Cinque Terre is a beautiful coastal region located in the
Liguria region of Italy, consisting of five picturesque villages: Monterosso al Mare,
Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
The name Cinque Terre means "Five Lands" in Italian, referring to the five villages that
make up the area.
The region is known for its colorful houses, narrow streets, and beautiful sea views.
In this video we are going to explore the six best spots!
Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage site and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
The region is renowned for its natural beauty, including rugged cliffs, clear blue waters
and stunning coastline.
It's also famous for its local cuisine, including seafood dishes, pesto sauce and fresh pasta.
The five villages are connected by a network of hiking trails known as the Cinque Terre
Coastal Trail, which offers amazing views of the sea and seashore.
Each village has its own unique charm and attractions, including beaches, vineyards
and historic landmarks.
#1) COASTAL TRAIL - The Cinque Terre Coastal Trail is a must-visit attraction in the region.
This trail runs along the rugged and rocky coastline of the Italian Riviera and connects
all five towns of Cinque Terre: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and
Riomaggiore.
The trail is about 12 kilometers long and takes about 6 hours to complete the entire
path.
The trail offers stunning views of the sea, cliffs, vineyards, and colorful towns.
Along the way, hikers can admire the rugged coastline, terraced vineyards, olive groves,
and lemon trees.
The trail also passes through several small villages and hamlets, where visitors can rest
and enjoy traditional Ligurian cuisine and wine.
The trail is divided into several sections, each with its own unique features and challenges.
The easiest and most popular section of the trail is the stretch between Monterosso al
Mare and Vernazza, which takes about 2 hours to complete.
This section offers impressive views of the coastal zone and passes through terraced vineyards
and small villages.
The most challenging and scenic section of the trail is the stretch between Corniglia
and Manarola, known as the "Via dell'Amore" or "Lovers' Walk."
This section is only about 1 kilometer long and takes about 30 minutes to complete.
It's a relatively easy walk but offers some of the most incredible views of the sea..
The Cinque Terre Coastal Trail is a popular attraction among tourists and hikers, so it
can get crowded during peak season.
Visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water and snacks.
The trail is well marked and maintained, but it can be steep and narrow in some sections.
#2) MONTEROSSO AL MARE - The largest town in Cinque Terre, Monterosso al Mare is located
in the western end of the region.
The town is known for its beautiful beaches, charming old town, and its giant statue of
Neptune.
Here are some of the top attractions and things to do:
1 You can start your visit going in one of the best beaches in Cinque Terre: Monterosso
Beach or Fegina Beach (the main one) or Old Town Beach.
In addition to these two main beaches, there are also several smaller coves and bays in
the area that are perfect for snorkeling or exploring by boat.
2 Next stop is Monterosso's old town, a charming medieval district, characterized by narrow
streets, colorful houses, and small shops.
The town's main square, Piazza Garibaldi, is a great spot to relax and enjoy the views.
3 Also there, you can find the “Church of San Giovanni Battista”: a beautiful Gothic
church located in the heart of the old town.
The church features are stunning frescoes and a beautiful rose window.
4 Continuing your visit to Monterosso al Mare another great spot to see is the giant Statue
of Neptune, located on a promontory overlooking the sea.
The statue was built in the early 20th century and is a popular spot for photos and selfies.
5 And, if you are a wine lover, you can’t miss the town's white wine, called "Cinque
Terre DOC," a must-try..
6 Last but not least, Hiking: enjoy amazing multiple hiking routes to explore the surrounding
hills and countryside from the starting point for the Cinque Terre Coastal Trail.
#3) VERNAZZA - Second village of our trip in Cinque Terre is Vernazza: a picturesque
fishing village located in the heart of the region.
The town is known for its colorful houses, medieval tower, and scenic harbor.
We chose 5 top attractions and things to do here:
1 The Harbor of this town is a popular spot for photos and offers breathtaking views of
the sea and coastline.
If you go there you can watch local fishermen bring in their catch or you can take a boat
tour to explore the surrounding area.
2 Next stop is the Doria Castle: a medieval fortress located on a hill overlooking the
town.
The castle dates back to the 15th century and offers panoramic views of the sea and
surrounding countryside.
3 Walking in this village you can find a historic Gothic church located in the heart of the
town: Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia.
Some of the features are a bell tower, ornate decorations, and a beautiful rose window.
4 Like for Monterosso al Mare, in Cinque Terre, you can find wonderful beaches here.
In Vernazza, a small one is located just off the main square.
If you want a time to relax and swim, this place is for you.
And…
no less important, spectacular views of the sea and coast are a plus to choose this spot
to enjoy part of your trip.
5 Last two points: Vernazza is surrounded by terraced vineyards that produce some of
the best wine in Cinque Terre and offers numerous hiking routes to enjoy the nature’s fresh
air.
#4) CORNIGLIA - In the middle of the five towns of Cinque Terre, you can find a small
village called Corniglia.
It is perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the sea and encircled by endless vineyards.
If you pass from here, you can’t miss these attractions and things to do:
1 Located on top of a hill, a beautiful 14th-century Church of San Pietro awaits you.
Climbing the narrow staircase to the top of the bell tower you can admire the imponent
power of the nature.
And on the top, the panoramic views of the coastline are astonishing.
2 Just outside the village a not-to-miss spot is Corniglia Terrace.
What does it offer?
Impressive views of the sea and seaside from a different angle.
3 Another great spot, if you like nature, is Cinque Terre National Park: with hiking
trails and scenic routes to explore you can spend a great time there.
4 And for the wine lovers, we suggest you to taste another local wine: the famous
"Sciachetrà".
5 Until now, it seems that we forgot about Local Cuisine, but don’t worry.
This small village is known for its delicious local cuisine, including seafood dishes, pesto
sauce and fresh pasta.
When you are there, try these dishes and let us know what you think, you can find them
in almost all local restaurants and cafes. 6 We finish our little trip visiting Marina
di Corniglia, a small rocky beach located just outside the village.
#5) MANAROLA - Do you remember Cinque Terre National Park?
Inside the park you can find a colorful and lovely village: Manarola.
It's known for its narrow streets, colorful houses, and beautiful sea views.
Here is our list about some of the top attractions and things to do in Manarola:
1 The first stop is Manarola Harbor, popular spot for photos and a panoramic boat tour
to explore the surrounding area.
2 Second stop is Via dell'Amore, a scenic and romantic walking path, that connects Manarola
to the neighboring village of Riomaggiore.
We suggest you to walk during the sunset to enjoy the view of the sea in a different color.
3 Maybe is not what you can expect, but the Manarola Cemetery could be a good choice if
you want to relax and enjoy the panoramic views, since it is located at the top of the
hill, overlooking the village.
4 Like for Corniglia, you can try the Local Cuisine to taste some of the typical food
of the region and, why not… taste some good wine (we mention the Manarola Vineyard Walk,
if you like the idea of taste good wines in the countryside of the village).
5 Or, if you aren’t a fan of wine, just do some hiking and explore the surrounding
hills and countryside enjoying the natural beauty of the area is a good option.
#6) RIOMAGGIORE - Last village: Riomaggiore.
A picturesque fishing village located in the Cinque Terre National Park.
What to do and visit here?
1 A medieval fortress that resists to evade our eyes for its fantastic views.
2 Via dell'Amore.
It connects Riomaggiore to Manarola, which we already talked about it.
3 Local Cuisine.
If you didn’t already try in other villages, it’s time to do it now :)
4 Hiking.
Every village in Cinque Terre is a good point to start an exploration of hills and countryside.
5 Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montenero.
Similar to the castle, it’s located on a hill and gives you amazing views of the sea
and landscape.
And now, if you like luxurious and unspoilt nature, medieval castles, sinuous hills, ancient
villages there is one region that contains all this and much more: Tuscany.
Check this 3-part video series and get inspired to the region of wine, landscapes and art
cities..