Italy’s Fantastic 5: How to Spend 2 Days in the Seaside Towns of Cinque Terre
The gravity-defying towns of Cinque Terre are one of Italy’s most spectacular destinations. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip.
Located along the Italian Riviera in the Liguria region, the five vibrant villages that hug the rugged coastline are collectively known as “Cinque Terre” or five lands.
From the nearby town of La Spezia (considered the gateway to the villages) they are, in order – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso.
Dating back to the later Middle Ages, the establishment of the dazzling towns of Cinque Terre represents an astounding example of man successfully cultivating a challenging natural environment.
Early settlers converted the steep, rugged terrain into an elaborately terraced landscape that allowed for the growing of vines and olive trees. In the process, they also created one of the most jaw-dropping destinations in the world.
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Today, these unique five villages make up the Cinque Terre National Park and they were inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1997.
And that’s exactly why my husband and I chose Italy’s “Fantastic Five” to kick off our 3-month Round-the-World Honeymoon.
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But before I dive in to the magic of these seaside villages, let’s quickly cover a few basics…
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How to get to Cinque Terre
It’s not especially easy to reach Cinque Terre.
Road access in the towns is limited to residents only. If you do arrive by car, good luck parking it. Parking is only available outside the villages.
If you’re driving and coming from the south (Florence or Rome), park in La Spezia and take the train from there. From the north (Milan or Genoa), park in the seaside town of Levanto and take the train.
Local trains cut through a series of tunnels along the coast and are definitely the best way to arrive and depart.
How many days do you need in Cinque Terre?
When you get your first view of Cinque Terre, you’ll likely want to stay for weeks (I did!).
But, it’s actually possible to visit at least four of the five towns in a single day. They are close together and well-connected by both ferry and train. (Note: Corniglia is the lone exception, more on that below.)
But it’s much more fun to spend at least 2-3 nights to explore these scenic villages at a more leisurely pace.
However, if time is short on your Italian itinerary, one day is always better than no day at all in my book.
There are plenty of day trips available from Florence to help you make the most of your limited time. This is one is the top-rated Cinque Terre day trips from Florence:
And here’s the top-rated day trip from La Spezia:
Private Tour: Cinque Terre from La Spezia
The perfect home base in Cinque Terre – Riomaggiore
For our stay in Cinque Terre, we chose the village of Riomaggiore as our home base.
Of the five towns, Riomaggiore is the largest and the closest to the gateway city of La Spezia. This makes it the easiest to access from the southern part of Italy (where we came from).
The main National Park office is based in Riomaggiore and the town’s pastel-colored harbor is likely the one you’ve seen in all those drool-worthy images of Cinque Terre.
A room with a view in Riomaggiore
Since we were traveling for 3 months when we visited, I kept the budget tight for this stop.
I only had 3 essential requirements for a hotel: a terrific view, a private bath, and a reasonable rate (the last one is negotiable).
After extensive research, I found it all at the Hotel Villa Argentina.
Situated at the top of the hill in Riomaggiore, our room had sweeping views of both the village and the sea from our own private terrace. It is exactly what I had in mind.
The room itself turned out to be pretty basic. But it was clean, had good A/C, strong wifi, and everything else we needed. And did I mention the view?
And to be fair, fancy was not one of my requirements for this stop. I saved that for our last stop.
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Other Terrific Hotel Options in Riomaggiore
If you’re looking for something a little more luxurious, here are a few more great options that all feature amazing views but won’t break the bank:
Alla Marina Affittacamere – Super friendly and helpful hosts will meet you at the train station to help you find the property. Another plus, this one is closer to sea level and will save you the steep walk up the hill.
Ai Pesci Room Rental – All rooms at this charming guest house have beautiful sea views. But it’s worth the modest splurge for a room with a terrace to enjoy a truly amazing view.
Good Vibes Penthouse – For a little extra space and a fully-equipped kitchen, book this gem of an apartment. It also boasts a spacious terrace with a killer view.
Exploring Riomaggiore
After arriving at the hotel, we devoted our first afternoon to exploring Riomaggiore.
And it turned out to be quite a workout!
The first thing you learn about Cinque Terre hotels with a good view is that they are typically HIGH up in the village.
Which means stairs.
And hills.
And eventually recovery gelato. Because Italy.
It’s a vicious cycle.
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We strolled the beautiful streets of Riomaggiore exploring the shops and working up an appetite for dinner before settling into a seaside trattoria for dinner.
Getting Around the Towns of Cinque Terre
On Day 2, it was time to get out and explore. With just one full day on our 48-hour stay in Cinque Terre, we hoped to see as much as possible.
There are three main options for getting between the five towns of Cinque Terre.
1. Take the Train
This is the easiest option. The train runs between most of the villages every 20-30 minutes or so. Stops in Corniglia are more infrequent.
2. Take a Hike
You can also hike between villages. In fact, Cinque Terre has some of the best hiking trails in all of Italy.
Covering the distance from Riomaggiore to the next village of Manarola takes a mere 20 minutes. However, the distance between some of the other Cinque Terre towns is as long as 2-3 hours.
To hike the entire Sentiero Azzurro trail connecting all 5 towns, it’s 11 kilometers and takes about 5 hours.
3. Take to the Water
Regular ferry boat service connects the towns of Cinque Terre seasonally from March 29 – November 2, 2025. This is certainly the most scenic way to travel between towns but keep in mind that ferries can be canceled for high seas.
You can also rent a kayak or powerboat to explore the coastline yourself.
The ferry schedule and prices for 2025 can be found here.
Note: The ferries do not stop in Corniglia because the town has no water access.
A one-day plan for Cinque Terre
Our original plan was to hike the portion of the trail one-way between Riomaggiore and Manarola, known as the “Via dell’ Amore” and then continue on to Monterosso (the 5-hour trail).
From Monterosso we’d then take the train or ferry back.
Unfortunately, during our visit the entire trail, with the exception of the portion between Vernazza and Monterosso, was closed due to landslide damage that resulted in a lengthy 12 year closure.
The iconic Via dell’ Amore
But the good news is that the Via dell’ Amore reopened last fall and it’s once again possible to hike Italy’s beloved “Path of Love“.
The 800-meter trail carved into the hard rock of the cliffs between Riomaggiore and Manarola has a 104-year history. It started as a route for workers transporting materials for railway construction in the late 19th century.
Over time, locals connected fragmented sections of the path, creating a continuous trail by 1931. This effort turned a practical route into a romantic promenade for young lovers with breathtaking views of the Ligurian Sea.
In addition to being the most romantic walk in Italy, this lover’s lane is also one of the area’s most important tourist attractions and a unique experience for couples visiting Cinque Terre.
The Long Road to Reopening
In 2012, a landslide along the trail injured four Australian tourists and highlighted the need for significant safety improvements.
The trail was immediately closed and over the past decade, various local and national entities collaborated to secure €22 million for renovations.
The complete restoration project included installing harnesses, nets, and anchors to prevent rockfalls and ensure the trail’s safety without compromising its natural beauty.
This immense effort has finally paid off, and visitors can now stroll the romantic footpath once again, thanks to new safety measures and extensive renovations.
But all the trails in this part of Italy close frequently so it’s always a good idea the trail status in advance. If you’re visiting soon, the latest updates on hiking trails can be found here.
Don’t forget to purchase the Cinque Terre Card which serves as your hiking permit for the area. The card system limits the number of visitors along the pathway of love and the proceeds help support the services provided along the trails.
With our hiking plan scrapped during our honeymoon, we opted to take to the water for the best view of all five Cinque Terre towns.
Exploring Cinque Terre by ferry
The ferry turned out to be a terrific way to explore the coastline. The views from the sea are reminiscent of those along the Amalfi Coast or the towns of the Italian Riviera. It’s truly spectacular.
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We began our day by taking a scenic 30-minute ferry ride all the way to Monterosso. From there, we worked our way back to Riomaggiore, one village at a time.
Cinque Terre’s Best Beaches – Monterosso
The first thing you’ll notice about Monterosso is that it’s missing the steep terrain and cascading homes that define the other four villages.
Luckily, the second thing you’ll notice are the spectacular beaches.
So while it may not be as quaint as the other towns, the incredible turquoise sea and multicolored beach umbrellas more than make up for it.
If your idea of a Cinque Terre holiday includes lounging on a beautiful beach, Monterosso is the village for you.
For beachfront views, the Affittacamere la Terrazza sul Mare hotel is the perfect hotel choice.
We explored the main square and stopped for lunch at a beachside café before catching the next train to the village of Vernazza.
Vernazza’s Charm
Often considered the area’s most picturesque town, Vernazza is best known for its quaint harbor and Castello Doria – the oldest surviving fortification in Cinque Terre.
There is no car traffic in Vernazza. It’s also the only village with a proper harbor, so it remains one of the most authentic fishing villages in the region.
Vernazza’s main street, Via Roma, is lined with restaurants, shops, and cafes.
We spend a lazy hour or two just wandering the narrow lanes and visiting the inside of the waterfront church, Chiesa di Santa Margherita, built in 1318.
Secluded Corniglia
We hoped to visit all five of Cinque Terre’s towns during our stay. But we quickly discover that the middle village of Corniglia can be a bit of a challenge.
Considered the “quiet village,” it’s the only Cinque Terre village with no direct sea access, so the ferries don’t stop there.
While there is train service to Corniglia, the trains are not nearly as frequent as those to the other four villages. Only a few trains per day make the stop in Corniglia.
So with the hiking trails closed, unfortunately, we had to settle for viewing Corniglia from the sea as our ferry boat passes by.
Tip: If you want to visit Cinque Terre in its most authentic state (i.e. without the bulk of tourists) make charming Corniglia the home base for your stay. The AMARE IL MARE Affittacamere is the perfect hotel choice with terrific hosts and sweeping views of the sea.
Manarola’s Cliff Jumpers
Our final stop that day was Cinque Terre’s oldest town and the closest to home, the rambling village of Manarola.
Similar in design to Riomaggiore, Manarola has an exceptionally beautiful coastline with lots of rocky outcrops for sunbathing. It also has soaring cliffs favored by the local kids for plunging into the sea.
We watched a few kids make the jump before deciding a stop for gelato was a much safer activity choice.
From there, we caught one last ferry back home to Riomaggiore.
Best Tours in Cinque Terre
If you want to explore more while you’re visiting the region, I highly recommend hitting the water. Here are the top-rated day trips to explore Cinque Terre by sea:
Riomaggiore – The Perfect Choice
After seeing four of the five towns, we feel like we definitely made the right choice picking Riomaggiore as our home base for exploring Cinque Terre.
It turned out to be our favorite town of the 4 we visited.
On our last night in Cinque Terre we sat on our lovely terrace, popped the cork on a chilled bottle of Prosecco, and enjoyed a slice from the top of our delicious wedding cake (which traveled carefully with us on the train after our wedding in Florence).
Next up, we’re excited to move on to our last stop in Italy…the floating city of Venice!
Looking for more great destinations in Italy? Start here:
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