Destination Idea: Cinque Terre

Picture this: flourishing greenery surrounding colorful villas sitting atop cliffs that fall into the shockingly blue water. Sounds otherworldly, right? But that place exists; nestled on the northwestern coast of the Italian Riviera is Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre, meaning Five Lands in English, is comprised of five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The entirety of Cinque Terre was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997 and for a good reason. Until recently, these small fishing villages, which overlook the Ligurian Sea, were only accessible by mule tracks, train, or boat. 

While there are hotels and villas in the five villages, we recommend setting home base at Levanto or La Spezia, which are located on either end of Cinque Terre. These options will be cheaper, less crowded, and are only a five-minute train ride from the villages. A lovely spot in La Spezia, just a 15-minute walk from the train station is the moderately priced MaMa. Even at double the price during peak season, this is still an affordable place to stay. Another lovely spot within walking distance of the train station, La Spezia Centrale, is The Poet Hotel, which is priced just slightly higher than MaMa. 

Levanto, which is a five-minute train ride to Monterosso al Mare, is an especially laid-back town with long white sand beaches and a wide choice of hotels. A Durmì offers quaint accommodations in Levanto just a short distance walk to the train station. And just minutes from the station is the highly-rated Le Onde. 

Within Cinque Terre there is so much to do. If you’re up for the challenge, you can ditch the train once you’re in Monterosso al Mare and hike the Blue Path. This hike from Monterosso to Riomaggiore takes approximately five hours – not including the time it takes to stop in each town to look around. If you want to hike but don’t want to commit to five hours, there is a short 30-minute trail from Manarola to Riomaggiore, called Via dell’ Amore, or Lovers’ Lane. 

Monterosso al Mare is the largest of all five towns and is split into two parts: the ‘old’ Monterosso, which has the same typical narrow cobblestone paths and brightly colored houses found in all five towns; and the ‘new’ Monterosso, or Fegina. Fegina is where you’ll find car parks, the train station, and the long coastline of the beach. Monterosso is a great place to catch some rays and relax by the sea. Spiaggia Fegina is the most popular sandy section of the Monterosso beach and the only sandy beach in Cinque Terre. Here you can rent a lounge chair at a Bagni Fegina, a private beach club. If you’re not willing to spend a few euros for the beach club, there is also a public area.  However, be warned the beach gets crowded quickly.

Named as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, Vernazza is the most popular spot of all five towns, and for a good reason. While you’re there, you can swim in Cinque Terre’s only natural harbor, go for a boat ride, explore the Church Of Santa Margherita D’antiochia, or have some authentic Italian food. A popular restaurant in Vernazza is Ananasso Bar, right in the heart of Vernazza. It is the perfect place for pizza and an Aperol spritz while people-watching.

Corniglia is different from the other villages because it is the only one that doesn’t touch the sea. To get to this beautiful village, you have to climb the 377 stairs known as Scalinata Lardarina. The trek is worth it to see the views. Corniglia is surrounded on three sides by vineyards and has a rich history of agriculture. You can’t visit this region without trying some gelato. Alberto Gelateria has some of the best gelatos in Cinque Terre. They have classic flavors like Stracciatella and Limoncello as well as unique flavors like basil and honey, made with fresh ingredients. 

Manarola is the smallest of all the villages, but don’t let that fool you. It has one of the most famous postcard pictures in all of Italy. Its colorful villas sit perched on cliffs that seem to cascade into the blue waters. There are platforms where you can swim in the warm Ligurian Sea or take a boat tour around the villages. Manarola is a great spot to watch the sunset over the Italian hilltops, and you can watch it with a glass of wine or Aperol spritz while nibbling on a meat and cheese platter Nessun Dorma. 

The final little village is Riomaggiore, the most southern town of Cinque Terre. To learn more about the history, hike up to the Castello di Riomaggiore. Inside, visitors will find a little museum, though the primary reason to make the trek is for the fantastic views of Riomaggiore and the sea below. You can also take a pasta-making class, go on a sunset boat tour, rent a paddleboard and so much more! If you’re looking to try some wine made right in Cinque Terre, Ghemé is a lovely and quaint spot to do that.

No matter which town you visit, you won’t be disappointed.