Cinque Terre, “The 5 Lands” nestled into the rugged Italian coastline. Full of vineyards, fishing harbors, and world renowned pesto, these small villages are lesser known gems.
Getting there…
Due to the steep cliff landscapes, these villages can only be accessed via train or boat. Traveling by car is not possible. The best option is from La Spezia or Levanto depending on where you’re coming from. In La Spezia you will find public parking next to the train station, we parked there for 3 days with no issues.
There are a few train routes, all get you to the main villages. The fastest route is the Cinque Terre Express which stops at La Spezia, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso, and Levanto. This may sound complicated but it is very easy to navigate, I promise.
I Villagi…
Every village has something different to offer.
Riomaggiore: If you are looking for nightlife and shopping, this is the lively village for you.
Mangia Mangia… Dau Cila – Harborview. Reservation is a must.
Manarola: Each village has stunning views, especially from the hiking trails. Manarola has these picturesque views all reward, no work required.
Mangia Mangia… Nessun Dorma – Perfect post hike view
Corniglia: Off the beaten path, or rather 350 steps upwards from the train stop is Corniglia. Although the village is not on the water like others, it provides visitors with a full vineyard experience.
Mangia Mangia… A Cantina De Mananan – Quaint little fishing restaurant.
Vernazza: I chose to stay here to get a little bit of everything. Vernazza is nestled on the water with a beach for swimming and a harbor for local fisherman. Vernazza provides a great home base for hiking both directions passing through vineyards on the way.
Mangia Mangia…
Al Castello – Winding castle with exquisite dining. Excellent wine selection. I loved the Barbera D’Alba. Al tried to order a cappucino after dinner and the guy refused to give it to him. It is only acceptable to order cappuccino in the morning. Italians believe that drinking milk after a meal disrupts digestion.
Cinque Sensi – The BEST wine and cheese pairing. Amazing.
Lunchbox – Affordable, fresh sandwiches.
- Accommodations: Hintown Pretty House – Easily accessible, owner communicated promptly and had codes to a key box outside of the apartment. Just past the hustle and bustle of the train stop.
Monterosso: The largest of the villages, Monterosso is mostly sandy beach. The village is divided into two sections both old and new by a small tunnel. It is more modern and much less quaint than the others.
Hiking
You’ll need a hiking pass for the trail which you can get on the hike. It will cost €7.50 a person. The two best routes are Vernazza to Monterosso and Vernazza to Corniglia. The trail past Corniglia towards Manarola is closed for an unknown amount of time after land slides damaged it.