Curated by Clara

Everything you need to know for a perfect trip to the Italian Riviera

Cinque Terre, located on Italy’s Ligurian coast, is comprised five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Known for its picturesque landscapes, it’s a popular destination for hiking, seaside relaxation, and exploring traditional Italian culture. In this guide, you’ll find practical tips on transportation, accommodation, hiking routes, and dining, along with advice for navigating peak tourist seasons.

Buckle up we have a lot to cover on this one!

Getting There

Pisa (PSA) is the closest airport to Cinque Terre, at just 118.5km, or 1.5 hr by train. The best way to get to Cinque Terre (from any location) would be by train since there are not a lot of established roads in the Cinque Terre region – definitely do not get a rental car here!

Why Choose the Train?

1. Limited Access: Cars are restricted in the Cinque Terre villages. Most roads end at parking lots outside the towns, requiring you to walk or take a shuttle bus to enter.
2. Convenient Train System: The Cinque Terre Express train connects all five villages efficiently, with frequent departures and short travel times between them.
3. Cost-Effective: Parking near the villages can be expensive and scarce, especially in peak tourist seasons. Train tickets are affordable, and passes like the Cinque Terre Card include unlimited train travel and access to hiking trails.

Getting Between the Five Towns

As we mentioned above, if you are planning to do a lot of travel between the five towns, it would be cost effectie to get the Cinque Terre Card. This card grants you unlimited access to trains between the towns and the nearby towns of La Spezia and Levanto. Having this express card will also save you time by not having to purchase a ticket each trip.

The card includes access to the Blue Trail (Sentiero Azzurro) and other paid hiking paths, which require a separate fee if purchased individually.

The cards are available to purchase in 1, 2, or 3 day passes. Don’t forget to always keep it on you! When I was there this summer, I didn’t have it on me for one ride and I got fined 60 Euros! They don’t mess around!

Hiking Trails

1. Riomaggiore to Manarola

Trail Name: Via dell’Amore (Path of Love)

• Duration: ~30 minutes
• Distance: ~1 km (0.6 miles)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Highlights: This iconic, flat, and well-paved path offers spectacular views of the coastline and is perfect for a leisurely stroll. However, as of 2025, parts of this trail may still be closed due to landslides—check for updates.

2. Manarola to Corniglia

Trail Name: Trail 592-1 (Blue Trail, formerly #2)

• Duration: ~1.5–2 hours
• Distance: ~3.5 km (2.2 miles)
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
• Highlights: The trail passes through terraced vineyards and steep stone steps, offering beautiful vistas of the sea and cliffs. Be prepared for a steep ascent to reach Corniglia, which sits on a hill 100 meters above sea level.

3. Corniglia to Vernazza

Trail Name: Trail 592-3 (Blue Trail, formerly #2)

• Duration: ~1.5–2 hours
• Distance: ~4 km (2.5 miles)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Highlights: This trail features a mix of coastal views, olive groves, and charming rural landscapes. The descent into Vernazza offers one of the most picturesque views in all of Cinque Terre, with the village and its harbor framed by the turquoise sea.

4. Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare

Trail Name: Trail 592-4 (Blue Trail, formerly #2)

• Duration: ~2 hours
• Distance: ~3.5 km (2.2 miles)
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
• Highlights: This trail includes steep climbs and descents but rewards hikers with incredible views of Vernazza from above and Monterosso’s sandy beaches as you approach. It’s one of the most photogenic stretches.

Which is the Prettiest?

The stretch between Vernazza and Monterosso is often considered the most beautiful due to its dramatic coastal views and the iconic vantage point of Vernazza. However, Corniglia to Vernazza (see below) is a close contender, offering equally stunning scenery and fewer steep inclines.

Tips for Hikers:

• Wear sturdy shoes; trails can be rocky and uneven.
• Bring water, sunscreen, and snacks, especially in summer.
• Check trail conditions beforehand, as landslides or maintenance can cause closures.
• If you go during the busy season (July & August), be prepared for some trail congestion – this can still be a fun way to meet and talk to people!

Where to Stay?

Riomaggiore

• Known for: Romantic sunsets, colorful harbor, and the starting point of Via dell’Amore (a beautiful walking path along the water – when open).

Manarola

• Known for: Dramatic cliffside views & cliff jumping, iconic photo spots, and locally produced Sciacchetrà wine.

Corniglia

• Known for: Quiet charm, elevated location (100m above sea), and panoramic views.

Vernazza

• Known for: Picturesque harbor, medieval castle, and lively piazza with waterfront dining.
• This town inspired the Disney Pixar movie Luca!
• My favorite 🙂

Monterosso al Mare

• Known for: Sandy beaches, larger accommodations, and historic churches & landmarks.
• The only town you can really visit a beach club!
• Also probably the most “touristy” but the good thing is that means that you can get iced coffee there!

Hotel Recommendation – there are not very many hotel options in the Cinque Terre region, but most of them are located in Monterosso – here is my favorite one:

1. Hotel Porto Roca: Monterosso (12 min walk from the Monterosso train station)
   • Very private and romantic
   • Breakfast included

Airbnb – this is what I recommend!

Where I stayed in Riomaggiore – We absolutely loved our Airbnb! We slept with the windows open and fell asleep to the waves – it was amazing. Also conveniently located to restaurants and cafes.

Airbnb favorites in all the 5 towns- check it out here!

Things to Do

1. Pesto making class at Nessun Dorma in Manarola: We paid 80 euros each, which included a two-hour pesto-making class, two bottles of wine, and a charcuterie board. We had so much fun, and I would absolutely say it was worth the money!

2. After our two bottles of wine, we felt brave enough to go cliff jumping in Manarola, just a few steps away! You can’t miss it—the cliff jumping always attracts a crowd, and it was so much fun to have strangers cheering us on.

3. Visit a beach club for the day in Monterosso. They are all super similar so you can’t go wrong – expect to pay around 40 Euros for two chairs for the day.

4. Sunset boat cruise! Most options will begin out of Monterosso or La Spezia – I linked some options here.

Where to Eat?

Remember this region of Italy is known for their pesto, foccacia, and local white wine so make sure to give those a try!

1. Ristorante La Torre in Vernazza: Beautiful views and great food! WARNING it is a little bit of a hike to get up there so no heels ladies.

2. Ristorante L’Ancora della Tortuga in Monterosso: romantic seafood spot!

3. Ristorante Belforte in Vernazza: insane views!!

!!! Remember to call and make a reservation !!!