In the magical coastal region of Liguria, you will find an enchanting natural park famous for its beautiful landscapes, spectacular beaches, and colourful houses. This park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, comprises five stunning villages along the Italian Riviera.
Even though every region and place in Italy has its magic and distinctive character, one that stands out for its charm is the beautiful Cinque Terre, which translates to “five lands.” It is definitely necessary to include Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan (to name a few) when travelling to Italy, but in the last few years, it has become essential to add this natural park in Liguria to your Italian bucket list.
Cinque Terre allows visitors to explore nature, breathtaking landscapes, crystal-water beaches, and delicious local food in the most gentle way possible. Therefore, to get a break from the busy days in the big cities, this natural park is certainly worth a visit.
Although it has become a main tourist attraction in the last decade, you can still get a sense of genuineness and local culture when moving around the five villages, which are Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Corniglia and Monterosso al Mare.
Credits: Melissa Vega
If all you have is a day off during your Italian vacation and you decide that the best way to spend it is through a relaxing trip to this place, going village-hopping is the right choice for you. This can easily be done by purchasing the one-day Cinque Terre Card that will grant you access to limitless train trips around the area.
However, if you truly look forward to enjoying the magic and calmness of the villages, consider staying for at least two days. Ultimately, this place is to be enjoyed with calm and no stress, so having a strict itinerary is undoubtedly not the best approach.
Staying longer makes it possible to go from village to village through the hiking paths available if you want to do some exercise while being delighted by some magnificent views of the colourful houses and the sea. Moreover, the best way to experience Cinque Terre is by getting on a boat and exploring the area on the water. This will not only make your days off more ideal but will also provide you with some spectacular photos.
Spending some days in Cinque Terre will, therefore, not only give you some resting days by the beach but also allow you to try some traditional dishes from the region, particularly the seafood pasta and the delicious pesto sauce.
Also, save some time by enjoying an aperitivo by one of the restaurants with terraces in front of the sea or even on the cliffs. Manarola is the village by excellence to do this, especially in Nessun Dorma. This popular restaurant requires an in-app reservation to get in.
Along with Manarola, Riomaggiore is also the island for fancy lunches, aperitifs or dinners with beautiful, pastel-colour houses adorning the scenery. On the other hand, Monterosso al Mare is the perfect place to relax and get some sun at the beach.
Vernazza and Corniglia are probably the smallest villages out of the five. Still, it does not mean that they are not worth the visit. Vernazza is a more casual place with a lovely main square in front of the beach, while Corniglia is the only village that cannot be reached by the sea; only by train, as everything in it is on the hills.
Last but not least, consider also visiting the city of La Spezia and even staying there by night to appreciate its port, the downtown and a more vibrant nightlife. A good option is to stay in a hotel in La Spezia and visit the five villages of Cinque Terre by day.