How Many Days in Cinque Terre? What You Need to Know

Are you planning a trip to Cinque Terre but aren’t sure how to split up your time in Italy? Then you’re in the right place! Here’s everything you need to know and consider when figuring out how many days you should stay in Cinque Terre.

Cinque Terre is one of the most popular locations to visit in Italy. After visiting, I finally got to know Cinque Terre and realized it was different from what I grew up imagining. While I enjoyed my time there, and thought it was a magical destination, there are a few things that everyone should know.

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Cinque Terre Overview

Cinque Terre directly translates to “five lands”, which perfectly describes the destination. 5 Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of five small villages. These five villages are spread along 15 km of the splendid Ligurian coast, and are all – to some degree – perched on the Ligurian hills.

The five villages are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, and Manarola. Each village showcases the most beautiful, colorful homes, ranging from bright yellows to pinks and reds. Simultaneously, each village has its own unique trait.

Due to their unique locations, between the Ligurian hills and coast, there are two main activities to enjoy in Cinque Terre: hiking and boating/swimming. These two activities are what allow you to see the villages in their full entirety and splendor.

A picturesque coastal village, Corniglia of Cinque Terre, with colorful houses perched on a rocky hill overlooking the sea. The vibrant homes stand out against the lush green hillside and clear blue sky. Waves gently lap at the shoreline, adding to the serene ambiance of this scenic landscape.

How Many Days Do You Need in Cinque Terre?

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What type of vacation are you looking for?

Despite being a spectacular place, Cinque Terre is not necessarily the right destination for everyone. The amount of days you spend in Cinque Terre, depends on what vacation you are looking for and what your travel “goals” are.

Are you looking for an adventurous vacation that involves hiking and/or water-activities, such as sailing and snorkeling? If you are, this perfect place for you, and you should spend at least 2 days in Cinque Terre.

If you are looking for a simple and relaxing beach vacation, Cinque Terre may not the best destination. Out of all the villages, Monterosso al Mare is the only village with beaches – most of which are private. Due to being such a popular destination, these beaches tend to be full and crowded, with all the sun loungers and umbrellas leaving little to no space between each other. On a positive note, you could stay in Levanto and enjoy the best of both worlds.

Hiking in Cinque Terre

With over 48 hiking trails and the most spectacular views, Cinque Terre is a dream location for hikers. You can hike the whole coast of Cinque Terre, from Monterosso to Riomaggiore, in about 6 hours. With that said, if you plan to hike, you should spend at least two days in Cinque Terre.

With a minimum of two days, you will have the time hike the full Cinque Terre coast and to properly visit each town. With three days or more, you will be able to venture off and enjoy all the other hikes in Cinque Terre.

Out of the 48 hiking trails, only the two most famous trails require a special ticket: Monterosso to Vernazza and Vernazza to Corniglia. The ticket needed is the Cinque Terre Trekking Card, which costs 7.50 for a day, and 14.50 for two days. A part from these two trails, everything else in the Cinque Terre National Park is free of entry fees.

You can buy the Trekking Card at all entry points on the trail, or at the Tourist Information Points at each village’s train station. Here are some things the Cinque Terre Trekking Card includes:

Free access to the bathrooms at the train stations of each village. Without this card you pay 1 euro.
Reduced admission fee to the Civic Museums in La Spezia.
Free access to the buses within the National Park.

The picturesque coastal landscape of Cinque Terre featuring a blue ocean bordered by green, rugged mountains. A small village, Vernazza, with colorful buildings is nestled between the cliffs near the water's edge. The sky is clear, and the overall scene is bright and serene.

Do you want to go off the beaten path and discover the locals’ favorite hiking trails? This guided hike does just that! Save your spot now for your upcoming trip!😍👇

Boats and Water Activities in Cinque Terre

Along with hiking, boat rides are the best way to fully admire and soak in the beauty of Cinque Terre.

Being right on the Ligurian coast, the world is your oyster when it comes to water-activities. From boat days to snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking – there is something for everyone.

Something that is important to note is that boat days, whether they are full day excursions or not, can be very tiring. Due to this, it’s important to spend a minimum of 2 days in Cinque Terre – that way you can properly relax post-boat day and then enjoy the rest of Cinque Terre.

Best Things to do in Cinque Terre

Beside hiking, boat days, and water-activities, here are some other great things to do in Cinque Terre.👇

Take a Cooking Class!

What better souvenir than learning how to make Ligurian delicacies, Pesto and Focaccia? Take one of the best cooking classes in Cinque Terre and learn how to make traditional Italian food! (link + widgetc)

Day Trip to Porto Venere and Isola Palmaria

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cinque Terre includes Porto Venere and the archipelago of Isola Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto.

Porto Venere is a beautiful ancient town that dates, at least, back to the mid-1st century BC.

A stone church with a tall bell tower stands on a rocky cliff overlooking the blue sea. The church is part of an ancient structure with fort-like walls, nestled against a backdrop of green hills under a clear, bright blue sky. — Photo Credit: © Yuriy Brykaylo on Canva.com

Statua del Gigante

This spectacular hidden gem in Monterosso al Mare is a prominent landmark and colossal figure of Neptune. Found in Fegina Beach, this 14 meters (46 feet) tall concrete statue symbolizes Monterosso’s connection to the sea and its reliance on fishing and marine activities to live.

Via dell’Amore (Currently closed)

Going from Riomaggiore to Manarola, Via dell’Amore, “Love’s Path”, is a kilometer long pedestrian path perched on the Ligurian hills. This path offers mesmerizing views, so stay tuned for it’s re-opening!😍

A scenic coastal view featuring steep, rocky cliffs with vegetation, facing a turbulent, teal-colored sea. Waves crash against the rugged shoreline under a clear blue sky scattered with a few clouds. A narrow path winds along the cliffside. — Photo Credit: © Simon Cigoj on Canva.com

How to Spend 1, 2, 3 Days in Cinque Terre

One Day in Cinque Terre Itinerary

Whether you are hiking or taking the train, spending one day in Cinque Terre is enough for you to visit all the five towns. If you’re spending a only a day you’re in Cinque Terre, you’re likely on a day trip from Florence or a nearby city.

For The Hikers – If you love hiking, the perfect day trip activity is hiking the whole Cinque Terre coast. Depending on how much time you have in Cinque Terre, you could start your hike in Levanto or in Monterosso.

For The Sea Lovers – If you love the sea, you simply have to go on a boat tour! As a day trip, I recommend visiting all the five towns (starting in Monterosso) and ending the day with a boat excursion. No matter how short a boat tour is, you will feel very fatigued after it due to the sun. By saving the boat tour for last you’ll be able to end your day trip with the best views and relax.

Two Days in Cinque Terre Itinerary

Spending two days in Cinque Terre allows you to visit all five towns, go on a hike or more, and go on a boat tour. Personally, this is the perfect amount of days to visit Cinque Terre as you have time to enjoy both of the best activities – hiking and boat excursions.

A tentative 2 day in Cinque Itinerary can look like this:

1st Day – Hiking Day. Either hike the full Cinque Terre coast, or half of it and slowly enjoy passing through the towns.
2nd Day – Towns and 1/2 Day Boat Excursion. Visit the Villages and end with one of the best boat tours in Cinque Terre.

3 Days in Cinque Terre or More Itinerary

By spending 3 days in Cinque Terre, or more, you will have more flexibility and time to slow down and digest the beauty surrounding you. With 3 days you can easily do several hikers, go on a boat tour, and thoroughly enjoy each town. A tentative 3 day in Cinque Itinerary can look like this:

1st Day – Hike the full Cinque Terre coast. Spend the day hiking through the luscious coast while taking in the most spectacular views over the towns and the Ligurian sea. By hiking, you’ll also be able to walk through the towns.
2nd Day – Full-Day Boat Excursion. Spend the day swimming, sunbathing, and taking in the most spectacular views of the Cinque Terre coast.
3rd Day – Slow down and soak the Cinque Terre in by visiting, or re-visiting, the towns and/or hidden gems. Some gems are La Spezia, Porto Venere, and Isola Palmaria.

Where to Stay in Cinque Terre

When it comes to your stay, my recommendation is to book a hotel or Airbnb in either La Spezia or Levanto. These two cities sit right next to the Cinque Terre coast, and offer the smoothest commute.

As mentioned previously, the five towns are very small, they are perched on hills, and are crowded with people. Furthermore, being a touristy destination, you will mainly find souvenir shops and little to no nightlife. In other words, you won’t have access to an authentic Italian experience.

By staying in either La Spezia or Levanto, you will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds. You will easily access the 5 towns and all their beauty, as well as the more authentic Ligurian cities.

La Spezia

Here are some reasons why La Spezia is the perfect stay:

Transportation. La Spezia has a train station and is a major transportation hot spot. If you’re visiting from Florence, this is the best city to get into.
Boat Tours. This city is where you have the train station and where most boat tours leave from.
Accessibility. This city is flat and not perched on hills like the Cinque Terre villages. This ensures a smoother time with your belongings and suitcases, and is not tiring.
Budget Friendly. If you’re on a budget, La Spezia is the budget friendly option!
Beach City Life. Being a larger city you’ll find nightlife, endless restaurants and bar-cafes, shops, and more.

As these points show, by basing yourself in La Spezia you will have a smoother and more authentic experience.

Levanto

A small boat floats on calm waters near a sandy beachfront, backed by colorful buildings and lush greenery on a hillside. The sky is blue with a few clouds, and there's a peaceful atmosphere at the scenic coastal area. — Photo Credit: © Fokkebok on Canva.com

Here are some reasons why Levanto is also a great stay:

Beaches. Levanto has beautiful sandy beaches to enjoy, If you were hoping for a beach vacation, this is the perfect place to stay!
Hiking and Outdoor Activities. Levanto’s natural surroundings offer several outdoor activities, specifically hiking. A popular hike is Levanto to Monterosso. You could simply hike to Monterosso, or go as far into the 5 towns as you want.
Cuisine. Being a non-touristy spot, you will easily find a high-quality and authentic Ligurian cuisine.
Budget Friendly. If you’re on a budget, Levanto is a budget friendly option!

As these points show, by basing yourself in Levanto you will have a smoother and more authentic experience, and access to more outdoor activities.

Is Cinque Terre Worth Visiting?

As everything goes, one destination will not be perfect for everyone. If you are someone who enjoys hiking or engaging in water activities, such as boating and swimming, then Cinque Terre is absolutely worth visiting.

My honest opinion is that Cinque Terre is only worth visiting if you plan to hike or partake in water activities – from boats to swimming to kayaking. The towns of Cinque Terre are, overall, very small and do not offer much besides stores and restaurants. In addition to this, the magic and beauty of Cinque Terre is in the distanced views – where you can see the entire village.

Due to this, unless you plan to hike or go on a boat, I would recommend visiting another Ligurian destination. Some spectacular cities that offer nightlife, proper beach time, and larger coastal cities are Genova and Alassio.

A picturesque beach scene in Monterosso al Mare, Italy, features clear blue water, a large rock formation near the shore, and a pebble beach with colorful umbrellas and sunbathers. Green mountains and quaint buildings line the coastline in the background.

How to Get Around Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre has a great and easy-to-navigate train system! The best ways to get around Cinque Terre is via the train, the Cinque Terre Express, or by hiking.

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If you want extra help with figuring out how long you should stay in Cinque Terre, book a Consultation Call with me!

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