Welcome to Cinque Terre, a stunning coastal region in Italy that’s a hiker’s paradise! With its charming villages, rugged cliffs, and panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, Cinque Terre offers a hiking experience like no other.
If you are dreaming of hiking in this picturesque destination – keep reading!
When you hike the Cinque Terre you need to come prepared! From understanding trail difficulties to packing the right things and going at the correct time of year, being well informed will make the difference between a perfect trip and a total disaster.
In this post you will get information on how to get around in Cinque Terre, what is the Cinque Terre Card, Trail Difficulty Levels, Best Time to Visit, what to do in each city and more!
What is Cinque Terre National Park?
The italian name Cinque Terre literally means “Five lands”. These small old fishing villages hide between green, steep hills and the turquoise Ligurian sea, making it all really insta-worthy! Geographically Cinque Terre is located in the northwest of Italy in the region of Liguria, famous for basil pesto.
The 5 towns of Cinque Terre are:
- Monterosso Al Mare: The largest and northernmost of the five towns.
- Vernazza: Considered to be the most characteristic of the Cinque Terre.
- Corniglia: The smallest of the five.
- Manarola: A popular base with an accessible sunbathing harbour.
- Riomaggiore: Southernmost town and acts a Cinque Terre’s unofficial HQ.
The Blue Hiking Path connects all the 5 villages, which also makes Cinque Terre a famous hiking destination. With a total length of 12 km (7.5 miles), it will offer you a stunning hike with a chance to see the villages from above, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and those classic coastal views.
How to get around Cinque Terre
To hike the full Cinque Terre trail you need to purchase a Cinque Terre Card. There’s two cards to choose from:
1. The Cinque Terre train pass
With the Cinque Terre Train pass you can travel unlimited between all towns and use all trails.
The card is valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours, depending on how long you choose to stay.
If you plan to use the train at least twice in a day and also want to hike one of the coastal paths, it more beneficial to buy a Cinque Terre Train Card.
(Psstt: if you don’t buy the train card and get caught on the train, it’s a €50 fine).
Be aware: The trains are CROWDED. You will have to stand and sweat together with a lot more people than you imagine (especially in Manarola and Riomaggiore).
Now that might not seen super intriguing BUT the only other choice is to hike between the towns, as there are only a few parking lots in Cinque Terre and you will often find them outside the villages. It’s not a good idea to use a car to get around in Cinque Terre, mostly because it’s a huge headache and you will never find a good parking spot.
🚶🏻♀️ As said Hiking is the most rewarding way to get around, but be aware that some of the trails require a payment to access. This is where the second Cinque Terre Card pays off.
2. The Cinque Terre trekking card
With the Cinque Terre trekking card you get free access to all hiking trails, including the trails that connect the towns of Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza and then Vernazza to Corniglia are the only ones that require payment.
Other benefits of having one of the Cinque Terre cards:
- Free use of the Bus Services within the villages.
- Free use of toilets in the railway stations of the 5 towns (for NON card holders the price is 1 euro).
- Reduced-price ticket to visit the Civic Museums in La Spezia (Amedeo Lia, Castello San Giorgio, CAMeC, Sigillo, Palazzina delle Arti, Etnografico, Diocesano)
NOTE: You only need to buy the Cinque Terre Card if want to hike between Monterosso and Corniglia. The trails between Riomaggiore – Manarola – Corniglia are FREE.
Where can you buy the Cinque Terre Card?
The Cinque Terre Card can be purchased online or at the Welcome Centers located in the train stations of all five villages, including La Spezia and Levanto.
What are the prices of the Cinque Terre Cards?
Prices of both the train and trekking card changes according to when you plan to visit Cinque Terre. See updated prices HERE
Please ONLY buy your ticket from the Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre website
| Cinque Terre Train Card | Cinque Terre Trekking Card | |
| 1 day – adult | €27 | €7,50 |
| 2 days – adult | €48,50 | €14,50 |
| 3 days – adult | €65,50 | / |
How to find the train timetables
You can see an overview of the TrainItalia timetable HERE
But it’s easier to use Omio to plan your travels.
NOTE: DON’T buy a ticket on Omio if you have also bought the Cinque Terre Train card. If you opt for only buying the trekking card or no pass at all, feel free to buy a single train ticket on Omio and show to the conductors.
Omio is the best transportation provider offering timetables & tickets for trains, buses and flights, as well as car rentals and airport transfers.
The best part is that Omio stores your tickets and can even add them to your Apple or Google wallet for smooth transitions.
⛴️Lastly, you can get around Cinque Terre by ferry. It’s more scenic than the train but just as, if not more, crowded (and also more expensive…)
How long does it take to hike between the towns?
As we have already talked about, the quickest way to get around in Cinque Terre is by train.
From north to south, the stops and stations are:
Levanto to Monterosso (7 minutes) – Monterosso to Vernazza (4 minutes) – Vernazza to Corniglia (4 minutes) – Corniglia to Manarola (4 minutes) – Manarola to Riomaggiore (3 minutes) – Riomaggiore to La Spezia (8 minutes)
Total from Monterosso to Riomaggiore: 15 minutes!
Now, as mentioned the Cinque Terre trail has a total length of 12 km (7.5 miles). You can walk the entire route in about six hours, but the beauty of hiking Cinque Terre is that you can stop in each city and enjoy all parts of the National Park – so just walking through it all would be a waste.
You can start from either direction – from Monterosso in north heading south, or Riomaggiore in south heading north.
PRO TIP: Start in Monterosso Al Mare.
Most people start from Riomaggiore, where the paths are paved, but if you start from the other end you go against the crowds and can enjoy more of the trail at your own pace.
NOTE: The Blue Trail, also known as Sentiero Azzuro or Trail #2, historically connected all five villages (Monterosso – Vernazza – Corniglia – Manarola – Riomaggiore), but a landslide almost a decade ago meant that there has been a longterm closure of parts of the route. You can still walk between Corniglia and Riomaggiore but just from different paths.
The full trail is set to reopen in July 2024.
Even though I found hiking between the towns challenging – it was by far the best part. Most tourist only visit the towns, and don’t actually use the trails, which means you get it more to yourself!
Good to know before going
- The trails are harder than you think!!
There’s a lot of stairs and lots of ups and downs (literally)! The easiest route is from Vernazza to Corniglia – which is also the most scenic trail. Monterosso to Vernazza is long and steep, but by far, the worst trail is between Manarola and Riomaggiore! The signs say there’s only 1.2km between the towns – BUT they don’t mention the altitude. You must first climb 612 steps at an altitude of 200 metres and then descend again – 1.2km my ass haha…
For experienced hikers, there will be no real challenge in hiking all the trails of Cinque Terre. This is not to discourage you, but please don’t spontaneously decide to walk the Blue Trail – do some research and understand your own fitness level before beginning the hikes.
- Traveling in off-season, from November 4th until march 15th, all hiking trails are free of charge.
- There are over 120 kms of marked, official walking trails within the Cinque Terre National Park. This means that there’s lots of off the beaten path trails within the park.
If you are looking to avoid some of the crowds, there is an entire network of lesser-known trails that are perfect for more serious hikers. See all the hikes and trail networks HERE on Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre’s official website
- There’s an official free app for the Cinque Terre Park – ‘Pn5t plus’ can be downloaded for free from the Apple Store or Google Play (but note it’s not 100% reliable).
- If you plan on visiting Cinque Terre in summer and doing any of the trails, please set off early, bring extra water, and avoid walking during the peak midday sun. There is no lighting on the trail, so do not leave the last leg too late.
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Trail closures are common in the event of landslides, weather conditions, trail races or maintenance. Always check the weather forecast as well as the official website for updates on the park.
- ALWAYS respect rules and requirements of the park.
RULES OF THE NATIONAL PARK
// Wear appropriate shoes.
You can face fines of up to €2500 by walking Cinque Terre in flip-flops, pumps and other sandals. This is due to many underestimating the terrain and as a result accidents happen which puts pressure on SOS calls to mountain rescue teams as well as significant rescue costs for the National Park.
// Do not trespass or leave the given paths.
// Never leave litter behind.
// Don’t pick flowers or gapes along the paths.
// Writing or marking on signs or nature is forbidden.
// Camping is not permitted on the trails or in the National Park.
// Drones are not permitted (otherwise you need a permit directly from the Cinque Terre National Park)
// You can get fined between 65 to 275 Euro for lingering in the piazzettas during busy hours (until 6pm) for too long during summer.
What to do in Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre offers plenty of activities for travelers seeking either adventure, relaxation or both. Here’s some examples of activities to do in each town.
Manarola
// Sunset boat trip
- A small-group, captain-led Cinqueterre boat tour
- Enjoy a refreshing welcome drink and complimentary onboard snacks
- See all five historic villages from a unique perspective
From: Manarola
Start time: 5pm
Duration: 2,5 hours
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
// Have Aperitivo at Rattoria Dal Billy or Nessum Dorma
From 4pm until closing the time, you can enjoy Aperitivo at Nessum Dorma with an entry ticket on the Nessun dorma app. Nessum Dorma is probably the most popular dinner spot in Cinque Terre, and therefore it has some serious waiting time. You can digitally queue for your table whilst exploring the town or hanging out by the water.
// Join a pesto-making class
Join a pesto making class with local chef Yvonne in Manarola and learn how to make traditional basil-pesto by hand.
Once you're done, eat your very own pesto with freshly baked focaccia and a glass of white wine.
Monterosso Al Mare
// Day at the iconic beach
Those iconic orange and green parasols are not only instagrammable but also super relaxing. Unfortunately there’s not many free beach areas by Cinque Terre, and the beach at Monterosso is the only “real” sandy beach. Most beaches are not actually beaches but rather rocks and cliffs.
// Visit Convento Frati Cappuccini
This historic monastery dates back to the 17th century, and is situated on a hill overlooking the picturesque village. The panoramic terrace is a perfect sunset spot if you plan on staying in Monterosso.
// Take a Kayak tour to see Cinque Terre from below
Paddle along the coast with a local guide, admire the views from the water, and snorkel in the ligurian sea.
Duration: 2 hours
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Vernazza
// The Belforte Tower on Doria Castle
Climb the narrow staircase of the Belforte Tower to reach its rooftop terrace, where you are rewarded with panoramic views of the village, the coastline, and the surrounding rugged landscape.
// Enjoy the sunset from the main quare Piazza Guglielmo Marconi
// Enjoy an aperitif at Piazza Marconi
// Drink Local Wine
Any trip to Italy should involve imbibing regional wines by the glass or bottle.
There are two main local wines in Cinque Terre: the Cinque Terre DOC (a dry white win) and the Sciacchetrà DOC (a sweet dessert wine).
If you’d like to gain a deeper appreciation of the region’s wine, consider joining a wine tasting tour like this one in Vernazza.
Riomaggiore
Along Dusty Roads have made the perfect guide to Riomaggiore – read it HERE
What to bring on your trip to Cinque Terre?
Again, remember wear appropriate shoes!
Bring a reusable water bottle to fill up at fountains in the villages along the way.
Wear layers, so you can change for the climate and conditions.
Use sunscreen and a hat to prevent getting burned by the strong italian sun.
Remember to bring your swimming suit and a quickdry towel to cool off between your hikes.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is something you should always have, but especially if doing more adventurous activities such as hiking in difficult terrain.
Can you visit Cinque Terre on a budget?
YES – it doesn’t cost anything to access the villages themselves, the sea is open to everyone, transport is affordable if you plan ahead, and you can have some good lunch & dinners for pocket money – but Cinque Terre is certainly not the cheapest coastal destination to choose in Italy.
⌛ How long should you stay in Cinque Terre?
Depending on whether you want to hike all trails or none, 3 days is enough.
I spent 2 nights in Levanto and 3 days exploring Cinque Terre – which was perfect for me!
You obviously want to find a balance between exploration and relaxation, and what you wish to spend your time doing here. You can easily fill up a whole week in Cinque Terre but you can also spend 2 fast-paced days here.
⛱️ When to go visit?
At all costs AVOID visiting Cinque Terre during summer! This means june, july, august AND september.
Go in april / early may or October.
The weather will still be nice, and you’re able to enjoy this stunning coastal area rather than rush between other travellers and cruise guests.
🏡 Where to stay in Cinque Terre?
It’s extremely overpriced to stay in one of the five towns, so I’d recommend staying in Levanto or La Spezia which is part of the Cinque Terre Card and therefore connected by train.
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My choice
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4.6
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3.8
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4.0
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4.2
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€69 / night
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€33 / night
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€135 /night
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€237 / night
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La Spezia |
Levanto |
Levanto |
Monterosso al Mare |
