Italy is a country blessed by the most ancient, historical landmarks and architectural buildings, in the same way it gets eligibility to sit in the first place for home to more UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Therefore here we are going to talking about yet another Italia’s great destination, which is Cinque Terre. We can’t simply conclude Cinque Terre is a place that has ancient significance, more than that there are beautiful things captivating the minds of visitors from its unique pastel hued houses and restaurants to epic natural beauties.
Perhaps visitors have a great adventure feeling along with some historical evidence to learn under landmarks 5 major villages. Undoubtedly, a great destination for those who seek to spend days or hours journeying under different travel spots and try to learn different aspects of the region. Heaven for hikers, wine lovers, nature seekers and unknown national parks, make it a more quirky and vibrant atmosphere in the entire Italy.
Suggested Read: Amalfi Coast, Italy.
Where is Cinque Terre?
Cinque Terre is the combination of 5 ancient seaside fishing villages located in Liguria, Italy. Its collections of 5 towns are situated along the coastline of the Ligurian sea and stretch from Monterosso AI Mare to Riomaggiore. Each village includes vibrant houses, beaches, hiking trails, vineyards, steepy terraces, harbours and fishing boating area makes every global backpackers to visit Italy.
How Many Villages are existed under Cinque Terre?
As we discussed earlier, Cinque Terrace is home to 5 incredible and most beautiful towns or villages located along the coast in Liguria, from north to south.
1. Vernazza- Know for colorful houses, breakfasts, starting point of hiking, swimming and
Perfect viewpoints.
2. Corniglia- Great local vibes, beautiful cliff top views, longer stays, laid back atmospheres, historical sites and local cultures.
3. Monterosso al Mare- Food and restaurants, sandy beaches, local seafoods, hiking trails and sunbathing.
4. Riomaggiore- Offers scenic beauty, colorful houses, stunning sunset views, sweeping views and romantic atmospheres.
5. Manarola- Iconic view of pastel colored houses, rugged coastlines, food options, sunbathing and vast areas of vineyards.
7 Best Things to Do in Cinque Terre
1. Visit Vernazza
One of the villages under Cinquee Terre, visiting Vernazza is relatively the most popular things to do in Cinque Terre. Visitors could take a leisurely stroll amidst Riomaggiore and Manrol’s coastal paths in order to enjoy villages’ most picturesque and colorful houses, quaint harbour, and ancient castles.
An ideal destination for summer lovers, Vernazz village has a unique feature when compared with the rest of the villages. According to local guides and geographical study, the village is flatter than Riomaggiore and Manarola, therefore, this village helps visitors to take more relaxing strollers and offers great photographic views.
If you ask with us what the solid things visitors need to take in a very little period of time under Vernazz, then we surely recommend “Piazza”. Piazza is a town square, often known as the best place to see vibrant colorful gossiping villages, buildings, restaurants. Piazza restaurants offer alfresco dining, a socialising concept of drinking, eating and gathering to help to develop mutual bondings while watching harbour views.
Besides that, if you love hiking, choose to climb the tower of Doria Castle (entry fee of €2 is mandatory), it is an 11th century castle where backpackers enjoy ocean views and cliffs of Vernazza. If you have additional time then you can head to Monterosso which has a natural hiking destination.
2. Take Hike to Sentiero Azzurro
Sentiero Azzurro, often called the Blue Trail, is Italy’s most breathtaking hiking destination that offers more scenic 12 km of trails which help backpackers connect the dots of its 5 villages. Sentoero hiking is a more fortunate thing in a backpacker’s journey to enjoy its stunning views of the Ligurianan Sea, and even more helpful to enjoy Mediterranean and picturesque villages.
This Blue Trail bifurcated into 4 major sections like Monterosso to Vernazza, Vernazza e Corniglia, Corniglia to Manarola, Riomaggiore to Manarola. Each section, route and trail exhibits fantastic views of the sea, nature, vineyard regions, olive groves and the bay of the mountains.
Considered as more challenging hiking routes (except 1 section, via dell’Amore), each one is long, steepy and red and white stripers. Ideal activity during summer season, hiking in Sentiero Azzurro seeking advanced precautionary measures such as proper hiking shoes, advanced travel backpacks, if you spend hours of time under rocky and slippery conditions. Make sure that, since routes are too much of dust, heat, and crowds it is important to keep hydrated yourself at every point of trekking.
3. Explore Region’s Vineyards
One major common fact here in Cinque Terre everybody should do irrespective of travel intention is exploring the region’s popular vineyards. The region offers wonderful territory for wine collection, wine making process and vineyards, witnessing world’s steepest vineyards. From ancient times Cinque Terre was nothing but a vineyard that attracted millions of visitors to taste and enjoy its unique flavour of wine.
Wine is the most popular sought after products here, vineyards and cultivation are so unique even today its processes are derived from vertical slopes on its famous terracing vineyards. However, its unusual settings and terraced vineyards offer more crisp white wines and sweet dessert wine collections.
The process of wine cultivation in Cinque Terre is truly amusing and worth exploring. You will never believe that even today wine cultivation here is purely based on heroic viticulture. If you already go through history of Duro Valley vineyards in Portuguese, same historical legacy existed in the Cinque Terre vineyards. Around the 4th century, wine activities took place here, especially in the Mediterranean eastern part, however, this wine later became important trade factors as barter, maritime trade and living factors to the local indigenous and villages. Spread across 150 hectares of vineyards, visitors are going to see major grape varieties like Bosco, Albarola and Vermentino here.
4. Taste Local Cuisine and Learn How to Make Pesto
What we can see in Italy is that every travel destination has different historical backgrounds and offers unique travel vibes. And in the same way, each place you are visiting is completely different when it comes to cuisines options. If you come to Cinque Terre, there are a good number of sea view restaurants that boast savoury Ligurian specialties like pesto, fresh seafood and focaccia.
Restaurants like Ristorante Belforte in Vernazza offer starters, crudite, homemade pasts, dessert species and Genoese pesto under more ocean views. Nessun Dorma, ideal restaurant for your evening snacks and drinks with spectacular views of the Mediterranean and mountain ranges. Visit Trattorial dal Billy, to enjoy regions renowned for fresh seafood like mussels, anchovies, octopus and squid.
Another important thing you’ll not see and experience anywhere in Europe is learning how to make pesto. It is a kind of Italian cooking class that directly borrows products from locals to make their own pasta and pesos. In this class visitors learn how exactly to make pesto using some of the local ingredients. Try to taste local wines, chocolates, fresh focaccia and cheese during your pesto class.
5. Explore Riomaggiore and Manarola
Riomaggiore and Manarola are another two major villages under Cinque Terre which we can see while passing between Genoa and Pisa from north to south. Riomaggiore is a kind of place that always captivates the minds of visitors from its epic view over one side of the village and sea. Additionally the village is home to many narrow alleys, lively atmospheres and vibrant colorful houses add more value to visitors’ breathtaking views over harbour and beach.
Watching the sunset here is really a great idea. Better to check in the ferry hopper to enjoy more precisely when the sun goes down. Try to visit another side of the harbour to explore the village and sea that leads to Manarola. Keep your time to swim its rocky beach, taste delicious seafood in cones and cliff jumps.
If you keep moving from Riomaggiore your next destination or village goes to Manarola. Manarola is a town located 70 meters above sea level, witnessing the most panoramic charming Cinque Terre villages. Manarola’s elegant feature is picturesque multicoloured houses that are always facing the sea.
However, enjoying meat with a view is really spectacular, always overlooking the harbour, you are very fortunate to take a look at hiking trails, people who are swimming, and sunbathing. If you love or wish to spend time under Cinque Terre’s elegant vineyards, located just away where most of the vineyards are located. Don’t miss the scenic walkway connecting Manrola to Riomaggiore.
6. Take Boat Tour
You may come across plenty of modes available to explore Cinque Terre, but exploring through a boat tour always sits at the top of that. Your Boat Tour helps to exhibit the region’s beautiful coastlines, rugged cliffs, turquoise water and colorful fishing villages in a very close up. Ferries usually start running from ports of Levanto, La Spezia and Portoventar to Cinque Terre Villages. And each ferry or boat stops in respective villages such as Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore, except Cornigila. Watching Cinque Terre from the Boat is a great idea but choosing timings, price, authentic and renowned boat tour is a crucial task for a backpacker.
Make sure that ferries or boats are not year round things to enjoy the beauty of the region, you need to be there between March to November. Each ferry has a reduced timetable schedule and sometimes it may cancel due to adverse weather conditions. If you are unable to find any proper private ferry or boat tours online, we suggest you purchase a public ferry that includes one day roundtrip ticket for Levanto-Cinque Terre- Portovenere- La Spezia.
Public Ferry tickets available at the counter situated near the docking points without any prior booking. This ticket cost around € 42 for adults and € 15 for children, allowing unlimited ferry service to travelers. Suppose if you are willing to take a round-trip in the afternoon (means 2 pm) roundtrip, you’ll not pay the full amount, just pay € 28 for adults and €15 for children.
If you can also book your boat tour at respective private ferry and boat service companies in Cinque Terre;
List of 24 hours Ferry or Boat Service;
- Route Cinque Terre Boat Tours
7. Relax at Monterosso al Mare
There are plenty of places often known for relaxing and free landmarks here in Cinque Terre. But Relaxing or taking a sunbath at Monterosso al Mare is popular among them. Monterosso al Mare boasts a good number of beaches where swimming in the crystal clear waters, sun bathing, sand playing, relaxing while soaking up the sun and relaxing activities are common. Despite being the largest village in Cinque Terre, home to several beaches witnessing heaven for beach lovers both private and public too.
Beaches in Monterosso welcome visitors through long areas of sand stretches, deck chairs (not free), blue color striped umbrellas, dressing cabins and some family friendly atmospheres. Most beaches offer kid friendly adventures to enjoy the sea and to take activities like snorkelling and swimming, even for adults who are completely unknown about swimming. Although it’s long stretching beach helps family travelers to take leisure walks along the beach.
Since clear shallow water, clear sky and friendly atmospheres make us take the whole day swimming or relaxing in the sea. Its friendly beaches, reef systems, and crystal clear water make it one of the most popular villages on the Italian Riviera.
During your Monterosso day trip do not miss spending time with castles, mediaeval streets, carruggi and colored terraced houses and shops/ restaurants. If you come with your family members, then try to attend Lemon Festival, held on the 3rd Saturday in May each year. Festival highlighting elegant decoration of lemons where we can learn cultivation of lemons, types of lemons and how to make cakes, ice creams and creams through lemons.
Top 5 Hotels in Cinque Terre
Exploring Cinque Terra is a crucial task only if you are able to stay in the nearby region’s best hotels. This helps visitors to enjoy everything in a minute and covers four of the villages. Here we came with top 5 hotels that help and understand specific needs, budget and style of travel of a backpacker.
1. Hotel Porto Roca
Location: Hotel Porto Roca always comes when we are looking for the best hotel in Cinque Terre. Hotel located in the heart of the Cinque Terre National Park, Monterosso al Mare, above the cliff. Since it is nestled above the cliff, the hotel always overlooking the surrounding bay of Monterosso, offers breathtaking sea views and coastlines.
Rooms: Hotel boasts total 43 rooms with balconies (overlooking sea), custom made furniture, telephones, A/c and other amenities. Each room has a balcony and terrace where guests spend time or make dinner in order to overlook coastlines and cliffs.
Cuisines: Served homemade pasta like Pansoti con salsa di noci, Trofie al pesto, spaghetti porto roca. Seafood like Creamed cod red shrimp and Pane carasau chips and Zuppetta di cozze.
Amenities: Infinity Pool always overlooking sea, private beach, restaurants, bar, free Wi-Fi throughout the hotels and spa and massage services.
2. La Torretta Lodge Manarola
Location: La Toretta Lodge is situated in the village of Manarola (one of the 5 villages). Offering vibrant environmental beauty, if you book rooftop terraces surely you will enjoy the panoramic views of the surroundings including beach, Ligurian Sea, mountains trails and villages.
Rooms: La Torretta currently running total of 13 rooms and suites. Each room blends traditional and modern decorations with beautiful furnishing, always overlooking the sea and a picturesque village.
Cuisines: Guests could go through some of the gourmet Italian foods in its restaurants. Often known for its seafood and pesto service, here visitors also eat Focaccia, Pesto with pasta, evening cocktails and taste multiple wine collections.
Amenities: Its top amenities includes beautiful rooftop terraces, private balcony, flat screen TV, and good numbers of restaurants like Trattoria Dal Billy and II Porticciolo.
3. Hotel Margherita
Location: Another elegant and premier hotel serving visitors for the last 50 years who are visiting Cinque Terre, especially Monterosso al Mare. Located in the beautiful gulf of the Rivera Ligua of Monterosso AI Mare village. The hotel is located where it tries to captivate millions of visitors since it offers more village famous trails, sand beaches and green hills.
Rooms: Its 31 sea facing rooms are well equipped with A/c, satellite TV, private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi facilities. Guests can choose its vibrant room’s options such as single, economy, standards, superior, comfort and suite/junior suites, according to their comfort and conveniences. Its bright and cozy rooms will not move our eyes away from sea and mountain views.
Cuisines: Hotel Margherita ideal for is focaccia cuisine. It’s a kind Italian dish made with pesto, egg, and mozzarella, normally served during evening as a snack and sometimes even during dinner.
Amenities: Despite its room and cuisines, the hotel satisfies its customers through prime location of harbour views, lush gardens, regional cuisines, and outdoor seating.
4. Villa Steno Boutique Hotel
Location: It is a small 3 start hotel fully owned and managed by the family of Matteo and Carla. Villa Steno is located in the heart of the Monterosso al Mare, 300 meters from the sea and surrounding beach areas. Guests can easily reach the beaches of Monterosso and the starting point of the hiking point to Vernazza.
Rooms: Its 16 rooms immerse guests in more calm, peaceful views of Cinque Terre landscapes and the old town of Monterosso every second. Most of its rooms are made of contemporary stylish decoration with balconies/small gardens and terraces. Guests could expect a pirate bathroom, shower, hairdryer, TVs, kettle, Nespresso machines, Alc and free Wi-Fi in every room.
Cuisines: Before exploring the village and surrounding views it is better to start your day by eating the hotel’s popular breakfast. Breakfast includes cheese, cereals, fruits, ham and eggs. Visitors also expect homemade stuff like lemon cakes and jams, chocolates, apple cakes and ice creams in addition to baked focaccia yogurt. Do not miss eating your breakfast on your balcony or terrace to get more unique sea views.
Amenities: Other amenities include a pool, landscaped gardens, seasonal outdoor pool, separate bar and lounge for individuals.
5. Hotel Gianni Franzi
Location: Hotel Gianni Franzi is quite a different accommodation option located in the cliffs of the castle of Vernazza village of Cinque Terre. Take a walk of just 0.2 km away from the heart of the Vernazza and a short walk from the train station.
Rooms: Hotel Gianni Franzi caters 24 rooms including singles, double room, triple rooms with balconies and sea views. Each room included a private bathroom, cooling fan, free Wi-Fi and satellite TV.
Cuisines: The hotel focuses and involves Italian and Ligurian cuisine, and some traditional dishes like pesto pasta, seafood risotto, baked octopus and grilled fish species. Try a popular Italian spaghetti bolognese dish.
Amenities: Hotels offer seating facilities, reservations, outdoor seating, and full bar, wheelchair accessibility and alcohol services.
When To Visit Cinque Terre?
Travel is all about Time, like wise if you truly willing to enjoy its breathtaking beauty, you need to head on right time. But visiting Cinque Terre is largely dependent on what you expect from your trip.
1. Spring
Spring starts from April to June, the season is considered as the best time to visit. Since the weather is mild, the season just welcomes flowers to bloom, and less tourist traffic. If you love trekking, hiking or simply take leisurely stroll in any of the 5 villages, choose the spring season.
2. Summer
Despite warm and friendly atmospheres, summer witnessing large tourist traffic and during when visitors would experience over rated hotel prices and cuisines cost. Summer starts from July to August, the season caters chill weather to beach lovers that help surfing, beach laid back relaxations, and even for surfing too.
3. Autumn
If you head to Cinque Terre between September and October, surely you will experience the region’s autumn experiences. Another great time to visit, autumn helps visitors to see beautiful wineries and a vast number of vineyards. The grape harvest season is common during autumn.
4. Winter
Winter starts from November to March, winter perfectly suitable for those who want less crowd, less hustle and bustle and quieter getaway. The region witnessed many unexpected landslides, heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning during November. However, the season does not boast major hotel services and some travel businesses may close, so make sure that before packing your bag.
How to Get to Cinque Terre?
Getting around Cinque Terre is quite a puzzling game, since it has 5 different villages, vast areas of blue trails and a number of cities. So, it is crucial what kind of transportation visitors would choose before planning a trip.
1. Train
We recommend you to take a train to reach Cinque Terre if you are completely new to the city. Since the region is so interconnected by the Italian rail network, visitors can reach in very fast, conveniently and without any traffic. Choose Cinque Terre Express trains from major cities like Rome, Florence and Milan, this helps you reach its 5 villages.
Public Trains, playing a crucial role when it comes to transportations, run a fixed route between Levanto and La Spezia, stopping at each five villages, except Corniglia. Planning to spend 1 week or more, then better to buy Cinque Terre Treno MS Card, offers unlimited train rides until midnight to card holders.
2. Plane
If you are an international traveler willing to explore its villages, then choose Pisa (PSA) or Genoa (GOA) airports. These 2 airports are much closer and have good train links.
3. Car or Taxi
Despite an expensive transportation option, Car/ Taxi is the most recommended option to visit Cinque Terre. Cars or taxis are more flexible and allow visitors to choose their own one or rent one. If you come with your own car choose to drive via La Spezia. Although the southern part of the national park or part of the town of Monterosso are recommended. Be aware about parking because parking is limited and only available to non-residents.
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