Translating as ‘Five Lands’, Cinque Terre consists of five little fishing villages. They are found along the Italian Riviera in the Liguria region of Italy. The unique structuring of the villages and clever gravity defying arrangements of the buildings has led to this region being a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The area is also well-maintained. The Cinque Terre National Park draws many tourists each year, mainly for the beautiful coastal walks. It’s also a protected marine area. With so much on offer, Cinque Terre should be on your travel to-do list.
Vernazza. Photo by: KavalenkavaVolha/Adobe Stock
What are the five villages of Cinque Terre?
Monterosso is the oldest of the five, believed to have been established around 643AD by inhabitants fleeing inland invasions. Vernazza came next, with the other three, Riomaggiore, Corniglia and Manarola developed under the Republic of Genoa. The oldest documents detailing the villages however date back to the 11th century.
What’s special about Cinque Terre?
The villages have been well-kept and retain many original features. There are some stunning examples of Late Middle Age architecture found in castle and church form. The fields and gardens of the villages are wedged into the steep cliff sides. The brightly coloured paint on the houses, although thought to help fishermen identify their homes, is a modern addition.
Fishing has primarily been the way of life for many villagers. Vineyards and olive cultivation also play a large part. Anchovies from Monterosso have Protected Designation of Origin status from the EU. Sample fish and olives brought to you by the hands of the villagers. Enjoy a glass of white wine which shares its name with its home, Cinque Terre, or the yellow/amber Sciacchetrà. Both are produced from grapes harvested here.
Pesto, focaccia and farinata are also fan-favourites to try on your visit to the area. If visiting Corniglia, try the gelato made from local honey. Locals have their favourite spots to hang out at so if it looks busy, you know it’s a good place to visit!
Riomaggiore is home to an ancient stone castello and Vernazza has two towers which are must-sees during your visit. The main street in Riomaggiore, Via Colombo, has many bars, restaurants, and gelaterie which are very welcoming and offers the chance to buy local produce.
The blue hiking trails marked throughout the villages, connecting them together, require entry via a paid permit. These are some of the most beautiful coastal walks you will ever experience and are worth exploring.
There are swimming spots at all villages. There are two large sandy beaches at Monterosso and a smaller sandy beach with designated swimming area at Vernazza. Riomaggiore and Corniglia have pebble beaches. Manarola has the addition of caves to explore along its coastline. Corniglia is often the quietest beach to visit as it’s accessible only by a long staircase.
Monterosso. Photo by: Patryk Kosmider/Adobe Stock
How do I get to Cinque Terre?
Although not impossible, it’s advisable not to take a car into these villages. The roads are narrow and steep with parking almost non-existent. The historical centres themselves however are officially closed to cars. Paths, trains and boats provide alternative, safer access. The best option can be to park your hire car at the train station at nearby La Spezia. You can then travel by a regional train which connects all five villages. Should you wish to leave the car closer to your accommodation, the La Spezia train station connects to Milan, Rome, Turin and Tuscany.
It takes less than 5 minutes by the regional train to reach the next village along. It’s possible therefore to see all five towns in one day. To really explore them and make the best use of the hiking trails available, you ideally need two or three days. Judge what time you have and the itinerary for your visit. It’s worth noting that mainline trains passing through the area only stop at Monterosso.
There are paths established between the villages which allow you to hike from one end to the other. Parts of this trail, the Via dell’Amore (Way of Love) between Riomaggiore and Manarola, have been closed since 2012 due to a landslide. It’s worth checking during your visit which parts of the trail will be accessible. There are tourist information centres in the villages which will be able to help you with any queries. Corniglia sits at the top of a hill so if you’re walking, be prepared to climb 365 steps to reach it. Alternatively, take the National Park bus.
Depending on what’s most suitable for you, you can purchase tickets for individual parts of the train journey. Consider the Cinque Terre Train Card which allows you unlimited access to the regional trains, use of National Park buses, access to blue-marked hiking routes, and use of Wi-Fi spots within the villages. Adults can purchase these cards to last 1, 2 or 3 days. Weigh your itinerary against the cost of a card or individual tickets to work out which gives you the best value.
Where can I stay in Cinque Terre?
There are various types of accommodation within the area which, depending on the time of year, can quickly fill up. Camping is one such option, with various sites located just above the villages, allowing you to walk down and explore. There are several albergo (hotels) and pensione, which are smaller family-run establishments. There’s also the opportunity to experience agriturismo, and stay in a farm house, providing you excellent opportunities to sample local produce direct from its source. B&Bs will provide you with a private room and breakfast served in either your bedroom, the kitchen or a dining room. Affittacamere is room-only accommodation where you source your own breakfast and other meals. Ostelli (hostels) will provide you with a bed in a shared room.
Hiring a car to visit Cinque Terre
Hire a car to make access to Cinque Terre as easy as possible and park at La Spezia train station. Make the most of your visit to Italy and explore more of the surrounding area. It’s possible to collect hire cars from the nearby Florence, Genoa and Bologna. We currently work with the suppliers Europcar, Keddy, Alamo, Sicily by Car, and Green Motion across these locations. A free second driver is available with Sicily by Car and Green Motion. All bookings in these locations include full Collision Damage and Theft Waiver with Excess Reimbursement Insurance.
Written by Jessica Juby.
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