FREE: Cinque Terre for a day!
The Cinque Terre, which means "Five Lands," is a stunning coastal area in Liguria, northwest Italy. It’s located west of La Spezia and includes five picturesque villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. This whole region, including the coastline, the villages, and the surrounding hills, is part of the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
🏘️WHERE TO STAY IN CINQUE TERRE?
I know that Cinque terre is romantic and beautiful but if you are travelling on a budget then Levanto or La Spezia are far better options. To see Cinque terre a day is enough (it will be a long day tho, but totally worth it). I would suggest La Spezia. From there you can make day trips to Pisa, Lucca, Firenza and Siena and make the best of your Tuscany trip.
How to get there?
There are frequent trains from Levanto, La Spezia, Firenza and many other cities. Just download the Trenitalia app and buy your ticket upfront :)
If you buy the ticket in person, you need to validate it on green machines before coming to the train, if you do it through the app, you can validate it in the app. Be sure to do this because there is a new law where you can get fines if you don't validate a ticket in the Trenitalia app.
Important info:
If you're planning to hike and take the train, the best option is to grab the Cinque Terre Card. Depending on the season, you can buy it at the Monterosso train station, which costs between €15 and 18. The card includes free access to restrooms, WiFi, hiking trails, and unlimited train travel between Levanto, the Cinque Terre villages, and La Spezia. Without the card, each train ride between the villages costs €5, and trains run every 5-10 minutes.
Link to Cinque Terre card:
Check everything about the trains here:
ABOUT THE HIKING TRAILS:
There are two main hiking trails: Monterosso to Vernazza (1.5-2 hours) and Vernazza to Corniglia. Each trail costs €7.50 daily, but they're free with the Cinque Terre Card. The climbs are tough, but once you reach the top, the stunning views make all the effort (and sweat!) worth it. 😊
Besides these two main hiking trails, there are a lot of others that are free and you can check them out here:
ABOUT THE VILLAGES:
🏖️ Monterosso:
A touristy spot with plenty of restaurants and beaches—perfect for enjoying the sea.
🎁 Vernazza:
Recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. It's packed with souvenirs and restaurants. Be sure to check out Castello Doria (€2) and the breathtaking view from the end of the dock.
🚶♂️ Corniglia:
The smallest and least accessible village. To get there, you’ll need to tackle the Lardarina staircase with its 382 steps. Honestly, there's not much to see here. I'd recommend spending more time in Vernazza or Manarola.
🌅 Manarola:
Super cute and quite large, with lots of scenic viewpoints. Perched on a high rock 70 meters above sea level, Manarola is one of the most charming and romantic villages in Cinque Terre. The tiny harbor, colorful houses, and cozy piazza give it a unique charm.
🏞️ Riomaggiore:
The southernmost village, is just two minutes by train from Manarola. The town climbs along the ridges overlooking the sea, with characteristic stone houses featuring colourful facades and slate roofs. Take a stroll along Via Colombo down to the small harbor, surrounded by pastel houses and bright fishing boats. There’s also a pebble beach near the harbor that’s worth checking out.
OTHER USEFUL INFO:
Best Time to Visit:
Since it is mostly hiking and enjoying the sun, I would suggest late spring or early fall, to avoid the summer crowds and enjoy milder weather.
Packing Suggestions:
Be sure to take comfortable hiking shoes, because a guard can give you a fine if you come in flip-flops on hiking trails. Furthermore, pack a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat, as the sun can be quite strong during hikes. If you don't want to spend a lot of money, also pack sandwiches and food. Cinque Terre is a typical tourist destination so expect high prices.
Learning Italian Phrases:
Italians are proud of their language so don't expect that they will speak right away english. First, you need to show them that you are willing to go out of your comfort zone and learn a few words yourself.
Buongiorno! – Good morning! / Good day!
Buonasera! – Good evening!
Ciao! – Hi! / Bye! (casual greeting)
Arrivederci! – Goodbye!
Per favore – Please (when asking for something)
Grazie – Thank you
Prego – You're welcome / Please (when offering something)
Scusi – Excuse me (when you need someone's attention)
Mi scusi – Excuse me (when apologizing)
Quanto costa? – How much does it cost?
Dov'è...? – Where is...?
Un caffè, per favore. – A coffee, please.
Parla inglese? – Do you speak English?
Non capisco – I don't understand
Può aiutarmi? – Can you help me?
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