Cinque Terre Travelers Recommend

Largely unknown to tourists until a decade ago, the five pastel villages clinging to the Ligurian Coast known as the Cinque Terre have become one of the most popular destinations in Italy. An overnight stay is ideal, allowing you to savor the region in peace after the crowds have left, but if you only have one day, here’s how to spend it. 

Morning: A Day on the Trail

The postcard-perfect coastal villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore have been largely untouched by the passage of time, primarily because they were cut off from the outside world for most of their history. Set between the Mediterranean and Liguria’s steep coastal peaks, the villages are difficult to reach by land, and the easiest way to travel between them is via local train or on the scenic trail that skirts the coast. Explore the villages one by one this morning on a guided hiking day trip or a tour that includes train passes and guided walks through the villages.

Afternoon: Head to the Water

The Cinque Terre are crowded most of the year, but numbers swell in the summer months, and by midday, the tiny lanes and coastal footpath can get overrun. Escape the hordes on land by heading out to sea on a private or shared half-day boat tour along the coast, and enjoy the photogenic views of the villages from the water, access to tiny hidden beaches, and stops to swim in the waters off the Cinque Terre National Park. Active travelers can opt for a kayaking experience along the coast, or you can hire a deck chair and umbrella and while away the afternoon on one of the Cinque Terre’s many pretty beaches.

Night: Sunset on the Coast

Even if you are only visiting the Cinque Terre for a day, stay into the evening hours so that you can experience this enchanting stretch of coastline without the relentless crowds. As the sun begins to wane, the villages empty of tourists and become quiet and charming. Take a peaceful walk through the pedestrian-only village centers or along the deserted footpaths, stop for an aperitivo and a slice of traditional focaccia in a tiny local bar, or take in the view from the water on a sunset sail along the coast.  

Cinque Terre is a coastal hiker’s dream destination, as its picturesque hillside villages draped along the rugged Italian Riviera shoreline are laced with trekking trails. Here’s how to discover Cinque Terre and its eponymous national park on foot.

Via dell’Amore

Via dell’Amore is a short—just over half a mile (one kilometer) in length—but beautiful route connecting Riomaggiore and Manarola. Famously cut to allow young lovers to meet between the villages—hence the romantic name—Via dell’Amore is one of Cinque Terre National Park’s top attractions.

Sentiero Rosso

Seen on maps as Sentiero No. 1, Sentiero Rosso is a long-distance path between Levanto and Portovenere, which loops through UNESCO World Heritage–listed Cinque Terre National Park. The route is relatively flat and is popular among experienced hikers, who aim to complete its roughly 25 miles (40 kilometers) in nine to 12 hours.

Sentiero Azzurro

The 7.5-mile (12-kilometer) Sentiero Azzurro runs between Corniglia and Vernazza, and boasts some of Cinque Terre’s most impressive coastal scenery. Marked No. 2 on maps, this route is not particularly challenging but requires a fair level of fitness.

Sentiero No. 6d

Sentiero No. 6d attracts hikers in search of the authentic Cinque Terre experience—but without the challenging climbs. Linking the hilltop villages of Volastra and Corniglia, Sentiero No. 6d follows relatively flat terrain through fertile vineyards.

Sentiero No. 3

Experienced hikers looking to test their limits can embark on the Sentiero No. 3 route, which leads from the basilica of Sant’Abbondio in Como to Riomaggiore. The 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) route takes in serious hills and boasts plenty of scenic coastal overlooks.

If you have a few days to dedicate to these five Ligurian fishing villages, you’re in luck. Not only can you savor the sleepy atmosphere that descends once the daytime crowds have left, you can also explore farther along the coastline to Portovenere or Portofino. Here are your options for three days in the Cinque Terre.

Day 1: On Land

For centuries, the Cinque Terre was accessible only by sea or via a small footpath skirting the coastline. Today, this historic trail is one of Italy’s most scenic, and a popular way to explore the area on foot. If you’d rather take it easy, tours are also available on the local train line. Head out first thing in the morning, before visitors flood the coast. When the crush becomes too much, hit the beach, join a paragliding experience for a bird’s-eye view of the coast, or sign up for a cooking class. Make your way back to the villages in the evening after the crowds have left, and unwind over a seaside meal.  

Day 2: On the Water

Like much of Italy’s coastline, the Cinque Terre is particularly picturesque when glimpsed from the water. Admire dramatic views of the national park during a full- or half-day boat tour that includes stops to swim in tiny coves—or look for local wildlife on a kayaking tour that takes you even closer to the craggy coastline. Alternatively, spend most of the day on land, then cruise away on a sunset boat tour with a cocktail in your hand, marveling at the view of the postcard-perfect villages in the golden light of dusk.

.

Day 3: Portofino or Portovenere

The villages of the Cinque Terre are known for their humble charm, but Portofino has been a favorite among celebrities and the jet set for decades. Set sail north along the coast to this tony coastal town, stopping to shop on land and enjoy lunch on the water. Or, opt for an afternoon sail to Portovenere, located closer to the Cinque Terre to the south. Considered more sophisticated than the Cinque Terre but less glamorous than Portofino, Portovenere’s clutch of traditional fisherman’s dwellings is so romantic that it once attracted poets like Byron and Shelley. Both harbor towns are delightful spots for snapping colorful photos, poking around local boutiques, and relaxing over an alfresco meal.

The five gem-like villages of the Cinque Terre are one of the most popular destinations in Italy, which means they are invaded by thousands of visitors each day. By staying overnight, you can enjoy the quiet that descends on this stretch of coast after most tourists leave. Here’s how to make the most of two days in the Cinque Terre.

Day 1: The Cinque Terre by Land

**Morning:**Beat the crowds of day trippers, and set off early on the footpaths that have connected the villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore for centuries. Alternatively, join a tour that moves from village to village via the scenic local train.

**Afternoon:**By midday, the trains and footpaths are often clogged with tour groups, so this is the perfect time to retreat to a village center for a food and wine tour or to a local kitchen for a cooking class. Not a foodie? Take to the skies with a paragliding experience, or to the water with a beach break.

**Night:**The evening hours are the most magical in the Cinque Terre; the coast empties out, and a sleepy, authentic atmosphere returns to the villages. Relax over a quiet dinner in a traditional restaurant overlooking the sea, or enjoy a home-cooked meal of classic Ligurian dishes by dining in a local home.  

Day 2: The Cinque Terre by Sea

**Morning:**Though the footpaths and villages of the Cinque Terre are lovely to explore by land, this stretch of coast is particularly spectacular when seen from the water. Set sail in the morning on a full-day boat tour along the coast to access amazing views, stop at hidden beaches, and take a break from the crowds.

**Afternoon:**If you’d rather not spend your entire day on the water, opt for an afternoon boat tour that offers the same views, swimming breaks, and respite from the chaos on land. Alternatively, choose a kayaking trip along the coastline. 

**Night:**Sunset is one of the best times of day to admire the pastel-hued villages of the Cinque Terre, which take on a golden glow as the sun dips into the Mediterranean. Enjoy this spectacular sight with a sunset sail down the coast, and toast your final evening with an aperitivo on board.

With sweeping ocean views, picture-perfect cliffside villages, and endless sun, sea, and sand, the Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s most idyllic getaways. But a visit would be incomplete without Italian cuisine and wine, so here are our top picks.

Must-Try Dishes & Drinks

Thanks to scenic coastal hikes and steep hillside villages, it’s easy to work up an appetite in the Cinque Terre, and there’s plenty to satisfy all tastes. Tuck into a bowl of frutti di mare (seafood spaghetti), enjoy fresh-from-the-ocean anchovies, or sample some Italy’s best pesto, used in a variety of tasty pasta dishes. Other local specialties include pansotti (ravioli with ricotta and walnut), focaccia (herbed flatbread), and farinata (chickpea flatbread) accompanied by local wines such as vino delle Cinque Terre or the famous dessert wine, Sciacchetrà.

Must-Do Experiences

• Explore the wine cellars and vineyards around Riomaggiore, then indulge in an expert-led wine tasting.

• Learn the secrets of Liguria cuisine or make traditional Italian pasta from scratch with a small-group cooking class in La Spezia.

• Sample an array of focaccia breads, olives, anchovies, olive oils, and pestos on a food tasting tour of Riomaggiore.

• Discover how pesto Genovese is made with a one-hour pesto-making class in Levanto.

• Tuck into fresh seafood as you watch the sunset from an oceanview restaurant in Monterosso or Vernazza.