Cidade Turismo
Italy
Cinque Terre

Ligúria · Italy

Cinque Terre

Five fishing villages clinging to the cliffs of Ligúria, connected by train, boat and trails through terraced vineyards.

North

In the photo: Church of San Pietro, Corniglia, Cinque Terre

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Cinque Terre (five lands) is the name of five villages on the coast of Ligúria in northwest Italy: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. They are squeezed between the sea and steep slopes, along roughly 12 km of coastline between Levanto and La Spezia.

The landscape was hand-built. For centuries locals raised dry-stone walls to create terraces of vineyards and olive trees on the slopes. For that reason the region is part of the Cinque Terre National Park and, together with Portovenere and the islands Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

Each village has its own feel. Monterosso is the largest and the only one with a long beach. Vernazza has a small harbor protected by a castle. Corniglia sits atop a promontory about 90 meters above the sea and is the only village that doesn't reach the water. Manarola and Riomaggiore descend through narrow valleys to small harbors surrounded by colorful houses.

A car is of little use because vehicle access to the villages is very limited. In season, boats connect the villages by sea, and the park's trails link them on foot, depending on the condition of each section.

This destination brings together 4 cities: Monterosso al Mare, Manarola, Riomaggiore, Vernazza.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Cinque Terre is
Monterosso al MareManarolaRiomaggioreVernazza

Contornos: ISTAT, limites administrativos 2026, CC BY 4.0. Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Cinque Terre

✈ Aeroporto di Pisa-San Giusto Galileo Galilei (PSA), in Pisa · 114 km to Monterosso al Mare

✈ Aeroporto di Genova Cristoforo Colombo (GOA), in Gênova · 99 km to Monterosso al Mare

Confirm before buying. The most common route is to take a train to La Spezia (from Pisa, Florença, Gênova or Milan) and there catch the regional train that stops at the five villages and continues to Levanto. The nearest airports are Pisa and Gênova.

Suggested arrival point: Monterosso al Mare

The local experience

Things to do in Cinque Terre

Castello Doria
Vernazza · Ligúria · Castle

Castello Doria

Medieval fortress on the rock that closes Vernazza's harbor, with a cylindrical tower that is the oldest part and offers views over the village and the coast.

Punta Bonfiglio
Manarola · Ligúria · Lookout

Punta Bonfiglio

Rocky point next to Manarola's marina, with a seaside path and a frontal view of the colorful houses on the cliff.

Spiaggia di Fegina
Monterosso al Mare · Ligúria · Beach

Spiaggia di Fegina

The longest beach in the Cinque Terre, in front of Monterosso station, with coarse sand and pebbles and stretches with umbrellas belonging to establishments.

Via dell'Amore
Riomaggiore · Ligúria · Trail

Via dell'Amore

Pedestrian path carved into the rock above the sea between Riomaggiore and Manarola, traversed one-way, with a reserved time slot and the Cinque Terre Card.

See 9 more places in Cinque Terre
Castello di Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore · Ligúria · Castle

Castello di Riomaggiore

Castle with two round towers atop Riomaggiore's old town, begun in the 13th century and used as a cemetery in the 19th century; today it is a cultural space with sea views.

Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista
Monterosso al Mare · Ligúria · Church

Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista

Gothic church of Monterosso's old town, built between 1282 and 1307, with a façade of white and black stripes and a marble rose window.

Chiesa di Santa Margherita d'Antiochia
Vernazza · Ligúria · Church

Chiesa di Santa Margherita d'Antiochia

Parish church of Vernazza on the harbor's edge, of medieval origin, with a 40-meter octagonal tower and an entrance through the apse area.

Sentiero 506 Manarola–Volastra
Manarola · Ligúria · Trail

Sentiero 506 Manarola–Volastra

Ascent through the terraced vineyards above Manarola to the small village of Volastra, with a view of the sea and the dry-stone walls that shape the landscape.

Convento dei Cappuccini
Monterosso al Mare · Ligúria · Church

Convento dei Cappuccini

17th-century Franciscan convent on the hill between Fegina and the old town, with the church of San Francesco and a Crucifixion attributed to Van Dyck.

Corniglia
Manarola · Ligúria · Village

Corniglia

The fifth village of the Cinque Terre, atop a promontory about 90 meters above the sea, the only one that doesn't reach the water; from the station you climb via the Lardarina staircase.

Marina di Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore · Ligúria · Port

Marina di Riomaggiore

Small harbour of Riomaggiore at the end of the main street, with boats pulled up onto the ramp and colorful tower-houses on both slopes of the valley.

Portovenere
Riomaggiore · Ligúria · Village

Portovenere

Fortified village on the tip of the Gulf of La Spezia, a World Heritage site together with the Cinque Terre, featuring the church of San Pietro on the rock and the Castello Doria.

Statua del Gigante
Monterosso al Mare · Ligúria · Monument

Statua del Gigante

14-metre concrete statue representing Netuno, attached to a rock at the western end of Fegina beach, from 1910.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September and October) usually have pleasant temperatures for walking. Summer, from June to August, is hot and when the villages are busiest. In winter (December to February) many services reduce hours and the boats stop.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days allow you to see the five villages at a relaxed pace, using the train and, in season, the boat. With three days there's time for a hike, for Portovenere and for unhurried meals. A day trip from Florença, Pisa or Gênova is possible but tiring and leaves little time in each village.

Which city to stay in

Staying overnight in one of the villages lets you enjoy mornings and evenings when there are fewer visitors. Monterosso has more accommodation and a beach; Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore have houses and rooms on streets with many steps. La Spezia, a few minutes by train, offers more options and serves as a practical base. Levanto, at the other end of the line, is a quieter alternative. In the villages, expect steps and travel light.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Cinque Terre

How many days should I reserve for the Cinque Terre?

Two days is a good minimum to see the five villages without rushing. Three days allow for a hike, Portovenere and more time at sea in summer. In a single day you can get an impression by choosing two or three villages.

Do I need a car?

No. Vehicle access to the villages is very limited, parking is outside the centers and small. The regional train between La Spezia and Levanto links the five villages frequently, and the trip between neighboring villages usually takes only a few minutes.

What is the best time to visit?

April to June and September to October usually offer good weather for walking and less heat. July and August are hot and crowded. Boats between the villages typically operate from spring until early November; in winter, rely only on the train.

Is a day trip possible from Florença or from Gênova?

Yes, by train. From Florença to La Spezia the journey usually takes between 2 and 2.5 hours, often with a change in Pisa. From Gênova, about 1.5 hours. Since the round trip takes up much of the day, it's ideal to spend at least one night in the area.

What is the Cinque Terre Card?

It's the national park card. The Trekking version gives access to the park's paid trails, such as the Sentiero Azzurro, and the Treno version also includes the regional train between La Spezia and Levanto. The Via dell'Amore requires the card and a time reservation. Check options and rules before you go.

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