Are you planning a trip to Cinque Terre? Look no further as this guide will give you all the information and tips you’ll need. Get ready, I’ll dive deep into these wonderful towns located on the western coast of Italy.
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THE FIVE TOWNS OF CINQUE TERRE
RIOMAGGIORE
The picturesque town of Riomaggiore is the first town you’ll cross from La Spezia. It offers cozy vibes and some great sunset spots. Head down to the seaside for the best view of the ocean and the colourful houses.
MANAROLA
In my opinion, this is the most charming village. From the Punta Bonfiglio’s viewpoint, you get the best views of the town and ocean. This is also a great spot to catch the sunset. PS: don’t forget to look for Luca’s Vespa!
CORNIGLIA
If you like to hike and want to escape the crowds, this town got you covered. Corniglia is the least touristy of the five, but definitely worth your time. Be prepared for a lot of stairs though.
VERNAZZA
This town is a tourist favourite and offers some great viewpoints to admire the stunning environment. Vernazza has a tiny port and offers easy access to the water for a refreshing dip.
MONTEROSSO AL MARE
This is the largest town and the only one with sandy beaches. If you’re in for a relaxing day, rent a daybed and enjoy the amazing beach. Monterosso Al Mare is the most Northern town of the five.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT CINQUE TERRE
Depending on the things you want to do, certain months will be more convenient than others.
If you mainly want to hike: April, May and October will be great months to visit as it’s not as hot compared to the Summer months. Prices for accommodation will also be more affordable.
If you’re like me and want to swim as much as possible: late June until Mid-September will a great timing as you’ll have the highest chances of warm and sunny weather. This is high season, so prepare to pay some €€€ for a basic accommodation.
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HOW TO GET THERE
Depending on your arrival in Italy, there are a few options:
Arrival by plane:
The closest airports to Cinque Terre are Pisa, Florence and Genoa. From these locations, you’ll still need to take the train as Cinque Terre has no airport itself. Luckily, the train system in Northern Italy is very easy and efficient.
Arrival by train:
If you’re exploring Northern Italy by train, which I’d totally recommend, it’s very easy to reach Cinque Terre. Departing from any city, you’ll need to take the train to Levanto or La Spezia first. From there, you can transfer to “the Cinque Terre Train” to reach the towns.
Railtime to Cinque Terre (Levanto or La Spezia):
- From Milan: 3 hours
- From Florence: 2,5 hours
- From Venice: 4,5 hours
- From Genoa: 1 hours – 1,5 hours
- From Pisa: 45 minutes
- From Rome: 4-5 hours
Arrival by car:
I’d not recommend to visit Cinque Terre by car. However, if you’re on a road trip trough Northern Italy, you can drive to the neighbouring cities, Levanto or La Spezia, and leave your car there to continue by train.
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WHERE TO STAY
If you’re on a budget, I’d suggest to stay in Levanto or La Spezia as the prices of accommodations there will be noticeably lower than those for accommodations in the towns. You can then easily take a train into Cinque Terre.
However, if your budget allows it, I highly recommend to book your accommodation in one of the towns as they have a vibe you don’t want to miss. Watch the sunset, stroll around during an evening walk, have a late-night dinner, wake up early to see how the town prepares for a new day… it’s an experience that is worthy paying extra for.
During my visit, I stayed in the town of Riomaggiore, which was an excellent choice. I’d also consider Manarola or Vernazza.
Another thing to mention is to book your accommodation in advance. Hotels and Airbnb’s tend to book out fast!
Tip: the best accommodations can be found on Airbnb.
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HOW MANY DAYS
Based on the things you want to do, 3 to 4 days will be the ideal length to enjoy the 5 towns at an easy pace. However, you probably could stay a week without getting bored!
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HOW TO GET AROUND
The easiest way to go from one town to another is by train. A single ride can be purchased at the price of €5. A day pass, which I strongly recommend, will cost you €18,20 (updated prices 2022).
Another option is to take the hiking trail (or even a boat).
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BUDGET
Cinque Terre is not considered as a budget destination, due to its popularity and uniqueness. But like most destinations, you can adjust your trip to your budget. Here is a rough estimate of the main costs:
- CT day-pass – Train: €18,20 (updated prices 2022)
- CT Trekking card: €7,50 (updated prices 2022)
- Accommodation: €150 – €250 per night (high season)
- Food & drinks: €10-25 per meal
- Activities: The most fun activities to do are swimming, snorkelling, watching the sunset… which are all completely free! Another fun thing to do is a boat-tour. Private tours start at €300, semi-private at €80.
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THINGS TO DO IN CINQUE TERRE
There is no shortage of things to do in Cinque Terre. In fact, there are so many options I had to dedicate an entire post to them: top things to do in Cinque Terre.