Towns of Cinque Terre: Ultimate Guide To the Cinque Terre Villages

One visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cinque Terre, and I was in love!

Seeing the colorful towns of Cinque Terre cling to the cliff of the Italian coastline made me stand in awe of the determination and stamina of the people who created the Cinque Terre villages.

Visiting the Cinque Terre towns is unlike visiting other famous towns in Italy. You won’t find many traditional tourist attractions here in the Cinque Terre.

Instead, you will find five towns with unique personalities that embrace the natural beauty of the rugged coastline surrounding them.

The coastal villages are part of the Cinque Terre National Park, each connected to another by a series of hiking trails, walking paths, and a reliable local train.

While many are visited on a day trip, we recommend spending a few nights in the Ligurian Riviera to ensure you get a true feel for the five lands.

The beautiful towns of Cinque Terre have proven to be popular destinations, offering visitors colorful houses, spectacular views, epic hiking, and great restaurants to explore.

Let’s dive into the five Cinque Terre towns. If it isn’t on your couple’s bucket list, it will be after you read this post!

*This post contains affiliate links.  By purchasing through these links, we get a small commission at no additional cost. That Texas Couple also participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Let’s Connect on Social Media!

What are the Five Towns of Cinque Terre?

The Cinque Terre comprises five towns in the Liguria region of Italy.

While they are all part of the national park, each town does have its unique vibe and personality, differentiating it from the other towns.

If you start at the northwest portion of the Cinque Terre and travel south, the five cities appear in this order: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

Let’s analyze each of the five villages a little closer so that you can see all that the Cinque Terre towns have to offer.

Read Next: 3 Days In Venice: A Great Venice Itinerary

Monterosso al Mare

A Beach Lovers Paradise

Of all of the Cinque Terre towns, Monterosso al Mare is the only village that has a true stretch of beach for you to enjoy. Therefore, this is the best town for those of you looking for a beach in Cinque Terre.

This is also the town with the most Cinque Terre hotels, so many people choose to make Monterosso al Mare their “home base” while exploring the five villages of the Cinque Terre.

As one of the larger cities and most northern of the five villages, Monterosso al Mare is separated into two sections, the “Old Town” and the “New Town.”

The New Town is where you will find the sandy beach, a perfect location to enjoy a day on the Italian Riviera. This is also where you will find most of the hotels in town.

The New and Old Towns are connected by a tunnel, making accessing each quick and easy.

The ruins of a castle overlook the old town area of Monterosso, offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding coast.

Tourists love to visit the Gothic-style San Giovanni Battista Church located in the main town square and see the statue of the Giant at the north end of the beach. Many travelers also love visiting the weekly Farmer’s Market, every Tuesday morning.

Pro Tip:

A sunset meal at Ristorante L’Ancora Della Tortuga is a must during your trip. The sweeping ocean and beach views are truly some of the best in all five towns. Just be sure to make a reservation if visiting during high season, as this is one of the most popular restaurants in the village.

Getting From Monterosso to Vernazza

The train from Monterosso to Vernazza is a quick, five-minute journey. You can access the train by purchasing a single-ride ticket or a daily pass at the train station.

Of course, many tourists prefer to explore the hiking trails in Cinque Terre, Italy.

The hiking trail from Monterosso to Vernazza leaves from the eastern part of Monterosso. Walk down the road leading from Hotel Porto Roca and find the path that begins with a long staircase.

The path between these two towns takes about 1.5 hours to hike as it winds through the olive orchards, vineyards, and along the coast of the sea.

Pro Tip:

Before hiking in Cinque Terre, always check for the conditions of the trails here. Given the location of the towns, the Cinque Terre is a very unstable environment prone to flooding and landslides.

In addition, you do have to pay a hiking fee if you plan to use the hiking trails from Monterosso to Vernazza or Vernazza to Corniglia (the others are free). The easiest way to do this is a Cinque Terre Trekking card. You can purchase one at any of the train stations or the Tourist information points in Cinque Terre, La Spezia, or Levanto.

Read Next: 20 Free Things To Do In Venice

Vernazza

The Most Beautiful Cinque Terre Town

Vernazza is often referred to as the most beautiful Cinque Terre town.

When you see the colorful houses that appear to be clinging to the side of the rocky cliffs hovering over the town piazza and small harbor below, you will understand why.

In the city center, wander from the train station down to the town’s main street. Here, you are treated to small cafes and boutique shops beckoning you to enter. Of course, the cafes here are great to just sit at and enjoy some people-watching!

The remnants of the old Genoses walls and a watch tower are overlooking the town.

If you want one of the best views in Cinque Terre, climb the steps on the hill opposite the watch tower. This view of Vernazza is truly spectacular and one of the most photographed in the five towns.

Getting From Vernazza to Corniglia

Most tourists to this area like to move from one village to the next by hiking through Cinque Terre.

Of course, you can take the train from Vernazza to Corniglia, but if you want to enjoy hiking in the next village, you can also do that here.

The trail leaving from Vernazza takes you above the sea and back down again through a series of up-and-down elevation changes.

The hike takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete and is rated average on the difficulty scale.

Like some of the other trails, this trail does require a fee. The best deal is to purchase the Cinque Terre Trekking Card mentioned above.

Pro Tip:

Get off of the beaten path when exploring Vernazza. Take time to wander the side streets and enjoy just being in Italy. You will be rewarded with great sea views at every turn.

Read Next: Capri, Italy: The Isle of Capri Ultimate Guide

Corniglia

Best Town To Spend The Night In

Corniglia is the only Cinque Terre town not built directly on the sea. It’s true, but don’t worry, Corniglia has its charm and, honestly, is the best town to spend the night in thanks to the quiet, calm environment.

This Cinque Terre town is built high on a hillside overlooking the Ligurian Sea.

If arriving in town on the train, it is important to note that you will have to climb over 300 stairs to make it to the town. If you prefer not to do this, then wait right outside of the train station for the shuttle bus that will take you into town.

Once you arrive in town, you are greeted by a town that has existed since the middle ages. The ancient Roman village has always been huge on agriculture, which is apparent in the surrounding hillsides.

Wander around the narrow streets of Corniglia to get acquainted. Pop into the cute shops and enjoy a glass of homemade wine.

For a great ocean view, follow the main walkway through town until you get to the large sea-facing terrace. This is the only place in Cinque Terre where you can view all five villages.

If you choose to spend the night here, you will note that there are few hotels. There are, however, numerous bed and breakfasts and apartments available for rent.

Pro Tip:

During your time in Corniglia, do your part to help settle the gelato battle of Corniglia.

You see, on the main street, there are two rival gelato shops right next door, and I mean rivals!

Taste both and decide for yourself which one is best.

Read Next: 21 Things To Know Before Visiting Rome

Manarola

Incredible Wine Production

Granted, the colorful houses hanging on the Cinque Terre cliffs ensure you get some incredible views while visiting Manarola, but that is not what this town in Italy is most famous for.

Manarola, Italy, is most well known for the incredible wine they produce here. You quickly understand why when you see all of the hillside vineyards surrounding the town.

The wine produced in Manarola is a sweet wine named Sciacchetra. Be sure to try it during your visit to Manarola.

The small town square overlooks the harbor below and is home to several restaurants and bars that are the perfect location to enjoy a glass of Sciacchetra.

Overlooking the town is the Church of San Lorenzo. Here, you can see the historic church that was built in the 12th century. There is also a 16th-century watch tower and the church’s bell tower at the top of the hill.

Don’t miss the Manarola Vineyard walk during your time in the city.

The trail for the vineyard walk begins right by the church, just look for the wooden railing. The walk zig zags through the hillside vineyards,, offering incredible views of the town and the ocean.

Hiking From Manarola to Riomaggiore

A great hiking trail leads from Manarola to Riomaggiore called the “Via dell’Amore,” translated to Lover’s Lane.

This trail is an easy hike that hugs the cliffs and overlooks the water.

Unfortunately, this path has been damaged and is currently being repaired. As of the publication of this article, it is scheduled to open in July 2024.

Pro Tip:

While there isn’t a beach here, there is some great deep-water swimming, and you will see locals swimming here throughout the summer. Join in during your visit as well. What is a trip to Cinque Terre, Italy, without enjoying the beautiful waters?

Read Next: 25 Awesome Things To Do In Rome

Riomaggiore

The town of Riomaggiore is nestled into a tiny natural harbor carved out of the rocks. If you are taking the train into Cinque Terre from La Spezia, this is the first town you will visit.

I will never forget the feeling of seeing Riomaggiore for the first time. We traveled up from La Spezia. I stepped off the train and was immediately greeted by this gorgeous, colorful Cinque Terre village.

The stone streets in Riomaggiore invite visitors to come and explore this quiet town.

Lined with cafes and small shops, Riomaggiore is the introduction to Cinque Terre for many visitors as most people enter from La Spezia, which is south of Riomaggiore.

Consider taking the 10-minute climb to the castle walls and the two towers that overlook the town. You will find fabulous views from this vantage point, so make the trek if you are up for it.

Read Next: The Perfect 2 Day Rome Itinerary

How Do I Get To Cinque Terre?

There are several ways that you can get to Cinque Terre.

Many people choose to take a day trip to Cinque Terre. We cover this in our post, how to get from Florence to Cinque Terre, and in our 10-Day Italy Itinerary.

If you can,, though, I recommend spending a few nights in the five villages to get a real feel for the area and life here. Many people choose to stay in La Spezia while visiting the towns of Cinque Terre as it is conveniently located via the local train.

Read Next: 20 Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Filming Locations (& A Map)

How Many Days Should I Stay?

Deciding how many days to stay in the Cinque Terre depends on your travel style.

I recommend staying at least three to four days if you can fit it into your itinerary. This will allow you to spend time in each of the villages and not feel rushed.

If you are only visiting this region of Italy and nowhere else, you can easily spend a week or longer here and enjoy hiking and relaxing while on vacation.

Where To Stay In Cinque Terre

Discovering where to stay in Cinque Terre is so much fun. I just love looking at the boutique hotels and the apartments that are available for rent.

To help you with this, we wrote a complete post that includes accommodation recommendations on where to stay in Cinque Terre.

Like This Post? Please pin it or share it on your favorite social media!

Check Out These Other Italy Posts:

Naples To Capri Ferry: All You Need To Know

17 Fun Day Trips From Dubrovnik

25 Incredible Things to Do in Prague

20 Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Filming Locations

Exploring Old Town Prague: What to See & Do in Prague’s Old Town

25 Roman Ruins in Rome That You Have To See

2 Days In Florence: A Great Florence Itinerary

Where To Stay In Rome

20 Incredible Things To Do In Sorrento, Italy

Sorrento to Capri: All You Need To Know

One Day in Rome

12 Towns In Tuscany You Must Visit

50 Italian Drinks & Cocktails You Must Try In Italy

85 Quotes About Italy to Inspire Wanderlust