Visit the Cinque Terre: the 15 must-dos!

Stroll through the medieval streets of Monterosso al Mare and visit its typical small churches. Don't miss the statue of Neptune, Il Gigante, which is 14 meters high and weighs over 17 tons. Located at the end of Fegina beach, this statue of the god of the sea was built by the sculptor Arrigo Minerbi and used to decorate a beautiful villa. It was bombed during the Second World War and lost its arms, as well as its gigantic shell that formed the terrace. Partly restored, it has never been completely rebuilt. Despite the influx of tourists on the promontory, it remains a must-see, especially for its panoramic view of all the surrounding villages!

The village of Riomaggiore is composed of three parts: the train station, the village and the pier. It is also the starting point of the famous path "Via dell Amore" that connects Riomaggiore to Manarola. In this village, separated in two parts (the north called the "City of the Villagers" and the south called the "City of the Fishermen"), there is something for every taste: the idleness with its small and beautiful pebble beach, but also many excursions, the Basilica of San Giovanni Battista, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the Sanctuary of Montenero and above all the Castle of Riomaggiore dating from 1260. Intended to protect against barbarian invasions, today it offers a magnificent view of the Azzurro trail and the coast. If you want to enjoy a magnificent view, we recommend booking a day trip by boat to sail along the coast and discover its picturesque villages.

Manarola is undoubtedly the oldest village of the Cinque Terre and one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Accessible by the "Via dell amore" path, its particular architecture attracts many tourists every year. Clinging to the side of the cliff, the village extends to the sea level, then the houses almost completely cover the stone. Don't hesitate to take the narrow streets called "carrugi", which allow you to discover this village with its authentic charm. The view of the colorful houses of Manarola with the sea encircling the rocks below is one of the most famous views of the Cinque Terre. The houses dressed in pastel colors, dominated by red and ochre, light up at nightfall. When the sun sets, in a soothing calm, Manarola reveals all its beauty, reflected in the sea.

Take the "Via dell'Amore" or "Path of Love", the most famous path of the Cinque Terre. It allows you to discover the breathtaking landscapes and the sumptuous panoramas connecting Riomaggiore to Manarola. The most romantic will be able to sit on the "lovers' bench" and hang a padlock on the railing, before throwing the key into the sea to seal their love. The path, dug in the rock, is completely flat. The route is 1 km long, on a path strewn with benches, which makes it very accessible even for the most novice. Attention, the Via dell'Amore is closed due to landslides, the reopening is planned for July 2024.

Corniglia is the smallest town of the Cinque Terre but also the highest town, which allows an exceptional view from its belvedere, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Its authentic charm, with the ruins of the Genoese forts, the medieval church of San Pietro, the sanctuary of Nostra Signora delle Grazie, the oratory of the flagellants of Saint Catherine... You will not run out of excursions in this charming little town. The visit to Corniglia is worth it: you will have to climb more than 380 steps to reach it! A bus can also take you there. Be careful, if you want to swim, the beach of Guvano, at the border with Vernazza, is a nudist beach.

In addition to the view from Manorala and the view from the Santa Maria belvedere in Cornigliala, you can also admire the view from the sanctuary of Nostra Signora di Reggio in Vernazzala or the tower of the Old Mill in Corniglia.

Vernazza is a beautiful little village typical of the Cinque Terre. Its port has a hundred docks and has kept its authentic and modest side, unlike the second port of the Cinque Terre in Monterosso which is much more modern. With its multicolored houses and small fishermen's boats, Vernazza is one of the most charming towns in Italy. Accessible only by train or by taking steep coastal paths, the place is nevertheless very appreciated by tourists, seduced by the typicality of the town. Go and see the church of St. Margaret of Antioch, built in the ^14th century, or the convent of the Reformed Fathers of St. Francis as well as the ancient fortifications and the towers of the castle.

The inhabitants of Cinque Terre have always had a close relationship with the Catholic Church, as evidenced by the impressive number of sanctuaries. Be sure to visit the church of San Giovanni Battista in Monterosso al Mar, begun in 1307, which is baroque in style, although some elements inside are very characteristic of the Gothic style. The church is divided into three naves, and as soon as you enter, an impressive white marble rosary welcomes you. The baptismal font, the altar, the bell tower and the fresco were added over time to the original structure of the building.
Here is the list of other churches that we recommend you to visit in the other villages of the Cinque Terre:
thechurch of San Giovanni Battista in Riomaggiore
thechurch of Santa Margherita di Antiochia in Vernazza
thechurch of San Francesco in Monterosso
thechurch of San Lorenzo in Manarola
thechurch of San Pietro in Corniglia

Located in the Gulf of La Spezia, the Cinque Terre National Park is the smallest Italian national park. Classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1997, it is known for the beauty of its villages, its impressive cliffs as well as its sublime walking paths. It is an ideal place for snorkeling because the waters of the gulf are clear and shallow. Dive into the sea with a snorkel, mask and fins to admire the colorful fish, lobsters and lush vegetation.

In the five villages, the inhabitants have built with their own hands terraces cultivated on the gently sloping hills. Thanks to the dry stone walls, the terraces are built in steps and meticulously designed to facilitate the flow of water, the movement of people and the optimization of space. The terraces run all the way down the hill, above the sea, so that the harvest was once done by boat. Vines of various varieties are planted in abundance in the area, and are an integral part of the Cinque Terre landscape.

The gastronomy of the Riviera del Levant is very varied. Fishing is an important economic resource in the five villages. The majority of the dishes are simple, generally based on vegetables, but the use of aromatic herbs and quality olive oil is a vector of flavors. And why not try a pasta dish? After all, we are in Italy! Pesto, the green gold of the Liguria region, can be enjoyed on perfectly cooked pasta, "al dente"! Authentic country recipes will delight you from appetizers to desserts, with the shortbread tart with lemon jam from Cinque Terre. Discover here our favorite restaurants in each village!

Among the must-do things to do in Cinque Terre, sunbathing on the beautiful Italian beaches is a must! We particularly recommend two beaches:

Fegina beach in Monterosso al Mare

This is the largest beach in Cinque Terre and also one of the most famous. It is often crowded during the high season because of the statue of the god Neptune Il Gigante that overlooks it and guards the beach, as well as its blue waters, which make for an exceptional setting.

The pebble beach of Vernazza

As small as it is picturesque, the beach of Vernazza is very popular with vacationers. It stretches along the side of Piazza Marconi in the heart of the town. Sheltered from the wind, its privileged position allows you to enjoy a beautiful view of the church of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia, the Doria castle and the town center.

There are many ways to discover the breathtaking scenery that your stay in Cinque Terre has to offer. While a visit on foot, strolling through the typical medieval streets, is a must, we also recommend enjoying the view from a boat ride . You will be able to admire the villages from the sea as well as the beauty of the coastline and probably also access places that are difficult to see from the mainland. Would you like to take advantage of our partner's rates? Click here to book your boat trip!

Your stay in the Cinque Terre is the perfect opportunity to start diving if you haven't already! The area has very clear waters, preserved from pollution. They are also incredibly rich, you will see a lot of marine animals and plants that thrive in a protected marine area. There are more than twenty diving spots with different levels of accessibility, the most difficult ones requiring a diving certificate.

It is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy... Benvenuto in La Spezia ! Located near the Cinque Terre, it is a very practical place, especially in terms of accommodation: prices are very reasonable ! The city has remained very traditional and has many museums, including the magnificent naval museum with collections as old as they are precious. Some pieces come from the battle of Lepanto (1571!), but the most extraordinary objects of the museum are the 28 ships' figureheads, including the one with the effigy of Sissi. The Museo Civico Amedeo Lia is also famous as well as El castello San Giorgio, built in the ^12th century and which preserves its original structure.

Located in front of Portovenere, the island of Palmaria is very popular in summer for swimming in its exceptionally clear waters. Easily accessible by boat, you can choose between two coasts : one with large cliffs, coves and caves that you can visit - the Grotta Azzurra, which opens in the cliff on the west side of the island, and the Grotta dei Colombi, on the south side, 30 meters above sea level - as well as the two ^19th century military batteries. The other side is more lush with vegetation and a beautiful beach called Pozzale of sand and pebbles, often crowded, which will be a pleasant stop for a swim in summer.

Thanks to its temperate climate, Cinque Terre is a pleasant destination all year round. To enjoy the sea, summer is still a good time, despite the crowds of vacationers, but spring and early fall are the best time to visit Cinque Terre if you really want to enjoy hiking during your stay. Indeed, French and other nationalities tourists are less numerous and it is highly recommended to avoid the summer season (July-August), as the villages are relatively narrow. For more information, please visit our dedicated page.

There are direct flights from Paris and other French cities to the Italian airports of Pisa or Genoa, the two main airports nearby. The price variations of the plane tickets depend on the season and the time of reservation so think of booking your flight in advance and benefit from the advantageous rates of our partner by clicking right here!

You can then go to the Cinque Terre villages by train from the stations of Genova Principe, La Spezia or Pisa, or by boat from the port of La Spezia. The local train serves all five villages of the Cinque Terre. The best solution is tobuy the Cinque Terre Card Train which allows you to access all the hiking trails in the national park. The card also gives you unlimited travel on regional trains on the La Spezia - Cinque Terre - Levanto round trip in^2nd class.

There are several options for accommodation in Cinque Terre. You can choose to book an accommodation in one of the five villages but we advise you to do it in advance because the hotels are often overcrowded and the rates can go up. If you choose this option, choose Vernazza or Manarola, the two most beautiful villages.

The best value for money is to stay in one of the larger cities nearby, such as La Spezia, which offers a wide range of accommodations and a beautiful setting at an affordable price. Here are our two favorite establishments:

- Closest to the train station

Ultra convenient, Hotel Firenze e Continentale is located in a renovated historic building in the center, 50 meters from the La Spezia Centrale train station, from which trains leave for the Cinque Terre villages. To see the rates and availability, click here!

- The most typical

Located in the heart of the Mediterranean countryside, Ville Relais is surrounded by olive and lemon trees. You can enjoy breathtaking views and stroll through the surrounding nature. To see rates and availability, go here!

Want to see all available hotels? Check out the full list of our recommendations here and click right here to see rates and availability.

Of the five villages of the Cinque Terre, Vernazza is probably the most typical of them all thanks to its past as an ancient seafaring village. We recommend you to book a boat trip with a local guide who will explain the history of each village.