Cinque Terre

Five colourful fishing villages on the Ligurian coast of Italy — total population around 4,000 people spread across 18 km of rocky shoreline. A UNESCO World Heritage Site (1997) and national park. The villages, from north to south: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore. They are connected by hiking trails, train, and boat. Until the 20th century the villages were almost completely cut off from the outside world — accessible only by sea — which is why their architecture and agriculture remain so distinctive (terraced vineyards supported by dry-stone walls totalling 7,000 km in length — more than the Great Wall of China).

Highlights

• Monterosso al Mare — the northernmost and largest village, the only one with a proper sandy beach. A giant statue of Neptune (Il Gigante) stands on a rocky outcrop.
• Vernazza — widely considered the most beautiful village, with a perfect little harbour full of fishing boats, the 15th-century Doria Castle, and the 13th-century Baroque church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia.
• Corniglia — the only village with no direct sea access (perched on a 100-metre cliff), reached by 382 steps from the station or by a shuttle bus. The quietest of the five.
• Manarola — the most "postcard-perfect", with classic colourful houses tumbling down to a small harbour. The best spot for an aperitivo at sunset.
• Riomaggiore — the southernmost village and the main entry point for visitors arriving from the south.
• Sentiero Azzurro ("Blue Trail") — the main hiking route, 12 km linking all five villages. A trail ticket costs 7.50€ (about $9), or combined with the train as a Cinque Terre Card for 18.50€ ($23). Sections of the trail are periodically closed due to landslides.
• Via dell'Amore ("Path of Love") — the most famous stretch, between Manarola and Riomaggiore. Closed since 2012 for repairs following a landslide; reopening is planned in stages.
• Ferry between villages — the best way to see the villages from the sea; ferries run between Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, and Riomaggiore (Corniglia has no jetty).
• Sciacchetrà — the local sweet raisin wine (passito), the region's signature product.
• Sciacchetrà vineyards — terraced vineyards above the villages, with trekking routes and tastings.
• Portovenere — the neighbouring "sixth village" (not part of the national park, but also a UNESCO site), 8 km from Riomaggiore.
• Lerici — a village in the Gulf of Poets, where Percy Shelley lived.

Food and prices

The cuisine is Ligurian: pesto Genovese (this is its homeland), trofie al pesto, focaccia di Recco (filled with stracchino cheese), Monterosso anchovies (the village's signature local product), torta di riso, and Sciacchetrà sweet wine. Lunch at a trattoria runs 14–22€ ($17–$27), dinner at a restaurant 25–50€ ($31–$62). A glass of Sciacchetrà costs 6–10€ ($7–$12). The Cinque Terre Card (train + trails) is 18.50€ ($23) per day. Prices are as of 2026.

Getting there and around

The nearest airports are Pisa (PSA, 80 km) and Genoa (GOA, 90 km). From Pisa, take a train via La Spezia — about 2 hours, 10–15€ ($12–$19). From Milan, trains take around 3.5 hours, 25–50€ ($31–$62). Within Cinque Terre the train is the main way to get between villages (about 5 minutes between stations); walking the trails and the ferry are the alternatives. Cars cannot enter the villages.

When to go

April to October, with temperatures between 12–28°C. May–June and September are the sweet spot. Summer (July–August) is peak season — visitor numbers can reach 25,000 a day — and very crowded. In winter (November–March) most restaurants and hotels close. Note that visitor limits during high season have been in place since 2016.