Cinque Terre: Personal Experiences, TOP TIPS, & Lessons Learned
Planning a trip to Cinque Terre? With so much information available about this popular Italian destination, it can be overwhelming. In this guide, I’ll share my personal experience exploring Cinque Terre, offering insights on which of the five towns best suits your personality, the top restaurants to try, must-do activities, and a few lessons I learned along the way. Let me help you navigate this stunning region and plan an unforgettable visit!
Ahh… Cinque Terre… “Cinque” means 5 in Italian. Along this rugged coast of the Italian Riviera, lay 5 quaint villages perched along the cliff side. These villages are Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. They are bookend by two large towns, Levanto to the North and La Spezia to the South.
Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Italy
Cinque Terre was Part 2 of our trip this past August (Part 1 coming soon). My husband, mom, and I started our vacation within the stunning Alps of Zermatt, Switzerland (we spent 4 days there), then drove down to the Italian coast line. I LOVE the Italian coastline. The Amalfi Coast captured my heart during our trip last year where Postianso dazzled us. It was everything you hoped a vacation in Positano would be… great food, great wine, great views… it was like stepping into a dream. Scrolling Instagram, you see the infamous pictures of that beautiful coastal town. Seeing those pictures pop up daily on Instagram really entices you to want to go visit it… and it was exactly as I imagined it would be.
Well, Cinque Terre started to pop up on my Instagram feed shortly after we returned home from that vacation. And it was love at first sight… I knew I had to go visit. So, when I planned our much shorter (8 days) Italy trip for this year, it made the list.
During my research phase of the trip, it was very hard to decide which town to stay in, so instead, I researched what hotel I wanted to stay in… and that hotel delivered. We stayed in Hotel Pasquale. It was perfect! They provided breakfast, daily cleaning service that was top notch, AC, and had wonderful water pressure (which is not common in Italy). They provided a secure parking lot for us to park our car (the villages are car free) and then made sure we had a quick taxi to take us from our car to the hotel. As soon as we arrived, they shuttled our bags to the room and gave us champagne and an aperitif to enjoy as soon as we walked into our room. This picture was the view from our room. It was heavenly.
Top Tip: DO NOT drive to Cinque Terre. Each village is car-free, so if you arrive by car, you'll need to park outside the towns or in larger nearby cities like La Spezia or Levanto. Luckily, Cinque Terre is easily accessible by train from major cities, making it the most convenient way to travel between the villages. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from La Spezia or Levanto, but the train remains the simplest and most efficient option.
View from our room at Hotel Pasquale
Cinque Terre offers many activities that include hiking, boating, swimming, beach clubbing, shopping, and exploring each village. On our first day, we embarked on a boating tour with Aquamarine Lunch Boat Tours, which turned out to be the highlight of our trip. (This tour has 5 stars on Trip Advisor and Viator). Having been on numerous boating and snorkel tours before, I can confidently say this one was exceptional. The breathtaking views of the coastline from the water were unparalleled. The captain made sure to navigate us by each town. All the while, the first mate made sure we had all the drinks and snacks we could ever want. We spent the day swimming, listening to music, and enjoying an endless supply of beer and wine. The pinnacle of the experience was the exquisite 5-course meal served right on the boat. The captain, doubling as our talented chef, prepared an array of dishes including an aperitif, focaccia appetizers, mussels, prawns, swordfish, and the most divine tiramisu for dessert. Everything was cooked fresh on the boat, making it the best meal we had in Cinque Terre.
Top Tip: Book a Lunch tour or Sunset tour with Aquamarine Boat Tours. The staff is fabulous! It is the best boat tour I have ever done!
My mom, the captain, and the delicious prawns that he just grilled
The next day was our much-anticipated hiking day. The hiking trails in this area are renowned for their beauty, connecting each charming town along the coastline. For those with an adventurous spirit, it's a fantastic way to experience each village. However, these trails are not for the faint of heart; they can be quite strenuous, especially in the heat. And to add to it, our morning did not start as planned—we had hoped for an early start, but fate had other ideas. Traveling to a different country can sometimes disrupt your system…both my husband and I fell victim to a bout of traveler’s diarrhea. My mom must have a stomach of steel, because she was somehow spared. Despite this rough start, we managed to rally and set out on our hike, armed with a roll of toilet paper from the hotel just in case… you know…we needed to go hide behind a bush ;).
The hike was gorgeous. It was quite a bit of elevation change, but boy were views worth it. The hike from Monterosso to Vernazza took about 1.5-2 hours. We stopped to look out over Vernazza’s little beach for a bit of a rest, then we headed to Corniglia.
Top Tip: If you're at least moderately fit, I highly recommend taking at least one hike between the Cinque Terre towns. The trails between Monterosso and Vernazza, Vernazza and Corniglia, or Corniglia and Manarola (or the reverse) offer breathtaking views that you can’t get anywhere else. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes, like good tennis shoes or hiking boots, as open-toed shoes like flip-flops or Tevas aren’t allowed.
If hiking feels a bit daunting, try the Via dell'Amore, a paved, flat path between Riomaggiore and Manarola. It offers stunning ocean views without the physical challenge of hiking. Keep in mind that you'll need a ticket to access this path, which can be purchased here.
View of Monterosso from the hiking trail
View of Vernazza from the hiking trail
By this point, it was VERY hot. But I knew that halfway between Vernazza and Corniglia, there was a quaint little bar, Bar Il Gabbiano, that offered a refreshing respite: Italian slushies. Unlike the artificial concoctions often found in the States, these slushies were crafted with real fruit, bursting with natural flavor and icy coolness—the perfect antidote to the sweltering heat. That brief pause, rejuvenated us for the remainder of our hike. Energized and refreshed, we set off once again, the path leading us to the charming Corniglia.
Top Tip: If you're only doing one hike, I recommend the trail between Corniglia and Vernazza. This route offers incredible views, and as a bonus, you can take a well-deserved break halfway through at Bar Il Gabbiano. It’s the perfect spot to recharge before continuing your hike!
View of Corniglia near the slushy bar
Nestled high on the cliffs, Corniglia boasts a bustling little alley that serves as its main thoroughfare. During the day it has a vibrant hub of activity with tourists exploring the little shops, stores, and restaurants lining the path. We were famished by this point, and thankfully we happened upon the most mouthwatering pizza place. I opted for a slice of the Spicy Diavola, which was an absolute delight!
View of Corniglia from the water
By this point, we were eager for a refreshing dip in the sea! The unique charm of each Cinque Terre town is their individual swimming spots. Corniglia, perched high above the sea, has one that is a bit of a trek to get to. But boy, once we got there, the water was oh so lovely… cool and refreshing... just what we needed. Feeling reenergized but exhausted, we decided to call it a day. We took the train back to our hotel, where we relaxed at the hotel bar with a nice, cold beer, savoring the perfect end to a memorable day.
Corniglia swimming spot
Since we did not make it to Manarola or Riomaggiore the day before, we decided to take the train to the other 2 towns today… no more hiking in the heat for this tired crew. The train system is very easy to navigate here… well for the most part (wink, wink). We ended up buying a “Cinque Terre Trenno MS Card” for the days we were here, which allowed us access to the hiking trails and unlimited use of the specific trains that ran between each town.
Top Tip: If you're planning to hike and take the train in Cinque Terre on the same day, purchasing the Cinque Terre Treno MS Card is absolutely worth it. This pass covers unlimited travel on the Cinque Terre Express, which runs between Levanto and La Spezia (the two towns that bookend the 5 main villages), stopping at all five Cinque Terre towns along the way. It allows you to hop on and off the train as often as you like, without the hassle of buying individual tickets. These trains run every 15-20 minutes during peak season.
Even if you don’t plan to hike, the card is a smart buy if you’re visiting at least 2 villages by train. It’s convenient, saves you money on separate tickets, and gives you flexibility to explore at your own pace.
When using the card, and if purchased online, make sure to download your ticket to your phone (and take a screenshot just in case) so you can easily show it to the conductor when requested. Without the Trenno MS Card or a valid train ticket, you risk being fined. You might also want to check with your hotel, as some offer discounted cards for guests. This little investment in the Treno MS Card makes your trip to Cinque Terre smooth and stress-free!
If you don’t purchase your card ahead of time, you can purchase the Trenno MS Card at kiosks serviced at each train station. Be aware that if you purchase a paper ticket, be sure you validate them prior to boarding! You can validate it at the green stamp machines located in the stairs on the way to the platform.
Our original plan was to take a leisurely stroll through each town, grab some lunch, and then head back to Monterosso, where we had reserved beach chairs at one of the beach clubs for the afternoon. However, sometimes you have to throw out your plans when something better comes along. When we arrived in Manarola, we walked up to their swimming hole along the harbor. It was the perfect-looking swimming hole, calling our names. Although we didn't have our swimwear with us, we decided to go on a little shopping spree. We each found what we needed in the cute little shops and made our way down to the water, enjoying another refreshing swim. Manarola quickly became my favorite town… It had a quaint feel, good shops, appealing restaurants, and the perfect swimming spot. This swimming spot is uncrowded first thing in the morning… so this would be a perfect morning activity for those staying in Manarola.
Top Tip: Be flexible when it comes to traveling… particularly in Italy. Savor each moment that comes along!
Manarola swimming hole
My next favorite town was Riomaggiore. There was a vibe here… With its colorful buildings cascading down the steep cliffs to its’ music spilling from the bustling bars, the lively atmosphere was truly captivating.
Among the towns many hidden gems, was a fantastic pizza place called Kepris… a small unassuming place on the outskirts of town with just a few tables. But boy, was this pizza spectacular!
Top Tip: You have probably already heard this one, but to find a restaurant that is not touristy, go outside the main areas, and you will find wonderful, non-touristy spots.
We then worked our way back to Monterosso to utilize our beach chairs that I had rented at the beach club, narrowly avoiding a big mistake. We got on the wrong train… oops! The train was labeled La Spezia-Levanto, but it was not the same color as the regular Cinque Terre Express trains (that should have been our clue!). La Spezia and Levanto are the two large towns that bookend the Cinque Terre towns. But since it stopped in Riomaggiore, I thought it would stop in all the towns. Now Riomaggiore is on the opposite end as Monterosso (the towns go Monterosso- Vernazza- Corniglia- Manorola- Riomaggiore). When the train blew past Manorola I was slightly worried. When it blew past Vernazza, I was resigned to purchase a ticket in Levanto to get back to Monterosso. Thankfully that train started to slow down as we approached Monterosso. Hallelujah!
Top Tip: The beach club we went to was Stella Marina Beach Bar. It was lovely, but during busy season, make sure to book your sun beds well in advance. You can do so online.
The rest of the day was enjoyed on our lounge chairs with an Aperol spritz in hand, savoring every moment of our final vacation day!
My husband's Italian swim attire… that he purchased in Manarola that day
What a wonderful few days we got to enjoy in one of the most beautiful coastal areas.
Cinque Terre… We will definitely see you again!
If this is a trip you would be interested in taking, as a FORA travel advisor, I would be happy to assist! Head to my contact page, fill out the form, and I will get back to you ASAP!