Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is one of the most popular summer destinations in Italy. This Ligurian town is known for its bright, beautiful pastel colored buildings, hiking trails over rugged coastlines, fresh seafood, delicious focaccia and decadent pesto. It's a must visit, so save this guide to discover where to go and what to see in Cinque Terre.
20 Places • ago
Free

Cinque Terre is made up of 5 villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. You can reach each village by train, boat, or foot. Hiking from one village to the next takes about 1.5-2 hours, but the trails can be very uphill.

What to know before going?

Be sure to wear closed toe shoes you can walk in for the hikes. They are on dirt terrain with lots of rocks and steep hills. I've seen women wearing heels STRUGGLING so badly so don't make this mistake! Pack a big bottle of water and a hat, as it can get HOT!

Riomaggiore

drink
drink
Bar e Vini a Pié de Ma
Stop for a coffee or drink or charcuterie with this incredible view!!
Details
eat
eat
Fuori Rotta
Details

Manarola

Personally one of my favorite towns, for a quick swim or especially for cliff jumping. 

If you're looking for a special activity with a great view, skip the line at Nessun Dorma, and take their pesto making class. 

eat
eat
Nessun Dorma
Skip the line to drink/eat at this beautiful place by taking their pesto making class. It comes with a nice tagliere board at the end to enjoy!
Details
eat
eat
Trattoria dal Billy
Details

Corniglia

eat
eat
Il Buongustaio Cucina Casalinga
If you stop in Corniglia, enjoy a meal here and take a seat downstairs for the most incredible views.
Details
drink
drink
A Cantina da Mananan
Details

Vernazza

do
do
Vernazza
Details
do
do
Ruins of Doria Tower
This hilltop castle takes a bit of hiking up to, but trust me when I say, the views are worth it. It dates back to around 1,000 CE, and is reached by STEEP stairs.
Details
do
do
Church of St. Margaret of Antioch
Details
do
do
Cimitero di Vernazza
Details
drink
drink
Deck
Perfect for cocktails and the best views!
Details

Hike from Vernazza to Monterosso

My favorite place if you want to spend the day, laying on the sand, and getting the "beachy vibe" experience is in Monterosso. I recommend hiking there from Vernazza, then enjoying a nice drink, some fried fish, and relaxing on the beach! It's about a 1.5 hour hike but submerged in the nature with gorgeous views.

Monterosso

The "New" Monterosso is also referred to as Fegina. The more modern section extends along the coastline from the San Cristoforo promontory all the way to Punta Mesco. This is where you will find the best sandy beach in Cinque Terre and the train station. 

There is a small section of free beach here, but get there early because it fills up fast in the summer. 

do
do
Monterosso public beach (Fegina)
Details
eat
eat
Il Massimo della Focaccia
Liguria is famous for their focaccia so you must try their delicious oily, slices of heaven! Highly recommend one with pesto!
Details
eat
eat
Fornaio Di Monterosso
Liguria is known for its oily delicious focaccia, so come here for some of the best!
Details
drink
drink
Bar Colpi di Timone Monterosso
This bar is a great spot for some refreshing drinks made with real fruit.
Details
eat
eat
La Bottega del Fritto
Details
eat
eat
La Cantina Di Miky
Details
eat
eat
Torre Aurora
Slightly pricier drinks but the views are incredible.
Details

Monterosso's Old Town

You can walk from one end of Fagina to the end of Monterosso's old town in 15 minutes through a tunnel. 

This part of Monterosso is dominated by the ancient walls of the fortress - the Aurora Tower - and what's left of the Fieschi Castle, as well as the the Church of St John the Baptist and the Capuchin Monastery, both of which are visible from both the old and the new sections. 

do
do
Parrocchia di S. Giovanni Battista
The church of San Giovanni Battista was built between 1244 and 1307. It was remodeled in the Baroque period and them again between 1963 and 1964. It is an example of Genoese Ligurian Gothic architecture. There is an 18th century fresco depicting the Baptism of Christ inside that is worth visiting.
Details
do
do
Convent of the Capuchin Friars
This convent beryls over the San Cristoforo Hill, and is visible from all of Cinque Terre. It is popular to visit due to the high artistic and historical value of what is inside, a 17th-century capuchin church with a wooden altar and choir, art masterpieces (including “Crocefissione” attributed to Van Dyck, Luca Cambiaso’s “San Girolamo penitente”), and its vaulted refectory with “La Veronica” by Strozzi. These pair perfectly with the unparalleled view of Cinque Terre.
Details

You can also find many winding streets with boutiques and restaurants. There is also a small pebble beach (Spiaggia Tragagia) within the harbor which has a lido (private beach where you pay for the beach chairs) as well as a free beach area.

Stay in Volastra 

If you're looking for a more budget-friendly housing alternative, I found the most adorable time in Volastra, located just above Manarola. Hike down from Volastra to Manarola (right before sunset is the most gorgeous time!)

Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is one of the most popular summer destinations in Italy. This Ligurian town is known for its bright, beautiful pastel colored buildings, hiking trails over rugged coastlines, fresh seafood, delicious focaccia and decadent pesto. It's a must visit, so save this guide to discover where to go and what to see in Cinque Terre.
20 Places • ago
Free

Cinque Terre is made up of 5 villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. You can reach each village by train, boat, or foot. Hiking from one village to the next takes about 1.5-2 hours, but the trails can be very uphill.

What to know before going?

Be sure to wear closed toe shoes you can walk in for the hikes. They are on dirt terrain with lots of rocks and steep hills. I've seen women wearing heels STRUGGLING so badly so don't make this mistake! Pack a big bottle of water and a hat, as it can get HOT!

Riomaggiore

drink
drink
Bar e Vini a Pié de Ma
Stop for a coffee or drink or charcuterie with this incredible view!!
Details
eat
eat
Fuori Rotta
Details

Manarola

Personally one of my favorite towns, for a quick swim or especially for cliff jumping. 

If you're looking for a special activity with a great view, skip the line at Nessun Dorma, and take their pesto making class. 

eat
eat
Nessun Dorma
Skip the line to drink/eat at this beautiful place by taking their pesto making class. It comes with a nice tagliere board at the end to enjoy!
Details
eat
eat
Trattoria dal Billy
Details

Corniglia

eat
eat
Il Buongustaio Cucina Casalinga
If you stop in Corniglia, enjoy a meal here and take a seat downstairs for the most incredible views.
Details
drink
drink
A Cantina da Mananan
Details

Vernazza

do
do
Vernazza
Details
do
do
Ruins of Doria Tower
This hilltop castle takes a bit of hiking up to, but trust me when I say, the views are worth it. It dates back to around 1,000 CE, and is reached by STEEP stairs.
Details
do
do
Church of St. Margaret of Antioch
Details
do
do
Cimitero di Vernazza
Details
drink
drink
Deck
Perfect for cocktails and the best views!
Details

Hike from Vernazza to Monterosso

My favorite place if you want to spend the day, laying on the sand, and getting the "beachy vibe" experience is in Monterosso. I recommend hiking there from Vernazza, then enjoying a nice drink, some fried fish, and relaxing on the beach! It's about a 1.5 hour hike but submerged in the nature with gorgeous views.

Monterosso

The "New" Monterosso is also referred to as Fegina. The more modern section extends along the coastline from the San Cristoforo promontory all the way to Punta Mesco. This is where you will find the best sandy beach in Cinque Terre and the train station. 

There is a small section of free beach here, but get there early because it fills up fast in the summer. 

do
do
Monterosso public beach (Fegina)
Details
eat
eat
Il Massimo della Focaccia
Liguria is famous for their focaccia so you must try their delicious oily, slices of heaven! Highly recommend one with pesto!
Details
eat
eat
Fornaio Di Monterosso
Liguria is known for its oily delicious focaccia, so come here for some of the best!
Details
drink
drink
Bar Colpi di Timone Monterosso
This bar is a great spot for some refreshing drinks made with real fruit.
Details
eat
eat
La Bottega del Fritto
Details
eat
eat
La Cantina Di Miky
Details
eat
eat
Torre Aurora
Slightly pricier drinks but the views are incredible.
Details

Monterosso's Old Town

You can walk from one end of Fagina to the end of Monterosso's old town in 15 minutes through a tunnel. 

This part of Monterosso is dominated by the ancient walls of the fortress - the Aurora Tower - and what's left of the Fieschi Castle, as well as the the Church of St John the Baptist and the Capuchin Monastery, both of which are visible from both the old and the new sections. 

do
do
Parrocchia di S. Giovanni Battista
The church of San Giovanni Battista was built between 1244 and 1307. It was remodeled in the Baroque period and them again between 1963 and 1964. It is an example of Genoese Ligurian Gothic architecture. There is an 18th century fresco depicting the Baptism of Christ inside that is worth visiting.
Details
do
do
Convent of the Capuchin Friars
This convent beryls over the San Cristoforo Hill, and is visible from all of Cinque Terre. It is popular to visit due to the high artistic and historical value of what is inside, a 17th-century capuchin church with a wooden altar and choir, art masterpieces (including “Crocefissione” attributed to Van Dyck, Luca Cambiaso’s “San Girolamo penitente”), and its vaulted refectory with “La Veronica” by Strozzi. These pair perfectly with the unparalleled view of Cinque Terre.
Details

You can also find many winding streets with boutiques and restaurants. There is also a small pebble beach (Spiaggia Tragagia) within the harbor which has a lido (private beach where you pay for the beach chairs) as well as a free beach area.

Stay in Volastra 

If you're looking for a more budget-friendly housing alternative, I found the most adorable time in Volastra, located just above Manarola. Hike down from Volastra to Manarola (right before sunset is the most gorgeous time!)