Cinque Terre, Italy had been on my bucket list since my high school Tumblr days. From the pastel houses perched along the cliffs to the glowing sunsets over the Liguarian Sea, it has always seemed like a place from a fairytale that brought you back in time. Since Luca came out in 2021, it has only gotten more popular, as Cinque Terre is the real-life village that inspired the world of the Pixar film.
Located on the rugged Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre is made up of five seaside villages: Vernazza, Riomaggiore, Monterosso al Mare, Manarola and Corniglia. Every corner feels like stepping into the movie, from colorful houses to fishing boats bobbing in the harbor. And each village has its own unique charm and atmosphere, with local gems known for incredible seafood, pesto pasta and spectacular seaside views.
Walking through each village is a gentle reminder to slow down, whether you're wandering through narrow alleyways, grabbing a gelato by the water or watching the sunset during golden hour when the entire town glows. If you're planning your first trip to Cinque Terre, this guide covers everything you need to know, including the best time to visit, where to stay, how to get around, and what to do in each village.
Cinque Terre Travel Guide
What to Do in Each of Italy's Five Villages
When to visit Cinque Terre
The best time to visit Cinque Terre is during the shoulder seasons from April to May and September to October. During these months, the weather is warm enough for hiking, swimming and eating outdoors, but the villages are far less crowded than they are in the summer. You'll also have a better chance of getting restaurant reservations and quieter train rides between villages. June through August is peak season for tourists, with extremely hot weather, packed trains and large crowds, especially in August when many Italians are also on holiday.How to get around Cinque Terre
The most convenient way to get around Cinque Terre is by train, specifically the Cinque Terre Express, which connects all five villages in just a few minutes. For the best value, purchase the Cinque Terre Card Treno MS, which includes unlimited train travel between Levanto, La Spezia and all five villages. La Spezia is the main transportation hub for Cinque Terre and is where you'll arrive if you're coming from Pisa, Florence or other parts of Italy. The train from Pisa to La Spezia takes about 1.5 hours one way.How long to stay in Cinque Terre
The villages of Cinque Terre are all relatively small. In fact, the total population of all five villages is 4,000 people. While it's definitely doable to see all five villages in 2-3 days, we spent a total of five days there, which gave us enough time to slow down, revisit our favorite villages, enjoy long dinners and experience the area at a slower pace. If you have the time, try to spend time in each village to fully experience the area's beauty and variety.
Where to stay in Cinque Terre
The priority for our hotel in Cinque Terre was the view, so we decided to stay at Mada Charm Apartments, located in Vernazza. This property had a balcony with sweeping views of both the sea, as well as the quaint village below, making it the perfect spot to take in the beautiful sunsets every evening. Of note, most hotels and buildings in Cinque Terre are older and don't have elevators, so be prepared to carry your luggage up stairs.What to do in each village
Cinque Terre isn't the easiest destination to get to, so if you've made it all the way here, it's absolutely worth it to visit all five villages, especially because the villages are connected by a short train ride or hiking paths. Here's what not to miss in each village:
1. Vernazza, homemade pesto pasta with a sunset view
Since we were staying in Vernazza, we spent our first evening here with dinner at Ristorante Belforte Vernazza. Their tables are located right on the cliffside with incredible sea views. We ordered their popular pasta dish, trofie al pesto fatto da Michela, or fresh, hand-rolled pasta made with their homemade basil pesto. We paired the pasta with white wine for a perfect start to our trip to Cinque Terre. In the morning, we enjoyed a relaxing breakfast at Ananasso Bar for cappuccino and warm focaccia spread with Nutella.
2. Riomaggiore, fresh, fried seafood at Cinque Terre's iconic sunset spot
Riomaggiore is the southernmost village of the Cinque Terre and home to the iconic sunset shots you've probably seen in photos. It's also home to a popular street food spot that we frequented during our stay. Tutti Fritti specializes in freshly fried seafood and chips served in cones. I got the fried squid and shrimp, which came out piping hot, fresh and crispy. It's the perfect dish to snack on as you wander through the streets of Riomaggiore. For the best sunset in Cinque Terre, head down to the harbor where people will gather on the rocks as the pastel houses glow orange during golden hour.
3. Monterosso, pesto lasagna and a sunset boat tour
Monterosso is the largest village in Cinque Terre and home to my favorite meal of our trip. Tosca Bistrot is a cozy restaurant serving homemade pasta, fresh seafood and regional wines. The standout dish here was the homemade lasagna with basil pesto, a Ligurian twist on classic lasagna, layered with creamy basil pesto instead of tomato sauce. We also decided to go on a Cinque Terre sunset boat tour, which departed from Monterosso and cruised along the coastside all the way to Riomaggiore, with stunning views of the villages along the way. This was a special, unique way to see the colorful villages and ended in a fresh and delicious dinner of homemade bruschetta, grilled shrimp and wine as the sun set behind the cliffs.
4. Manarola, a short hike that ends with Aperol Spritz and stunning village views
If you want a short hike that ends in a magnificent view, spend an afternoon at Manarola. The village is known for a scenic hiking trail right above the village, where you'll get panoramic views of the colorful houses and coastline. Along the trail, stop at Nessun Dorma, a laid-back restaurant known for its bruschetta boards, cocktails and incredible terrace views. It's a wonderful way to spend an afternoon taking in the views of the village with appetizers and an Aperol Spritz in hand. They even have a pesto-making class, where you can pick basil from their garden, make pesto with a mortar and pestle and end the experience with lunch and a wine tasting.
5. Corniglia, a quiet village to wander the streets
Corniglia is the smallest of the five villages and also the least accessible, as it sits high above the sea rather than directly on the harbor. To reach the village, visitors have to climb the Lardarina staircase which consists of 382 stairs or take the shuttle bus up from the train station. Once you are up in the village, it is relatively flat and you'll be met with quiet streets to get lost in. After spending an afternoon wandering through the narrow streets, stop by Alberto Gelateria for homemade farm fresh Italian gelato. Their basil gelato with extra virgin olive oil was one of the most memorable desserts I had in Italy!Final thoughts
If you love charming villages, fresh seafood and slow travel, Cinque Terre is absolutely worth visiting. Even though it has become more popular in recent years, there is still something special about spending your days riding the train between villages, eating pesto pasta by the sea and watching the sunset from the harbor.For more everyday videos and clips from our trip to Cinque Terre, check out my Instagram Story Highlights.