Cinque Terre Travel Guide – What to See and Do in 1, 2 or 3 Days

Once a hidden and little-known cluster of five unassuming fishing villages in northwest Italy – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – Cinque Terre has transformed into one of the country’s most iconic and sought-after destinations, drawing an astonishing 4 million visitors each year! Yet, despite the overwhelming crowds in these tiny coastal towns, as soon as you step away from the narrow streets and start exploring the scenic coastal trails, you’ll find yourself enjoying a far more peaceful and immersive experience.

Yes, this might be one of Italy’s most affected areas by the excesses of overtourism, but all it takes is a quick glance over the pastel-colored houses lying gently by the waters of the Gulf of La Spezia to understand why Cinque Terre became so popular in the first place. It’s not about hopping around between monuments, churches or archaeological ruins, but rather hiking picturesque trails, soaking in breathtaking views and treating yourself to a well-earned gelato at the end of the day. A special place.

That being said, we invite you to have a look at our Cinque Terre travel guide and discover the best the region has to offer, including hotels, restaurants, tips to avoid tourist scams and even a detailed list with everything you must see and do in Cinque Terre in 1, 2 or 3 days.

Cinque Terre Travel Guide

How to get to Cinque Terre – Flights from Ireland

Despite the region’s popularity, there’s not an international airport serving the city of La Spezia (the gateway to Cinque Terre) directly.   Therefore, the best way to visit the region is to fly into one of the nearest air hubs, such as Pisa, Bologna or even Milan, and then make your way to Cinque Terre by train (more info down below, on the subsection about transportation to/from the airports).

As such, if you’re traveling from Ireland, you can fly into Pisa from Dublin (Ryanair and Aer Lingus) and Cork (Ryanair); or into Bologna from Dublin (with Ryanair).

How many days do I need to visit Cinque Terre?

Actually, it all depends on how many trails and villages you want to visit, though a lot of visitors choose to just gloss over the whole region on a day trip from somewhere else. That’s a perfectly valid option if you’re running on a tight schedule and will allow you to get a taste of Cinque Terre in just one day, but it’s far from the most pleasant or complete experience one can have.

Not only will you have to deal with the insane crowds and hordes of other tourists doing the exact same thing, but the whole visit will feel rather rushed. That being said, we recommend spending at least one night in one of the Cinque Terre, as the number of day-trippers will dwindle as the sun sets, making for a much better and quieter atmosphere. All in all, we suggest spending a total of 2 or 3 days in Cinque Terre.

Cinque Terre travel guide – Best time to visit the city

Not a lot of wiggle room to be creative here! Considering the city is located in Southern Europe, Spring, Summer and Fall are definitely the most sought-after months when it comes to booking a trip to Cinque Terre, with the period between April and October standing out as the most researched. However, keep in mind Summer months can at times feel scorching hot in the region, and accommodation prices will be through the roof! Plus, the crowds will be humongous!

That said, you may choose to visit during shoulder-season, when temperatures tend to be more pleasant, the streets less crowded and the prices less heavy on the wallet. On the other hand, for a budget-friendlier experience, Winter isn’t a bad time to visit Cinque Terre either. After all, temperatures will most likely be warmer than what you’re used to back home. Conversely, the chances of catching a little rain are obviously higher in the winter, meaning your hiking activities may be impacted. Either way, it’s your call!

Documents needed for your trip to Cinque Terre

Since Italy is part of the EU, Irish citizens only need to show a valid ID Card in order to be granted access to the country.

Cinque Terre travel guide – Withdrawals, banking fees and travel budget

Since Italy is part of the Eurozone, just like Ireland, there is no currency exchange, with both nations using the Euro. As such, travelers are able to use the same credit/debit card that they utilize back at home without incurring in any fees. However, keep in mind some local banks or networks (such as the infamous Euronet ATM’s) may charge you a flat fee per withdrawal upon detecting that you’re using a foreign card.

Nevertheless, and so that you can get a tighter grip on your travel budget and things don’t slide out of control, we always recommend using Revolut. Although in Italy you won’t be able to take advantage of the card’s most redeeming quality – to allow you to withdraw foreign currency without any exchange fees – this is still a pretty useful tool.

By using the bank’s online app, you will have immediate access to your balance, as well as all your expenses, allowing you to check in real time whether you’ve been charged any fees for your withdrawals or not. Besides, you may just load your card with the exact daily amount you want to spend on your trip, helping you to avoid overspending and going over your budget. Plus, if you find yourself in a situation where your card got lost or stolen, the only money you stand to lose is amount you had loaded your card with.

Cinque Terre travel guide – Common scams and frauds

Overall, Italy is an extremely safe travel destination – and Cinque Terre is certainly no exception!

Embora não se trate de uma burla ou esquema, existem também vários relatos online de tolerância 0 por parte de maquinistas e inspectores para com turistas com bilhetes de comboio errados.

While crime rates are pretty much non-existing, it’s important to always use common sense and keep your wits about you. That means no taxis whose drivers refuse to start the meter (in La Spezia), no accepting help from strangers when you’re using an ATM and always keeping an eye out for your stuff when you’re walking through busy. To sum up: don’t do anything you wouldn’t feel comfortable doing anywhere else! Plus, we recommend being especially cautious when ordering in restaurants located in touristy areas. Always make sure to check the price on the menu before ordering, otherwise, you might get an unpleasant surprise when the bill arrives!

Furthermore, and though it can’t really be qualified as a travel scam per se, there are multiple online reports of the zero-tolerance policy by ticket inspectors towards tourists who buy wrong train tickets or forget to validate them before boarding. However, the greatest risk for those visiting Cinque Terre is directly related to the trails and hikes. Due to the heavy tourist pressure on the infrastructure and the irresponsible behavior of some visitors, there are reports of falls and accidents on the trails every year. While most incidents are minor slips and injuries, more serious cases do occur. Always be mindful of trail conditions, wear appropriate footwear for the terrain and avoid getting too close to edges and unfenced areas. That perfect selfie might end up costing you.

Where to sleep in Cinque Terre – Hotels and Accommodation

If you’re looking out for a place to stay on our Cinque Terre travel guide then we got you covered!

Similarly to many other Italian towns highly reliant on tourism to survive, accommodation prices in Cinque Terre are usually quite high. However, you can save a bit of money by staying in one of the nearby towns with direct train access – such as La Spezia or Levanto – where hotel rates are usually lighter on the wallet.

That being said, here are a few hotel options which have passed our value-for-money test:

Hotels in La Spezia

• Hostel – Grand Hostel Manin
• € – Agriturismo La Pietra 1 e La Pietra 2
• €€ – Nautilus Hotel
• €€€ – The Poet Hotel

Hotels in Levanto

• Hostel – Ospitalia del Mare Hostel
• € – Affittacamere Rosa Dei Venti
• €€ – Hotel Garden
• €€€ – Hotel Al Terra Di Mare
• €€€€ – Park Hotel Argento

Hotels in Cinque Terre

• € – Santuario NS Soviore Cinque Terre (Monterosso)
• €€ – Hotel Due Gemelli (Riomaggiore)
• €€€ – Hotel Gianni Franzi (Vernazza)
• €€€€ – Locanda Ca Da Iride (Riomaggiore)

Cinque Terre Travel Guide – Transportation between the airports and Cinque Terre

From Pisa International Airport to Cinque Terre

Considered the biggest and busiest airport in Tuscany, and as previously mentioned, many tourists actually choose to fly into Pisa in order to visit Florence. If that’s also your case, rest assured there are plenty of ways to cover the 80 km separating both cities (and you won’t have to spend a lot to do so). That said, the best way to travel between Pisa Airport and Florence is to hop on a train from Trenitalia. Surprisingly, this airport is located less than 2 km away from the Pisa Central Station, meaning you can actually walk that short distance before catching the train.

Alternatively, you can just get on the PisaMover, a high-speed railway line that will drop you off at the station in just 5 minutes. Tickets for the PisaMover cost €6,50 one-way and can be purchased online. Either way, you can board the train to La Spezia upon arriving at the station, as this is considered the main gateway into Cinque Terre. If you buy your tickets from the automatic machines, you can go ahead and type in your final destination – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola or Riomaggiore – as the transfer in La Spezia will be covered. Naturally, prices, service frequencies and length of journey will depend on your final stop, though you can expect a new train every 30/40 minutes and the whole trip to take between 1h30 to 2h00. Prices can range from €10,00 to €20,00. If you don’t want to purchase your ticket on arrival, you can try buying tickets online.

From Bologna International Airport to Cinque Terre

On the other hand, although considerably farther, an increasingly popular option is to land in Bologna and visit Cinque Terre from there, as the two regions are about 250 km apart. However, in this case, there are no direct transport links from Bologna Airport, meaning you will always need to travel to the local train station first. To do so, you can take the Marconi Express, a dedicated line operating daily from 05h40 to midnight, with up to 8 departures per hour. The journey to the central station takes just over 7 minutes, and tickets cost €12,80. While you can buy tickets online or from the automatic machines, you may also simply tap your bank card and the fare will be automatically charged at the end of the trip.

Once you make it to Bologna Centrale, you can take a Trenitalia train to Cinque Terre. Much like Pisa, there are no direct trains, meaning you’ll have to transfer at least twice along the way – usually in Parma and La Spezia. The total journey takes about 4 hours and there’s usually one train departure per hour (on average). Tickets cost around €20,00 and you can buy them in person at the station or online.

From Milan Airports (Malpensa and Bergamo) to Cinque Terre

Finally, if you’re truly out of options, you can always fly to Milan and make the long journey to Cinque Terre, as it’s often much easier to find cheap daily flights to Malpensa or Bergamo compared to Bologna or Pisa. Fortunately, you won’t need to get to the city center independently, as train routes to Cinque Terre already include a transfer in Milano Centrale.

If you’re flying into Malpensa, just hop on a train from Trenitalia to any of your preferred stops in Cinque Terre. There are at least two connections per hour between 06h00 and 17h30, with the service requiring two transfers (Milano Centrale and Levanto) along the way. These journeys take almost 5 hours and tickets range from €30,00 to €40,00. For Bergamo Airport, however, the journey requires a bit more effort. First, you’ll need to take a bus from the arrivals’ terminal (departing every 20 minutes between 05h00 and midnight) to the city center of Bergamo. This ride lasts 15-20 minutes and costs €2,60. Tickets are purchased directly from the driver. Once you make it to the local railway station, then you can take a train to Cinque Terre, transferring at Milano Centrale and Sestri Levante. Trains depart from Bergamo once an hour from 05h00 to 18h00, and the journey takes around 4h30. As for tickets, these usually cost between €30,00 and €35,00.

Cinque Terre Travel Guide – Public transportation

Considering how popular the Cinque Terre are, it comes as no surprise that local authorities are particularly interested in running an efficient public transportation network along the region. Once completely isolated from the outside world, the hiking paths used to be the only way to get around the Cinque Terre. In fact, you can still walk along Sentiero Azzurro and cover the entire distance between all 5 villages (about 12/13 km).

However, the train is definitely the best way to get around for the average traveler, as each village boasts its very own train station served by a dedicated line that connects the Cinque Terre to the neighboring towns of La Spezia and Levanto. Therefore, it’s definitely worth getting a quick overview of how to navigate the local train network.

Cinque Terre Express – Train travel along the Cinque Terre

Inaugurated in 1874, the Cinque Terre Express train line allows users to travel across the entire region, connecting all the five villages to the neighboring cities of La Spezia and Levanto. This line is part of the Trenitalia network, meaning you can use their website to buy tickets and check schedules. Although short and straight forward, the system is also integrated with Google Maps, allowing you to know in real time what train to take and when.

The trains operate daily from 04h30 to 01h00, with waiting times ranging from 30 to 60 minutes in the Winter, and hovering at around 20 minutes throughout the rest of the year (March to November). Journeys are usually pretty short, with the route from La Spezia to Monterosso – the furthest of the Cinque Terre – taking less than 25 minutes.

Regarding tickets, prices vary depending on the time of year. Taking advantage of the region’s strong seasonal demand, Trenitalia uses a semi-dynamic pricing system, charging different fares depending on when you visit. Currently, travel days fall into one of the following categories:

• Day A (Green): €5,00 per journey
• Day B (Yellow): €5,00 per journey
• Day C (Red): €10,00 per journey

You can check the official calendar to see which days fall into each category. You’ll also notice the file only includes the period between March and November. That’s because this pricing system does not apply to low season, when fares are based on distance traveled. For example, if we take the route from La Spezia to Monterosso (the longest) as an example, a ticket would cost €3,40 during low season. Aside from the aforementioned Trenitalia website, tickets can be purchased directly at train stations. Also, if you buy a paper ticket, keep in mind you must validate it before boarding, as there are multiple reports of tourists being fined for failing to do so. However, if you buy an online ticket, validation is not required.

Cinque Terre Card – Travel card for public transportation and hiking

Similar to many other European destinations, Cinque Terre also has its own version of the popular tourist passes/cards. However, since there are no major monuments, churches or paid attractions, the tourist cards here are mostly geared towards the region’s famous hiking trails. With that in mind, local authorities introduced the Cinque Terre Trekking Card, which grants access to two paid trails (Monterosso to Vernazza and Vernazza to Corniglia), free use of restrooms at local train stations and unlimited bus travel within the Cinque Terre National Park. Additionally, if you plan to make frequent use of the local train network, you may choose to get a Cinque Terre Treno MS Card instead, as it includes all the benefits of the Trekking Card, plus unlimited train travel on the Cinque Terre Express during the selected period. You may check the prices for each version below:

• Cinque Terre Trekking Card; 1 day; Low Season, Days A and Days B: €7,50
• Cinque Terre Trekking Card; 1 day; Days C (Red): €15,00
• Cinque Terre Trekking Card; 2 days; Low Season, Days A and Days B: €14,50
• Cinque Terre Trekking Card; 2 days; Days C (Red): €29,00
• Cinque Terre Trekking Card; 3 days; Low Season, Days A and Days B: €21,00
• Cinque Terre Trekking Card; 3 days; Days C (Red): €42,00
• Cinque Terre Treno MS Card; 1 day; Low Season (November to March): €14,50
• Cinque Terre Treno MS Card; 1 day; Days A (Green): €19,50
• Cinque Terre Treno MS Card; 1 day; Days B (Yellow): €27,00
• Cinque Terre Treno MS Card; 1 day; Days C (Red): €32,50
• Cinque Terre Treno MS Card; 2 days; Low Season (November to March): €26,50
• Cinque Terre Treno MS Card; 2 days; Days A (Green): €34,00
• Cinque Terre Treno MS Card; 2 days; Days B (Yellow): €48,50
• Cinque Terre Treno MS Card; 2 days; Days C (Red): €59,00
• Cinque Terre Treno MS Card; 3 days; Days A (Green): €46,50
• Cinque Terre Treno MS Card; 3 days; Days B (Yellow): €65,50
• Cinque Terre Treno MS Card; 3 days; Days C (Red): €78,00

You can buy any of these passes at local train stations in Cinque Terre, Levanto and La Spezia, or online through Trenitalia or through the national park’s official website. You don’t need to validate your travel pass, even if you get the physical paper version.

NOTE: During the low season (November to March), walking trails are free and train tickets are cheaper than usual. If you’re visiting during this period, there is no need to get any of these travel cards.

Where to eat in Cinque Terre

Best restaurants in Monterosso al Mare

• Gastronomia San Martino (Italian traditional)
• Emy’s Way Ristorantino Frizzeria (Italian traditional)
• Il Frantoio (pizza and focaccia)
• Il Massimo della Focaccia (focaccia)
• La Cantina del Pescatore (cheese, prosciutto and bruschetta)
• Pasticceria Laura (sweets and desserts)

Best restaurants in Vernazza

• Il Pirata delle 5 Terre (Italian traditional)
• Pirasca ittiturismo (Italian traditional)
• Il Gattaccio – Acciugheria & Street Food (Italian traditional)
• Lunch Box (paninis and salads)
• Organic Poke (poke bowls)
• Gelateria Vernazza (gelato)

Best restaurants in Corniglia

• Il Buongustaio Cucina Casalinga (Italian traditional)
• Trattoria la Lanterna (Italian traditional)
• Caffè Matteo (Italian traditional)
• Km0 (cheese, prosciutto and bruschetta)
• Bar Pan e Vin (sandwiches)
• Alberto Gelateria (gelato)

Best restaurants in Manarola

• La Cantina Zio Bramante (Italian traditional)
• Take-away Pasta (pasta)
• Cappun Magru (fish paninis)
• Bar corbani (sandwiches and salads)
• Gelateria 5Terre (gelato)

Best restaurants in Riomaggiore

• Osteria La Torpedine (Italian traditional)
• Trattoria Via dell’Amore (Italian traditional)
• Kepris Pizzeria (pizza)
• Focacceria Il Triangolo Riomaggiore (focaccia)
• Il Pescato Cucinato (fried fish)
• Bakery Rosi Roberta Di Baudinelli (bakery)

Best restaurants in La Spezia

• Giardino Dei Glicini (Italian traditional)
• All’Inferno dal 1905 (Italian traditional)
• Trenta Denari (Italian traditional)
• Pizzeria Capolinea (pizza)
• Origami House (vegan)
• Lo Scrigno di Giada (gelato)

Cinque Terre Travel Guide – Travel itineraries for 1, 2 and 3 days

As mentioned above, it’s still perfectly possible to enjoy the very best of Cinque Terre on shorter itineraries. However, on a more personal note, we definitely recommend spending at least one night in the region, which will allow you to experience a different side to the Cinque Terre not all visitors have the chance to witness. Once the sun sets and all the day trippers go away, the often rowdy and busy charming little towns turn into a much quainter and calmer setting.

Be that as it may, we understand not everyone may have the availability to spend a longer period in Cinque Terre. Therefore, we figured it could be useful to feature a specific itinerary for those visiting the region on a day trip as well. In fact, that’s the whole point of this travel guide – to show what is there to see and do in Cinque Terre for people visiting on different timeframes.

Without further ado, here’s what to see and do in Cinque Terre in 1, 2 and 3 days:

How to spend 3 days in Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre Travel Guide – Day 1: Via dell’Amore from Rio Maggiore to Manarola

Starting off with our longest itinerary, you’ll be able to enjoy a calmer experience with a full 72 hours to visit Cinque Terre, allowing you to explore the main highlights of each of the five villages and walk along the region’s most popular trails and viewpoints. Should we get going? Assuming that you’ll kick things off in La Spezia (like most visitors), we recommend taking the Cinque Terre Express to Riomaggiore, the most touristy of all the villages. Even so, this is still an extraordinarily beautiful place, and a great first contact with Cinque Terre’s traditional architecture and quintessential landmarks, like the Castle of Riomaggiore and the Church of San Giovanni Battista. Additionally, you can also take a swim at Riomaggiore Beach. Take the lunch break to recharge batteries, as up next you’ll be taking on the most beautiful hike in the entire Cinque Terre. Although it is officially part of the Sentiero Azzurro, the full trail that passes through all of Cinque Terre, the section between Riomaggiore and Manarola is so iconic that it got its own name: the Via dell’Amore! After being closed to the public for 12 long years, this trail reopened less than two years ago and immediately became one of the top things to do in Cinque Terre.

In fact, this relatively short trail (1 km) is so popular that – at least during peak season – you need to pre-book your spot for a specific time slot and you are only allowed to stay on the trail for a max period of 30 minutes! Also, keep in mind that this is a one-way trail (Riomaggiore-Manarola), so you cannot walk it in the opposite direction. You should make your reservation on the official Via dell’Amore website, for €12,50. Moreover, unless you’re visiting in the low season, you’ll need to get yourself a Cinque Terre Trekking Card (information on pricing and sales points can be found in the transportation section), otherwise you won’t be allowed in the Via dell’Amore trail. Even if you pre-book your place, you still need to get the card either way. After walking along the scenic path, you’ll eventually reach Manarola, perhaps the only village that can rival Vernazza in beauty and popularity (we’ll get there soon). You can’t miss the iconic photo spot from the Manarola Overlook Viewpoint, where you can see the village’s trademark pastel-colored houses oddly embedded on a rocky cliff. Take time to stroll through the charming village, visit Piazzale Papa Innocenzo IV and explore the Church of San Lorenzo, before checking into your accommodation for the night.

First day wrap-up:

• Riomaggiore
  • Castle of Riomaggiore
  • Church of San Giovanni Battista
  • Riomaggiore Beach
• Via dell’Amore
• Manarola
  • Manarola Overlook Viewpoint
  • Piazzale Papa Innocenzo IV
  • Church of San Lorenzo

Cinque Terre Travel Guide – Day 2: Manarola and Corniglia

After spending the night in Manarola, you’ll start the morning by continuing your path along the aforementioned Sentiero Azzurro. Translated as the Blue Trail, this 12 km route (including the Via dell’Amore) is one of the must-do activities in Cinque Terre and is often hailed as one of the most beautiful hikes in the world. Plus, since you’ll cover the whole distance in 3 days, it doesn’t really require that much of an effort! That said, today’s goal is to reach Vernazza, and you’ll start your hike by completing the section that connects Manarola to Corniglia. Keep in mind that there is a faster route along the coast that ends at Corniglia’s train station. However, this path has been closed for restoration work for some time and is expected to remain so until mid-2026. As an alternative, you should follow the Sentiero Azzurro section that ascends to Volastra before continuing towards Corniglia. In fact, the path between Volastra and Corniglia is one of the most underrated in Cinque Terre. Running at a much higher altitude than the rest of the trail, this stretch takes you through isolated villages and vineyards, with the stunning Ligurian coastline ever-present as a backdrop.

After you finally make it to Corniglia, you’ll find the least touristy (by far) and least crowded of all the Cinque Terre. Curiously, it’s also the only one not perched directly on the sea and without direct access to a local port. Instead, it sits atop a promontory, more than 100 meters above sea level. Besides visiting the Church of San Pietro, don’t miss the chance to take the classic photo from the top of the Scalinata Lardarina – the view is incredible! Composed of nearly 400 steps, this staircase connects the village to the local train station, meaning you won’t have to climb it or go down as part of this itinerary. After exploring Corniglia, you’ll get back on the Blue Trail to complete the final stretch to Vernazza, arguably the most beautiful and famous of all the Cinque Terre. In fact, you’ll get to see this village in all its might as you approach from the trail, since the view is absolutely breathtaking and offers one of the most captured photos in the region.

Second day wrap-up:

• Sentiero Azzurro (Manarola to Corniglia, through Volastra)
• Corniglia
  • Church of San Pietro
  • Scalinata Lardarina

Cinque Terre Travel Guide – Day 3: Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare

As your time in Cinque Terre comes to an end, it’s time for one final push to complete the Sentiero Azzurro and officially hike between all of the region’s iconic villages! Waking up in Vernazza, be sure to take a morning stroll through this pastel-colored paradise before setting off on the trail. Visit some of the village’s most famous landmarks, such as the Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia or the ruins of Doria Castle, considered the oldest fortification in Cinque Terre. Take in every little moment because moving on from this beautiful little town is always a bittersweet moment!

You’ll have to, though, as your adventure will come to an end in Monterosso al Mare, your final village of the Cinque Terre, and the one located the furthest away from La Spezia. While it may be the least picturesque, Monterosso boasts the region’s largest beach (Scoglio di Monterosso), where you can enjoy a well-deserved farewell dip. Afterwards, head up to Aurora Tower for a spectacular panoramic view of the village and visit the Church of San Giovanni Battista, located in the main square. At the end of the day, you can choose to spend the night in Monterosso or take the Cinque Terre Express back to La Spezia.

Third day wrap-up:

• Vernazza
  • Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia
  • Doria Castle
• Sentiero Azzurro (Vernazza to Monterosso)
• Monterosso al Mare
  • Scoglio di Monterosso Beach
  • Aurora Tower
  • San Giovanni Battista

How to spend 2 days in Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre Travel Guide – Day 1: Via dell’Amore from Rio Maggiore to Manarola

Now that we’ve covered the longest itinerary in this travel guide, let’s scale things down a little and spend 2 days in Cinque Terre. Compared to the first plan, we simply recommend dropping day 2 in Corniglia and focusing on the remaining villages. Assuming that you’ll kick things off in La Spezia (like most visitors), we recommend taking the Cinque Terre Express to Riomaggiore, the most touristy of all the villages. Even so, this is still an extraordinarily beautiful place, and a great first contact with Cinque Terre’s traditional architecture and quintessential landmarks, like the Castle of Riomaggiore and the Church of San Giovanni Battista. Additionally, you can also take a swim at Riomaggiore Beach. Take the lunch break to recharge batteries, as up next you’ll be taking on the most beautiful hike in the entire Cinque Terre. Although it is officially part of the Sentiero Azzurro, the full trail that passes through all of Cinque Terre, the section between Riomaggiore and Manarola is so iconic that it got its own name: the Via dell’Amore! After being closed to the public for 12 long years, this trail reopened less than two years ago and immediately became one of the top things to do in Cinque Terre.

In fact, this relatively short trail (1 km) is so popular that – at least during peak season – you need to pre-book your spot for a specific time slot and you are only allowed to stay on the trail for a max period of 30 minutes! Also, keep in mind that this is a one-way trail (Riomaggiore-Manarola), so you cannot walk it in the opposite direction. You should make your reservation on the official Via dell’Amore website, for €12,50. Moreover, unless you’re visiting in the low season, you’ll need to get yourself a Cinque Terre Trekking Card (information on pricing and sales points can be found in the transportation section), otherwise you won’t be allowed in the Via dell’Amore trail. Even if you pre-book your place, you still need to get the card either way. After walking along the scenic path, you’ll eventually reach Manarola, perhaps the only village that can rival Vernazza in beauty and popularity (we’ll get there soon). You can’t miss the iconic photo spot from the Manarola Overlook Viewpoint, where you can see the village’s trademark pastel-colored houses oddly embedded on a rocky cliff. Take time to stroll through the charming village, visit Piazzale Papa Innocenzo IV and explore the Church of San Lorenzo, before checking into your accommodation for the night.

First day wrap-up:

• Riomaggiore
  • Castle of Riomaggiore
  • Church of San Giovanni Battista
  • Riomaggiore Beach
• Via dell’Amore
• Manarola
  • Manarola Overlook Viewpoint
  • Piazzale Papa Innocenzo IV
  • Church of San Lorenzo

Cinque Terre Travel Guide – Day 2: Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare

After spending the night in Manarola, you’ll start your final day in Cinque Terre with a short train ride to Vernazza, arguably the most beautiful and famous of all the Cinque Terre. In fact, you’ll get to see this village in all its might as you approach from the trail, since the view is absolutely breathtaking and offers one of the most captured photos in the region. Be sure to take a morning stroll through this pastel-colored paradise before setting off. Visit some of the village’s most famous landmarks, such as the Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia or the ruins of Doria Castle, considered the oldest fortification in Cinque Terre. Take in every little moment because moving on from this beautiful little town is always a bittersweet moment!

Once you’re ready to continue, you’ll get back on the aforementioned Sentiero Azzurro. Translated as the Blue Trail, this 12 km route (including the Via dell’Amore) is one of the must-do activities in Cinque Terre and is often hailed as one of the most beautiful hikes in the world. Although you won’t have time to cover the whole distance, at least you’ll get to experience the initial (Via dell’Amore) and final stretches of the trail. At the end of the path, your adventure will come to an end in Monterosso al Mare, your final village of the Cinque Terre, and the one located the furthest away from La Spezia. While it may be the least picturesque, Monterosso boasts the region’s largest beach (Scoglio di Monterosso), where you can enjoy a well-deserved farewell dip. Afterwards, head up to Aurora Tower for a spectacular panoramic view of the village and visit the Church of San Giovanni Battista, located in the main square. At the end of the day, you can choose to spend the night in Monterosso or take the Cinque Terre Express back to La Spezia.

Second day wrap-up:

• Vernazza
  • Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia
  • Doria Castle
• Sentiero Azzurro (Vernazza to Monterosso)
• Monterosso al Mare
  • Scoglio di Monterosso Beach
  • Aurora Tower
  • San Giovanni Battista

How to spend 1 days in Cinque Terre

Finally, we cap off our travel guide with the shortest itinerary we were able to create for Cinque Terre, specifically aimed at day trippers. While it is undeniably incomplete, at least you’ll still get a taste of all the wonders this region became so popular for. After all, if you have to choose between rushing along the Cinque Terre or not visiting at all, I guess the answer is quite obvious! Needless to say, optimizing your time is of the utmost importance, which is why you got to start by taking the Cinque Terre Express from La Spezia to Riomaggiore, regarded as the most touristy of all the villages. Even so, this is still an extraordinarily beautiful place, and a great first contact with Cinque Terre’s traditional architecture and quintessential landmarks, like the Castle of Riomaggiore and the Church of San Giovanni Battista. Additionally, you can also take a swim at Riomaggiore Beach. Take a quick breakfast break to recharge batteries, as up next you’ll be taking on the most beautiful hike in the entire Cinque Terre. Although it is officially part of the Sentiero Azzurro, the full trail that passes through all of Cinque Terre, the section between Riomaggiore and Manarola is so iconic that it got its own name: the Via dell’Amore!

Closed to the public for 12 long years, this trail reopened less than two years ago and immediately became one of the top things to do in Cinque Terre. In fact, this relatively short trail (1 km) is so popular that – at least during peak season – you need to pre-book your spot for a specific time slot and you are only allowed to stay on the trail for a max period of 30 minutes! Also, keep in mind that this is a one-way trail (Riomaggiore-Manarola), so you cannot walk it in the opposite direction. You should make your reservation on the official Via dell’Amore website, for €12,50. Moreover, unless you’re visiting in the low season, you’ll need to get yourself a Cinque Terre Trekking Card (information on pricing and sales points can be found in the transportation section), otherwise you won’t be allowed in the Via dell’Amore trail. Even if you pre-book your place, you still need to get the card either way.

After walking along the scenic path, you’ll eventually reach Manarola, perhaps the only village that can rival Vernazza in beauty and popularity (we’ll get there soon). You can’t miss the iconic photo spot from the Manarola Overlook Viewpoint, where you can see the village’s trademark pastel-colored houses oddly embedded on a rocky cliff. Take time to stroll through the charming village, visit Piazzale Papa Innocenzo IV and explore the Church of San Lorenzo, before hoping back on the train to Vernazza, arguably the most beautiful and famous of all the Cinque Terre. In fact, you’ll get to see this village in all its might as you approach from the trail, since the view is absolutely breathtaking and offers one of the most captured photos in the region. Visit some of the village’s most famous landmarks, such as the Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia or the ruins of Doria Castle, considered the oldest fortification in Cinque Terre. Take in every little moment because moving on from this beautiful little town is always a bittersweet moment! At the end of the day, you can choose to spend the night in Monterosso or take the Cinque Terre Express back to La Spezia.

Day wrap-up:

• Riomaggiore
  • Castle of Riomaggiore
  • Church of San Giovanni Battista
  • Riomaggiore Beach
• Via dell’Amore
• Manarola
  • Manarola Overlook Viewpoint
  • Piazzale Papa Innocenzo IV
  • Church of San Lorenzo
• Vernazza
  • Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia
  • Doria Castle