The Cinque Terre, meaning ‘Five Lands’, although often referred to as “Five Towns,” is located in the northwest Italian province of Liguria. The area was mentioned in documents as far back as the 11th century, with the villages of Monterosso and Vernazza settled first, followed by Corniglia, Riomaggiore and Manarola.
The five towns began as medieval fortified settlements, each protected by a castle overlooking the sea to guard against Saracen raiders. Grapes and olives were, and still are, the area’s main crops, with fishing another source of income.
People throng to the area to admire the brightly painted houses clinging to steep cliffs and views of the Ligurian Sea, surrounded by mountains with terraced areas for crops and old stone walls.
In 1997, UNESCO included Cinque Terre in the World Heritage List as a “cultural landscape.” To call the area scenic is an understatement.
A World Heritage Site
The villages were isolated until the end of the 19th century, when a major railway project connecting the area to other parts of Italy was begun.
The Cinque Terre section was very expensive to build because the route hugs the twisty coast, so 51 tunnels had to be drilled through the cliffs to allow trains to pass.
The best way to reach Cinque Terre isn’t necessarily by car, and local parking is almost impossible to come by. Early visitors arrived by boat; now you can reach the area by train on the Genova-La Spezia line with good connections from Rome and Florence, as well as Pisa, the nearest airport.
Local trains stop in every village, which offer spectacular views, dramatic sunsets, delicious, often unusual, foods, hiking trails and many opportunities to snap great photos.
These 6 tips may help provide peak enjoyment of this scenic area:
1. Get Off the Beaten Path
Stroll around any of the towns late in the afternoon or after dinner to experience the pleasures of little alleyways and piazzas without the typical daytime crowds. Even better, spend a night, or several, in one of the towns to enjoy the area at your own pace.
2. Eat Like a Local
- Taste pesto: This delicious green sauce originated in Liguria and often tops trofie, pasta that looks like short pieces of twisted rope. Pesto, made of basil, olive oil, parmesan and pecorino cheeses, pine nuts, garlic, and salt, is traditionally ground using a mortar and pestle, though modern cooks often use a food processor. In Cinque Terre, some pestos incorporate green beans and potatoes. Try both.
- Dive into the seafood: All five towns began as fishing villages, and the sea is still central to the local cuisine. Among the offerings are squid, octopus, mussels, prawns, and anchovies. If your previous experience with anchovies has been ultra-salty, try acciughe al verde: fresh anchovies marinated in parsley, garlic, and vinegar, often served as part of a seafood appetizer. Muscoli ripieni, mussels stuffed with a mixture of breadcrumbs, parmesan, parsley, garlic, and olive oil, is another tasty choice. Sop up the delicious tomato sauce with bread. For the seafood-averse, there are plenty of delicious pastas to enjoy.
- Eat gelato for lunch. Or take a break in the afternoon for a cup or cone. Chocolate, pistachio, and coffee are almost always available. But why not try something different like basil, lemon, stracciatella (thinly shaved chocolate in vanilla), or ricotta and fig. Gelato is made with milk instead of cream, so it has less fat than ice cream. It is also churned more slowly, making it denser and more intensely flavored.
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3. Get Out on the Water
- See the towns from the sea: There’s no better way to take in the scale of the Cinque Terre than from the water. Large, comfortable ferries run between the villages from late March through November 1 (Corniglia, the only town without a harbor, is not served). For a more memorable experience, the Cinque Terre Small-Group Sunset Boat Tour on Viator takes a small group past all five villages from Monterosso at golden hour, with a stop in Vernazza and coastline views you simply can’t get from the trail.
- Rent a boat: Many towns have companies at the harbor offering boat rides, DIY or skippered, as well as kayak rentals. Prices vary; to get what you want, make plans for your water adventure early in the day even if you prefer to venture out later. Some boat rentals include snorkeling equipment and refreshments; others are more bare bones. Check the boat size relative to the number of people with you to stay comfortable and safe.
- Take a dip in the Ligurian Sea: Monterosso has the best beach and offers changing rooms and spigots for washing sandy feet. People also reach the water by ladders or from the rocks in Vernazza, Manarola, and Riomaggiore; to swim in Corniglia, you’ll walk down many steps.
4. Hike Between the Villages
- The Cinque Terre’s trails are legendary, but come prepared. A Cinque Terre Card is required to access the main hiking paths between mid-March and early November. It covers trail access, local shuttle buses, and, as of 2026, the Via dell’Amore. Check the official National Park site for current pricing, as rates vary by season and demand.
- The iconic Via dell’Amore, the cliffside path linking Riomaggiore and Manarola, fully reopened in 2024 after years of restoration and is once again one of the most beautiful short walks in the region. Note that the direct coastal route between Corniglia and Manarola remains closed due to ongoing geological instability and is not expected to reopen before 2028; an inland detour via Volastra is the current alternative.
5. Visit Corniglia and Portovenere
- Don’t skip Corniglia. It’s the only one of the five towns without a harbor, perched high above the sea rather than tumbling down to it. If you summon your inner mountain goat, it’s a 385-step climb up the Lardarina staircase from the bottom to the top. It’s steep and challenging, but the view from above is magnificent. Or take the shuttle bus from the train station up to the village; tickets cost €1.50 if purchased at the station (or €2.50 from the driver), and bus access is included with the Cinque Terre Card. In Corniglia, treat yourself to miele gelato made with honey from local beehives.
- Add Portovenere to your itinerary. Although technically not one of the five towns, this village sits on the same spit of land and is reachable by ferry. While there, seek out the Church of St. Peter, consecrated in 1198. The striking 13th-century addition is marked by elegant bands of black and white stone typical of the Genoese Gothic style. Portovenere’s port is lovely, and its bright-colored houses seem almost to tumble into the water. If you’re feeling adventurous, swim off the rocks in the harbor.
Read More: The Magical Town of Portovenere, the Perfect Retreat Near Cinque Terre
6. Plan Around the Seasons
- Typical weather in Cinque Terre is mild and sunny, though it can be rainy in spring and fall. The best times to visit are mid-March through the end of October, as many places close during winter. For the sweet spot of good weather and manageable crowds, aim for April through May or September through October. June through August is peak season, and the trails and trains show it.
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Author Bio: Mari S. Gold is a New York City-based freelance writer who contributes to several magazines and websites. Among the topics she covers are food, travel, dance, theater and other arts. Her blog, But I Digress… , focuses on cultural events, travel and food at: www.marigoldonline.net
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