The Ultimate 2 Days in Cinque Terre Itinerary

Looking to spend 2 days in Cinque Terre but not sure how to plan out your adventures, or what to do? I got you! 🥳

Cinque Terre is one of those dreamy destinations that everyone seems to have on their bucket lists. But honestly, as someone who finally visited, it’s quite different from what non-visitors picture – especially if one bases their knowledge on seconds-long Instagram videos.

Cinque Terre is a destination composed of five, small and colorful towns that sit perched on the hills of beautiful Liguria, a northern coastal region in Italy – home to breathtaking land and crystal-clear waters, and phenomenal cuisine.

Contrary to common belief, Cinque Terre is not exactly a beach, or city sight-seeing destination. Cinque Terre only has one beach, Monterosso al Mare, and the towns are so small and touristy that there is very little to see. In other words, the main highlight of Cinque Terre is the unique and colorful aesthetics of each town.

From the land to the Ligurian sea and a special cultural activity, this ultimate 2 Days in Cinque Terre itinerary, will help you make the most of your Cinque Terre travels. You will also find travel tips and important things to know (with a side of brutal honesty) about this magical destination.

Without further-ado, here’s how to spend the best 2 days in Cinque Terre. This itinerary is perfect for first time visitors and will help you make the most of your time! 😍

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Planning your Cinque Terre trip? Start here 👇
🏠 Where to stay: Boutique Hotel Novecento
🌊 Boat Day: Cinque Terre boat tour
🚆 Getting there: Compare trains to Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Overview

• Hike Monteresso to Vernazza
• Hike from Vernazza to Corniglia
• Hike (or express train) from Corniglia to Manarola
• Cinque Terre express to Riomaggiore

Day 2 Overview

• Boat Tour
• Cooking Class
• Free time

How Many Days in Cinque Terre?

How many days you spend in Cinque Terre depends on what you want from your trip and the activities you want to partake in. With over 48 trails, Cinque Terre is the perfect destination for hikers of different levels. With the splendid Ligurian sea, Cinque Terre is also perfect for people who love water-activities and boat excursions.

With that said, let’s answer your question: is 2 days enough in Cinque Terre? Yes!

The 5 towns of the Cinque Terre are all small with little to see. They  mainly consist of restaurants and touristy shops. Due to this, you can walk through all the 5 towns in a day. You can do this by hiking the whole coast, or taking the Cinque Terre Train.

With two days in Cinque Terre, you have enough time to see all of the towns, and enjoy activities like hiking the Blue Trail and swimming.

As someone who enjoys the two, this itinerary is for fellow outdoors lovers who want to enjoy the full essence of the Cinque Terre.

How to Spend the Perfect 2 Days in Cinque Terre Italy

Day 1 of the 2 Days in Cinque Terre Itinerary

9:00 AM Enjoy a Ligurian Breakfast

Time to start the day with the most important meal – BREAKFAST! 😍 When in Liguria, one typical breakfast you simply MUST try is focaccia and cappuccino. If you want something sweeter, go for a Cornetto, Italy’s version of a croissant. I highly recommend trying a Cornetto all’Albicocca, an apricot jam-filled cornetto.

10:00 AM: Hike Monterosso to Vernazza

Now that you’re fueled up, it’s time to go on one of Cinque Terre’s most iconic and beloved hikes – Monterosso to Vernazza. As someone who enjoys walking and has never gone on a hike, this hike, often classified as moderate, felt easy to moderate. 

The first part of the hike is the hardest part, as it’s mostly uphill, but once you’re done with that, the rest of the hike seems to plateau until you descend.

Something that helped during the first 30 to 45-ish minutes of the 2 hour hike was singing The Climb by Miley Cyrus. If you need a boost, I recommend having a fun playlist. 😂

The hike from Monterosso to Vernazza is nothing short of breathtaking. Surrounded by luscious nature, trees offer the perfect natural shade, as you look onto the Ligurian sea sparkling under the sunlight. As you get closer to Vernazza, you will begin to see the town from above and enjoy the iconic views.

Hiking in Cinque Terre | Things to know

Out of the 48 hiking trails, there are only two that require an entry fee of 7.50 euros (one day) or 14.50 euros (two days). 

Monterosso to Vernazza, being the most popular hike, requires an entry fee. You can pay for the entry at the checkpoint where the hike begins, or purchase your Cinque Terre Trekking Card at one of the train stations.

In terms of what you should wear to hike Cinque Terre, you must wear closed-toed shoes. I highly recommend breathable clothes that are comfortable and easy to move around in. A hat and sunglasses are also important accessories to avoid headaches from the sun.

12:30 PM Lunch in Vernazza

Now that your eyes have FEASTED on mesmerizing views, it’s time for your belly to do the same! The two best-rated restaurants in Vernazza are Il Gattaccio – Acciugheria & Street Food and Ristorante La Torre. Il Gattaccio – Acciugheria & Street Food is right in the harbour of Vernazza, while Ristorante La Torre is uphill, right next to the trail that leads to Corniglia.

1:30 PM Walk around Vernazza

Walking around Vernazza depends on where you’ll have lunch. If you plan to eat at Il Gattaccio – Acciugheria & Street Food, you can walk around Vernazza after lunch, or before. If you plan to eat at Ristorante La Torre, you’ll want to wander around Vernazza first to avoid going up and down the hill.

As you walk around Vernazza, let yourself get lost in the beautiful pastel colors of the town, and definitely take in the views from the harbour, where you’ll find the perfect large rocks to sit on and admire.

2:00 PM Hike Vernazza to Corniglia

Alrighty, time to feed your eyes again! Now that you’re done with lunch, get back on the Sentiero Azzuro (Blue Trail) and make your way to Corniglia.

Corniglia is the smallest of the Cinque Terre towns, and is the only one without direct access to the sea – as it sits atop a hill.

The blue path from Vernazza to Corniglia, classified as moderate, takes around 1.5 hours to complete. A nice surprise about this hike is the Bar il Gabbiano, which is a bar that offers delicious refreshments with mesmerizing views. Still make sure to fill up your water before starting this hike, and then treat yourself to a Granita at the bar.

3:30 PM Walk around Corniglia and enjoy a Pick-Me-Up.

What to do now that you’re in Corniglia? As you walk around the town and lose yourself in the old town’s sea of colorful houses, head to Terra Rossa Winebar for a regional pick-me-up – whether it’s food or wine. Along with delicious food and drinks, this winebar offers breathtaking views over the Ligurian coast.

Haven’t had enough of walking or taking in mesmerizing views? Climb the 377 steps of the Scalinata Lardarina to reach the spectacular panoramic terrace at the top!

Once you’re done visiting Corniglia, head to the train station to head to Manarola.

4:30 PM Head to Manarola

The Corniglia to Manarola trail is closed indefinitely. Due to this, you’ll head to Manarola with the Cinque Terre Train – a train ride of 5 minutes.

Manarola is one of the most beloved and beautiful towns of Cinque Terre. Furthermore, it’s the oldest town. If you want to take in the iconic views of this town, head to this address: Via Belvedere, 19, 19017 Manarola SP, Italy. OR, go grab a bite at Nessun Dorma.

Besides its beauty and grabbing a delicious platter at Nessun Dorma, there is not much to do. With that said, let yourself roam around and slow down as you digest the beauty you’ve seen so far today.

Note on Hiking from Manarola to Riomaggiore

If you’re still hungry for one last hiking trail, you can hike from Manarola to Riomaggiore – but it is not recommended. Hikers recommend starting the trail in Riomaggiore, due to the trail’s steep nature and stairs. This hike is mainly composed of steep stairs, so definitely take that into consideration. With that said, I recommend saving this hike for Day 2, or skipping it!

5:30 PM Head to Riomaggiore

Next up, it’s time to take the Cinque Terre Express and head to the last of the five villages, the beautiful Riomaggiore!

If you’ve saved pictures of Cinque Terre as inspo, chances are that many of those pictures are of Riomaggiore. Riomaggiore is one of the most beautiful towns, and the one that inspired the Disney movie Luca. 

Something you must do in Riomaggiore, besides visiting the panoramic terraces, is visit the Castello di Riomaggiore. The Castle of Riomaggiore is a 13th century, stone castle that’s perched above the Ligurian sea.

6:30 PM Time to Relax…?

l don’t know about y’all, but I am ready for a nap! 😂 The night is young though, so we can push through.

Now that you’ve seen all the Cinque Terre and have hiked, the rest of the day is perfect for relaxing and enjoying good food and the night life.

To start off this part of the day, go to your accommodation to relax and freshen up.

8 PM Visit La Spezia

Once you are, and feel, ready, head to La Spezia – the city that sits right next to Riomaggiore.

If you’re wondering, is La Spezia worth seeing? The answer is a big YES! La Spezia is a non-touristy hidden gem. By visiting, you’ll get to enjoy an authentic Ligurian city, along with better cuisine, nightlife, and a larger variety of things to do.

When in La Spezia, wander around the historic city center and check out the beautiful Public Gardens and the Porto Mirabello. As you do so, grab dinner at one of its many, delicious restaurants, and then enjoy a gelato as you continue to walk around.

Day 2 of the 2 Days in Cinque Terre Itinerary

9:00 AM Breakfast

Another day, another delicious Ligurian breakfast!

If you’re staying in La Spezia, I highly recommend going to Mister Molini to buy a delicious gluten free focaccia, or other baked goods, and then head to a nearby cafe, like Antico Caffe Terrile, for a cappuccino. 😍

10:00 Cooking Class

What better souvenir, or last-day experience, than learning how to make an authentic Italian recipe to bring home with you? Trick question – there isn’t! 😂😍

Do you want to learn how to make Pesto? This pesto making class in Manarola might be the perfect experience for you.

Do you want to take it a STEP FURTHER and learn how to make pasta, too? Then look no further – this is the ultimate cooking class in Cinque Terre!

Starting off with the local food market in La Spezia – this experience allows you to dive deeper into Italian culture and learn about the Slow Food Movement. Save your spot before it sells out! 👇

5:00 PM Cinque Terre Boat Tour

Now that you’ve had lunch with your newly-learned recipes, it’s time to relax and take in the most spectacular views of Cinque Terre with a boat excursion!

As mentioned before, the best way to see Cinque Terre is through hiking and boat excursions, because those two activities allow you to enjoy the iconic views of each town. The true beauty of these towns lies in the far viewpoints that let you see the whole coast and  the rainbow of pastel colors from each town’s buildings.

There are several great boat tours in Cinque Terre to choose from, and for this itinerary, the best fit is the Golden Hour Boat Tour with Appetizers & Drink. This 3.5 hour, small group boat tour begins at 5 PM and brings you along the entire coastline of the Cinque Terre. 

Leaving from the port of La Spezia, you will also get to marvel at the stunning Portovenere and the Church of San Pietro. Here are some great things the tour offers:

• Sunset over Cinque Terre
• Swim break in Liguria’s crystal-clear waters
• Stereo system and music
• Local appetizers
• Drinks

Magical sunset, swim break, breathtaking views, and appetizers… Could your time in Cinque Terre end on a better note? 😍 Save your spot for this phenomenal boat tour by taking in every bit of Cinque Terre’s magic.

9 PM The Last Dinner in Cinque Terre

Now that you’ve seen and experienced the full essence of Cinque Terre, take these last hours to have dinner and stroll around La Spezia, or the Cinque Terre town that struck you the most!

Things to Consider When Visiting Cinque Terre

Where to Stay in Cinque Terre

My biggest tip is to stay in the cities that sit nearby Cinque Terre, La Spezia or Levanto, rather than staying directly in one of the towns. Why? Because the two cities I’ll mention shortly are flat, not perched on hills, are spacious, non-touristy, and offer extra fun!

I personally stayed in La Spezia and couldn’t have been happier with my choice – to stay here, rather than in one of the Cinque Terre towns. It’s well connected with the Cinque Terre Express and is a city with more local life, less touristy restaurants, cafes, and shops, local markets, and offers more breathing room.

On a future visit, I plan to stay at Boutique Hotel Novecento, which is an Italian-owned boutique hotel that sits a short walk from both the Cinque Terre Express and the city’s beautiful port. I find it crucial to support local-owned businesses, and something really nice about this boutique hotel is that they offer many cultural experiences, including a pesto making class. 

Book your Boutique Hotel Novecento stay.

If you feel strongly about staying within one of the Cinque Terre towns, the best town is Riomaggiore.

Moving Around Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is an incredibly easy to navigate destination thanks to its wonderful public transportation system and hiking trails. To move around Cinque Terre you will need the Cinque Terre Card for the train and the Trekking Card for the Blue Path hiking trails.

Based on this itinerary, I recommend the Cinque Terre Card: 2 days Hiking + Train for €33. With this card you’ll have access to all the hiking trails, unlimited train rides, and so much more.

Insider Tip: If you happen to be visiting in the winter time, Nov 4th to March 15th, you won’t need the Trekking Card – as it will be off season, and all hikes will be free to enter. If that’s the case, it’s recommended to simply buy single train tickets.

When to visit Cinque Terre

It comes as no surprise that the peak season for tourism in Cinque Terre is the summer time, with June to August being the craziest months. Late September to late October is a great period to visit as tourism slows down and the weather is perfect – hot, but not excruciating.

As a general rule – do not visit Italy in August as it’s a holiday month. Not only is the weather too hot, but most businesses are closed for the holiday.

How to get to Cinque Terre

How you get to Cinque Terre depends on where you’re traveling from – are you coming from another Italian destination, or from a different country?

If you’re traveling within Italy, the best way to reach Cinque Terre is by high-speed train, arriving at La Spezia train station. If you’re flying into Italy and heading directly to Cinque Terre, the nearest airport to fly into will be Pisa’s airport (PSA). 

However, the best airport is still likely remain Milan Malpensa (MXP) due to being a bigger airport and more of an international hub – offering better flights and prices.

Pro Tip: Use Omio (my favorite tool) to compare all the travel options available – from flights to buses and high-speed trains – and pick the one that works best for your itinerary.

What to Pack for Cinque Terre?

Stay tuned for a full list! In the meantime, here are some essentials:

• Comfortable clothes for hiking
• Closed-toe shoes
• Sunglasses
• Camera
• Sunscreen
• Bathing suit
• Power bank

Need to buy some of the products mentioned above? Here are my all-time favorites! 😍

Is one day enough in Cinque Terre?

Personally, one day in Cinque Terre is not enough, nor worth it, because it’s the type of destination that you need to savor slowly and admire – especially if you’re a nature lover. 

Two full days in Cinque Terre is a good minimum amount of time to spend, as it allows you to enjoy both the land and the sea – without any rush.

With that said, one day in Cinque Terre *can* be enough if you’re looking for a day-long hiking adventure or boat excursion to simply switch things up as you travel around neighboring cities. But if you’re planning to go there for the destination itself, it’s not enough.

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