Last Updated on April 3, 2024
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If visiting Cinque Terre is on your bucket list, you are not the only one. The five colorful villages, located on the Ligurian coast, between Genoa and Pisa, are one of the most beautiful places in Italy. A lot of people visit Cinque Terre as a day trip from either Florence or Pisa, but you need way longer than that to really experience this stunning place. Hiking, boating, wine tasting and enjoying breathtaking views are just some of the things to do in Cinque Terre, Italy.
Do not make the mistake of trying to see Cinque Terre in one day. There’s no way you’ll be able to visit all five villages and you’ll be there where it’s the most crowded. Staying overnight will not only give you more time to really explore and get to know each town, but also experience Cinque Terre in the mornings and evenings, when the crowds clear out. That’s when you can really see just how special and beautiful these villages are.
I recommend at least 3 full days in Cinque Terre. This will give you enough time to explore each town, do a couple of hikes and get out on the water. Add another day or two, if you want to do longer hikes and have time to wander aimlessly or just enjoy a drink and soak in the atmosphere. As you will see from the list below, there’s plenty to do there.
In this post I focus on all the fun activities and things to do in Cinque Terre, Italy. I have a separate post about planning your trip, which includes all the essential information like how to get there, which town to stay in, how to get around, Cinque Terre Card and anything else you might need to know.
For all the information about the Cinque Terre Card, which town to stay in, how to get there and everything else to help you plan the trip, check out my other post All you need to know about visiting Cinque Terre, Italy
Things to do in Cinque Terre, Italy
Visit all five villages
Cinque Terre, which translates to five lands, is exactly that. The area compromises of five picturesque towns Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore and visiting each and one of them should be one of your top activities in Cinque Terre. While they share many similarities, each town has its own character and something unique.
Monterosso al Mare – the northernmost village and the only one with a proper beach and resort-like feel. Monterosso has the most options when it comes to places to stay and is pretty flat. The village is split into two parts Old Monterosso and New Monterosso connected by a tunnel.
Vernazza – named one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, Vernazza is the most popular town and often really crowded mid day. It has a small, but beautiful harbor, a lively Piazza Marconi and despite its small size, a decent amount of restaurants. Vernazza is a starting point of the two most popular hikes, where also the most famous view points are located.
Corniglia – the only Cinque Terre town with no direct access to water. If you arrive to Corniglia by train, you have to walk up the staircase with 382 steps ( or wait for the little bus ). Because it’s not as easy to access as the other towns, it tends to be much more quiet. For that same reason some people skip it, but don’t make that mistake and be sure to include Corniglia in your Cinque Terre itinerary.
Manarola – one of the most photographed villages and where the famous Nessun Dorma restaurant is located. Manarola has a small, but pretty harbor and is surrounded by vineyards. Once the day time visitors leave, Manarola is pretty quiet.
Riomaggiore – the southernmost town, closest to La Spezia. It’s one of the most popular places to watch the sunset. Riomaggiore has the most restaurants.
Go hiking
One of the best things to do in Cinque Terre is to hike between the towns. All five villages are connected by the 7 mile long ( 11 km ) Blue Trail ( Sentiero Azul ), that runs along the coast. The views along the way are spectacular and Sentiero Azul is often described as one of the most scenic hikes in the world. The trail is split into sections, so you can hike as much or as little as you want.
The most popular sections of the Blue Trail are Monterosso – Vernazza and Vernazza- Corniglia, which are the only paid trails and require a Cinque Terre card. Those two trails also have the two most famous viewpoints in Vernazza. Try to do your hiking early in the morning before day trippers arrive, or in the afternoon, after they leave.
Due to landslides the Corniglia – Manarola trail and the famous Via dell’Amore, which connects Riomaggiore and Manarola, have been closed for a while, but they are set to reopen in July 2024. Until then you can hike between those towns via alternative trails.
- Monterosso to Vernazza – 3.5 km long moderate hike, takes 1.5 – 2 hours, depending on the number of stops you make. This is one of the trails, that requires Cinque Terre card.
- Vernazza to Corniglia – 3.5 km long and it takes about 1.5 – 2 hours to complete. Mid way there’s a great bar II Gabbiano, which is almost a mandatory stop to enjoy one of their lemon slushies and an amazing view. Cinque Terre Card is required to hike this trail.
- Corniglia to Manarola – at 5.4 km, this is the longest hike. Starts with a really steep climb, which you can avoid by hopping into a shuttle bus in Manarola to Volastra. After that, it’s pretty flat and the views are amazing.
- Manarola to Riomaggiore – 1.8 km via Beccara, the alternative for the closed Via dell’Amore. It’s the shortest hike, but most challenging due to a steep climb.
Hiking in Cinque Terre is a really fun experience, but some people often underestimate the difficulty level of these hikes. While some sections are flat, there are also parts that are really steep, with many stairs, uneven ground and mostly lack of guardrails.
Proper shoes are required to do any of these hikes, flip flops and open toe shoes are not allowed. The two paid hikes have check points and you might be turned away. It’s very common trails are closed after heavy rains or for maintenance off season, so be sure to check before heading out.
If you plan on hiking the two most popular trails Monterosso – Vernazza and Vernazza – Corniglia, I strongly recommend heading out early or later in the afternoon. Both trails become very crowded mid day and the narrow paths get very congested. If you go hiking in the afternoon, make sure to check first what time the sun sets, as these trails are not lit at night. You want to be back before it gets dark.
Find the scenic view points in Vernazza
I have to say, Cinque Terre is crazy picturesque and you will be surrounded by beautiful views pretty much everywhere. Taking an ugly picture is nearly impossible. Having said that, there are a couple viewpoints, that are especially impressive and you should definitely make a point to make it there during your Cinque Terre trip.
Both viewpoints are located on the hiking trails from Vernazza. One at the beginning of the hike from Vernazza to Monterosso, the other one heading from Vernazza to Corniglia. These are both paid trails, so you need the Cinque Terre card to access them. However, the viewpoint on the trail to Corniglia is located before the check point, so if you don’t want to hike all the way and you’re there just for the view point, it’s free. You do have to go through the check point to get to the other view point on trail from Vernazza to Monterosso.
Those view points became quite popular, so I recommend going early in the day.
Enjoy a beach day in Monterosso
If you would like to have a beach day while in Cinque Terre, head to Monterosso al Mare. This is pretty much your only choice, as this town is the only one with a proper beach. Which is also the reason many people choose Monterosso as their base.
The images of the green and orange umbrellas you’ve seen all over internet, that is the beach in Monterosso.
Monterosso has two parts, Old and New, which are connected by a tunnel. There are beaches in both, but the one in Old Monterosso is on the smaller side. Still, you can either rent a chair or put a towel down on the small, free section.
For the bigger and nicest beach, you need to walk through the tunnel to New Monterosso. Spaggia Fegina is right across the train station. There are small sections of the beach, where you can just put your towel down, but the majority of it is filled with chairs and umbrellas. Those are of course for rent and prices vary depending on the season and where your sunbed is. The front row, closest to the water is most expensive. Expect to pay €30-40 for a couple of sunbeds and parasol during the summer, a bit less after the peak season. I recommend showing up early, as these chairs get reserved quick, especially those in the best spots.
If the main beach is packed, you can keep walking all the way to the end, past a parking lot, and try your luck at a smaller beach Spaggia II Gigante. You know you’re there, when you see the 14 meter sculpture of the Giant, up on the rocky cliff. The sculpture was built in 1910 and represents Neptune. It’s worth stopping at this beach, just to see it in real life. Hard to capture in photos how big and impressive it is.
Take a boat tour
Seeing the five towns from the water is an absolute must and one of the top things to do in Cinque Terre! There’s also no better way to escape the crowds that flood the streets of those small towns mid day, than hop on a boat and enjoy the beautiful coastline.
Most boats in Cinque Terre leave from Vernazza and Monterosso and there is a variety of tours to choose from. You can opt for anything from a 2 hour ride, 4 hour tour including lunch to an afternoon excursion or a sunset cruise.
If you are traveling with a group of friends, it makes sense to rent a private boat. It will give you complete freedom and might even be cheaper.
For those who stay in La Spezia and want to see Cinque Terre by boat, there’s no shortage of boat tours there as well. You can hop on the boat right there, without having to take a train to one of the villages first. You can choose from an afternoon Boat Tour with Appetizers and Drinks, 8 hour Cinque Terre Tour or even a full day sailing adventure.
Visit Cinque Terre towns by ferry
Want to see the five villages from the water, but a boat tour is not in your budget? Take the ferry! The Cinque Terre ferry is not just a great way to get between towns, but a cheaper alternative to often pricey boat tours.
One idea is to get a one way ticket and go from Monterosso all the way to Riomaggiore ( or even Portovenero ). You could also buy a one day round trip ticket and spend the day town hopping. The ticket costs €39 ( €15 for children ) and allows you to hop on and off where you like. You won’t be able to get off in Corniglia, since it doesn’t have direct access to water.
Whatever ticket you need, you can buy it the day of at the docking point. Despite what some people think, ferries are NOT included in the Cinque Terre Card.
The ferries are seasonal and run from end of March March to November. If there’s bad weather, they might get suspended.
Go kayaking
If you’d like to spend more time out on the water, another one of the fun things to do in Cinque Terre is to go kayaking. This 3 hour Cinque Terre Kayak Tour leaves from Monterosso and goes past Vernazza and Cornigia, with stops for swimming and lunch. This Paddle Along Cinque Terre Kayak Tour lasts 3 hours as well, and comes with excellent reviews.
And if you prefer to go out on your own, without a guide, you can do that too. Best places to rent a kayak are Monterosso and in the Riomaggiore harbor.
Watch the sunset
Another great reason to stay in Cinque Terre longer than one day, is that you will get a chance to enjoy some spectacular sunsets. As far as the best sunset spots in Cinque Terre go, Riomaggiore and Manarola seem to be the favorite towns.
In Riomaggiore, a lot of people go and sit on the rocks by the harbor. It does get busy, so I recommend getting there about an hour before sunset to get a spot. in Manarola, you’ll get one of the best sunset views from near the Nessun Dorma restaurant.
But honestly, you can really enjoy a great sunset from any town you happen to be in around that time.
Take a sunset tour
Seeing the towns of Cinque Terre from the water is a must and the best time to do it is at sunset. You get to cruise along the coastline and see all villages while enjoying a welcome drink and appetizers. The Golden hour is also the best time to photograph the towns, as the lighting is just perfect.
The sunset boat tours depart from Monterosso, Vernazza and Manarola. They typically last 2-3 hours and usually include appetizers and wine. They often stop for a quick swim, so bring your swim suit, if you’d like to take a late afternoon swim in the Ligurian Sea.
Take in the views from Doria Castle in Vernazza
Castello Doria in Vernazza is the oldest surviving fortification in Cinque Terre, dating back to 11th century. It’s mostly a ruin now, with basically just a tower left. But while the castle itself is not that impressive, the views from it are and that’s why you go there.
It’s a bit of a steep hike up many stairs to the Castle, which starts near the Vernazza harbor. It’s well worth the climb though. The entrance costs 2, which makes it one of the cheapest things to do in Cinque Terre. Be sure to have cash, as credit cards are not accepted.
When you get there, go inside of the tower and climb the spiral staircase up to the top. From there you’ll have amazing views of the town, the sea and .
Open: daily from 10 am – 7 pm
Enjoy Aperitivo
Aperitivo in Italy is a ritual and part of the Italian culture. What’s better than sipping an Aperol Spritz with some light snacks, especially after hiking or climbing the steep streets of Cinque Terre.
There are many cute bars and restaurants, where you can sit outside, enjoy a refreshing drink and just take in the surroundings.
One of my favorite places to have a drink with a view was The Deck, a small place off the main tourist drag. It was recommended by my host and was conveniently located not far from my apartment.
It’s a bit hidden and not really a place you will stumble upon, you kind of have to know how to get there. It requires a bit of a climb up steep alleys, but it’s totally worth it. The Deck is part of the Gianni Franzi hotel, but in the afternoon the terrace opens to public.
Visit the picturesque Vernazza harbor
Vernazza has, in my opinion, the prettiest harbor and that was one of the reasons I chose to stay there during my 4 days in Cinque Terre. The harbor is small, but really picturesque. It’s also the only natural harbor in Cinque Terre.
There is a small stretch of sand, where you can throw down a towel and take a dip in the water.
The adjacent Piazza Marconi is a great place to have a drink under one of the colorful umbrellas and watch all the activity at the harbor.
During the day, this area is jam packed with people. Vernazza is really popular with group tours and day trippers, so I’d avoid it mid day. It’s a whole different place when they leave. Early mornings and late afternoons and evenings are the best times to enjoy the Piazza and the harbor.
See the churches in Cinque Terre
There are some nice churches in Cinque Terre worth checking out.
- Church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia in Vernazza – small, but beautiful Gothic church with a bell tower, on the right side of the main Plaza. According to a legend, the church was built on the site where a box with bones of St Margaret appeared not once, but twice.
- Church of San Giovanni Battista in Riomaggiore – located in the upper part of town, but worth the steep walk.
- Church of San Pietro in Corniglia – small Gothic church with plain exterior, but really beautiful interior.
Take a Pesto Class at Nessun Dorma in Manarola
Liguria is the birthplace of pesto and if you ever wanted to learn how to make it, you are in the best place. You can find pesto making classes all over Cinque Terre, but the most popular and best known is the pesto making experience at Nessun Dorma, the famous restaurant in Manarola. This is definitely one of the more expensive things to do in Cinque Terre, but if it’s in your budget, I cannot recommend it enough.
This is a 2.5 hour experience and obviously it doesn’t take that long to make pesto, so that’s just part of it. Besides learning all the steps to make pesto the traditional way, you’ll also meet the owner Simone and learn how he ended up opening the restaurant. It’s quite a story, I won’t spoilt it for you.
After your job of making pesto is done, you get to stay and enjoy it along with generous serving of bruschetta, meat and cheese board, local wine and spectacular views. Before you leave you also get a bottle of local wine to take, as well as the apron you got at the beginning, which makes for a fun souvenir.
The classes are twice daily at 10:30 am and 1:10 pm, between April – first days of November. You can sign up on the Nessun Dorma website. They are quite popular, so I recommend getting a spot as soon as you know your travel dates ( you pay on the day of the class ). Because it’s an open air restaurant, the class might be canceled if there’s inclement weather.
If you want one of the tables with the best view, be sure to be there a bit earlier. There’s going to be a line of people waiting for the class and those at the of it get the best tables.
Have dinner at Nessun Dorma
If you have no interest in the pesto making experience, but would still like to enjoy a meal at Nessun Dorma with a postcard picture view, go there in the afternoon. Once they are done with pesto classes for the day, they open at 5 pm for dinner. Keep in mind though, they don’t have a typical full menu. They mostly serve Italian Bruschetta, Meat and Cheese Platters and Salads.
Nessun Dorma is one of the most popular restaurants in Cinque Terre and scoring a table requires a bit of patience. They don’t take reservations, it operates on a first come first serve basis. You can download either the Nessun Dorma app or scan a QR code at the bar to get into a virtual line. Don’t go too far and keep checking the app, when you have 10 or less people in front of you, be near the entrance.
PRO TIP: If you don’t want to or have time to wait in line for a table at Nessun Dorma, there is a picnic area right above the restaurant with tables and benches. It’s completely free and has the same spectacular view. You can pick up some food and a bottle of wine in town and enjoy it there.
Enjoy dinner with a view
While Nessun Dorma does have one of the best views in Cinque Terre, there are several other restaurants with a killer view. Two of them are in Vernazza: La Torre and Belforte. You can’t go wrong with either one. Both are great choices if you are looking to have an amazing meal while enjoying a beautiful view.
Another restaurant in Manarola, that is known for delicious food and great views is Trattoria da Billy. All these places are really popular, especially in peak season, so be sure to make dinner reservations.
Enjoy the sea food
Italian cuisine is considered some of the best in the world, so of course food will be a huge part of your trip. Given its location on the Ligurian Sea, it’s not a surprise, that Cinque Terre has amazing sea food.
One of the staples are Anchovies, caught fresh daily and prepared in many different ways.
Very popular are the seafood cones, which is exactly what it sounds like. A paper cone filled with a variety fried seafood and vegetables with comes with skewers, so you can enjoy on the go. They are great, if you are not quite ready for a big meal, but need a little snack. You can places selling the cones all over Cinque Terre, but one of the favorites is Tutti Fritti in Riomaggiore.
Have some gelato
You are in Italy, so of course plan on having plenty of gelato. There’s no shortage of gelato places, but not all gelato is equal. Look for muted rather than bright colors. Good gelato is also not stacked too high. If it’s piled up too high, it’s full of preservatives.
Having said that, there are lots of great gelato places in Cinque Terre and choosing the best is not easy. Some of the places not to be missed are Gelateria Vernazza in Vernazza, Alberto Gelateria in Corniglia.
Take a cooking class
If you enjoy cooking and would like to learn how to prepare some of the local dishes and try to recreate them at home, taking a cooking class is a fun thing to do. A lot of these classes take place in locals’ homes
In this 3-course cooking class with a view in Riomaggiore , you will learn how to make some of the local dishes, while enjoying local wines and a spectacular view.
Try Focaccia
Trying regional specialties is definitely one of the best things to do in Cinque Terre. Another one of the popular foods that ordinated in Liguria is Focaccia. Focaccia is an Italian flatbread with olive oil and salt. You can get it plain or with different toppings like tomatoes, olives and a variety of herbs.
Focaccia makes for a good snack and it’s best when eaten fresh. You can get it all over Cinque Terre.
Enjoy Cinque Terre wine
Cinque Terre’s climate is perfect for growing grapes and wine making has been one of the main industries in the region for years. The hills are covered in terraced vineyards, which kind of reminded me of Douro Valley in Portugal. If you do any hiking, you’ll come across the vineyards.
The two wines Cinque Terre is mostly known for is Cinque Terre DOC, dry white wine and Sciacchetrà, dessert wine. There are many wine bars across all five towns where you can do some wine tasting.
If you want to take a closer look at the wine production, there are also many tours where you can visit the vineyards and learn what it takes to make a bottle of Cinque Terre from the wine makers themselves.
READ MORE:
- All you need to know about visiting Cinque Terre, Italy
- Things to do in Pisa, Italy in one day
- How to visit Pisa and Lucca in one day – day trip from Florence
- 2 days in Florence, Italy – the perfect itinerary for your first visit
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