The 5 Cinque Terre villages, tucked away in a hilly bend at the eastern end of the Italian Riviera, were moulded by their deep isolation. These gorgeous, colourful towns, set amid some of the world’s most stunning coastal scenery, can lift even the most jaded spirits. A 19th-century railway line carved through a series of coastal tunnels transports people from town to town, while sinuous footpaths traverse seemingly impregnable cliff slopes. Except for Corniglia, you can catch a boat from any of the villages. You may have to wait for the train or the boat, but wherever you are waiting, you may relax and take in the scenery. For more than a decade, automobiles have been prohibited in the communities. The five communities are no longer isolated hamlets, but there is a network of beautiful coastline and mountain routes to explore. The trails connecting Monterosso and Vernazza, as well as Vernazza and Corniglia, are challenging. The other two hikes are straightforward. You will have to pay an admission charge, which will grant you access to all of the trails with only one ticket. Except for the path connecting Vernazza and Corniglia, which leads away from the ocean over cliffs high above the sea, all of the main trails give wonderful views of the Mediterranean Sea. The colours are stunning on a sunny day. If you plan to walk more than one segment of the trail, save your ticket for the ticket booths at the start of each route. Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza: This is a challenging 2.5 mile (4 km) trail with numerous ups and downs. Depending on how many stops you make to admire the scenery, it will take most people between 1.5 and 2 hours. The trail from Vernazza to Corniglia is the most difficult of the four and offers the fewest views of the sea. Hiking this 2.5 miles (4 km) trail will take most people about 2 hours. You’ll need to be able to hike up and down hills because the terrain is rough in certain spots. Corniglia to Manarola: This is a short 45-minute stroll with a beautiful view of the sea. The trail is only about 2 miles long (3km). Manarola to Riomaggiore: A paved walkway runs the length of this 0.5 miles (0.6 km) trail. The journey will take roughly 30 minutes to walk.
(1) Monterosso al Mare
(2) Vernazza
(3) Corniglia
(4) Manarola
(5) Riomaggiore
(1) If you’re approaching the Cinque Terre from the north, the first village you’ll see is Monterosso al Mare the largest and busiest of the five villages. It’s also the easiest to get to and has the most hotels. An old railroad tunnel separates the town into two halves. On one side, there is the ancient town, which has a variety of shops and restaurants, while on the other, there is the Fegina beach. In Monterosso, there is a sandy beach where you can swim and sunbathe for free. Visit Il Gigante, a gigantic statue near Fegina which is a 5-minute walk away.
(2) Vernazza is the first village you’ll see after Monterosso, and it’s the only one with its own harbour. Although each village is unique and gorgeous in its own way, many people consider Vernazza to be the most picturesque. There are several narrow alleys to explore in Vernazza, as well as many window shopping options. You can sit at one of the harbour’s cafes and gaze out at the sea or up into the vineyards.
(3) Corniglia is the next town, and it is the only one without direct access to the sea. Corniglia is reached by climbing 360 steps from the train station. If you prefer, a small shuttle bus travels regularly from the train station to the village. There is a street at the top of the stairs that leads to a tiny observation point with views of both Monterosso and Riomaggiore. If you are physically capable, it is worthwhile to stroll up or down the stairs to take in the scenery. The stairs are wide, although some of them are uneven.
(4) Manarola is the next stop. Many of Manarola’s older buildings have ancient wineries within them. People can be seen swimming from the rocks and sunbathing along the rocky shore when the weather is warm. Feel free to join in, but keep in mind that there is no lifeguards present.
(5) As you arrive from the north, Riomaggiore is the last village. It’s a lovely village snuggled among the foothills, with cute vividly painted cottages. It will be the first settlement you see if you arrive from La Spezia. Riomaggiore offers a lovely pebble beach where you can collect a few stones as souvenirs. Although the train from La Spezia operates often, you can instead take a taxi if you like.