On that first Trip to the Cinque Terre, we flew from the U.S. to Florence, picked up a rental car, drove to Vernazza, parked the car outside of town, and walked to our hotel where we stayed for 2 nights. I remember enjoying a glass of wine at the end of the harbor while waiting to check into our room. We enjoyed a fresh seafood dinner on the piazza with a cool sea breeze in the air. It was awesome.
We used jet lag to our benefit and got up early the next day to start hiking. We ended up going all the way to Riomaggiore (taking our time to explore each little village a bit on the way), taking a ferry back up the coast to Monterosso and then hiking back to Vernazza. We were exhausted, but extremely happy when we sat down to our second dinner of fresh fish in the piazza by the sea.
We have since returned, and this past summer we stayed 5 fabulous days, knowing that we wanted to take our time. We hiked more trails, dined by the Mediterranean, ate more gelato, enjoyed more fried seafood in a cone, and took more breaks this time, so we could soak it all in.
Whether you have a day, or a week, or longer, spending time here will bring joy to your life. You will make wonderful memories, and if you’re like me, you’ll want to return again and again. Planning your time well is the key to getting the most out of your visit.
5 Towns of Cinque Terre
There are 5 stunning hillside villages in the Cinque Terre. Monterosso al Mare is the most northern town. Moving north to south you will come to Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and then Riomaggiore. Each one is similar, yet unique. There are both train and boat connections between most of the towns, making it very easy to visit them all.
They are also linked by footpaths which connect all 5 villages. The Sentiero Azzurro is closest to the water, easiest, and most famous. It is about 7.5 miles long if you hike from Monterosso to Riomaggiore. A devastating flood in October 2011 has caused the southernmost sections to remain closed, but the trail between Vernazza and Corniglia is open. You can also hike the trail between Monterosso and Vernazza, although some signs say it is closed. There are also upper trails between villages that are open, and command spectacular views for those who are ready for some steep climbs.
The trails lie within a national park, so you will need to pay to enter. It’s easy – there is someone in the booth at the entrance of the open trails who will sell you a ticket for about €7.50 for one day.
Monterosso is the largest of the 5 villages, and has the only long and sandy beach in the area. You can rent chairs and umbrellas and enjoy the sun and the waves crashing against the rocky coastline. Or you can sit and enjoy a spritz while people watching. That’s always a great option.
