6 Things to Do in Cinque Terre — Five Colourful Villages, Hiking Trails, and the Italian Riviera

Cinque Terre is one of those places where every photograph looks retouched — and then you arrive and discover the real thing is even better. Five vividly painted villages cling to vertical cliffs above the Mediterranean, linked by a narrow-gauge railway that threads through tunnels and by foot trails that reward you with a shutter-worthy view every few metres. Be honest about one thing, though: in peak season this coastline is seriously crowded, and good planning makes all the difference.

#1

📍 The fourth village of Cinque Terre, counting from the west

Vernazza

Most travelers agree Vernazza is the most beautiful of the five villages. Colourful houses cascade in tight layers down to an ancient C-shaped harbour that still sees working fishing boats. Piazza Marconi — right on the water — is the heart of the village: bars along the waterfront sell local wine and focaccia while waves slap the big harbour stones and children play nearby. Climb to Doria Castle for the single best elevated view across all five villages.

Best time May–June and September–October: good weather and noticeably fewer crowds than July–August

How to get there The La Spezia–Genova train stops at every village. Board at La Spezia Centrale or Levanto and alight at Vernazza.

Travel tips

• Buy a Cinque Terre Card (from 7.50 EUR/day) before you arrive — it covers trail access but not the train, which you purchase separately.
• Arrive before 9 a.m. to photograph the square and harbour before cruise-ship groups flood in.
• Doria Castle entry is 1.50 EUR — the view from the top is the definitive aerial shot of Vernazza.

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#2

📍 The second village of Cinque Terre, counting from the east

Manarola

Manarola is the classic postcard shot of Cinque Terre: saturated houses stacked in vertical columns above a stone harbour. The viewpoint along Via dell'Amore north of the village — or from the Punta Bonfiglio terrace — is the image that has appeared in films and magazines worldwide. The village is also known for Sciacchetrà, a sweet wine made from grapes grown on the terraced hillsides that locals harvest by hand every autumn.

Best time Evening, 6–8 p.m. — golden light rakes across the coloured houses at their finest

How to get there Take the Cinque Terre train to Manarola station, then walk into the village — about 5 minutes.

Travel tips

• The Punta Bonfiglio viewpoint south of the village gives you the postcard angle — about a 10-minute walk from the train station.
• Try Sciacchetrà by the glass at a village shop: 4–8 EUR a glass, and far better than bottled versions sold in tourist shops.
• If you're staying overnight in Cinque Terre, Manarola has good accommodation options and a quieter atmosphere than the other villages.

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#3

📍 The hiking route linking all 5 villages — 12 km in total

Sentiero Azzurro — Cinque Terre Trail

Europe's most famous coastal hiking trail, connecting all five villages. The Via dell'Amore section (Riomaggiore–Manarola) is the easiest and most romantic stretch — just 1 km. The Corniglia–Vernazza–Monterosso section is steeper and takes a combined 3–4 hours. The trail alternates between views of the Mediterranean far below, terraced vineyard stairways, and coloured villages appearing gradually around each rocky bend. A Cinque Terre Card and proper footwear are both required.

Best time 7–10 a.m. — before the sun is harsh and before cruise-ship crowds arrive

How to get there Buy a Cinque Terre Card at La Spezia station or at any village station — it covers trail access.

Travel tips

• Via dell'Amore has recently reopened after repairs — check current status before you go, as individual sections still close periodically.
• Walk west to east (Monterosso to Riomaggiore) so the sun stays behind you and the villages are lit from the front for photos.
• Carry enough water. There are very few purchase points along the trail, especially on the middle Corniglia–Vernazza stretch.

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#4

📍 The fifth village of Cinque Terre, closest to La Spezia

Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore is the first village most travelers encounter arriving from La Spezia. The narrow gorge forces the houses to stack in tall, intricate layers above each other. A small stone harbour at the water's edge is where locals and visitors wind down in the evening. Stone staircases weave through the village, inviting you to get lost in alleys that don't appear on any map. Riomaggiore is also the eastern starting point of the Via dell'Amore to Manarola — a walk no visit to Cinque Terre should skip.

Best time Evening, 5–7 p.m. — locals come out to the harbour and the atmosphere is much warmer than midday

How to get there Train from La Spezia Centrale takes 12 minutes. Riomaggiore is the first village on the route from the east.

Travel tips

• From the train station you enter the village through a 200-metre tunnel — the only link between the station and the village.
• Sit at the harbour in the evening, order a local wine, and watch residents jump into the sea. That is Cinque Terre at its most genuine.
• Restaurants in the village often close for 2–3 hours in the afternoon. Plan your lunch slot in advance.

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#5

📍 The first village of Cinque Terre, at the western end

Monterosso al Mare

Monterosso is the largest of the five villages and the only one with a real sandy beach. It divides into two halves: the ancient borgo and the Fegina area, which has hotels and beach rentals. Monterosso anchovies are celebrated across Liguria — shops in the old village sell salt-cured anchovies in glass jars, one of the best food gifts you can bring home. If you'd rather spend the day at the beach than on the trails, this is your best option in Cinque Terre — though it gets packed in summer too.

Best time May or September — the sea is warm enough to swim and crowds are much thinner than midsummer

How to get there Take the Cinque Terre train to the western terminus, or the bus from Levanto — about 15 minutes.

Travel tips

• Anchovy shops in the old borgo open from early morning. Salt-cured anchovies in olive oil, bottled in glass, make the best souvenir.
• The public beach is north of the train station and free to use. Private beach sections (with sun loungers) cost 20–30 EUR per day.
• Monterosso is the starting point of the hardest trail section toward Corniglia — bring plenty of water and proper hiking shoes.

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#6

📍 The middle village of Cinque Terre, perched 100 metres above the sea on a clifftop

Corniglia

Corniglia is the only village in Cinque Terre that does not sit directly on the water. It stands 100 metres up on a clifftop, reached by climbing the Lardarina staircase — 382 steps — or by a local shuttle bus. Once up, you find the quietest village in Cinque Terre: fewer visitors than anywhere else, a long-established gelato shop, a panoramic view across all five villages from the clifftop edge, and the feeling that you have found Cinque Terre as it was before the world discovered it.

Best time Afternoon, 2–5 p.m. — good light and most visitors have already moved on to other villages

How to get there Train to Corniglia station, then either take the shuttle bus or climb the Lardarina staircase — 382 steps to the village.

Travel tips

• The local shuttle bus (included in some Cinque Terre Card packages) runs between the train station and the village every 20–30 minutes — no need to climb 382 steps if your legs prefer otherwise.
• The gelato shop on Via Fieschi is the best rest stop in the village. Order limoncino gelato, the Ligurian speciality.
• There is no harbour, but a steep 30-minute footpath leads down to Guvano pebble beach if you want to reach the water.

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