Things to do in Cinque Terre: Everything You Need to Plan Your Trip
Cinque Terre, a string of five towns on the Italian Riviera, is known for its colorful seaside houses and rewarding hikes. As if that alone is not enough, it is also the birthplace of pesto and the seafood is as fresh as can be.
For as long as I could remember, it was the number one place I had wanted to visit so a few summers ago I made sure to check it off my bucket list. Needless to say, it did not disappoint.
If you've decided on visiting and need help figuring out things to do in Cinque Terre (and more), you've come to the right place! Here is everything you need to know:
Things to do in Cinque Terre: Everything You Need to Plan Your Trip
About Each of the Cinque Terre Towns:
The five Cinque Terre villages, from north to south, include:
Monterosso
The largest village and although it was not my favorite, it is surprisingly where I took most of my photos. It is home to the best beach in Cinque Terre, one that you can without a doubt get a spot at (unlike the others which have small harbor beaches)
Vernazza
My favorite and the best Cinque Terre town. Not too big, not too small - just right!
Stay here (more info on that below)
Corniglia
The middle village and the only one not at all accessible by sea! Nothing to write home about (sorry)
Manarola
The most beautiful village of the 5 towns of Cinque Terre. There is no sand beach here but there is a gorgeous harbor and a tall rock that crazy people jump off of!
Riomaggiore
The southern-most Cinque Terre village. Beautiful and photogenic
While visiting I strongly suggest you stop by each of the Cinque Terre cities as they are all unique and have their own charm.
How to get to Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is located in the northern part of the Italy, situated between many different airports including Milan, Genoa, Pisa, and Florence. If you are flying into Italy to visit Cinque Terre, you can fly into any of the above mentioned airports and then take a train to Cinque Terre. If you are coming from somewhere else in Italy, you will take the train.
Map Cinque Terre
Getting to Cinque Terre:
TRAIN FROM MILAN TO CINQUE TERRE: Before visiting Cinque Terre I was in Lake Como, so I arrived via train from Milan. This route is very popular so it runs 22 times per day and will take you around three hours. Not all options from here are direct so make sure to get the one that is if that is a necessity. Pricing varies but starts at $17. Click here to see the latest options and prices.
TRAIN FROM FLORENCE TO CINQUE TERRE: From Florence there are no directs so you will need to transfer, but no worries, I did this route on my way out and it was a piece of cake. Travel time varies as there are both high-speed and local options, and pricing starts at $19. Click here to book your ticket (search Florence to Monterosso).
TRAIN FROM PISA TO CINQUE TERRE: From Pisa there are also direct trains which run a few times per day. This trip takes a little over one hour. Pricing varies but starts at $12. Click here to see the latest options and prices.
TRAIN FROM GENOA TO CINQUE TERRE: From Genoa there are many options, some of which are much faster than others (<1 hour up to >2 hours). Pricing starts at $8. Click here to see the latest options and prices.
TRAIN FROM ROME TO CINQUE TERRE: From Rome there are not direct trains but you will only need to stop once. The journey takes a little over 4 and a half ours. Click here to book your ticket (search Rome to Monterosso).
Looking for a Cinque Terre airport or flights to Cinque Terre? There is none! Train is your only option :)
Cinque Terre Day Trip
You can also visit Cinque Terre as part of a day trip if you aren’t able to make it an actual itinerary stop. For a Cinque Terre day trip from Florence, click here to see the latest prices. For a Milan to Cinque Terre day trip, click here to see the latest prices. From Pisa, click here to see the latest prices.
HOW TO GET AROUND IN CINQUE TERRE
Getting from town to town is very easy and there are three ways to do it:
BY FOOT - my transportation method of choice! Cinque Terre is famous for its hiking trails and this is the only way to see many of the famous views you see all over the web. If you do plan on hiking you will need to purchase a Cinque Terre Card, available for purchase at each train station. Pricing starts at €4.50. Do note that the trails are not always open, so sometimes you’ll be forced to take another method
BY TRAIN - the Cinque Terre train stops in each Cinque Terre town, runs 1-2 times per hour, and is the quickest way to get between towns (4-6 minutes). If you plan on both hiking AND taking the train, purchase the Cinque Terre Card Train which is the same as above except it also allows for unlimited train travel within Cinque Terre.
BY FERRY - if you visit between the end of March and the beginning of November, another option is to take the ferry which offers amazing coastal views of the towns! Corniglia is not accessible by ferry.
What to Pack for Cinque Terre
Having the right travel gear is incredibly important for any trip, especially if you are visiting Europe from a different continent. Save yourself time and money by getting all of the necessary items prior to arriving at your destination. Some of the items I consider non-negotiable:
COMFORTABLE SHOES — I consider proper walking shoes to be the most important packing item for Europe. The last thing you want is to be mid-trip, with torn up feet, and out of options. Trust me, I’ve been there. My shoe recommendation is not the least expensive option on the market, but it’s definitely the best. You can wear them all day everyday for weeks straight and not once will your feet hurt. They are the only shoes I have ever found that are this way (and trust me, I have tested out a lot). Just imagine being on your once in a lifetime trip, able to run around from sun up to sun down without a worry. That alone makes them worth every penny! I also love them because of their versatility. You can wear them with anything — jeans, leggings, skirts, dresses, anything! If they’re in stock in your size, get them while you still can. Click here to see the latest prices and availability.
For more shoe recommendations, click here for my current favorites (updated weekly).
BODYSUITS — If you haven’t already given into the bodysuit craze, now is the time! They are so comfortable, easy to throw on, and so perfect for travel because you don’t have to worry about adjusting your clothes ever while wearing one. There’s currently nothing I love wearing more. Click here to see my current favorites (updated weekly).
DRESSES — I love dresses for travel because you can so quickly throw it on and go. My favorite places to shop for dresses are here, here, here, and here. For cheaper options, I like here, and here. The cheaper sites can take a little more digging to find the good quality stuff, but sometimes it's worth it!
I also really love skirts, especially the current midi skirt trend. Click here to see my current favorites.
LIGHTWEIGHT TRAVEL CARDIGAN — This circle cardigan is honestly one of the best travel-related purchases you can make. It is so warm and soft; I’ve brought mine on every single trip since purchasing my first (I now own many). It's fantastic for literally everything: you can wear it during the day, out to dinner, on transit days, while hotel lounging, anywhere and everywhere! This is the number one top seller on my site every single month because it is truly the best. Click here to see the latest prices and color options.
CASHMERE WRAP — Another top seller on ckanani.com every single month is this oversized cashmere wrap. It’s something I personally carry in my bag every single day, whether I’m on the road or back at home in San Francisco. If you haven’t already noticed, I love versatility. I’d rather pay a little more for something high quality that’ll last a little longer and also work in a few different ways. I bet you’re a bit like me, so this is a must. You can wear it as a scarf, as a wrap when you find yourself at a surprisingly cold restaurant or flight, as a blanket, and more. I can’t tell you how many times this thing has saved me. Click here to see the latest prices and availability.
SUNGLASSES — Of course! I cannot believe I am about to say this but I’ve found a very cheap brand I recommend. Why is that shocking? Because I absolutely hate cheap sunglasses. I used to be a total sunglass snob and only buy $400 Saint Laurent, Dior, or Chanel sunglasses because the cheap ones feel horrible and don’t actually protect. Until now!! This brand I found on Amazon is under $15/pair and is shockingly impressive. I’ve bought four pairs so far. Click here for my favorite all black aviators, here for my rimless aviators, and here for my square ones.
LEATHER TOTE — I never, ever, ever travel without my leather zipper tote. It holds so much yet never feels as heavy as other bags! I even like it more than my Louis Vuitton Neverfull which cost 5X as much. There are a handful of popular bags that look similar to this one but the quality of this is unmatched. I’ve used mine every single day for 3+ years and it still looks perfect. Click here to check it out.
Traveling with a camera? Click here for the most stylish camera bags for women!
For nighttime or if you’re light traveler during the day too, I highly recommend this convertible clutch. It can be used as a wallet, a clutch, a crossbody bag, or a belt bag. The versatility is huge and it’s such a beautiful piece. I also love the design because unlike most similar bags, your cards and money won’t be loosely placed inside the bag, but actually attached to it. How’s that for secure?! Click here to see the latest prices and color options.
SKINCARE — Do not neglect your skin while traveling! I still can’t believe this exists, but Dermstore has a set with over $200 of professional skincare products for $49.99. I have purchased four so far, that’s how good it is. It contains every single step of a proper skincare routine: cleanser, exfoliant (2), antioxidant serum, hyaluronic acid serum, eye cream, SPF, and face oil. The oil alone costs $80 in the same size if bought individually. Mind blowing! They mentioned to me that there’s only a small number of the sets left so stock up if you find it’s still in stock. It’s great not just for travel but for at home too! Click here to check availability.
For more skincare and beauty recommendations, click here to follow me on Instagram @skincarethatilike.
GOLD LAYERING JEWELRY — Layering jewelry from SHOP CKANANI specifically. It’s my own shop so I'm a bit biased, of course, but hear me out. I’ve always loved jewelry but was tired of spending $60 on a necklace that would tarnish after 2-3 wears so I started making my own. I hand make them in my San Francisco apartment of incredibly high quality, primarily gold filled materials.
Gold filled items are great because they contain 100+ times (!) more real gold than gold plated items. An item being gold filled means that there is an actual layer of gold pressure bonded to another metal, making it much more valuable, durable, and tarnish resistant. This means it’s also perfect for everyday wear and for travel! Because who wants to spend their trip taking their jewelry on and off constantly? Not me!
After sharing pictures of necklaces and bracelets on my Instagram story, I finally gave in to the requests asking me to start selling my creations. And that’s how SHOP CKANANI was born! I’d really love and appreciate your support, especially if you’ve found the info in this post helpful :) Click here to see current availability.
For Italy I especially recommend the CIAO necklace, the Global Citizen necklace (our best selling item), and the Evil Eye necklace. Plus an arm full of various gold chain bracelets, of course!
HAIR ACCESSORIES — The easiest way to spice up a look with very minimal effort! Click here to see my current favorites (updated weekly).
HATS — Another great way to spice up a look, plus it’s a fantastic photo prop and can cover up a bad hair day. Click here to see my current favorites (updated weekly).
For a full list of Italy packing recommendations, click here for what to pack for Italy!
Where to stay in Cinque Terre
Vernazza is the best place to stay in Cinque Terre. It was my favorite of the five towns, is the best village in Cinque Terre, is mid-sized (smaller than Monterosso but busier and more lively than the other three), and is somewhat centrally located (second from the north).
Regardless of which village you decide to stay in, I recommend that you stay in an Airbnb! They are incredibly inexpensive and Airbnb is the best site for b&b rentals which is what the majority of accommodation options are in Cinque Terre. I’ve rounded up the best Airbnb options in each village in a separate dedicated post. Click here for the best Airbnbs in Cinque Terre!
PS. there’s a $40 off coupon there too.
Cinque Terre Hiking Trails
Again, Cinque Terre is famous for its hiking trails which is likely one of the reasons you have decided to visit. Each of the five villages is connected by a Cinque Terre trail which differ in length and difficulty. Before you hike Cinque Terre National Park you will need to purchase a Cinque Terre hiking pass, the Cinque Terre Card, available for purchase at each train station. There are regular check points along the trails so do not go without this!
Durations will vary depending on fitness level but here is how long each trail took us:
Monterosso - Vernazza: 1.5 hours
Vernazza - Corniglia: 1.5 hours
Corniglia - Manarola: 1 hour
Manarola - Riomaggiore (“Lover’s lane”): 30 minutes. The easiest Cinque Terre walk
If needed, you could hike all of the trails in one day, but if you have the time I would recommend splitting them up so that you have time to explore the towns between trails.
Where to Eat in Cinque Terre
The food in Cinque Terre is often said to be some of the best in Italy! Do not miss the pesto, focaccia, minestrone, and whatever lemony things you can get your hands on during your Cinque Terre visit.
Gelateria Vernazza for gelato. The best gelato I think I’ve ever had! Try the mint and the dark chocolate
Al Castello for dinner is a MUST. It was to die for. It's located inside the castle in Vernazza and at sunset there is no better place to be. Plus the staff is the sweetest and the food was great. Make reservations
Il Pirata delle Cinque Terre for breakfast if you need something quick. They are a bit crazy though just to warn you
Tutti Fritti for take-away deep fried calamari or other seafood
Things to do in Cinque Terre:
If you plan on spending 3 days in Cinque Terre, great! I found it to be the perfect amount of time. Anything less would have felt way too rushed, and anything more would’ve likely felt like too much. Here’s what I did (and what you should, too!):
DAY ONE
Arrive in Vernazza
Check into MaDa Charm Apartment Jacuzzi. Click here to see the latest prices.
Explore Vernazza for the day - walk up to the top of the castle for a beautiful photo opp, swim in the water, lay on the beach, drink wine in the piazza for happy hour
Eat dinner at Al Castello and make absolute sure you are there for sunset
Get some rest because tomorrow you will be hiking :)
DAY TWO
Wake up early to beat the rush and get the most out of your day
Grab breakfast at Il Pirata delle Cinque Terre which is near the trail head
Hike to Corniglia (1.5 hours)
Stop in Corniglia for fresh lemonade and walk around town quickly. Don’t plan for much time in Corniglia
Hike to Manarola (1 hour)
Explore Manarola - swim in the beautiful harbor, lay in the sun to rest for a bit, take a million photos
Eat pesto for lunch
Hike to Riomaggiore (30 minutes)
Explore Riomaggiore - same as above :)
Take the ferry back to Vernazza from Riomaggiore by way of Manarola. Do this instead of hiking back because then you get to see the beautiful towns from the sea (new photo opps!)
Get gelato at Gelateria Vernazza to reward yourself upon arrival back ;)
Grab dinner somewhere in Vernazza
DAY THREE
Again, wake up early to beat the rush and get the most out of your day
Hike to Monterosso (1.5 hours)
Stop at the top of the hill in Vernazza to get that famous Vernazza shot!
When you arrive in Monterosso, don’t stop at the first beach (old town). Keep walking until you get to the second beach (Fegina) which is on the other side of the bend
Relax in Monterosso - pay for a beach chair (plus umbrella, if needed) and enjoy your day in the sun!
Hike back or take the train
Other Things to do in Cinque Terre:
- Go on a sunset Cinque Terre boat cruise. Click here to see the latest prices.
- Go on a Cinque Terre boat cruise during the day! Click here to see the latest prices.
- See the Cinque Terre villages by kayak! Click here to see the latest prices.
Some more unique and highly rated Cinque Terre experiences:
For a hike followed by wine tasting (this is my kind of tour!), click here
For a sunset sailing tour with Prosecco and snacks, click here
For a fun kayaking tour, click here
To learn to make pesto in the birth place of pesto (how could you miss this?!), click here
To see Cinque Terre via e-bike, click here
LIKE THIS POST? PLEASE SAVE IT ON PINTEREST!
