Cinque Terre is undoubtedly a slice of paradise located along the Italian Riviera. Playing host to five charming coastal villages, Cinque Terre is truly a fairytale countryside town where colorful houses perched on cliffs and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea make a statement.
For big foodies, Cinque Terre is a haven on earth with a multitude of scenic restaurants perched by the rocky headland where fine wines are served with top-notch Mediterranean cuisine. The five villages of Cinque Terre lean their backs on the lush vineyards, brought to you by exceptional local winemakers that add to the unique charm of Cinque Terre.
On top of that, Cinque Terre is a perfect getaway from Florence with a fast train ride in less than three hours. Now all you need to do is consult my travel guide to Cinque Terre below to find out the best way to buy your tickets, get around, and choose your favorite villages to make the most of your days.
3 Essential Tips To Make The Most Of Your Trip In Cinque Terre
- Be mindful of the rainy season along the coastline of Italy, which lasts from November to April.
- May to October is the peak season for domestic tourism in Italy, making it an excellent season for shopping but it also draws more crowds. Meanwhile, the low season during the rest of the year provides a relaxing and quiet ambiance but certain holidays are days off for restaurants.
- Hiking is a popular outdoor pursuit in Cinque Terre yet most hiking trails are intense on the cores and may need seven hours to complete. The trails are closed for maintenance in winter and make sure to double-check whether there’s a landslide or not.
Getting To Cinque Terre By Train From Florence And Milan
Opt for a direct train SMN which lasts 2.5 hours, departing from Santa Maria Novella station to La Spezia Centrale. The train is well-equipped with a charging portal under each seat and notifications to alert you of upcoming stops.
Otherwise, those starting from Milan shall opt for a train bound for Levanto Station in a three-hour train ride.
Is It Possible To Visit Cinque Terre On A Day Trip?
Heck yeah! However, the best way to do this is to opt for an organized tour. Since you are short on time, don’t waste too much effort in switching trains and navigating by yourself. Most of the day trips depart from Florence with various options including a hike, a stop at Pisa, or a sightseeing trip on a tour bus.
How To Get Around Cinque Terre?
By A Local Train – Cinque Terre Express
This train connects all five villages in a short five-minute ride. The online timetable is updated for you to have a look at before you set out.
Once you get off at either La Spezia Centrale or Levanto Station, connect to the Cinque Terre Express to one of the villages you wanna see first. From March to November, the trains leave every 20 minutes. In winter, the frequency is once or twice per hour. All these train stations have on-site tickets available.
If you wish to cover more than two villages in a day, remember to opt for the Cinque Terre Train Card which also includes entrance to all hikes in the Cinque Terre National Park.
Alternatively, online tickets and travel trekking cards are also available so you can cut down on queue time at the ticket booths. As you can see on the website, they offer two types of cards: one for the trains only which doesn’t include trekking, and the other one includes a free ride on the shuttle bus in the Cinque Terre National Park, entrance to all trails, public washroom use (except for La Spezia and Levanto Stations), free wifi at the National Park, and more.
Reminder: Only the trails from Monterosso to Vernazza and Vernazza to Corniglia require entrance fees. If you don’t wanna beat these two hikes, stick to the train tickets only!
How To Use Cinque Terre Train Tickets?
All Cinque Terre train tickets are only valid after being stamped at the GREEN stamping machine by the stairs at each train station. It’s personal and non-transferable so make sure to sign your name on the back of the paper ticket.
When needed, you may need to present the tickets along with your passport. E-tickets purchased online are exempt from manual validation. The ticket is valid for 24 hours only.
A Comprehensive Breakdown Of Cinque Terre Villages
Manarola
A day exploring the charming village of Manarola can’t go without hitting the streets and trying out the local eats (which is definitely a must-do!). But as soon as you lay eyes on its majestic marina, your heart will pull you towards spending the entire day sitting at the dock of the bay.
The coast of Manarola is steeped in a whimsical feel that seems as if it steps out of a storybook. Lines of canoes peppered the rocky boulder from dusk to dawn, drawing crowds to sunbathe and swim.
The best thing to do in Manarola is everything chilling-related. Call it a day soaking up the sun, indulging in a good read, watching people, taking a refreshing dip in the sea, or even going for an adventurous jump off the rocks.
Riomaggiore
Come closer to the boats with a stop at Riomaggiore. After half an hour of strolling along the main street, find a way down to the sea, where pastel houses frame a delightful marina filled with vibrant fishing boats. Right here, immerse in that refreshing sea breeze!
Now, here’s a little adventure tip: If you’re up for it, don’t miss the opportunity to climb up the hill to the Church of San Giovanni Battista. It might require a bit of effort, but the reward is worth it. In case your fitness level doesn’t agree, there’s an elevator near the train station, but it can be a bit tricky to find.
The last thing you wanna miss out on is a scenic hike to Via dell’ Amore. It’s totally free to explore and eventually leads you to Manarola. The trail is short yet it’s closed in winter.
Reminder tips: Make sure to put on proper hiking shoes and gear to avoid unwanted emergency issues. It’s stated in the law of the state and may result in a fine ranging from 50 to 2,500 euros. Yikes!
Vernazza
Now, if you’re like me enjoying peaceful mornings, you might want to go to Vernazza early. Noontime is flooded with crowds but if your heart desires a vibrant and energetic atmosphere then it’s not the end of the world to have some more people to enjoy with.
The heart of this sea resort lies around the elegant square near the marina and Via Roma. This is the main street connecting the train station. The biggest hook here is everything history-related. The epic collection of historical buildings will surely catch your eye, especially fortresses and lighthouses perched on commanding heights. These heritage buildings played a crucial role in defense and sea navigation to protect the headland from the thirsty eyes of pirates.
Monterosso
Next up, the village of Monterosso is undoubtedly the biggest out of all. For that reason, the modern feel here may deter those whose hearts are after the intimate setting. On the flip side, the picturesque hills cultivated with lemon groves, vineyards, and olive trees turn Monterosso into a postcard-perfect landscape to soak up. Meanwhile, the sun-kissed beaches blanket reefs underneath with crystal-clear waters calling beach lovers and water enthusiasts alike.
Corniglia
The last to be called, Corniglia is that one village of Cinque Terre that is not directly neighboring the coastline. For that reason, the town is lesser known to visitors and usually skipped on their bucket lists.
However, if you wanna seek out a hidden gem and don’t mind a bit of effort traveling further afield, Corniglia is totally worth it. The village sits high above the train station, you need to catch a shuttle bus up the mountain or climb 382 stairs to reach the hilltop.
Is Cinque Terre Worth Visiting?
Cinque Terre is inarguably one of my favorite places to visit in all of Italy. The only thing you need to know is sorting out the best time to visit and which villages you like to see the most.
In my case, sunset is definitely my top call, making Riomaggiore a must-see. Meanwhile, the scenic seaside restaurants in Monterosso are second to none if you’re planning a romantic date with your loved ones, munching on foie gras, and drinking fine wine.