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September 12, 2022
This week, allow me to explore one of the most beautiful sites Italy has to offer: Cinque Terre. Consisting of five villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso), these beautiful towns that reside along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea are an absolute must if you ever find yourself in Europe. Each town is quaint and unique in its own right, but no two cities are exactly alike. Although you could easily visit each town in Cinque Terre in one day, depending on your age, party size, and interests, certain towns may be better suited for your stay than others. So, allow me to be your personal tour guide to Cinque Terre!
Getting to Cinque Terre
The best way to get to Cinque Terre depends on your starting point. If you find yourself somewhere in the region of Tuscany (I came from Santa Maria Novella in Florence), the easiest way to reach Cinque Terre is by train. Using trainline.com, I was able to book roundtrip tickets for about €20. The ride from S.M.N to Riomaggiore was about three hours long. If you are looking to visit several towns, you will need to take the train between towns. This cost about €5 per train ride, and the train ride between towns was under two minutes in duration. It is possible to hike between towns if you prefer, but always check with locals ahead of time to see if this is an option. I attempted to hike from Manarola to Riomaggiore, and unfortunately the route was closed for maintenance.
Which Town Should You Visit?
If you're anything like me, you'll probably get so excited to see all of Cinque Terre, which inspired the Disney film, Luca, and want to visit every town. Which you most definitely can do in one day! However, each town has its own unique qualities that may make one more appealing than another depending on your interests. Let's explore each town in order to build the perfect itinerary.
Riomaggiore
This is the eastern most town, and the first stop if you are coming from north of Cinque Terre. Popular for its night life, Riomaggiore is great for young adults and college students looking for something more exciting. There are also local shops where you can purchase snorkeling gear and even take tours around the coast. The coastline in Riomaggiore is very small and limited to swimmers, so if you are hoping for a leisurely swim with the kids, this may not be the town for you. If you're not looking to swim, this could be a great option to explore the coast, admire the dreamy architecture, and get some shopping done.
Manarola
By far my favorite, this is the town that people most want to visit when seeking out Cinque Terre. The inspiration for Disney's Lucca, Manarola is the most touristy of the towns. With plenty of food options, Manarola is great for families and couples looking to swim and take it easy. It may not be the sandy beach you might be picturing, but rather is lined with rocks you can climb and swim off of. I wouldn't personally recommend taking young children to swim here, as the water can get deep quickly, and the rocky points are very slippery. However, if you are a young couple or college student looking for some adventure, this is definitely the spot for you! It has a secluded feel that puts you full throttle into adventure mode.
Monterosso
The town of Monterosso is perfect for families with young children. Lined with a sandy beach, this town has the same beauty and ambiance as the other four towns, while still providing an easy first-time swim in the Mediterranean Sea.
Corniglia
Perched a bit higher up, Corniglia is not quite on the water. If you're looking for a swim, I wouldn't recommend this be your main stop. However, it provides gorgeous views of the sea, and is amazing for older couples looking to explore and have a leisurely day along the coast. It's definitely worth visiting.
Vernazza
Similar to Manarola, Vernazza is like the town of "all of the above." It has similar beach access to Manarola, is great for swimming, but also is one of the most scenic options Cinque Terre has to offer. It's one of the most colorful of the five towns, and is a must visit if you are a big Disney fan.
Where Should You Stay?
In the somewhat secluded region of Cinque Terre, Airbnb is most definitely the way to go. My roommates and I were lucky enough to book an Airbnb in Riomaggiore. We had to walk up 140 steps to reach the apartment, but it was completely worth the gorgeous view overlooking the ocean. However, Italy's lack of accessibility laws is something to be aware of when booking here. It may be difficult to reach your accommodation, so always double check the route before booking.
Another thing to keep in mind is just because one town is your "home base" per se, does not mean you will be limited to what that town has to offer. I was able to visit four out of the five towns in one day. The train station is within walking distance of each shoreline (be aware of stairs), and the train ride between towns is under two minutes.
In all, you can't go wrong visiting Cinque Terre. No matter which town you choose to visit, you won't be disappointed. Its beauty is absolutely breathtaking, and not something to be easily forgotten.
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