The Perfect One Day in Cinque Terre Itinerary

_{Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission on every purchase made at no extra cost to you.}

Planning to spend a day in Cinque Terre? This guide includes transportation and hiking tips, along with a detailed itinerary to help you easily plan your day.

The five seaside villages that make up Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, form one of the most spectacular landscapes in Italy. I’ve visited several times, always as a day trip, including from nearby cities like Florence and Portofino.

In my experience, one day is the perfect amount of time to explore all five towns, go on a hike, and enjoy a little downtime at the beach. It’s a full day, so be prepared for plenty of walking and travel between the villages. If you prefer a slower pace, consider spreading your visit over two days instead.

Here’s your detailed One Day in Cinque Terre guide.

Know Before You Go

Book the Cinque Terre Train Card

For unlimited travel between the five towns in one day, purchase the Cinque Terre Train Card. You can buy it online in advance or at the train station the day of—but I recommend booking ahead to avoid lines. The card gives you access to both the regional trains and the hiking trails.

Since Cinque Terre is a national park, you’ll need either this Train Card or the Trekking Card to access the trails. For a day trip like this, go with the Train Card.

Book the Via dell’Amore in Riomaggiore

The Via dell’Amore is a scenic 1km cliffside path that connects Riomaggiore and Manarola. It’s a one-way path that starts in Riomaggiore and ends in Manarola. To walk it, you’ll need to reserve a time slot in advance online here.

It costs €10 on top of the Cinque Terre Train Card, but you can buy a bundle that includes both, saving you from purchasing the train card separately.

Start Early

To make the most of your day, aim to arrive at your first stop by 9:00 AM. This gives you enough time to explore without feeling rushed. Everything takes longer than you think, especially when traveling between towns.

Expect Crowds

Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s most popular destinations. Be prepared for train delays, packed trains, and busy streets. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to avoid this, other than to visit during the shoulder seasons (March, April, October, or November), but keep in mind that weather can be cooler and less predictable.

Come prepared

If you’re planning to hike, wear proper hiking shoes, bring sunscreen, wear a hat, and carry a refillable water bottle. There are water fountains in the villages where you can refill your water.

Itinerary Overview

This itinerary goes north to south, starting in Monterosso al Mare and ending in Riomaggiore. This direction makes the most sense if you plan to hike one or two of the trails during the day.

If you’d rather spend your afternoon relaxing by the sea, consider doing the route in reverse. Start in Riomaggiore and end in Monterosso, which has the best beaches in Cinque Terre.

Short on time? Skip Corniglia. It’s the least compelling of the five villages, and the other four are definite must-sees.

North to South Itinerary

Monterosso al Mare
Train to Vernazza (option to hike from Monterosso to Vernazza)
Hike from Vernazza to Corniglia
Train from Corniglia to Manarola
Train from Manarola to Riomaggiore

South to North Itinerary

Riomaggiore
Train to Manarola
Train from Manarola to Corniglia
Train from Corniglia to Vernazza (option to hike this section)
Hike from Vernazza to Monterosso (the hike is often said to be easier in this direction)

One Day in Cinque Terre Itinerary

Monterosso al Mare

Monterosso is the northernmost of the five villages and is best known for its beaches. If you’re visiting in summer and want to spend part of your afternoon by the sea, plan to do that here, it’s a beautiful spot to relax for a few hours.

Otherwise, Monterosso is a great place to start your day. Take time to explore both the old and new parts of town, including the castle ruins and the Aurora Tower. Stroll along the beach promenade, soak in the views, and get ready to either hit the trail or hop on the train to your next stop.

Hike from Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza
This section of the Blue Trail connects Monterosso to Vernazza. The hike is about 3.5 km (2.2 miles) and takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours.

Vernazza

Take the train to Vernazza, one of the most picturesque towns along the Ligurian coast. Candy-colored buildings and a bright yellow bell tower frame the small port and beach, creating one of the most iconic views in Cinque Terre.

If you’re hiking in from Monterosso, the views as you descend into Vernazza are absolutely stunning. If you arrive by train, I recommend walking a short way up the trail toward Monterosso to catch that same panoramic view, it’s worth it.

By now, especially if you’ve been hiking, you might be ready for lunch. I’ve had the focaccia pizza from Batti Batti Focacceria a couple of times, it’s a solid quick option.

Most recently, I ate at Pippo a Vernazza and loved their takeaway trofie pasta with pesto or tomato sauce! They have a few chairs if you want to eat in – and a toilet, which is a bonus.

Hike from Vernazza to Corniglia: This trail is about 4 km (2.5 miles) and took us 1.5 hours to complete. It’s a moderate dirt path with spectacular coastal views the entire way. About halfway through, there’s a small cafe called Bar Il Gabbiano. They serve fresh orange and lemon granitas, a delicious mid-hike refreshment stop.

Corniglia

Take the train or hike to Corniglia, the smallest of the five villages. In my opinion, it’s also the most underwhelming. A quick stroll through the village is enough before moving on to the next stop.

One thing to note if you’re taking the train: there are 382 steps from the station into the town center.

Manarola

Take the short train ride from Corniglia to Manarola. This photogenic village is known for its incredibly scenic views, especially at sunset. Walk toward the harbor and continue along the coastal path to this lookout point for the best views.

On hot days, you can swim or jump into the sea from the rocks near the harbor. You’ll often see people lounging on the rocks with towels and others diving into the water. I always seem to visit on windy days, so I haven’t had the chance to swim here myself, but it looks beautiful!

Restaurant option: Just above the lookout point, Nessun Dorma is a popular restaurant with unbeatable views. If you want to eat here, be sure to make a reservation in advance.

Riomaggiore

Take the train from Manarola to Riomaggiore, your final stop of the day in Cinque Terre.

Tip: If you want to walk the Via dell’Amore, then you will need to go to Riomaggiore first and end your day in Manarola. It’s a one-way path starting in Riomaggiore and ending in Manarola.

To access the path, you’ll need to pay a €10 fee, which is separate from your train or trekking card. You’ll also need to reserve a time slot in advance. I highly recommend booking online ahead of time, as time slots do fill up. You can purchase a bundle that includes your Train Card and Via dell’Amore pass on the official website.

Riomaggiore is one of the larger towns in Cinque Terre, with narrow streets that wind far up the hillside, in addition to its small, scenic harbor. Spend some time wandering the village and walk up to the Church of San Giovanni Battista.

If you’re interested in staying for dinner, I heard from a friend that the Michelin-recommended Rio Bistrot is excellent.

Cinque Terre Hotel Options

Riomaggiore: Alla Marina Affittacamere
Manarola: La Torretta Lodge
Vernazza: Casa Catò
Corniglia: Locanda il Carugio
Monterosso al Mare: Hotel Marina
La Spezia: The Railway 74

Cinque Terre Tour Options

Tour from Florence: This 5-star rated, full-day guided tour takes you through all five villages with an option to hike one of the trails. It includes transportation by bus, a guide, entry tickets to Cinque Terre National Park, a boat ride (from end of March to end of October), optional lunch, and extra time to wander around on your own.
Tour from Pisa: This small group Cinque Terre tour from Pisa includes a private transfer by bus from Pisa and a ferry ride between the coastal towns.
Tour from Lucca: This Small Group Tour from Lucca to Cinque Terre includes a guided visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site and a ferry ride between the villages if the weather permits.

Is One Day in Cinque Terre Worth It?

Based on my experience, having done several day trips to Cinque Terre, yes, I think it’s absolutely worth it. One day gives you just enough time to see all five villages, go on a hike or two, and even take a swim at the beach (or off the rocks) if you’re visiting in summer.

As I mentioned earlier, aim to start around 9:00 AM and plan for a full day. If you want to stay for dinner, expect to leave your final stop around 8:30 or 9:00 PM.