Best Things to do in Cinque Terre: A Complete Guide to Italy’s Five Colorful Villages by the Sea

The stretch of coastline between Portofino and La Spezia along the Italian Riviera is one of the most beautiful destinations in Italy. Cinque Terre, meaning “five lands”, refers to five small, colorful fishing villages clinging to the steep cliffs of the Ligurian coast.

I’ve been to Cinque Terre several times, and while the scenery is undeniably spectacular, I’ll admit, I have mixed feelings about it.

I think everyone should visit Cinque Terre at least once. Hiking the coastal trails, exploring by boat, relaxing on the beaches of Monterosso, and wandering through hillside vineyards – it’s easy to see why this has become the destination on the Italian Riviera.

With that being said, Cinque Terre is no secret. It’s incredibly popular, with crowded trails, packed trains, and frequent delays. Most of the shops and restaurants in the villages cater to tourists, so don’t expect an authentic slice of Italian culture here. You come for the scenery, which truly is unlike anywhere else in the world.

I’ve been four or five times, always during peak season, and the best way to manage the crowds is to come prepared. Be sure to read my Before You Go section for tips to help you plan ahead and make your trip as smooth as possible.

In this guide, I’m sharing the best things to do in Cinque Terre, plus my recommendations for restaurants, hotels, and how to get around.

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 train card gives you access to both the regional trains and the hiking trails.

Buy the Trekking Card if you only need access to the trails and not the trains.

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.

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.

Things to do in Cinque Terre

Visit All Five Villages 

Aside from hiking, the main reason to visit Cinque Terre is to explore the five villages. You can see them all in one day if you start early – I have a blog post dedicated to spending a day in Cinque Terre. But if you’re visiting in summer and want time to swim or lounge on the beach, I’d recommend adding an extra day.

Monterosso al Mare

Monterosso, the northernmost of the five, is best known for its beaches. The town is split into the old and new town. In the old town, explore the castles ruins and Aurora Tower. In the new town, there’s Fegina Beach, the best beach in Cinque Terre.

Arrive early in the summer if you want to secure beach chairs at the famous beach club with orange green striped umbrellas.

Vernazza

Vernazza is one of the most picturesque towns along the Ligurian coast and my personal favorite of the five. Pastel-colored buildings and a bright yellow bell tower frame the small port and beach, creating one of the most iconic views in Cinque Terre.

This is a great spot to stop for lunch if you’re hiking. I recommend Batti Batti Focacceria for foccacia pizza and Pippo a Vernazza for their takeaway pasta.

Corniglia

The only village not accessible by sea, Corniglia sits high on the cliffs and is the smallest of the five.

I recommend hiking from Vernazza to Corniglia – the views along the way are absolutely stunning. Stop at Bar Il Gabbiano mid-way through the hike for fresh squeezed orange juice and lemon granita.

One thing to note: If you are arriving by train, there are 382 steps from the station up to town.

Manarola

I always recommend visiting Manarola at the end of the day because it has the best sunset view in Cinque Terre. From the train station, head downhill toward the harbor, where you’ll often see people sunbathing on the rocks or swimming in the clear blue water. Then, follow the paved path that climbs up the hill to this lookout point for the best views. 

Tip: Make a reservation at Nessun Dorma for aperitivo (or a light dinner!). The restaurant sits just above the viewpoint, so you can enjoy an unforgettable sunset alongside a spritz or a plate of bruschetta.

Riomaggiore

One of the larger villages, Riomaggiore has a gorgeous harbor where you can lay out on the rocks or swim. It’s also a great spot to watch the sunset. Make sure to take some time to wander through the village. Another excellent viewpoint is from the Church of San Giovanni Battista on the hill overlooking the sea.

For dinner, consider dining at the Michelin Guide recommended Rio Bistrot in town.

Hang out on the Beach at Monterosso al Mare 

Monterosso al Mare is the only village with a beach. Vernazza has a small strip of sand in the port, but not enough room to really lay out and enjoy. 

Monterosso, on the other hand, has four different beach areas. Spiaggia Fegina is the main beach and if you’ve seen photos before, you’ll recognize it by its iconic rows of bright orange and green striped umbrellas. There’s a small section of public beach, but this fills up pretty quickly, so get here early to get a spot. 

If you want a lounge chair at one of the beach clubs, I recommend reserving in advance or getting there as soon as they open to get one of the best seats near the water. 

Spiaggia Il Gigante, located at the western end of town near the giant Neptune statue, is another good beach option if Spiaggia Fegina is too busy.

Hike the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail)

The Blue Trail (Sentiero Azzurro) is a 12-kilometer (7.5-mile) coastal path that connects all five villages of Cinque Terre. It’s the most popular hiking route in the region and is split into four main sections:

• Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza: 3.5 km – plan on about 2 hours
  
• Vernazza to Corniglia: 4 km – about 1.5 hours
  
• Corniglia to Manarola: 2.2 km – currently closed due to a landslide
  
• Manarola to Riomaggiore (Via dell’Amore): Requires a separate ticket in addition to the Cinque Terre Trail Pass
  

As of 2025, three out of the four sections are open. I’ve personally hiked the section from Vernazza to Corniglia, and it was absolutely stunning. The views along the trail with endless seaviews and vineyards are some of the best in Cinque Terre.

Important: You’ll need to purchase either a Cinque Terre Train Card or a Trekking Card to access the hiking routes, as they’re part of the Cinque Terre National Park. Passes are checked at various points, so make sure to have yours on hand and book online in advance.

If you’re looking for more of a challenge, consider hiking one of the “high routes” that take you deeper into the mountains above the villages. These trails are longer and quieter than the Blue Trail. You can find maps and trail info at local tourist offices or online at the park’s official website.

You can find more updated information about these trails here.

Try the Local Wines

Cinque Terre is known for two distinct wines: Cinque Terre DOC and Sciacchetrà, both are DOC wines. The DOC label means the wine comes from a certain origin and is produced at a high-quality standard. You’ll see many products all over Italy and DOC guarantees one of the highest quality foods. 

• The Cinque Terre DOC: Made from Bosco, Albarola and Vermentino grapes, this is a dry white wine that pairs well with the region’s fish dishes. 
• Sciacchetrà: A sweet dessert wine that is served typically for special occasions. It’s difficult to make, the grapes are handpicked and dried, so it’s more expensive than your usual wine. Still, it’s worth trying a glass. 

Book one of these wine experiences to get a taste yourself: 

• BarCa Winery Cinqueterre Trekking & Wine Tasting & Pesto Class
• Manarola Wine Tasting Experience with Maria

Alternatively, you can stop by a local enoteca (wine bar) in one of the villages to try a couple of glasses on your own. I’ve heard good things about Enoteca Da Eliseo in Monterosso, Cantina Cheo in Vernazza and Ghemé in Riomaggiore.

You can also book a tasting and wine tour at this winery above Monterosso – Cantina 5 Terre.

Join a Cooking Class 

Pesto is a staple of Ligurian cuisine, bright, herbaceous, and traditionally made by hand with a mortar and pestle. You’ll often find it tossed with trofie pasta (short, twisted noodles) or mandilli de saea (thin, silky pasta sheets – my personal favorite).

I met a woman and her mom who took a pesto-making class in Cinque Terre, and they said it was a highlight of their trip. While I haven’t done a class here myself (yet!), I’ve taken plenty in other parts of Italy, and they’re always one of my trip highlights, too!

Take a look at these pesto-making classes if you’re look for a fun, hands-on way to connect with local food culture:

• Pesto Class and Wine Tasting in Vernazza
• Pasta, Pesto and Tiramisu class Riomaggiore
• Nessun Dorma Pesto Experience in Manarola