Cinque Terre, Italy

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7.10.2024

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Places to visit in Cinque Terre

The parts of the Cinque Terre National Park are the coast, the five beautiful villages, and the adjacent hillsides. Here is map of the paths: official site page, landscape map, one more map. This unique patrimony includes both paths "easy" to suit the widest audience, and paths suitable for expert tourists.

If you have only one day to travel then we have a special page for you: "Cinque Terre in one day".

More detailed information contains the list and description of all landmarks, and their indications on the map. Click image to learn more.

Vernazza - Cinque Terre

Vernazza

Beach: yes, short area (in city).
Vernazza is located on an impressive cliff, currently is a tranquil seaside village but before it was port from which ships, that was charged to defend coasts from Saracens, sailed. Magical impression of this village is going to charm you: mysterious alleys, multicolored red, pink and yellow houses, that in summertime become crowded of tourists coming from all world.
Vernazza is counted one of hundred most beautiful village of Italy and it preserves its maritime vocation. The importance of Vernazza in the history of Liguria is highlighted by its urban arrangement. Typical tower-shaped houses extend along a river valley up on the summit of a rocky outcrop hiding the view of the village core to anyone approaching from the sea, so we suggest you to reach this town by sea. In additional, more refined architecture are also present, such as loggias, porticoes and decorated portals. After then you can visit church of Santa Margherita of Antiochia and remains of ancient fortress: towers of XI century and Doria’s castle, tower of friary of Padri riformati di San Francesco and tower Belfort. Wonder Sanctuary of Nostra Signora di Reggio has a tree-lined square. It isn’t easy to reach Sanctuary - you’ll have to walk a wild road among nature. It will not be easy, but it is worth it.
Here you can find: Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, Monastery of Reformed Franciscan Friars Minor, Palazzo with porticoes, Belforte Tower and Castle.

Manarola - Cinque Terre

Manarola

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.

Riomaggiore - Cinque Terre

Riomaggiore

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.

Monterosso - Cinque Terre

Monterosso

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.

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Corniglia - Cinque Terre

Corniglia

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".






blue path - 2nd itinerary - Cinque Terre

The Blue Path

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).

ring of Volastra - 1st itinerary - Cinque terre

The High Path (number one)

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.

Sanctuaries path - Cinque Terre

The Sanctuaries Ways

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.

Eating in Cinque Terre

Eating in Cinque Terre

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.

Beach in Cinque Terre

Beaches in Cinque Terre

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.

Hotel in Vernazza

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Grand Hotel

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882 Reviews

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Hotel in Riomaggiore

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4755 Reviews

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Hotel Porto Roca

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236 Reviews

Price starting at 134 €
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Hotel in Manarola

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Rated 4.5 stars out of 5

3722 Reviews

Price starting at 59 €
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Apartment with sea view

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Rated 5 stars out of 5

59 Reviews

Price starting at 79 €
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