Italy's Charming Cinque Terre Towns

Breathtakingly nestled atop the sides of cliffs and washed by the blue waters of the Ligurian Sea, the 5 dazzling colorful Italian towns have won the affection of thousands of travelers from all over the world. In fact, recently Cinque Terre has become such a popular destination because of its unparalleled beauty, that planning your trip there in advance is more of a "must" than a simple recommendation! Translated from Italian as "five lands" and pronounced as "chinkwe terrei", the mind-boggling traditional fishing villages are more than 500 years old and have remained practically intact, which surely adds them some extra charm. On this page, we're happy to share information about each of the five villages, answer the often asked questions, as well as give handy tips for making your Cinque Terre vacation even more complete!

Is Cinque Terre worth it?

In case the jaw-dropping photos of this part of Italy surprisingly haven't stolen your heart and you aren't sure whether a Cinque Terre visit should make it onto your travel plans, trust us, it should! Saving at least one day can already be enough to explore the best attractions and spots, especially if you have a well thought through Cinque Terre itinerary. You can reach Cinque Terre by train which arrives at nearby La Spezia from where you may, as an option, make your way to the closest of the villages by car.

However, the most widespread option for exploring the villages is via the hiking trails. But if you're not a fan of long walks, have no worries and for sure don't let this keep you from visiting the towns. Alternatively, you may use the Cinque Terre Express trains, making stops in all Cinque Terre villages on the route from La Spezia to Levanto and vice versa. Another great option is taking a Cinque Terre ferry from La Spezia to Monterosso as this way you can enjoy the views from water as well.

Where is Cinque Terre, Italy located?

Those who are aiming at Northern Italy travel have the best chances of spending time in the glorious five. The villages are located not far from Genoa on Italy's northwest coast, explaining why taking a Cinque Terre day trip from Florence or visiting Cinque Terre from Milan or Venice are highly common choices. The best time to visit the Cinque towns is during the hotter months of the year from late spring to early fall, in winter it will definitely be less crowded yet the weather may be rainy with little sunshine.

In case you wish to spend more than one day in this part of the Italian Riviera, you'll have to keep in mind that, as a rule, there is very limited availability of the accommodation options. The towns are petite, meaning that there aren't too many Cinque Terre places to stay at to select from right from the start, not to mention the skyrocket prices, especially during the warmer months. Thus, if staying overnight in Cinque Terre isn't a top priority for you, we'd advise to visit them as a day tour.

What are the Top Cinque Terre Things to Do?

Apart from snapping hundreds of gorgeous photos and wandering the tiny streets of the villages, taking a Cinque Terre hike is, indeed, among the most favored activities in the area. All five towns are connected by trails, making it possible to see the best of Cinque Terre in one day. To pass the entire hiking route doesn't require much preparation beforehand, yet, proper footwear and comfortable walking shoes will without question be needed as sometimes the footpaths are steep, there are many steps, and although some parts of the trail are rather flat, most of the distance is rocky with a cobblestone surface.

Some sections of the route can take about 30-40 minutes on foot from one village to the next, others are more lengthy and take around 2.5 hours. Although you need to watch your step when walking, the trails are quite safe, and, without a doubt, the views of the olive groves, vineyards, the blues of the sea, and the adorable color-rich villages placed ahead from one of the numerous lookout viewpoints are an experience to remember for years! Plus, as mentioned previously, you may always spice up your time by taking a Cinque Terre boat tour, for instance, for your return ride back to the station after the hike.

Best Towns To Visit in Cinque Terre