in May, once they've finished repairing any trails damaged over the winter.
- If you want the villages all to yourself: during the winter months (January, February, March), you can soak up the 5 Terre without the crowds. That said, if you can, try to steer clear of weekends and public holidays.
Where to sleep
Since I lived in Genoa for 5 years, my trips to the 5 Terre were always 1-day getaways by train.
Although I have to admit, with how charming these villages are, I always felt the urge to stay overnight in one of their cozy rural guesthouses.
The downside is that I can't recommend a specific one. Sorry about that! 🙂
Useful links
- Official park map with updated trail conditions.
- Online tickets to visit the Cinque Terre national park.
- Trenitalia official website.
- Golfo dei Poeti boats from La Spezia and Levanto.
- Hotel deals in the area.
- Flights to Italy: Trabber, eDreams, Momondo, and Vueling.
- 5% discount when booking your travel insurance with IATI.
Planning a trip to the 5 Terre?
Then you'll definitely want to check out these posts too:
- Route along the Blue Trail #2 from Monterosso to Vernazza.
- Route along the Blue Trail #2 from Vernazza to Corniglia.