Hotel Gianni Franzi
At first glance, the Cinque Terre never fails to inspire a sense of disbelief. Seeing these tiny Ligurian villages built vertically on steep promontories, with houses crammed together as though they were one with the dark rock itself, you can’t help but wonder how it was ever possible.
The climate too seems almost miraculous: it’s strange to find Mediterranean temperatures—the kind you’d expect in southern Italy—at the same latitude as cities in northern Italy that are often shrouded in fog and cold, yet see lemons and olive trees flourishing in abundance.
Yet Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are no dream: they are a magnificent reality, the pride of Liguria and Italy as a whole, universally recognised as places everyone should see at least once in their lifetime and declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their exceptional character.
These are entirely unusual fishing villages, set within an austere and inhospitable landscape that for centuries was accessible only by sea or along lengthy hiking trails that crossed mountain ridges.
The harshness of the terrain has been softened by human hands, which over the centuries have painstakingly shaped and moulded it, transforming it completely and creating terraced vineyards that have become an essential feature of the landscape. The colours of the tower-houses, the typical dwellings of these villages, are equally enchanting—they’ve become their defining symbol.
The struggle for survival is far from over: the delicate balance between nature and human intervention remains precarious, and the risk of hydrogeological instability is far from negligible. Their fragility makes the Cinque Terre all the more special, worthy of our careful attention and respect.
Be honest: if you’ve decided to take a holiday in Italy this year, can you think of anywhere more beautiful than the Cinque Terre?
Don’t believe anyone who tells you that once you’ve seen one of the Cinque Terre villages, you’ve seen them all. Centuries of isolation don’t disappear without leaving their mark: the difficulty of connections and communication meant that each village developed independently, and even today each one retains its own distinct identity and unique traditions.
It’s therefore difficult to recommend which Cinque Terre village to visit: the truth is that you really should see them all.
The most iconic, most visited and most photographed: for many, the Cinque Terre are epitomised by Vernazza, so much so that the image of its historic centre has become the symbol of the entire territory.
Considered one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, it’s a maze of narrow alleyways that converge onto a single street, like streams flowing down to the sea. They all lead to the little piazza overlooking the characterful harbour, enclosed in an embrace by tower-houses that seem to have emerged boldly from the water itself. Presiding over this splendour from above are an austere castle and a tower that for centuries have scanned the horizon to thwart pirate attacks… or perhaps to daydream?
Vernazza’s little piazza rivals other famous squares synonymous with the dolce vita and Italian beauty, such as those in Capri or Portofino.
The first Cinque Terre village for those arriving from the west, and the last for those coming from the east, is Monterosso. It’s considered the most approachable, thanks to its wide sandy beach (unique among all the Cinque Terre), less precipitous terrain and slightly larger car parks than the other villages.
It’s the best choice for those who want to enjoy the unique beauty of the Cinque Terre but worry about feeling cramped or stifled in the other hamlets. Charm is hardly lacking: Monterosso has the power to enchant sensitive and poetic souls, including that of Eugenio Montale, who spent many summers here and devoted some immortal verses to the village.
It’s also a good option if you want to stay overnight, as there’s a wider choice of accommodation and places to eat and drink.
Manarola is one of the smallest Cinque Terre villages, but until 2012 it was also one of the most visited, thanks to the easy connection to Riomaggiore via the famous Via dell’Amore. It remains a much-loved destination today, particularly among food and wine enthusiasts who come here for refined wine tastings.
Manarola is indeed an important wine-producing area, and the Cinque Terre Wine Cooperative is based right here: there’s no shortage of opportunities to taste a fine sciacchetrà wine or other local specialities.
Moreover, it’s the Cinque Terre village best suited for a Christmas holiday: Manarola’s nativity scene is a must-see attraction, a magnificent example of harmony between landscape and human intervention. The illuminated nativity figures that stand out against the dark outline of the hill above the village create an enchanting image that will remain vivid in your memory for a long time.
The easternmost and one of the largest, Riomaggiore is for many tourists the gateway to the Cinque Terre… and for many of them, the end of the journey too.
Although in our view all the Cinque Terre villages should be seen, stopping at Riomaggiore isn’t limiting: there’s really nothing missing here.
There are the colourful houses rising vertically, a tower bearing witness to centuries of struggle against the sea and pirates, a sanctuary nestled in greenery, murals telling stories of hardship and pride, paths winding through verdant countryside, and historic churches.
In the middle of the Cinque Terre, sandwiched between Monterosso and Vernazza to the west and Manarola and Riomaggiore to the east, Corniglia stands out distinctly from the other four villages because it’s the only one that doesn’t face directly onto the sea.
The town centre develops inland, perched on a hilltop 100 metres above sea level, from which there are incomparable views of the Riviera di Levante coast. It’s for this reason that Corniglia is known as the balcony of the Cinque Terre.
Due to its position, Corniglia is one of the least visited and therefore perfect for those seeking tranquillity and romance, far from the crowds of quick-stop tourists.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Via dell’Amore is the most romantic name imaginable for one of the world’s most celebrated walking paths. Just over a kilometre long, it connects the villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola along a flagstone path carved into the rock about 30 metres above the sea, with a railing along the cliff side and water views that accompany every step. It represents the first section of the Sentiero Azzurro (trail no. 2 CAI), the hiking route that passes through all five Cinque Terre villages.
Closed in September 2012 after a landslide injured four Australian tourists, the Via dell’Amore remained inaccessible for over twelve years. On 26 July 2024, it was officially reopened to the public following an extensive and costly safety and restoration project, which included a new railing, uniform paving, a solar-powered lighting system and lifts for visitors with disabilities at both ends of the path. Five artworks by artist Gino Covili were also installed along the trail, transforming it into an open-air museum.
In late October 2024, another landslide caused temporary closure of the path. Restoration and reinforcement work on the rockfall nets allowed reopening on 14 February 2025, Valentine’s Day. Visiting hours for 2026 are: 9:00 to 21:00 (last entry 20:30) from 29 March to 24 October 2026; 9:00 to 19:00 (last entry 18:30) during the winter period. Before you go, always check the opening status on the Via dell’Amore official website, as it can close in case of weather alerts.
Access requires the Cinque Terre Card plus a €10 supplement per adult (2026); you cannot purchase entry to the Via dell’Amore separately from the card. Access is one-way and limited to hourly time slots, with a maximum time of 30 minutes to complete the path. Online booking in advance is compulsory: during peak season, places sell out quickly.
For those wanting to explore the Cinque Terre on foot beyond the Via dell’Amore, the park’s hiking network includes over 120 km of paths distributed across 48 routes. Some are easy and suitable for all, while others are challenging and reserved for experienced hikers with proper trekking shoes. Walking the trails in flip-flops or open sandals is strictly prohibited, with fines of up to €2,500.
Cinque Terre is one of the few destinations where public transport is preferable to your own car, yet plenty of visitors still value the freedom of setting off without having to check a timetable.
Here’s all the essential information for reaching Cinque Terre and travelling between villages by train and car.
Cinque Terre is easily reached for a day trip from several Italian cities, making it one of the country’s most popular excursion destinations. From Florence you can reach it by train in around 2 hours and 30 minutes with a change at La Spezia or Sarzana; from Milan there’s a direct Intercity train to Monterosso in approximately 3 hours. Those already at La Spezia can visit the villages by boat. If you’d prefer a guided experience, numerous organised tours departing from Florence and Milan are available, which include coach transport, a guide and train journeys between the villages – the ideal solution for enjoying the day without worrying about logistics.
The best way to reach Cinque Terre and travel between villages is by train. All five villages have railway stations along the La Spezia–Genoa line, served by numerous regional trains (roughly one every half hour); Monterosso station is also served by inter-regional trains.
The journey between villages takes only a few minutes; the total journey from the easternmost village (Riomaggiore) to the westernmost (Monterosso) is just 14 minutes. Sometimes it takes longer to get out of the station than to arrive!
The stations are located in the historic centres or their immediate vicinity, and in some cases are connected by shuttle buses.
From spring through early autumn (typically March to November, with exact dates varying year to year), the local Cinque Terre Express train also operates, running the La Spezia–Levanto route with stops at all five villages.
Work out the sums carefully as the Cinque Terre Express isn’t always value for money. The Cinque Terre Express ticket allows a single journey with no intermediate stops (regardless of departure or arrival station) and is valid for 75 minutes from validation.
Driving to Cinque Terre is both straightforward and nerve-wracking.
The good news is that Liguria boasts excellent road connections: thanks to the A12 Genoa–La Spezia motorway and the Cinque Terre coastal road, reaching the villages is generally not particularly difficult.
Riomaggiore and Manarola are the easiest villages to reach by car as the scenic route is fairly straightforward. Conversely, Vernazza and Corniglia are the most isolated and difficult to access by car: you’ll need to navigate a narrow and very winding stretch of road.
In all the villages, the main challenge is finding parking. The historic centres of Cinque Terre are closed to traffic and parking spaces are insufficient for the huge number of tourists who visit these villages daily. If you manage to find a space, expect to pay rather steep rates.
As the crow flies the villages are very close together, but if you drive between them the distance increases considerably (about 30 km instead of 15). Monterosso is roughly 90 km from Genoa, while Riomaggiore is just 15 km from La Spezia.
The Cinque Terre Card is the official pass for the Cinque Terre National Park, required to access the Blue Trail and other paid-for trails, as well as to enjoy park services. Its purchase directly contributes to the protection and maintenance of this fragile territory. It can be purchased online on the official Park website or at Info Points in the railway stations of the villages, La Spezia and Levanto: it’s advisable to buy it in advance, especially during peak season, to avoid queues.
From 2024 onwards, card prices are dynamic and vary depending on your visit date, operating on a three-tier system: Green tier (A) for weekdays during low season, Yellow tier (B) for periods of average footfall and Red tier (C) for July and August, weekends and public holidays. The complete calendar of tiers is available on the Park website.
The Cinque Terre Trekking Card includes access to the Blue Trail and other paid-for Park trails, use of shuttle buses in the villages, wi-fi at Park hotspots and free access to toilets at railway stations. It does not include train travel. Prices for an adult (aged 12–69) start from €7.50 per day in Green tier up to €15.00 in Red tier. This is the right choice if you’re staying in the villages and don’t need to travel by train between Cinque Terre’s settlements.
The Cinque Terre Treno MS Card is the most comprehensive and best value card for visitors arriving from further afield. It includes everything the Trekking Card offers, plus unlimited second-class train travel on regional trains on the Levanto–La Spezia route, with stops at all villages. It also includes free entry to CAMeC – Contemporary Art Centre in La Spezia and Podere Case Lovara (FAI property on the Levanto–Monterosso trail), as well as free participation in guided tours organised by the Park from May to October. Prices for adults (1 day) start from €19.50 in Green tier and exceed €32.50 in Red tier. There are dedicated rates for young people (4–12 years), over-70s and families (2 adults + 1 or more young people).
The Via dell’Amore is not included in standard Cinque Terre Cards: to access it you must add a €10 supplement (2026) to any card version. You must book a time slot online in advance. The Park also sells a Cinque Terre Card Plus which already includes the Via dell’Amore supplement in a single ticket. Children under 4 have free access to Park trails and travel free by train if accompanied by an adult with a valid card. During orange or red weather alerts, card sales are suspended and trails are closed.
Cinque Terre is among Italy’s most visited villages and, unlike many other coastal destinations, attracts tourists throughout the year, not just in summer.
This has driven substantial growth in tourist accommodation, with countless historic houses converted into apartments or rooms for visitors; however, this supply is limited by the villages’ size and the terrain’s particular characteristics.
Practically speaking, this means that despite a good number of bed & breakfasts, guesthouses and hotels in Cinque Terre, the number of available rooms isn’t always sufficient to meet the exceptionally high visitor numbers. It’s wise to book well in advance, especially if you’re looking for budget accommodation: Cinque Terre isn’t budget-friendly and the cheaper rooms tend to sell out first.
The good news is that many tourists visit Cinque Terre for just a day, so finding somewhere to stay in Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola or Riomaggiore isn’t an impossible task.
Forget massive hotels with hundreds of rooms – fortunately, there’s no space for them here. If you’re after something special, perhaps for an important occasion, luxury options in Cinque Terre include splendid villas with panoramic sea-view terraces.
As for specific areas, none is particularly recommended: the villages are so small they’re easily explored on foot. In some cases accommodation is concentrated on one or two streets in the historic centre, in others it’s scattered between the lower and upper parts of the village.
Cinque Terre’s coastline is steep and rocky, dotted with bays and coves. Beaches are therefore small but offer stunning vistas.
At Fegina, the newer part of Monterosso, you’ll find the largest beach, which American magazine “Forbes” has ranked among the world’s 25 most enchanting. The sand is mixed with pebbles and interspersed with striking rocks, such as Mapassu or il Quarto. The historic village also has its own small beach, complete with a mole to the west and the Corone rock to the east.
Corniglia boasts the warmest beach and the most secluded one. The former is located beneath the railway station and features a high wall that reflects light and heat. The latter is Guvano beach, favoured by naturists.
Vernazza, Riomaggiore and Manarola each have small but picturesque beaches.
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