From the glitz and glamour of Portofino to the romantic fishing villages of Cinque Terre National Park, the Italian Riviera is not short of iconic coastal towns. The rugged coastline of Cinque Terre is known for its dramatic sea views and picture-perfect, pastel-coloured buildings carved precariously into cliff sides covered with grape, olive and lemon groves.
Just a short hop over the border into Southern Liguria, it’s not as far from your Tuscan villa as you might think either. Within an hour's reach of our villas near Pisa, it takes as much time to reach Cinque Terre as it would to reach San Gimignano!
At Tuscany Now & More we believe that the more time you can dedicate to getting to know just one beloved place here in Italy the better, but we also appreciate that sometimes that is just not possible. If you are staying in one of our luxury villas in Tuscany and have always dreamed of visiting this iconic stretch of coast we’ve gathered some inspiration on how to experience Cinque Terre in one day.
How to get to Cinque Terre by car, train or boat
The five Cinque Terre villages are relatively inaccessible by car, which may well add to their romantic appeal, but can make getting there feel like a challenge. There are car parks on the outer edges of the national park, but these can fill up fast and aren’t actually as straightforward as a train ride from La Spezia. This coastal town, just a short hop over the border from Tuscany, is just an hour from Pisa and two hours from Florence.
You can take a ferry from La Spezia Marina, which is an unforgettable way to approach the rugged coast and fishing villages of Cinque Terre, taking just over an hour to reach the first town of Riomaggiore. However, if you are planning to travel between different villages, the train runs through all of them and is the quickest and most efficient way.
There is a secure car park at La Spezia Centrale station and the train takes just 15 minutes to reach Riomaggiore. The most beautiful way to see Cinque Terre is to follow the coastal path overlooking the sea, but landslides have cut off access between certain routes. The 19th-century railway cut into the cliff is a welcome blessing, offering the best of Cinque Terre’s coastal seclusion without making travel feel impossible!
To take the stress out of your travel plans, book a guided walking tour of Cinque Terre with lunch. A private driver will collect you from your luxury villa in Italy and drop you with your local guide at La Spezia train station. Your guide will offer local insights as you tour the terre towns and stop for a leisurely three-course lunch along the way.
The Five Villages of Cinque Terre
Riomaggiore: is the largest and the southernmost of the five coastal villages, closest to La Spezia. Classic pastel houses are cut into the steep cliffs with winding paths down to a small harbour and rocky beach. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and pretty 14th-century churches to keep you occupied here.
Manarola: is perhaps the most popular of the five villages and is one of the smallest so it can get very busy in the summer months. Above the vibrantly coloured buildings and small harbour lined with fishing boats, are terraced grape vines climbing the cliffside. The town is famous for its sweet Sciacchetrà wine.
Corniglia: is the middle village sitting on its own lofty promontory and is as close as you can get to a “quiet” town in Cinque Terre. It is probably not the best pick for swimming or sunbathing as there is no easy access to the sea, but the views here are some of the best in Cinque Terre. Make the short walk along Via Fineschi up to the Belvedere di Santa Maria terrace for 180-degree views of the coast and its five colourful villages.
Vernazza: has the only secure, natural harbour in Cinque Terre and is by far one of the prettiest of the five villages. The 14th-century Gothic Chiesa di Santa Margherita d’Antiochia and elegant, pastel pink and red buildings line the harbour and seafront Piazza Marconi. The town climbs steeply up towards surrounding olive groves which are to thank for luxuriant Ligurian Olive Oil.
Monterosso: is the northernmost and perhaps the least quaint and picturesque of the five villages, however it is the only one with a long stretch of beautiful beach. The town is known for its lemon groves and is split between the original historic fishing village and its more modern extension and promenade.
Planning for …
A day in Cinque Terre won’t be enough time to take in all five towns in-depth, but it will allow you to familiarise yourself with one or two! Below, we list the best towns in Cinque Terre to visit for beach days, coastal hikes, exploring nature, culture and the local cuisine.
Beach day
There is ample opportunity for swimming and sunbathing in Cinque Terre ─ most fishing villages have designated areas with ladders down into the sea.
Manarola doesn’t have a beach, but you can dive straight into the sea from the harbour and enjoy deep-water swimming.
Fossola Beach in Riomaggiore is very rocky and rugged, but as far as make-shift beaches go, it is one of the better areas in Cinque Terre. The sea can be choppy here though if you plan on swimming and the current strong. Like Manarola, it is probably best to head for the harbour if you want a serious splash around.
Monterosso may be the furthest town to reach, but it is still only 22 minutes by train from La Spezia. It is the only town in Cinque Terre with an expanse of sandy beach, making it the ideal spot for sunbathing, but it does get very busy in the summer months!
Coastal hike
The best time to visit Cinque Terre for a coastal hike or walk is in the Spring months. While you do get a pleasant cool breeze in the summer it is very hot and the villages can get quite crowded.
For inexperienced hikers one of the many Sanctuary walks is a great way to see the national park and take in the coastal views. The Santuario Nostra Signora di Reggio is roughly a 2.5km walk from the centre of Vernazza, while the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montenero is 2km from the centre of Riomaggiore. Both of these walks take between 30 and 45 minutes to complete and offer spectacular panoramic views of the fishing villages and the coastline beyond.
The Sentiero Azzurro (“Blue Trail'') is the most popular hiking trail that follows 12 kilometres of narrow winding paths and dramatic coastline. It used to connect all five fishing villages, however the route from Vernazza to Monterosso (3km) and Corniglia to Vernazza (4km) are the only two stretches still open. It’s best to allow two hours for these coastal walks so you have ample time to marvel at the spectacular panoramas along the way.
The Via dell’Amore, the most iconic stretch of this trail between Riomaggiore and Manarola, reopened in 2023 as well.
Experienced hikers looking to escape any crowds may well choose to follow the more challenging Alta Via delle Cinque Terre (“Red Trail”), which arches over the UNESCO world heritage site and is 35 km long. It may be relatively flat, but it’s best to allow an entire day or two to complete this route. There are plenty of bars and restaurants to stop at for refreshment along the way and you can take the train back once you reach the end!
Wander along pretty streets
Vernazza
Pretty winding streets, warm shuttered facades and makeshift harbours filled with fishing boats characterise the quintessential villages of Cinque Terre. However, if you only have a day in the region we recommend exploring the historic centre of Vernazza. Photogenic alleys lined with interesting artisanal shops and seafood restaurants on the waterfront are perfect for an afternoon of people watching and enjoying the slower pace of life on the coast.
Riomaggiore
There’s also a lot going on in Riomaggiore, from 14th-century churches to artisanal shops selling Italian linen and ceramics. Once you’ve wandered the sloping streets and narrow stairways in the picturesque historic centre, you can try your hand at snorkeling and scuba diving or even rent a boat or kayak. The Via dell’Amore is a romantic spot to watch the sunset over the town as well.
Lunchtime or Evening feast
Torre Aurora in Monterosso
Torre Aurora is a little slice of paradise in Monterosso; its rustic, yet elegant terrace overlooks the Cinque Terre coast, with views so breathtaking you’ll never want to leave.
Many of the seasonal and organic ingredients prepared here are sourced from a local eco-friendly farm and dishes are served on artisanal ceramic plates from Monterosso.
Lunch on the go from Tutti Frutti in Riomaggiore
If you only have a day in Cinque Terre you may want something quick, simple and tasty, in which case you can’t go wrong with a helping of Fritto Misto (“Fried Seafood”) from Tutti Frutti.
Gambero Rosso in Vernazza
You could easily spend an entire afternoon or evening at the waterfront Gambero Rosso in the Piazza Marconi. The atmosphere here is bustling, the fresh seafood sublime and it’s a great place to sample some of the local wines. Just be sure to book ahead, particularly in the Spring and Summer months!
Cinque Terre Guided Tour: Your Bespoke Luxury Experience in Tuscany
If you are pushed for time and would rather leave the planning to a local expert, we highly recommend the Cinque Terre Walking Tour with a 3-course lunch. Whether you would like to visit all five fishing villages of Le Cinque Terre or pick your favourite few, your experienced local guide will tailor the experience to you.
They’ll share local insights, help you navigate pretty winding streets and take you for lunch in Vernazza or Monterosso. Even the transport to and from your luxury villa in Italy is taken care of for you, so there is no need to stay in Cinque Terre or stress about the details.
Once you have booked your Italian villa rental, contact our complimentary concierge to book your experience.