18 Amazing Things to Do in Cinque Terre, Italy

If you’ve seen photos of colorful little villages perched above the sea, chances are it was Cinque Terre. This stretch of the Ligurian coast is made up of five small towns that are insanely beautiful. It’s the perfect destination where you can hike between cliffside views, grab a plate of fresh seafood by the water, and be in the sea one minute and sipping wine the next. Whether it’s your first time visiting or you’re coming back for more, here’s a mix of popular and non-touristy things to do in Cinque Terre.

How to Get to Cinque Terre

Getting to Cinque Terre is pretty easy once you know the drill. Here’s how to get there without losing your mind (or your luggage).

By Train (Easiest)

If you’re visiting many cities in Italy, the ideal itinerary in my opinion is Rome, then Florence, and then Cinque Terre. That is how we planned our trip and it was amazing!

From wherever you are visiting, you want to book your train tickets to La Spezia.

Then take the Cinque Terre Express, a local train that runs all day between the five villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Trains run every 15–30 minutes during peak season and take just 5–10 minutes between villages.

👉 Pro tip: Buy the Cinque Terre Train Card if you’re planning to hop around. It gives you unlimited rides for the day and includes access to the hiking trails.

By Plane

The closest airports are:

Pisa International Airport (PSA) – about 1.5 hours away by train.

Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA) – around 2 hours by train.
Florence Airport (FLR) – about 2.5–3 hours by train, depending on connections.

Once you land, hop on a train to La Spezia Centrale, the village’s main gateway.

By Car (Not Recommended)

You can drive to Cinque Terre, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The roads are narrow, parking is a nightmare, and most villages are car-free anyway. If you’re road-tripping, park in La Spezia and take the train to the villages.

Where to Stay in Cinque Terre

Because the villages are so close together, where you stay depends on your vibe.

We stayed in Riomaggiore because we read it had a lively atmosphere with bars and restaurants. We didn’t want to have to hike to eat dinner.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Monterosso al Mare: Best if you want a beachy, laid-back feel with the largest selection of hotels. Also ideal if you’re traveling with a group or family.
Vernazza: Amazing harbor views, pastel houses, and just the right amount of buzz.

Corniglia: The quietest of the five. No direct beach access, but a great choice if you want serenity and fewer crowds.
Manarola: Arguably the most photogenic village.
Riomaggiore: More lively, especially in the evenings. Great food, great energy, and is perfect for watching the sunrise.

👉 Pro tip: Book as early as possible, especially if you’re visiting from May through September. Accommodations in Cinque Terre are limited and they go fast.

👉 Pro tip: There are no hotels in any of the villages but in Monterosso. All of the places to stay are either bed and breakfasts or Airbnbs. Therefore, we booked a room on Airbnb in Riomaggiore, named La Ripa.

Helpful Tips for Visiting Cinque Terre

Download the Trenitalia app: It makes train-hopping between the villages super easy. You can also grab the Cinque Terre Card for unlimited train travel and trail access.

Pack comfy shoes: The villages are full of stairs and cobblestone streets. Bring hiking shoes if you plan on hiking, but some comfortable sandals will save your feet.
Cash is king: Especially in some smaller restaurants or shops, so always have a little on hand.
Avoid bringing big luggage: The streets are narrow and hilly. Cinque Terre was one of our stops in our 14-day Italy itinerary and we had to lug our big suitcase around. If you can, pack light, if not, prepare for a workout. There is an elevator when you get off the train, but you will still have to walk to your Airbnb.

Start your day early: The villages get crowded fast, especially during high season. Sunrise is stunning and much less touristy.
Bring a refillable water bottle: Like in many cities of Italy, there are free public fountains in each village where you can refill with cold, drinkable water.
Skip weekends if possible: Cinque Terre is a popular weekend getaway for Italians and tourists alike, so weekdays are (slightly) less crowded.

Expect train delays: It’s Italy. Sometimes things run a little late.
Don’t try to see it all in one day: It might seem like five little villages are easy to see in a few hours, but part of the charm is in wandering slowly, sitting at seaside cafes, and watching boats drift by. Give yourself time to actually enjoy it.
Be mindful of swimming signs: Some cliffside spots look super tempting for a dip, but if there’s a red flag or sign, it means the current can be dangerous. Always check first.

Watch the weather: The trails close during rain or storms due to the risk of landslides. Always check conditions before hiking. And have a backup plan (like a boat ride or pasta crawl).
Stay overnight: If you can, don’t just do a day trip because the villages feel different after the day crowds leave.

18 Amazing Things to Do in Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is such a stunning destination. I would love to revisit it! There are so many things to do in Cinque Terre, from hiking along coastal cliffs to swimming in crystal-clear coves, taking a wine tour, taking a pesto-making class, or simply getting lost in the little villages.

Hike the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail)

This iconic trail links all five villages and has amazing coastal views.

It’s broken into segments, so you can pick the stretch that fits your mood (and fitness level).

Don’t miss the Monterosso to Vernazza stretch, it’s challenging but worth every step (we cover this one later).

Keep in mind that this hike is definitely in the moderate category, with lots of narrow paths, steep steps, and climbing involved.

Sometimes certain stretches might be closed due to weather. Make sure to check their website before you head out.

👉 Pro tip: During high season, you do need to buy tickets to enter the trail. We recommend buying the tickets to avoid lines and have a more seamless experience. You’ll find booths at the entry point where you can buy the tickets, or you can also purchase them online.

Hike the Monterosso to Vernazza Trail

This trail is part of the Sentiero Azzurro. We read that it was the best one and it didn’t disappoint!

We hiked on our own but there are multiple tours you can book at the villages. Although, it is a fairly easy trail and you’re unlikely to get lost, so save your money and splurge on a nice dinner with a view instead.

It is recommended to start early to avoid the crowds. However, we also advise you to explore Monterosso since it is the largest of the five villages and it is so gorgeous! You could take the train in early in the morning, walk around, and grab breakfast, before starting your hike.

It took us less than two hours to complete the hike. Once we arrived at Vernazza, we decided to reward ourselves with drinks near the ocean.

👉 Pro tip: If you are going to Cinque Terre in summer, get mosquito repellent.

Learn to Make Pesto

Take a pesto-making class and learn to make fresh pesto the traditional way. It’s hands-on, delicious, and way more memorable than a souvenir. Many cooking classes also offer unlimited wine and bites.

Go Fishing with a Local

Some locals offer private fishing excursions where you can try traditional Ligurian fishing methods, and eat your catch afterward. It doesn’t get fresher than that!

Watch the Sunset in Manarola

Grab a drink at Nessun Dorma, snag a table overlooking the sea, and enjoy one of the best sunsets in Italy. It’s a bit touristy, yes, but it truly lives up to the hype.

Things to Do in Cinque Terre — photo from Nessum Dorma

Walk the Via dell’Amore

La Via dell’Amore is Cinque Terre’s most famous and romantic walkway.

It is not a hike, it is flat, accessible, and 1km (0.6 miles) in length. It is a path between Riomaggiore and Manarola.

However, it is a one-way path and the visitors must enter from Riomaggiore going toward Manarola.

You do have to pay an entrance fee and book a time slot in advance. You can access it by purchasing the Cinque Terre Treno MS Card.

Swim at Monterosso al Mare’s Beach

It’s the only village with a proper sandy beach, perfect for a relaxing swim or just soaking in the sun while enjoying a gelato.

For lunch in Monterosso, we recommend La Cantina di Miky, known for delicious anchovies. If you’re not a fan of anchovies, they also have other fresh seafood dishes and pasta.

Take Your Time to Explore the Five Villages

The five villages in Cinque Terre are, Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

Although these five villages share similarities, they have their own charm and defining features. It is worth it to take a few hours in each village at a minimum if you only have a couple of days in Cinque Terre.

If you cannot visit every village, I’d prioritize Vernazza, Romaggiore, and Monterosso.

These villages are connected by train. You can just hop between each village by taking the Cinque Terre Express. This is the main transportation method. However, a one-way ticket can be expensive at €4 per person. So, if you’re staying longer than just a couple of days, and plan to take the train a lot, I’d recommend purchasing the Cinque Terre Treno card. This way you can hop on the train unlimited times for a fixed period of time.

Taste Limoncino

You’ll find lots of cute shops selling bottles of Limoncino (Cinque Terre’s version of limoncello) and Sciacchetrà, a sweet local wine. Most offer free tastings, don’t say no.

Visit Castello Doria in Vernazza

Climb to this 11th-century tower for some of the best panoramic views over Vernazza’s harbor. It’s just a few euros to enter and so worth it for the views.

Kayak or Paddleboard Along the Cliffs

Rent a kayak or join a kayak tour and explore the coastline from the water. Paddle into caves, find your own secret swimming spots, and wave to hikers from below.

Take a Boat Tour Along the Coast

Seeing Cinque Terre from the water is a totally different experience. There are public ferries or private boats you can book for golden hour.

We wanted to go on a private boat tour around the villages. We hadn’t booked one so we just asked around and found one for $400. It was a bit pricey but it was a private tour so it was worth it.

However, if we had booked one it would have been a sunset tour with appetizers and drinks, which is around $100 per person. You have many options to choose from!

Tour the Church of San Giovanni Battista in Romaggiore

Located in Riomaggiore, this Gothic-Ligurian church has stunning black-and-white striped marble and a bell tower with major character.

Feast on Seafood at Trattoria dal Billy

Trattoria del Billy is one of the most popular restaurants for a reason. Their seafood risotto and anchovy starters are legendary. Book a table in advance, and maybe wear something with stretch.

Take a Wine Tasting Tour

Cinque Terre is known for its wine. You can take a wine-tasting tour or just visit bars like A Pié de Ma or Cappun Magru.

Some of the tours also include a short hike.

Hike to Monesteroli

If you’re a very outdoorsy person, then this might be a good activity and challenge. Monesteroli technically isn’t part of Cinque Terre, but it’s close enough to count. Monesteroli is an abandoned stone village, reachable only by a steep staircase of 1,200+ steps. The views (and the workout) are unreal.