Cinque Terre walking tour & city guide
Five colorful fishing villages on the Ligurian cliffs.
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Cinque Terre, meaning 'Five Lands', is a string of five villages clinging to the cliffs of the Italian Riviera: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Pastel houses tumble down to tiny harbors, and the villages are linked by footpaths, a coastal railway and boats rather than roads. The villages and their terraced vineyards are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national park.
The five villages
Riomaggiore, the southernmost, is a steep jumble of houses around a narrow harbor. Manarola, perched on a rock above the sea, gives the most photographed view of Cinque Terre from the path to its vineyards. Corniglia is the only village not on the water, sitting high on a headland reached by 382 steps from the station. Vernazza, with its little square, church and castle tower around a natural harbor, is often called the most beautiful. Monterosso al Mare, the largest, has the only long sandy beach.
Trails, trains and boats
The Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) links all five villages along the coast. Some sections need a Cinque Terre Card, and the famous Via dell'Amore between Riomaggiore and Manarola reopened in 2024 with timed entry. Higher trails through the vineyards and to clifftop sanctuaries are quieter. Local trains stop at every village every 15 to 30 minutes, and from spring to autumn ferries connect the harbors, giving the best views of the villages from the sea.
Visiting tips
Cinque Terre is busy in summer, especially at midday when day-trippers and cruise groups arrive, so stay overnight or come early and late in the day. Cars are not practical: park in La Spezia or Levanto and take the train. Spring and early autumn are the best times for hiking, while the September grape harvest brings the terraces to life.
Top sights in Cinque Terre
- 1
Vernazza harbor
A natural harbor ringed by pastel houses.
- 2
Manarola viewpoint
The classic view of the village on its rock.
- 3
Riomaggiore
Steep lanes around a tiny fishing harbor.
- 4
Corniglia
The hilltop village above the sea.
- 5
Monterosso beach
The longest sandy beach of the five villages.
- 6
Sentiero Azzurro
The coastal trail linking the villages.
Food markets & where to eat in Cinque Terre
Vernazza harbor square
Seafood with a view of the boats.
Monterosso old town
Focaccia bakeries and seafood.
Manarola main street
Small places for fried seafood cones.
La Spezia market
The covered market in the nearby town.
Food to try in Cinque Terre
Pesto alla genovese
Basil pesto, born in Liguria, with trofie pasta.
Focaccia
Liguria's soft, olive-oil-rich flatbread.
Acciughe di Monterosso
The village's famous anchovies, fresh or salted.
Sciacchetrà
A sweet dessert wine from the terraced vineyards.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Cinque Terre
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in Cinque TerreCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Cinque Terre.
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