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? 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.

How many days you spend in Cinque Terre will completely depend on the type of tourist you are and your interests. For example, are you looking for a beach and boat vacation, hiking adventures, or Instagram photoshoot? 

Personally, I think 2 days should be the minimum, but keep reading to learn what Cinque Terre is actually like, so you know what to expect and can properly plan the trip of your dreams! 

Without further ado, here is your brutally honest guide on how many days you should spend in Cinque Terre, things to know (that social media doesn’t show), as well as hiking trails, boat tours, and other incredible things to do.

Disclaimer: This post has affiliate links that can help me earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. If you click through and purchase with these links, thank you in advance for the extra support. 💖😊

Cinque Terre Overview

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

The five villages are… 

• Monterosso al Mare
• Vernazza
• Riomaggiore
• Corniglia
• 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.

How Many Days Do You Need in Cinque Terre?

Planning your Cinque Terre trip? Start here 👇
🏠 Where to stay: Boutique Hotel Novecento
🌊 Best experience: Cinque Terre boat tour
📅 Itinerary help: 2 days in Cinque Terre itinerary
🚆 Getting there: Compare trains to Cinque Terre

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, spending two days in Cinque Terre is ideal.

If you are looking for a simple and relaxing beach vacation, Cinque Terre may not be the best destination. Out of all the villages, Monterosso al Mare is the only village with beaches – most of which are private. 

Because it’s 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 to 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. Apart 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.

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 classic Cinque Terre 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!

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.

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

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 its re-opening! 😍

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 actually enough for you to visit all five towns. If you’re spending only one day 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 in Cinque Terre! As a day trip, I recommend visiting all 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 of the sunset while also having the chance to relax.

Is it possible to take a day trip to Cinque Terre from Florence?

It is possible, but is it worth it? Let’s talk about it!

The train station of La Spezia, a neighboring city of Cinque Terre, is a 2 hour commute from Florence on a high-speed train. Once you’re in La Spezia, you can easily visit all of the Cinque Terre by using the Cinque Terre Express. I would recommend going to Monterosso first, the farthest town from La Spezia, and make your way down, stopping at the other towns.

The thing about Cinque Terre is that the towns are very small and don’t offer too much besides their unique aesthetics, restaurants, and some shops.

If you feel strongly about taking a day trip, I would highly recommend it if you’re looking for a breathtaking hiking adventure – which is an incredible activity in itself and brings you to as many towns as you want to visit, or can physically handle. Obviously, you can also just do one or two hiking trails, and then continue with the Cinque Terre Express. 

Overall, a day trip to Cinque Terre from Florence is possible and can be worth it, but only if you know what to expect, and what you want to experience. While possible, I wouldn’t try to visit all towns in a day – just let yourself enjoy 2-3 towns to the fullest!

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 hikes, 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 of my favorite 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 can easily access all 5 towns and their beauty, as well as the more authentic Ligurian cities.

I personally stayed in La Spezia and couldn’t have enjoyed it more! It was super simple to get into the 5 towns, and La Spezia itself is a beautiful small city full of restaurants, cafes, shops, markets, with incredible sea views.

If you’re looking for a comfortable and convenient hotel stay, and a little bit of pampering, Hotel Firenze e Continentale is a beautiful, 4-star hotel that sits very close to the train station – making it super easy for you to get into Cinque Terre.

If you still want a 4-star experience but want to be closer to the water, NH La Spezia is the perfect hotel! I’ve personally stayed at several NH properties around Europe and have always enjoyed my stays with them.

Want to stay in an Italian-owned boutique hotel with incredible cultural experiences and offers, including pesto making classes? Then you’ll want to book Boutique Hotel Novecento right away! 😍 It’s located right in the middle of La Spezia, keeping you close both to the train station and the beautiful port.

There’s nothing better than supporting local businesses, and with its incredible ratings – you can’t go wrong. 

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 as 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.

One incredible stay in La Spezia is Boutique Hotel Novecento – an Italian-owned boutique hotel located between the train station and port, offering the most central location. This hotel also offers incredible cultural experiences, including pesto making classes. Book local, support local businesses!

Levanto

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 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?

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.

Want to hear more? Check out my breakdown on why Cinque Terre is worth visiting and for who it’s worth visiting.

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 Cinque Terre Express (train), or by hiking. Then, if you love the sea, a boat tour around Cinque Terre is an essential! 😍

What’s really cool about Cinque Terre is that it has a hiking trail that brings you to all the towns, Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) – you can choose to do the whole trail, or just select one or two trails for shorter, but still wonderful hiking adventures. I’ve gone on the Monterosso-Vernazza trail and cannot recommend it enough!

The Cinque Terre Express is a regional shuttle train that stops in all towns. The ticket fluctuates between €5 and €10, depending on the season – high or low tourism. You can buy regular tickets and purchase them as needed, or opt for the Cinque Terre Card – which gives you more flexibility.

Important tip: if you buy the physical train ticket, make sure to validate your ticket before boarding on the train! There are small validation machines right near the tracks. If you don’t validate the tickets, you’re at risk of paying a fine.

📌 Pin for your Future Italy Travels! 🇮🇹

Decided on how many days you’ll spend in Cinque Terre? Let me know in the comments! 😊

Share this with family & friends who are planning to travel to Italy and would find this helpful. 🤩

Follow me on YouTube for my travel vlogs and other worldwide adventures, or on Instagram! 🗺️