Travel Guide CINQUE TERRE
A few hours drive from the Italian border, between Genoa and La Spezia, the villages of the "Cinque Terre" offer a timeless stopover in an enchanting setting on the Mediterranean. The villages of Monterosso, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Riomaggiore are all fishing ports, each nestled in a small cove, built on top of a cliff or above a sandy or rocky beach. Of medieval origin, they all hold their little secrets in the bend of a street or a flight of stairs, in the middle of traditional houses with a crazy charm. Each village is like no other and is waiting to be discovered, in the company of a Cinque Terre tourist guide, on foot, by train or by boat, as cars are not allowed to come here. The walk in the national park to go from one to the other is also part of the trip, via picturesque paths between hundred-year-old vineyards, broom bushes, heather fields, maritime pines and lemon trees. Five stages as many opportunities to taste the numerous local specialties among which the famous focaccia spiced with olive oil.
What to visit en Ligurie - CINQUE TERRE?
Suggested addresses de Ligurie - CINQUE TERRE
When to go to en Ligurie - CINQUE TERRE?
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...
Weather at the moment
As far as the weather is concerned, one of the main assets of the Cinque Terre villages is their extraordinary temperate climate, with a reduced annual thermal amplitude, extremely mild winter temperatures and moderate precipitation. Average winter temperatures range from 6 to 14°C and average summer temperatures from 25 to 30°C.
Rome
Gênes
Milan
Naples
Italy is in the euro zone. The Cinque Terre offers solutions for all budgets. Although it cannot be called a cheap destination, it should be noted that prices vary considerably depending on the season. It is recommended to tip in restaurants (usually between 5 and 10% of the bill) as well as for the staff of hotels of a certain standard and if you are satisfied with the service.
For citizens of the European Union, an identity card is sufficient to enter Italy and stay for three months. After three months, the Questura (Prefecture) must issue a Permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) which is valid for five years.
No special vaccinations are required before visiting the Cinque Terre as in the rest of Italy. There is little risk of special contamination or lack of emergency aid. Emergency services are very well organized, and cell phones work well everywhere, which allows a quick alert in case of problem. As elsewhere, bring a small first-aid kit with mosquito repellent and bandages. Frequent problems are sunstroke and eye infections caused by not using sunglasses.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
Media
How to go to en Ligurie - CINQUE TERRE? Our advice & tips
Travel agencies offer multi-day hiking tours in Cinque Terre that also include excursions to the surrounding area around the Gulf of Poets with accommodation on site. The area is indeed rich in natural parks, medieval villages and peninsulas like Portofino and Sestri.
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 of airplane tickets varies depending on the season and the time of booking, so remember to book your flight in advance. The Cinque Terre villages can be reached 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 the five villages of Cinque Terre. The best solution is to buy 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 in2nd class. It is also possible to go from one village to another via hiking trails for a walk of about half an hour for each section.
