Hemmed in by the Ligurian Sea to one side and coastal cliffs to the other, the Cinque Terre’s five candy-colored fishing villages (Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) have remained virtually untouched by the passage of time. Visitors spend their days exploring the UNESCO-listed towns via the scenic walking and biking trails or historic rail line that run between each or skirt the coastline by boat or kayak. Wine tours and cooking classes in the area’s steeply terraced vineyards and gardens also top the to-do list.
These five fishing villages are situated on the coastline in a spot where steep mountain slopes rise directly from the sea, leaving little space for the summer crowds to spread out. Avoid the hordes by visiting in the quieter spring and fall seasons, which offer the added bonus of cooler temperatures for hiking the popular waterfront trail that links the towns. Those who choose to brave the summer melee, however, can enjoy a number of saints’ day processions and firework displays.
Most of the Cinque Terre coastline is closed to traffic, but the villages are linked by the Cinque Terre Express train, which runs every 15 minutes from March to November. In summer, there is also a ferry service that runs to four of the five villages (all except for hilltop Corniglia). To take the famous coastal hiking trail from town to town, purchase a Cinque Terre Trekking Card (which also includes bus service) or the Cinque Terre Train Card (which includes trail access plus bus and train service).
The Cinque Terre region is a national park, so hikers must pay admission to access the coastline’s two most famous trails: the Monterosso-to-Vernazza and Vernazza-to-Corniglia paths. That said, there are more than 75 miles (120 km) of hiking trails in the area, including another 46 routes, all of which are free. These other trails offer equally scenic views and also have far fewer crowds.
