In the northwest corner of Italy, you’ll find a small but enchanting stretch of the Ligurian coast. The pastel-coloured houses and terraced vineyards appear to defy gravity, clinging to steep hillsides and overlooking a sea of sapphire. Just a whisper of two little words – Cinque Terre (‘Five Lands’) – and you’ll see people become starry-eyed picturing themselves soaking up the warm sunshine while enjoying a glass of chilled prosecco or hiking scenic mountain trails from village to village. Our guide to exploring the five villages of the Cinque Terre is designed to ensure that your experience is effortless, authentic and utterly memorable.
Five villages adorn a dazzling, fifteen-kilometre stretch of coastline, which are contained within the Cinque Terre National Park. From north to south, they are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Each village has its own distinct personality, and it’s possible to visit all of them in a single day. However, our recommendation is to spend at least a couple of days here if you want to truly immerse yourself in the region’s unique culture and show-stopping scenery.
It’s a three-hour train journey from Milan, Pisa or Florence to reach the Cinque Terre, or you can travel by coach from the nearest major port of Genoa. There’s a local train service that operates year-round and makes it easy to visit all five villages. From March to November, a hop-on, hop-off pass provides easy access to trains that run every twenty minutes. During the winter months, trains run less frequently (departing once or twice an hour), but the trade-off is that you’ll be sharing this spectacular destination with far fewer tourists.
The villages are also connected by a network of hiking trails, including the famed Sentiero Verde Azzurro (“Blue Trail”). Please note that, due to the steep, rocky terrain, it’s essential to check that your intended route is open before setting off on your adventure. Regardless of the time of year, we recommend setting off early to allow as much time as possible to enjoy the journey, especially if you’re planning to hike during the peak summer months when soaring temperatures can provide an extra layer of difficulty.
To experience the Cinque Terre from a fresh perspective, we recommend joining a guided boat tour that calls at four of the five villages (Corniglia has no direct boat access).
The largest of the five Cinque Terre Villages, Monterosso is also renowned for its beautiful sandy beach: the ideal spot for a refreshing dip in the tranquil waters of the Med. There are some small sections of the beach where you can simply roll out your towel and enjoy the views, or for around 45 euros, you could set yourself up for the day with a pair of front-row sun loungers and a candy-striped umbrella at one of the beach’s famous lidos (beach clubs).
The village itself is divided into Old Monterosso and New Monterosso, with a tunnel through the rocky headland providing easy walking access between the two parts. The old town is renowned for its historic stone buildings, such as Fieschi Castle and the Capuchin Monastery. Pro tip: book yourself a table at the stunning Torre Aurora to enjoy a sundowner with some of the best sunsets on the entire coast.
It takes around five minutes by train or less than ninety minutes on foot to reach tiny Vernazza, where you’ll find a photogenic landscape of pastel-coloured buildings and picturesque harbour. The village itself was founded more than one thousand years ago, and its medieval castle has stood watch over inhabitants since the sixteenth century.
These days, marauding pirates have been replaced by happy tourists, who flock to village’s pretty piazza in search of a seafood lunch and a chilled glass of locally produced wine. The surrounding hillsides are lined with steeply-sloping olive groves, which are said to produce some of the world’s finest olive oils. Pro tip: pick up a bottle for your picnic basket while browsing the stalls at the Tuesday morning farmer’s market.
After another scenic, five-minute train journey, you’ll emerge from yet another tunnel to find yourself in Corniglia, which is the smallest of the Cinque Terre’s five villages and the only one that is built on the hillside away from the water. Access from the railway station is via a zigzagging footpath of 382 steps, or you can save your legs by catching a local shuttle to the village’s picturesque heart.
Its size and limited accessibility ensure that Corniglia is often quieter compared with its neighbours, especially if you choose to spend a night or two in one of the villages’ boutique hotels. Pro tip: it takes about ten minutes to follow yet another steep path to our favourite swimming spot, but be sure to allow a little longer for the return journey if you’ve been skipping leg days at the gym!
Each of the five villages claims to offer the ‘best sunsets on the Cinque Terre,’ and Manarola’s west-facing position makes it a strong contender for the title. Its charming harbour is protected by a rocky breakwater that provides the ideal vantage point – with the sparkling sea before you and a paintbox of pastel-coloured houses at your back, it’s a fabulous spot to enjoy the views at any time of day.
As of July 2025, the section of the Blue Trail that hugs the coastline between Manarola and Corniglia, is closed due to landslides. However, you can still walk between the two villages by taking an alternate trail via the hilltop village of Volastra. It’s a more challenging route than the classic Blue Trail route, but you’ll be rewarded with an endless array of breathtaking panoramic views. Pro tip: treat yourself to a feast of fresh seafood at one of the village’s waterfront trattorias.
A final, five-minute journey by rail through yet another impressive tunnel and you’ll find yourself in the largest of the Cinque Terre’s five villages. You can admire the views of colourful fishing boats bobbing in the tiny harbour, or follow the cobbled steps that lead up the hillside away from the water to a collection of restaurants, bars, gelato stalls and restaurants.
The section of the Blue Trail that connects Riomaggiore with Manarola is known as the Via dell’Amore (Lover’s Trail). This UNESCO World Heritage-listed coastal path is considered the most romantic walk in the world, and as a result, it’s a real crowd favourite. Access is restricted to walking Riomaggiore to Manarola, so if you’re staying in Manarola the night before, you’ll need to catch the train to Riomaggiore to start your hike. You’ll also need to purchase a Cinque Terre Card and pre-book a specific time slot.
Other useful tips for visiting the Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is pronounced “CHeen-kweh TEH-rreh.” The ch sound is like cheese, the qu is pronounced kw, and the e in Terre is an eh sound. If you want to go all out, the rs in Terre should be trilled.
Regardless of whether you’re planning to explore the Cinque Terre by train, on foot, or a combination of both, a pass is the best way (and at peak times, the only way) to experience its scenery, culture and cuisine. With more than 2.5 million annual visitors to the region each year, we recommend asking your personal travel manager to book your card well in advance.
Sturdy, comfortable footwear is important, whether you’re planning to hike any sections of the Blue Trail or you just want to protect your ankles on the cobblestoned streets. On some sections of the trail, you can even be fined for wearing unsuitable shoes. Come prepared for the conditions, even if you’re exploring by train. A sunhat and refillable water bottle are necessary, especially if you’re visiting during the summer months.
Although it’s possible to explore the Cinque Terre in a single day, your experience will be endlessly enhanced if you plan to stay overnight in one of the five villages. Day trippers often miss the most spectacular times of day, plus you’ll get a head start with early, uncrowded access to the best viewpoints.
If you’re the sort of traveller who loves to understand a destination through its cuisine, you’re really going to love exploring the Cinque Terre. From freshly caught anchovies, layered with potatoes, tomatoes and local olive oil (Tegame alla vernazzana), to a steaming bowl of trenette pasta served with basil and pecorino pesto, the flavours of the Cinque Terre are unique, distinctive and utterly delicious. If you’re a wine lover, be sure to try the best-known local tipple: a sweet, dessert wine known as Sciacchetrà… but be warned, it’s often much higher in alcohol than your typical Aussie white wine. It’s best enjoyed with a serving of torta della nonna (grandmother’s cake), which you tear into chunks and dunk into your glass.
Whether you’re hiking through terraced vineyards and olive groves, or savouring freshly made gelato as you watch the sunset, the Cinque Terre is a special slice of Italian Riviera paradise. For more expert advice and insider tips, or if you’re ready to start planning your holiday, talk to your Personal Travel Manager today.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
