Places to visit in Cinque Terre

Beach: no.
This is a vicinity of the Municipality of Riomaggiore but is more ancient than this latter, maybe dating back to the Roman age (the toponym refers to Manium Arula = little altar of the Mani Gods). The current village dates back to the 12th century, when the number of residents started to grow due to immigration from the village of Volastra, located higher up. Manarola was ruled by the Lords of Carpena and by the Fieschi Family, until in 1276 it was subdued by Genoa. The houses are in part grouped on a rocky outcrop and in part aligned along the valley of the Rio di Grippo stream. The historical buildings are concentrated in a pretty square situated in a commanding position.
Here you can find: Church of St Lawrence and Oratory, Ruins of fortifications, Groppo, begin of Via dell'Amore, the biggest Presepe in the world.

Beach: yes.
Village of Riomaggiore rise between two craggy hills that slopes into sea. It is divided into two parts. North and South are linked by underpass where begins a long tunnel to the railway station. According to the tradition, the original core would have been founded in the 7th century by a group of Greek refugees, at the site of the current small village of Montenero, located up the hill. After the main urban center shifted toward the coastline, It was ruled by various feudal families, such as the Turcotti, lords of Ripalta and Cericò, and the Fieschi, until in 1276 it felt under domination of Republic of Genoa. The houses are arranged along the narrow Rio Maggiore Valley parallel to the stream (now covered), crossed by steep flights of steps and alleyways. Houses here are very originally - they have two entry: one is at level of one street other is at level of upper street.
In Riomaggiore begins Via dell’Amore (well known part of the Blue Path), a very beautiful romantic footpath that finish in Manarola. You’ll walk among nature hearing sound of waves breaking on rocks.
Here you can find: Church of St John the Baptist, Oratory and chapels, Castle of Riomaggiore, begin of Via dell'Amore.

Beach: yes.
The village is spread over two inlets (Aurora Tower is located between them), in that of the Bruanco River, to the East, there is the historical core, while the settlement located in the inlet of Fegina, to the West, has developed more recently, here you find the largest beach in the Cinque Terre, right after the exit from the train station, yes, Monterosso has the closest train station to the sea. Before you choose to stay on which beach - ask there is sand or stone. The population is of 2000 residents, and in recent times the tourist business has overwhelmed the agricultural practice.
Here you can find: Church of S. Giovanni Battista, Oratories, Capuchin Monastery, Castle, walls and towers, The Giant or Neptune.

Beach: yes (small).
To reach Corniglia from the train station you must take 382 stairs (the city is situated at an altitude of 100 meters above sea level). But there is also a bus which costs 1.50 Euro (included in Cinque Terre CARD), which bring you to the center of Corniglia (there are schedules of bus, but it goes after the arrival of the train), you can use it to reach Corniglia, and then return on foot. Corniglia is the village in the middle, the smallest and highest in the Cinque Terre. A vicinity of the town of Vernazza, probably of Roman origins (the toponym may refer to the Gens Cornelia), was ruled by the Counts of Lavagna, by the Lords of Carpena and Luni, and thereafter was dominated by the Genoese since 1276.
Here you can find: Church of St. Peter, Oratory of the Flagellants of St Catherine, Remains of the Genovese fortifications, big beach called "Spiaggione" and one other little nudist beach called "Guvano".

This is the most recognized and fabulous path. It was made, over the centuries, by people who used it for passage from one town to another and in many parts it is a mule track. The path from Monterosso to Riomaggiore is about 12 km long and reaches a height of 200 meters at Prevo, a small but nice village near Vernazza. The itinerary is made up of 8 kilometers of paths, 2 kilometers of mule tracks, about 1 kilometer of streets inside the villages and the remaining kilometer is the famous “Via dell'Amore”. This is the La Spezia's C.A.I. number 2 path but is best known as the 'sentiero azzurro' (the blue path). The whole itinerary is marked by a white-blue stripe. You need about five hours to complete the full path, which has a difference in height between the lowest and highest position of 500 meters. Remember that the approximate completion time doubles if one decides to visit the villages. Perfectly, one should take a few days to do the itinerary stopping at each village.

Info:
Length: 12 km
Difficulty: easy
Total walking time: 5 hours, the path is divided into 4 parts, the most famous Via dell'Amore (durations: 20 min).
Cost: you need Cinque Terre CARD (after 19.30 it`s free).

It`s a difficult path, so if you are a serious hiker and you want a lot of then you have to go at the High Path. This trail essentially stretches beyond the National Park of Cinque Terre and links the towns of Levanto in the north with Portovenere in the south. It’s not easy to say how much time you spend for the trail because you will stop in the village, enjoy nature, and so on, however it’s about 6-12 hours. Don`t forget to pick up the detailed map, you can find it in the centers for tourists.

Info:
Length: 40 km
Difficulty: difficult
Total walking time: 12 hour, it is possible to do only a part of the distance.

This path, created after the last war, got its title to the fact that it links all the sanctuaries of the National Park of the Cinque Terre, each village have its own Sanctuary to which the residents are attached by a deep devotion. Walk along the road is a bit tiring but it doesn’t obligate you to have the training of an alpinist. The path is all signalled with white and red stripe. To access it from La Spezia, first you have to arrive in Biassa and then the Telegraph Pass (Colle del Telegrafo); instead from the other side (from Monterosso), you need to follow the Pignone-Levanto until the divarication of the Termine, where you find an entrance to the path.

Info:
Length: 20 km
Difficulty: easy.

The characteristic dishes of the Cinque Terre are very fundamental and simple. They provide unaltered true aroma and taste of fresh products. Cinque Terre main choice is seafood and it’s really amazing. All the dishes are often improved with aromatics basils, which grow in the entire region, such as: oregano, marjoram and thyme. Additionally we just cannot forget the olive oil which is extra representative product of this zone. Cinque Terre’s food is suitable for vegetarians too. Vegetables are significant components of these dishes. For example you can eat a delicious minestrone soup cooked with artichokes, leeks, Swiss chards, potatoes and cabbages. We would recommend you to taste the white wine, which is another characteristic product of the territory. And at the end of your meal you can drink a glass of Sciacchetrà, (it’s a strong sweet wine created with raisins), it helps digestion and it’s very tasty too.

The Cinque Terre has a jagged profile along the five miles of rocky coastline enclosed by two headlands. Outcrops of rock overlooking the sea, small coves, bays, gorges, beaches between the rocks are the feature, a unique landscape with crystal clear sea. In Monterosso is the most famous beach, the sand with umbrellas and sunbeds and classic, with a pebbly shore. However, the beaches are of pebbles and stones in Corniglia and Riomaggiore. Also, there are beaches are of stones in Vernazza and Manarola. You can find famous beach between Corniglia and Vernazza called "Guvano" for nudist.