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
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.
Corniglia
Vernazza
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.
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.
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 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
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.
Corniglia
Vernazza
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.
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.
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!)