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32 Cinque Terre trips. Compare tour itineraries from 14 tour companies. 187 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.
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Top Cinque Terre Attractions
- The wonder of hiking along the cliff sides and vineyards along the Cinque Terre Trail.
- Taking in the stunning views of Vernazza from the top of Doria Castle
- Touring the historic vineyards around Corniglia
- Enjoying a romantic stroll down Via dell’ Amore (“Lovers’ Lane”) at sunset
- Visiting the Church of San Francesco and learning about the religious history of the region
- Wandering around the small cobblestone streets beneath the pastel colored buildings of Riomaggiore
Cinque Terre Tours & Travel Guide
Cinque Terre Attractions & Landmarks Guide
The colorful stacked hillside residences, and winding roads of Cinque Terre are a recognizable landmark of the Italian Riviera, featured on many an Italian postcard. These quaint, somewhat cobbled together groupings of homes, restaurants, and businesses are attractive to vacationers looking to escape from rat race hustle and bustle - the structure is such that cars, trains, or buses cannot access anywhere within.
Brief History of Cinque Terre
For over a thousand years, the inhabitants of Cinque Terre have been making this rugged and harsh landscape their home. They have constructed fishing villages into the sheer cliff sides and manipulated the land to harvest olives and grapes.
While this region wasn’t home to a strong empire like Venice or Rome, it was heavily influenced by local kingdoms during the Middle Ages. Cinque Terre changed hands several times between Pisa and Genoa and acted as the middle ground between these two warring cities.
While Cinque Terre has a medieval history, it is the local industries, villages, and stunning scenery that really draws in visitors from around the world year after year.
The Villages of Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre (“five lands”) is the name given to the region around the five villages on the Ligurian coastline in Northern Italy. These five towns began as fishing villages that were only connected by goat paths and are heralded for their pastel-colored buildings, food and wine culture, and some of the most beautiful views in all of Italy.
1. Riomaggiore - Riomaggiore is the southern point of Cinque Terre and the beginning point for most Cinque Terre tours. The village is famous for its pastel buildings that are built into the ravine above the harbor. Riomaggiore is best seen at sunset to capture the colorful village and is also the best place to cliff jump into the sea.
2. Manarola - Built at the top of a cliff, Manarola is a short hike from Riomaggiore. The top sites in Manarola are the rich vineyards surrounding the village and the small harbor. Manarola is also home to one of the most famous viewpoints in Cinque Terre, Punta Bonfiglio.
3. Corniglia - Corniglia is the middle village of the “five lands.” It is the only town of the five that does not have direct sea access. Visitors can take a bus from the train station or hike up the Lardarina, a 377-step stairway, to reach the village. Considered the quietest of the villages, Corniglia has a slower and quieter way of life than the other towns.
4. Vernazza - Vernazza has the most famous harbor of Cinque Terre. It is home to Doria’s Castle and medieval defensive structures where you can learn more about Cinque Terre’s past and capture stunning photos of the village. Vernazza is also known for the caruggi (“narrow streets”), the tiny stairways and streets that lead up from the harbor at sheer angles.
5. Monterosso -Monterosso is the farthest northern village of Cinque Terre. It is the only village of the five that has actual beaches to lay out at and swim in the sea. The village is noted for its anchovy dishes and the numerous lemon trees surrounding the village.
Top Things To Do in Cinque Terre
While Cinque Terre may be small, there are plenty of activities and attractions you can see and visit while on your Italy tour. Much of what you can see and do include the outdoors and the beautiful scenery of the area.
1. Hike the Trails - The trails of Cinque Terre are world-famous and provide some of the best views of the local villages. However, make sure to do some training before visiting because the terrain is very rugged with many ascents and descents.
2. Food and Wine Tours - With acres and acres of vineyards and olive trees, it is no wonder that Cinque Terre is a top food and wine destination in Italy. Cinque Terre tour itineraries typically include a food or wine tour of the local wineries and villages.
3. Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre - The national park that encompasses all five of the villages of Cinque Terre has some of the best hiking and viewpoints in the area. With 74 miles of trails, there won’t be an excuse not to get out and enjoy the warm weather.
4. Boat Tour - One of the best ways to see Cinque Terre is by a boat tour. Many of the Cinque Terre guided tours include boat tours of the coastline and act as a transport from village to village.
5. Beaches - It’s true Cinque Terre isn’t known for beaches, but after hiking for miles during your stay, visiting one of Monterosso’s two beaches would be a relaxing and enjoyable way to rest your tired feet.
Best Photo Spots in Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is the epitome of a postcard picture. The pink, yellow, and orange buildings, sheer white cliffs, and lemon trees are what photographers dream about.
Corniglia is one of the best spots in Cinque Terre for photography. The small buildings are nestled into the cliffside appearing to levitate over the sea below. For those looking to capture the colorful buildings, Riomaggiore at sunset is one of the best times to see the vibrancy of the colors.
A couple of the most famous photo spots are from Doria’s Castle to capture Vernazza’s harbor and Punta Bonfiglio. Punta Bonfiglio is one of the top view points in Cinque Terre where you can get amazing photos of both Manarola and Vernazza.
Some of the best viewpoints are on the actual Cinque Terre trails. However, some of these trails are occasionally closed because of mudslides so if you wish to visit a viewpoint, double check the park’s notices to see if those trails are open.
Nearby Italy Attractions
Sitting between two of Northern Italy’s most famous cities, Pisa and Genoa, there are plenty of Italy attractions. In Genoa you can see the Via Garibaldi Palaces and in Pisa the renowned Leaning Tower and the Duomo with both cities are only a short train ride away. If you are on a Northern Italy tour, Genoa or Pisa will be included in the itinerary.
Some Italy tours that include a stop in Cinque Terre also include stops in Tuscany and Florence. Both of these regions have a strong wine culture which makes them ideal locations for food and wine travelers.
Since the Cinque Terre villages are more remote on the coast, getting to the larger cities may be a little more difficult. To connect to the major cities you will likely need to connect through La Spezia to take the train.
Can’t Miss Cuisine in Cinque Terre
Since Cinque Terre was originally five fishing villages, the most popular seafood and dish in this area are anchovies. These fish are still caught today as the villages have working harbors and are featured on many Cinque Terre menus.
The vineyards should not be overlooked when visiting. The local wine is extremely popular and many itineraries include wine tours of the local family-run vineyards.
Olive and lemon trees are very popular in this region. Both of these products are grown abundantly in this area because of Cinque Terre’s rocky terrain and Mediterranean climate.
Cinque Terre Reviews & Ratings
Italy - All the Highlights!
I had been on a couple Intrepid trips and I had been to Italy a couple of times... however this was the best time that I've had on either. Really a great group with...
The trip was very well planned and
The trip was very well planned and organized. I could not have seen or done as nearly as much on my own. Our leader Kent Benson was excellent. He kept us on trac...
Our guide, Kent Benson, was wonderful.
Our guide, Kent Benson, was wonderful. He was a wealth of information about...
This Highlights of Italy trip was our
This Highlights of Italy trip was our third trip with Intrepid. Our Italy trip did not disappoint. The combination of locations, tour guide and experiences were fant...
the group was too big. in
the group was too big. in busy rail stations it was easy to get left behind
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