Is Cinque Terre Worth Visiting? Here’s What You Need to Know
Located in the breathtaking Ligurian region, Cinque Terre is one of the most popular destinations in Italy.
Coming from Torino, I’ve created endless childhood memories in Liguria, specifically Alassio, while Cinque Terre remained a mystery until recently. On my visit to Cinque Terre, I was finally able to truly understand what type of destination Cinque Terre is and how things worked there.
So… is Cinque Terre worth visiting?
Long story short, YES! Long story long, it really depends on the type of adventurer you are, the activities you enjoy, and what vacation you are looking for. Continue reading to discover why Cinque Terre is worth visiting, and what you need to know to determine if it’s right for you.
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Cinque Terre Overview: What are the 5 Towns?
Cinque Terre directly translates to “Five Lands”. It’s a destination that’s composed of five, vibrant fishing villages. These five towns are Monterosso Al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Riomaggiore, and Manarola.
Each village sits next to each other on the Ligurian coast, and offers incredibly picturesque sights.
Monterosso Al Mare is the largest and most popular of the villages, known for its beaches and the iconic beach umbrellas.
Vernazza, with its colorful harbour, piazza, and medieval castle, is considered one of the most charming villages.
Corniglia is the smallest of the five villages and the only to be perched on top of a cliff.
Riomaggiore is the iconic village that is beloved for its colorful homes that cascade down from the cliff to the harbor.
Manarola is the oldest of all the towns, dating back to before 1338. This pastel-colored village is home to the famous Via dell’Amore, “Lover’s Lane”, a beautiful coastal path.
6 Reasons Why Cinque Terre is Worth Visiting
1. Unique and Picturesque Coastal Villages
With five colorful fishing towns, perched on luscious hills that overlook the spectacular Ligurian sea as it sparkles… the views of Cinque Terre are like no other.
2. UNESCO World Heritage Site
Along with its neighbors Portovenere and Palmaria Islands, the Ligurian coast between these destinations is a UNESCO designated site due to its “cultural landscape of great scenic and cultural value”.
One of the criterions for Cinque Terre being a UNESCO site is that the layout and disposition of the towns encapsulates the continuous history in this region over the past 1,000 years.
3. Proximity to Other Popular Destinations
Cinque Terre is located in a sweet spot in Northern Italy, and is fairly close to North-Central Italy. Due to this, if you’re planning to travel around Italy and are aiming for famous destinations like Rome, Florence, and Venice, Cinque Terre is an easy location to add.
4. Liguria’s Sea – Dream for Water Activity Fans
As someone who’s grown up in these waters, the Ligurian sea is nothing short of a magical experience, and one that I personally continue to dream of.
When you swim in Liguria, there will be two main things that surround you: clear turquoise water and white sand. Occasionally, you will encounter rock formations and fish. The water here is fairly warm, and when it’s on the colder side, you get used to it very quickly.
If you enjoy swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, or any other water sport – you simply have to come to a Ligurian destination like Cinque Terre.
5. Scenic Hiking Trails
Cinque Terre is the dream destination for hikers coming to Italy. One of the beautiful aspects of Liguria is the balance between land and sea. In Cinque Terre, there are hiking trails that bring you from village to village, and some other excursions, most of which allow you to enjoy both visions (sea and land) at once.
Coming from a person who lived in Maine and was NOT a fan of hiking, Cinque Terre converted me. This goes to say, if you’re someone who doesn’t like hiking or is a beginner like me, I highly-recommend giving this a shot.
The most famous hiking trail of Cinque Terre is the iconic Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) hike, which is a 12 km hike that brings you through all the villages – starting in Riomaggiore and ending in Monterosso al Mare.
I personally hiked the Monterosso to Vernazza section, which is one of the most popular sections of the Blue Trail to hike. This hike should’ve lasted 2 hours, but my friend and I had a bit too much fun and took 4 hours.
The hike itself is fairly easy, with some occasional tougher parts with inclination and stairs. My pro tip, start the hike in Monterosso so that you end with the most spectacular views over Vernazza – making the hike even more worth it!
To hike in Cinque Terre, you will need the Blue Trail pass – around €7.
6. Ligurian Cuisine | Home of Pesto and Focaccia
If you are a fan of Pesto, Focaccia, or both – enough said. You need to visit Cinque Terre!
Why? Because Pesto and Focaccia originate from Liguria, the region Cinque Terre is in!
Besides these two world-renowned foods, Liguria is rich with spectacular, fresh dishes. The Ligurian cuisine follows the slow food movement, and is always focused on local, fresh and high-quality foods. Furthermore, local chefs maintain the culinary heritage of the region.
Here’s What You Need to Know about Cinque Terre
Is Cinque Terre Right for You?
Cinque Terre is the perfect destination for hikers and boat lovers. If you are none of the above, Cinque Terre may not be worth your time and, if anything, would be best as a day trip.
Cinque Terre Quick Tips for First Time Visitors
- Dress properly for hiking and wear proper, closed-toe shoes.
- Bring bug-spray. I was eaten alive when I took a break near Vernazza!
- Always validate your train tickets, or you risk getting fined.
- Consider these things if you’re booking a boat tour in Cinque Terre.
- Always have some cash on you.
- If you’re celiac, go to Mister Molini in La Spezia for the best gluten-free focaccia! 😍
Which is better, Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast?
The two destinations, both UNESCO sites, share a similar aesthetic of beautiful seaside villages perched on hills. While they are both great places, depending on your travel plans, one may be a better option than the other.
Here are some of their differences:
- Location: Cinque Terre is in Northern Italy, while the Amalfi Coast is in Southern Italy. If you are planning to visit cities like Florence and Venice, which are all in the north, you should visit Cinque Terre – not the Amalfi Coast. If you’re staying near Rome and central, or Southern Italy, you should visit the Amalfi Coast.
- Beaches: Amalfi Coast is the better option if you’re looking for a true beach vacation. Here you will find a larger selection and wider variety of beaches. In Cinque Terre, the only “true” beach is that in Monterosso and is fairly small and compact.
- Crowds: Between the two, Amalfi is the more popular option. In Cinque Terre, particularly the off-season, you will be able to enjoy a more quiet and serene ambiance.
Pros and Cons of Cinque Terre
- Pros: Unique and beautiful destination, perfect for hiking and sea lovers.
- Cons: Very touristy and high prices, especially in high season.
Cinque Terre FAQs
Is Cinque Terre too touristy?
The towns and the Blue Trail can certainly get quite crowded with tourists. Overall, Cinque Terre is a touristy destination that can be heavily crowded.
If you want to avoid the crowds, I highly recommend staying in La Spezia. This city is less touristy and, being larger than the iconic Cinque Terre towns, gives you more opportunities.
Is Cinque Terre Safe?
Yes! Cinque Terre is a very safe destination. As always, be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings in proper places to avoid any chance of pick pockets.
Moving Around Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is an easy destination to navigate thanks to its public transportation system and hiking trails. The best way to move around Cinque Terre is with the Cinque Terre Card for the train and the Trekking Card for the Blue Path hiking trails.
How long should you spend in Cinque Terre?
Long story short, 2 to 3 days is enough for Cinque Terre. Long story long, one size does not fit all.
The amount of days you spend in Cinque Terre depends on your goals with your travels, and the activities you enjoy. Here is a breakdown that helps you understand how many days to spend in Cinque Terre.
Where to stay in Cinque Terre?
I personally recommend staying in a neighboring city, like La Spezia, which is a quick train ride from all the Cinque Terre towns. La Spezia is a larger city with many, and less touristy, restaurants and more local life. There’s a large train station, a beautiful port, and lots to do in comparison to the small towns.
One beautiful hotel in La Spezia is Boutique Hotel Novecento, an Italian-owned boutique hotel that is a short walk from the Cinque Terre Express and the city’s port. This hotel offers different cultural experiences, including a pesto making class, and by staying here you’re supporting locally-owned businesses.
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