Cinque Terre is truly one of a kind and unlike any other area in Italy. In Italian, Cinque Terre translates to “five lands.” The “5 lands” consist of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. They all offer their own unique charm and character, giving you a reason to visit each. Known for its beaches, hiking, pesto, and colorful homes, it’s easy to fall in love with Cinque Terre. In this Cinque Terre travel guide, I share with you the restaurants you don’t want to miss out on, activities to do, where to stay, travel tips to know, and so much more! Â
Monterosso is the first to make up Cinque Terre and is the most northern town of the five. It is the only town with a proper sandy beach. When you see all the images of Cinque Terre and the iconic green and orange striped umbrellas, that is in Monterosso! It is also the largest of the 5 towns and the one we stayed in. You will also find the best option for parking here if you are coming by car.Â
Vernazza is the second of the 5 towns and just south of Monterosso. It has a picturesque harbor and offers a lot of great restaurants that are perched over the sea to make for some stunning dinner views.Â
Continuing to go in order of how the towns are laid out, Corniglia is number 3 and sits in the middle of all 5 towns. It is the only town that does not have access to the sea as it is 100 meters above sea level. Once you get off the train in Corniglia, you have about 370 steps to climb before reaching the town. This was the only town we skipped since we were a bit exhausted and didn’t feel up for the hike. I have heard the views from the top are breathtaking and worth the visit!Â
Besides the town of Monterosso that we stayed in, we spent the most time in Manarola. Our boat excursion departed from here, so we spent time wandering the town, exploring the gift shops, and enjoying delicious pesto paninis. On the second day we came back to Manarola for an amazing restaurant- La Regina, which I highly recommend! We also had some of our favorite gelato on this trip in Manarola- 5 terre Gelato.
The last town of the 5 and the most picturesque in my opinion- Riomaggiore! When I think of the colorful houses and the views of Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore is the town that comes to mind.
If you plan to spend most of your vacation at the beach, you’ll definitely want to visit during the summer months. September still offers warm, summer days and a slightly smaller crowd. July and August will definitely be the most crowded months, so if you can avoid those months, I would!
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If you want your holiday to consist of hiking, exploring the towns, and enjoying all the incredible food that Cinque Terre has to offer, I suggest going in the off season! Visiting in the spring or fall will have far fewer tourists, the days won’t be overly hot, and you’ll find affordable rates on accommodations. One thing to keep in mind is paying attention to businesses seasonal hours. Many shops and restaurants will close over the winter months, so that is something to check beforehand!Â
Coming by train into Cinque Terre is very simple with the La Sepezia line. You can find direct train lines from any of the major cities. If you are flying into Italy and Cinque Terre is first on your list, Pisa (PSA) will be your closest airport. Florence (FLR), Bologna (BLQ), Milan (LIN) and Milan (BGY) are all other options of airports to fly into, depending on your itinerary!Â
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If you are coming to Cinque Terre with a car, it is also a seamless process. Monterosso is the only town with parking in the city center, which was perfect for us because this is the town we stayed in. You can park in the Fegina parking lot for 25 euros per day. After the second day the price goes down to 10 euros a day. So, for our 3 days in Cinque Terre, we paid a total of 60 euros to park our car. Â
This will depend on how quickly you want to breeze through the towns. I find it more enjoyable and less stressful when you can roam around leisurely. That being said, 1-3 days in Cinque Terre is reasonable. If you don’t have a lot of time and plan to visit several towns throughout Tuscany, a 1-day trip is possible. It may be jam packed and a bit exhausting to fit all 5 towns into 1-day, but nevertheless it can be done.Â
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We spent 3 days in Cinque Terre and for us, it was perfect. We had time to spend at the beach, have a boat excursion, explore the towns at our own pace, and try multiple delicious restaurants.Â
Hotel 5 Terre, Monterosso al Mare
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Locanda A CÃ Du Gigante, Monterosso al Mare
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Appartamento Buranco, Monterosso al Mare
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Hotel Margherita, Monterosso al Mare
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relax a Rio – Apartments for Rent in Riomaggiore
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Manarolasolemare – Appartamento Nadir, Liguria, Italy – Airbnb
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Bouganville House in the center – amazing sea view – Airbnb If you’re traveling with a group, I highly recommend this Airbnb! This is where we stayed during our 3 nights in Cinque Terre, and we loved it. The location was a 10/10 and it was clean and spacious.Â
Pesto making class at Nessun Dorma: This is one of the most popular things to do while visiting. Many places will offer pesto making classes, so it doesn’t have to be Nessun Dorma– but it is probably the most well-known. They also have a great view of the sea, making it an even more enjoyable experience. Pesto originated in Cinque Terre, so this is definitely a unique activity to do that is specific to this region.Â
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Hiking: Hiking is another popular activity, because all 5 towns are connected through a hiking trail. It depends how much hiking you want to do, but some people will hike to one or two towns then take the train back. For example, starting in Monterosso to the next town over (Vernazza) will take you about one hour and 20 minutes. If you are up for a good workout, hiking from Monterosso to the last town (Riomaggiore) will take you about 6 hours.Â
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Wander through each of the 5 towns: Each town is very small and quaint, making it possible to see all 5 within a day or two. You could easily plan for only 1 hour in each town, but you’ll want to make sure you account for time waiting for the train, stopping for lunch, and visiting all the unique shops.Â
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Lunch at La Regina: This was personally my favorite restaurant we ate at during our trip! It has a pretty view overlooking the town and food that was to die for! Their food and cocktails were delicious. I highly recommend the pesto burrata.
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Take a picture in front of the famous harbor of Riomaggiore: When I think of Cinque Terre, the harbor of Riomaggiore is what comes to mind. The Disney Movie Lucca was inspired by this exact town!
Beach Day at Fegina Beach: The only “traditional” beach in Cinque Terre is located in Monterosso. They have options of sunbed and umbrella rentals or free areas if you’d prefer to throw a towel down in the sand.Â
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Boat Day: Cinque Terre is known for its colorful cliffside buildings and picturesque harbors and the best way to take in the view is from the water! We found a boat excursion through Airbnb experiences and loved it. It was about 2.5 hours long which made for the perfect afternoon activity.Â
Watch the sunset in Manarola: The town of Manarola offers stunning views of the sunset. Walk up to the viewpoint of Punta Bonfiglio or the restaurant Nessun Dorma.Â
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Day trip to Portofino: Portofino is located about 1.5 hours by train from Cinque Terre. If you have the time for it, this is a great option for a day trip.Â
Mae Caa Cafe: As you may know, Italians don’t really eat breakfast and if they do it’s typically a croissant and an espresso. By our last day we were craving a traditional American breakfast and stumbled upon this cafe. It was so good and just what we needed! They have great breakfast sandwiches, iced coffee, and even vegan options.
Lapo’s: This restaurant is located on the promenade and has a very cool outdoor patio. I ordered the gnocchi pesto with shrimp, and it was delicious!Â
Miky Restaurant: If you’re looking for fine dining while in Cinque Terre, this Michelin Star restaurant is it! Be sure to book a reservation in advance, as it is popular and fills up quickly.Â
La Terrazza: The reviews online are not the best, but they do offer really incredible views. I suggest stopping here for lunch or drinks in the evening before dinner!Â
L’Ancora della Tortuga: This Michelin Star restaurant offers amazing food, great service, and incredible views! One of the top restaurants in Cinque Terre. Be sure to book a reservation in advance.Â
Torre Aurora: Another restaurant offering great views in Monterosso!Â
Il Fornaio di Monterosso: The perfect spot to grab a quick lunch. They are known for their amazing focaccia bread.Â
Belforte: This beautiful restaurant sits above Vernazza, overlooking the sea. It has been around for almost 50 years and one of the most popular restaurants in Vernazza. You’ll want to book a reservation in advance.Â
La Torre: Another beautiful restaurant offering amazing views of the sea.Â
Gelato Vernazza: Must try gelato in Vernazza!
Nessun Dorma: One of the most popular restaurants in Cinque Terre! Known for their pesto making class!
Trattoria dal Billy: This restaurant offers stunning views and delicious seafood!Â
Sorbetteria Gelateria 5 Terre: The best gelato we had in Cinque Terre! If you’re a fan of pistachio- that one was delicious! Â
A Pie de Ma: A popular restaurant located in Riomaggiore near the marina.
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Rio Bistrot: A beautiful restaurant right in the marina!Â
The trainline in between towns are set up very efficiently and come often. They can sometimes be delayed and crowded, but overall, it is the quickest and easiest way to get from town to town. The cost is 5 euros for a one-way ticket, 18 euros for a day pass, or 33 euros for a two-day pass. If you plan on hopping around a lot and seeing each town (which I highly recommend), the 1- or 2-day pass is well worth it.Â
PROS:
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-It is absolutely beautiful. The beaches, the colorful houses and the views of the sea, Cinque Terre is beautiful.
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-Pesto heaven! If you’re a fan of pesto, you’re coming to the right place. Pesto originated in Cinque Terre, so you will have the best of the best here.
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-Something for each type of traveler. If you want to relax and unwind, the beach of Monterosso is beautiful. If you’re up for an activity and workout, the hiking in Cinque Terre is great. And lastly, if you’re a foodie like us, there are so many great restaurants to choose from!
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CONS:
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-Very crowded. Like any other popular Italian town during the peak season, it can get very crowded. I suggest booking all dinner reservations in advance to avoid not being able to get in.Â
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OTHER THINGS TO NOTE:
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-Before heading to a restaurant, check the days and times it is open. Our trip took place on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and each day there were different restaurants closed.Â
Cinque Terre is a beauty among Italy and deserves a visit for sure! If you’re planning a trip to the Tuscan region, Cinque Terre should definitely be added to the list. It has so much to offer, delicious restaurants and stunning views. Please feel free to reach out to me on IG @_juliatravels if you have any additional questions. I am happy to help answer any questions you may have.Â
If your time in Cinque Terre is coupled with any other towns in Italy, be sure to check out my other Italy Travel Guides!Â
If you’re like me and need help keeping all of your travel plans and itinerary organized, be sure to check out my travel journal that I designed for just this reason! It’s how I plan every single trip and keep organized. It has everything you need from a packing list, a page for your accommodation info, travel itinerary, budgeting on your trip, journaling each day and more!Â
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