Cinque Terre - The five small towns

How to get to Cinque Terre?

You can choose to drive to the town of Riomaggiore, Monterosso or Corniglia – but it can be difficult to find parking. Therefore, you should know that it is also possible to take the ferry from Viareggio or the train to Monterosso and beyond. Book tickets on Trenitalia here. Remember to check how often the train departs – typically once an hour. Find an updated timetable here.

From Riomaggiore, you can take the local train between the towns or walk along the hiking trails as described in more detail below.

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Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are the five small towns located right by the sea in the Gulf of La Spezia

"Golfo dei Poeti", the Gulf of Poets, is also what the place is called because several English poets such as Byron and Shelley fell in love with the area with the five villages. They were inspired by the picturesque villages, which lie like pastel splashes on their respective hillsides along the Ligurian coast.

Until the railway was opened in 1874, these towns were completely isolated from the outside world, but now they are well visited, and there are often many tourists. The charm has nevertheless been preserved, and since the houses, terraces, cliffs and the sea have not changed, it is easy to imagine what it looked like two hundred years ago!

Cinque Terre stretch has been declared one of the most valuable places in the world

As the towns are located right by the Ligurian Sea, there is a risk that they will disappear into the Mediterranean, which eats away at the coast year by year and at high tide, when the sea almost reaches the houses.

All five towns are fishing villages and they are very similar, but still offer something different. Visit them all, either by local train that runs every hour and stops at each town. Buy a day ticket so you can hop on and off as the day progresses (find train times here), or use the hiking trails that will give you unforgettable natural experiences.

• In Monterosso you will find the most famous and best equipped beaches, most wine bars, restaurants, shops, etc. Visit the Cappuccin monastery from the 16th century, and remember to enjoy the view!
• Vernazza is the most dramatic looking town, as it is carved into the rock above the sea. The town is shaped like an amphitheater and is probably the most picturesque. Take a trip up to the observation tower.
• Corniglia, which is high up and therefore has no access to the sea, gives you the best view of the other towns.
• Manarola is completely surrounded by vineyards where one can only ask oneself: How do they manage to grow vines on such steep rock faces? Manarola is suitable if you like to swim from rocks.
• Riomaggiore is the most picturesque and romantic town.

Hiking trails in Cinque Terre - don't overestimate yourself!

The popular hiking trails are popular for a reason. Here you will experience beautiful hikes, interesting towns, beach and water on your way. It can be tough to hike along the coast on a hot summer day, but a hike with such a beautiful view should be enjoyed by everyone, and it is fantastic to experience the towns in northern Italy in this way.

The most popular route is Trail #2, Sentiero Azzurro – or "Blue Trail". It consists of 4 separate routes, but can constitute a full day's hike. Many, however, choose to divide it over several days and walk at a suitable pace. The total route is estimated to take 6 hours if you take short breaks. You can start from Monterosso (southbound) or from Riomaggiore (northbound).

My tip for you is to start from Riomaggiore. Here you start gently, and are warmed up for the more demanding and busy trails further ahead. If you choose to split the trip, I suggest the following stages:

Riomaggiore - Manarola. Via dell'Amore (Path of Love)

This is the shortest of the routes. It is flat and suitable for people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users.
Length: 2 km; 40 min. walk.

Manarola - Corniglia

The second part of "The Blue Trail" connects Manarola with Corniglia train station. To get here, you must conquer the 382 steps of the "Lardarina" staircase. This part of the route is similar to the first, and it is located by the sea, where you can enjoy the beautiful coastline.
Length: 2 km; 1 hour 15 min. walk

Corniglia - Vernazza

Now it starts to get a little more challenging! On this route you reach the highest point in Cinque Terre – and down again. So prepare for a somewhat more challenging day. The reward is a beautiful panoramic view of the Cinque Terre National Park, the town of Corniglia and the small village of San Bernardino, which is located on the mountain top among the steep cliffs.
Length: 4 km; 1 hour 45 min. walk

Vernazza - Monterosso

This route is the most challenging. Here there is uneven terrain, narrow paths. But if you are in good shape, you should also take this part. This is where you get the most beautiful pictures on the entire route, and a breathtaking view of Vernazza.

Tip: Save your energy at the beginning of the route – you will need it when you approach Monterosso. Length: 3 km; 2 hours walk

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