The best things to do in the Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre is at the top of most people’s European bucket lists due to its idyllic aesthetic and the way these five (Cinque) villages (Terre) are draped over the Mediterranean sea.

I’d seen photos of this iconic stretch of Italian coastline floating around for years before I finally touched down at Pisa airport ready to explore it in the flesh.

After 4 days hiking through the vineyards, sipping local wine and eating copious amounts of Trofie al Pesto in the Cinque Terre, I can confirm it’s every bit as magical as the Pinterest photos depict. It did not disappoint.

Welcome to your ultimate adventure and hiking guide to Cinque Terre, Italy.

This guide will take you through everything you need to know for a once-in-a-lifetime trip across the five picturesque villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

If you’re looking for the best things to do in the Cinque Terre, you’re in the right place.

You’ll discover the best trails, how to plan your trip, where to stay, and the top places to eat and drink along the way.

If you love adventure and hiking, you’re in the right place!

Where is Cinque Terre? How to get to Cinque Terre?

Cinque Terre is located on the northwest coast of Italy, in the Liguria region, just above Tuscany (where you’ll likely fly in).

Getting To The Cinque Terre

The nearest major international airports are Pisa (Galileo Galilei Airport) and Genoa (Cristoforo Colombo Airport). From Pisa, you can take a train directly to La Spezia, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and costs around €8-€12. From Genoa, the train to La Spezia takes about 1.5 hours and costs roughly €10-€15.

Once in La Spezia, you can take a local train to any of the Cinque Terre villages.

Getting Around The Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre consists of five individual villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. As you’ll have seen from the stunning images that circulate online, the villages are all built on the cliffs and have access down to the sea, with the exception of Corniglia.

The thing I realised very quickly about getting around the villages is that driving between them is not the done thing. The best way to get between the 5 villages in the Cinque Terre is by boat or by train.

By Train

There is a train that starts in La Spezia (the nearest city that links to Pisa airport) and passes through all 5 towns. The Cinque Terre Express trains run frequently with a travel time of 5-15 minutes between each village.

You can get a daily pass a 2-day pass or a 3-day MS card ticket which gives you unlimited travel between Levanto and La Spezia (includes all villages). This is the most convenient and cost-efficient way to do it if you’re travelling to more than one village in a day like we did. See prices here.

We purchased our ticket at the station when we got there! See the distance between villages below and the time it takes to travel by train.

By Boat

You can also take a boat to each of the 5 villages in the Cinque Terre which offers a stunning perspective of these towns from the sea and is arguably the most scenic way to travel. I’d highly recommend doing one trip via the boat so that you can see the magic of the Cinque Terre from the water. Especially if you don’t plan to kayak or do a sunset cruise during your time here.

One of the most popular ways to see and explore the Cinque Terre is by hiking the trails that connect them.

I did a couple of hiking segments during my time here and this option offers unparalleled sea views and the chance to stop at vineyards and off-the-beaten-path spots. We stumbled across a stunning vineyard during our hike and ended up staying for a glass of wine and sunset! I’ve popped the information below in my best things to do in Cinque Terre.

If you’re interested in hiking the Cinque Terre – this is a great guide.

Where to stay in Cinque Terre?

Choosing the best village to stay in depends on your preferences and hiking plans. Here’s a brief overview:

• Monterosso al Mare: The largest village with the biggest beach, more accommodation options, sandy family-friendly beaches, and the starting point for several hiking trails.
• Vernazza: Known for its picturesque harbour and vibrant nightlife. Ideal for those who want a more lively atmosphere.
• Corniglia: The smallest and quietest village, located on a hilltop. Perfect for those seeking tranquillity. Note: No direct sea access in this village!
• Manarola: Famous for its wine and beautiful views. A great choice for wine lovers and those looking for special sunset dinner spots. (My favourite).
• Riomaggiore: The southernmost village, known for its colourful houses and vibrant marina.

Accommodation Options

• Hostels: Prices range from €20-€40 per night.
• Hotels: Mid-range hotels cost between €70-€150 per night, while luxury options range from €200 and above.
• Vacation Rentals: Apartments and vacation homes vary widely but expect to pay between €60-€200 per night depending on the location and size.

Example prices in Cinque Terre

• Main meal: €12-€25
• Glass of wine: €4-€6
• Bottle of water: €1-€2
• Night in a hostel: €20-€40
• Night in a mid-range hotel: €70-€150
• Coffee: €1.50-€3
• Cinque Terre Card (all access hiking):  7.50 euros or 15 euros on high peak days
• Cinque Terre (all access trains): from 19.50 euros to 32.50 euro for adults for a one-day card

Top tips for Cinque Terre

• Plan your hikes: Research the trails and plan your hikes according to your fitness level, some. of the paths are pretty challenging so don’t be caught offguard. The Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) is the most popular, but there are more challenging options like the high trails.
• Buy the Cinque Terre Card: Cinque Terre travel can add up fast if you don’t think ahead. The cards are going to save you money so figure out how long you’re there and buy a pass.
• Pack accordingly: Bring sturdy hiking shoes, a refillable water bottle, sun protection, and layered clothing. Even walking in some of the towns requires good shoes!
• Timing: Consider visiting during the shoulder seasons (April-June and September-October) to avoid the summer crowds and to enjoy milder weather.
• Stay hydrated and fuelled: Always carry water and snacks when out for the day, especially if you’re taking on longer hikes.

My favourite places to eat and drink in Cinque Terre

• La Regina di Manarola (Manarola): Cocktails, pasta and pizza with iconic coloured village views
• Gelateria II Porticciolo (Vernazza): Gelato made fresh daily!
• A Cantina de Mananan (Corniglia): A cosy spot offering local specialities and wines.
• Nessun Dorma (Manarola): Bruschetta meat and cheese platters served with wine overlooking the village (great for sunset)
• Bottega Alimentare (Riomaggiore): Grab a fresh and frozen lemon slush for $6

Hike the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail)

This iconic trail connects all five villages, offering spectacular coastal views and a moderately challenging hike. It takes about 5-6 hours to hike the entire trail, with distances between villages ranging from 1.5 km to 4 km. The trail is well-marked and you can start from any village, but many hikers prefer beginning in Monterosso and ending in Riomaggiore. To hike this trail, you’ll need the Cinque Terre Card, which can be purchased at the train stations in each village.

Spend a morning at Lerici

This one is not in the Cinque Terre itself but is a gorgeous beach town just south of La Spezia. One to consider a morning coffee and breakfast at if you’re looking to hide away from the crowds and have a car!

Exploring the high trails

For a more challenging hike and one of the best things to do in Cinque Terre, try the Sentiero Rosso (Red Trail) or the trail to the Sanctuary of Madonna di Montenero. The Sentiero Rosso runs along the ridge above the stunning villages, providing incredible panoramic views of the coastline. The trail to Madonna di Montenero starts in Riomaggiore and takes about 2 hours round trip.

Note: These trails are more demanding and require good fitness levels and proper hiking gear.

Beach day at Monterosso

Monterosso is a firm favourite for families and beach-goers when visiting the Cinque Terre. A beach day at Monterosso is one of the best things to do in Cinque Terre, it feels super spacious (even when its busy) and there are plenty of spots to get an Aperol Spritz with the iconic orange and teal umbrellas in the background.

Boat tour to see the Cinque Terre from the sea

One of the best things to do in Cinque Terre is get on a boat tour (sunset tours are a thing as the sun sets dramatically on the horizon here). There are trips that range from short trips to full-day excursions. You can book a tour at the harbours in any of the Cinque Terre villages on the day (there are stalls) or online in advance. Prices start at around €25 for a short trip. These tours offer a relaxing way to see the coastline from a new perspective.

Wine tasting

The region is famous for many things and wine is one of them!

Manarola and Corniglia are particularly known for their wine production so there are vineyards nearby where you can sample the best of the region’s wines. Guided tours usually cost between €20-€50 and can be booked through local wineries or tourist information centres.

Alternatively, you can just show up for a walk in glass of wine. We found the best spot whilst hiking to Corneligia (the one I mentioned previously) called Cantina Capellini (pictured below). Here you can enjoy a glass of wine for €7 whilst immersed in the vines and looking down over Manarola. HEAVEN!

Swimming and snorkeling

The clear waters of Monterosso and Vernazza are perfect for a refreshing dip or snorkelling adventure so get your snorkels at the ready!

Monterosso has the largest sandy beach in Cinque Terre (pictured below), while Vernazza has a small but beautiful beach near its harbour.

You can rent snorkeling gear at local shops or bring your own.

Grab a lemon-flavoured something and some Foccacia!

You’ll find traditional Ligurian dishes like pesto and focaccia everywhere you look whilst in the Cinque Terre and it wouldn’t be a trip to the Cinque Terre without trying them. Honestly, I don’t think I knew pesto until I tried it here. You’ll find it on most menus and most shops sell it in different-sized jars to take home!

I’d highly recommend going to a focaccia bar and picking up a few slices for a lunch picnic during your stay.

Below you can see us tucking into some focaccia in Vernazza and I also picked up a thirst-quenching lemon slush from Bottega Alimentare in Rio Maggiore. Highly recommend!

Visit the churches and sanctuaries

Each Cinque Terre village has beautiful churches and sanctuaries worth visiting. As easy as it is just to soak up the aesthetic of the Cinque Terre, these historic sites offer a glimpse into the religious and cultural heritage of the region (and provide stunning views too).

Here are a few to note:

• Church of San Lorenzo in Manarola
• Church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia in Vernazza
• Sanctuary of Our Lady of Soviore above Monterosso

Sunset drinks and cheese platter at Nessun Dorma

Located in Manarola, Nessun Dorma offers a stunning terrace with panoramic views of the village and the sea.

We spotted it as we took a dip in the water and walked up after to check it out. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a sunset drink and a delicious cheese platter.

I would go as far as saying it has some of the best views in Cinque Terre – the iconic type. The atmosphere is relaxed and no reservations are needed, but it can get busy, so arrive early to secure a good spot.

If you can’t get a spot, grab a pizza to go and walk a little further around to enjoy the sunset from one of the many picnic benches.

Gelato at Gelateria Il Porticciolo

After a day of hiking, or relaxing (lol) treat yourself to some gelato at Il Porticciolo in Manarola. I had a hazelnut gelato and it was my favourite in Cinque Terre!

They offer a wide range of flavors, all made with high-quality ingredients made fresh daily. It’s a great way to cool down – go on, get two scoops!

Dinner at La Regina di Manarola

This was a truly memorable dining experience. Look at those views from our dinner table at La Regina di Manarola!!

This restaurant is known for its fresh seafood and traditional Ligurian dishes, served with a modern twist. The menu changes seasonally, ensuring only the freshest ingredients and we devoured our dishes entirely! I’d highly recommend booking a table as it gets very busy here.

It was the perfect setting for my final night in Cinque Terre, one last view of the colourful village in the sunset light.

Kayaking with Cinque Terre Adventure Boat Tours

Getting onto a kayak was high on my bucket list for the Cinque Terre and we’d actually booked with Cinque Terre Adventure Boat Tours but on the day the sea was so choppy we decided to cancel. Next time!

Tours typically last 2-3 hours and allow you to paddle along the cliffs and into hidden coves – a fantastic way to see the natural beauty of Cinque Terre and enjoy some active adventure on the water.

They cost around €50-€70.

Thats it! All my best things to do in the Cinque Terre.

Have you been to the Cinque Terre?

What are the best things to do in Cinque Terre? Anything you’d add to this Cinque Terre bucket list?

Love as always and happy adventuring…