9 Helpful Tips for Visiting Cinque Terre

I’d wanted to visit Cinque Terre for as long as I can remember, so it felt extra special to finally go there for my 40th birthday in October 2025.

Like many first-time visitors, I arrived with a rough plan but quickly realised there were a few things I was very glad we did and a couple I wish we had done differently. Small choices made a big difference to how much we got out of our time there.

So, in this article, I’m sharing my best tips for visiting Cinque Terre based on our experience exploring all five villages over two full days. From where to stay and how to get around, to when to hike and what not to miss.

Do you need more inspiration for your Italy trip? Check out my one-week Cinque Terre and Tuscany itinerary here!

What is Cinque Terre?

Cinque Terre is a small coastal region along the Ligurian Coast in north-west Italy, often described as part of the Italian Riviera. The name means Five Lands and refers to the five historic villages that make up the area: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare.

What makes Cinque Terre special is how the villages are built directly into the steep cliffs above the sea, surrounded by terraced vineyards and hiking trails that connect them. The entire landscape reflects centuries of human adaptation to the dramatic coastline, which is why the area in 1997 was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Cinque Terre’s Five Villages

Before diving into my best travel tips for Cinque Terre, let’s get a quick overview of the 5 towns:

My best tips for visiting Cinque Terre for the first time

Because of this unique geography and popularity, a few practical choices can make a big difference to how much you enjoy your visit. So here are my most helpful tips:

1. Spend at least two full days

If you’re considering just visiting Cinque Terre on a day trip from Florence, think again. It’s better spending that day elsewhere and saving Cinque Terre for when you have a bit more time.

We spent 3 nights and 2 full days there, and that was just about enough time to hike between the towns, explore each of them, enjoy après hike aperitivos, eat good food and marvel at the sunset.

However, we missed doing a boat trip, something I’d really looked forward to. We arrived very late the first evening, so if you arrive earlier in the day, you’ll still have time for this.

And if you want to enjoy some beach time in addition to all this, I’d recommend planning for at least one extra day.

2. Stay in one of the five towns

Because of the frequent trains on the railway line linking the larger cities La Spezia and Levanto with the villages in Cinque Terre, it’s possible to stay in either of them. La Spezia at the south, next to Riomaggiore, and Levanto to the north, next to Monterosso al Mare.

However, for the real Cinque Terre vibe, you should stay in one of the five villages.

Accommodation here might be a bit more expensive, but if you choose a CETS certified accommodation, you can get discounts on the train and hiking pass.  

And in my opinion, experiencing the small, picturesque towns after the day trippers have gone home and in the early morning is worth every extra cost!

Due to a very late arrival, we spent our first night in La Spezia and then moved on to Riomaggiore for the next two nights.

3. Split the hike in two

While you can have a great trip without going hiking, it’s no secret that walking the trails from town to town is the most popular activity in Cinque Terre.

The full length of the route that’s open today, is 15 kilometres. Theoretically it’s doable in one day if you’re used to hiking in uneven terrain. We contemplated doing that, but I’m so happy we ended up splitting the hiking into two days.

There are many steep climbs and descents along the way. And you’ll also want time to stroll around the towns and stop for refreshments.

This is how we did it, and I can really recommend it to anyone:

Day 1: Riomaggiore – Manarola – Corniglia via Volastra

This was the hardest of the two days, and doing it first is ideal. Both sections are also free, so you do not need to purchase a hiking pass for this day.

From Riomaggiore we took the route via Beccara which is quite short but steep up and down with a lot of stairs. If you want to continue hiking from Manarola per 2026, the only way is uphill via Volastra before you start the descent into Corniglia.

Day 2: Monterosso al Mare – Vernazza – Corniglia

You need the hiking pass for both of the trails today. These sections are a bit easier than the day before, but you’ll still get your heart pumping. They are also more popular than the other two, so starting early is a good tip.

Why not start in Corniglia? Well, that’s completely up to you of course. Just remember that there are 33 flights of stairs and a total of 382 steps from the train station to the town centre where the uphill trail starts.

4. Stop for refreshments in the vineyards

Walking between the towns isn’t just about the actual walk. Along the trails, you’ll come across cute places to stop for refreshments, lunch and even wine tasting.

To me, the combination of activity and enjoying life is the best of Cinque Terre!

On the first day, we stopped at a small bar just after Volastra and tried a glass of the traditional sweet wine from the area. Normally none of us are huge fans of sweet wine, but this one was very good. Maybe it was the fact that we had left most of the ascent behind us, the beautiful scenery and holiday vibes?

The next day we stopped at a rustic place between Vernazza and Corniglia, who served the freshest orange juice you can think of. I bet you can taste it just by looking at the photo!

5. Park in La Spezia

Are you on a road trip in Italy? Park your car in La Spezia instead of bothering with driving the narrow, winding roads into the Cinque Terre villages. Even though there are some parking places available in the outskirts of the towns, it’s just not worth it.

Parking in Cinque Terre is more expensive, the parking lots are small, and it takes longer to get there by car than by train from La Spezia. Chances are the train station is closer to your accommodation than the parking lot anyway.

We parked at Park Centro Stazione which is directly under the train station, and it was smooth driving in and out.

If you’re coming from west, opt to park in Levanto instead.

6. Use the train as shuttle between the villages

As mentioned earlier, the train line between La Spezia and Levanto, with stops in all of the five towns, is the easiest form for transport. It’s frequent and fast.

You can pay per journey, or you can buy the Cinque Terre Treno Card for unlimited trips within the number of days (1-3) you’ve selected. The train card also includes the needed hiking pass for the trails between Monterosso and Corniglia.

Before you buy, think about how many days you’ll actually need it. We bought a 2-day pass but could have managed with 1 day, because the trails we hiked the first day were free and we only took the train twice that day.

There are ticket machines on all stations, and the prices differs depending on the time of your visit. Also, make sure to check if you’re staying at a certified local accommodation, as they offer a discount code for the train and hiking pass.

7. Watch the sunset from Riomaggiore or Manarola

Can anything match watching the sun set in the ocean? Both Riomaggiore and Manarola are facing west, which means spectacular sunsets.

We ended up staying in Riomaggiore both evenings, and the atmosphere at the small harbour really was something else. There were so many people sitting on the walls and the rocks, eating take-out pizza and drinking. And still, it was almost completely quiet. Except for one guy singing opera one night – which just added to special vibe.

Ideally, I’d go for one sunset in Manarola and one in Riomaggiore.

8. Take a boat trip

This is the one thing we missed out on and I’m definitely doing next time. The closes I got to seeing a town from the water is the picture above (taken on the molo in Riomaggiore).

There are many different options to choose from. The easiest and cheapest is the ferry that operates between the towns (plus La Spezia and Levanto). The best is to book a private tour including food and drinks and stops for swimming.

9. Get up early

No matter where I am visiting, I love getting up early and experiencing the towns waking up. Walking around empty streets at dusk, when the only people you meet are locals chatting over a coffee and putting their signs and tables out.

In Cinque Terre, this is the only alternative you have to explore the towns free from crowds. At least if you visit between March and November.

So, set your alarm early and head out for a stroll and maybe a morning swim, before you grab a coffee standing by the bar together with the locals. It will be worth it, I promise.

Bonus: Don’t sleep on stair and hill climbing before visiting

Cinque Terre is synonymous with hills and stairs. You can’t really get around it. Even inside the accommodation, the old, tall and narrow buildings come with only steep staircases – no lifts.

My best recommendation for you is to pack light in luggage that’s easy to carry and skip the lift in the weeks before your visit.

Where are you headed next? See my tips for Rome here and how to plan a day trip to Spello and Assisi here!