Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are the five villages which make up Cinque Terre, and the region is nestled between Genoa to the north and Pisa to the south. 

Ideally, you’d want to spend three or four nights visiting Cinque Terre to give you enough time to explore. The villages have a different atmosphere at different times of day, so staying for a few days gives you time to decide on your favourite spots.

Monterosso al Mare 

The largest and northernmost of the five villages is split across an older and a newer section. It is home to several popular lidos, glorious beaches and a relatively large selection of restaurants. It’s therefore it’s no surprise that Monterosso al Mare has the most amount of accommodation options.

Vernazza 

A pretty and popular village with a bustling port area to eat, drink, socialise, and sunbathe. Those of you who are unsure where to pick as their base, Vernazza is ideally located for exploring the Cinque Terre on foot, with trails leading up and through rugged landscapes in both directions.

Corniglia 

Smack bang in the middle of Cinque Terre is this steep clifftop village (the smallest of the five); it’s less crowded than its neighbours and blessed with charming places to eat. However, what it has in boutique eateries, it lacks in beach accessibility so it’s probably not the best option if you’re travelling as a family.

Manarola 

With a selection of good restaurants, an accessible sunbathing harbour, plenty of accommodation and possibly the best coastal viewpoint, Manarola is a popular base or daytrip visit. Families may want to consider this option as there’s playgrounds and football fields nearby to provide some daytime entertainment. 

Riomaggiore 

The second largest and southernmost village offers up quintessential Cinque Terre vibes with a more youthful atmosphere and easy access to the water. There are more activities, tours, and viewpoints on offer here than the other villages. If spreading your stay over a couple of locations, Riomaggiore is the ideal spot to be based for your southern Cinque Terre exploration.

For beach-lovers the best Cinque Terre beach is undoubtedly Monterosso's Fegina beach. This beach is the largest beach in the area but does often get crowded in the summer months, Pozzale Beach near Riomaggiore is a more secluded spot, ideal for those seeking a quieter escape from the crowds. Riomaggiore is also the ideal spot to join a guided kayak or stand-up paddleboard tour where you’ll venture into mysterious caves and coves, and learn about local legends and hidden coastal spots.

When the sun is going down, head to the top of Manarola viewpoint to marvel at the golden hues setting over the picturesque village. 

Corniglia is the starting point for the Blue Trail (7.5 miles), the easiest and most popular walking route in the region. Whilst here, visitors should visit Alberto Gelateria. This iconic ice cream parlour has shot to fame thanks to its unique lemon and honey flavoured gelatos, but by far their most popular is the basil and extra virgin olive oil flavour.

Hang out at the Vernazza harbour, Cinque Terre’s only natural harbour. The waterfront area offers ample opportunity for people watching with a veritable collection of great restaurants (specialising in seafood, naturally), as well as a small lido during the summer months. This is also the ideal spot for an afternoon boat trip where you’ll be able to fully admire the glittering sea, snap pictures of beautiful sunsets and marvel at the charming ports.

If you’ve got more time, you could travel slightly outside of Cinque Terre and visit quaint squares and wonderful architecture within the neighbouring towns of Portovenere, Levanto or La Spezia, which are all easily accessible by train.

There are three main ways to get around in Cinque Terre; you can either walk, take the train or travel on the water by boat.

Train

The five villages which make up Cinque Terre all have their own train station, therefore it’s no wonder that the fastest way to move around is by train. The Cinque Terre Express trains are local trains running frequently from mid-March until early November. Hop-on hop-off travel cards are available at the stations which are very cost effective and valid for the whole day.

Hiking

Hiking in the Cinque Terre is one of the best things to do in Italy. Its hiking trails are among the most beautiful in Europe and if you are an outdoor lover, or just someone who wants some exercise in between decadent Italian meals, it is one of the most rewarding ways to enjoy Italy’s spectacular coastline. There are many hiking routes to choose from, and the most popular trail is the Blue Trail which is made up of four individual paths along the coast. If you stop between pretty viewpoints and for regular coffee/food breaks then the walk will last about six hours. 

Boat

Another popular means of transport is the ferry that runs between the villages from the end March until early November. You can hop on and off the boats in four of the five villages at scheduled times. The ferry does not stop in Corniglia since this is the only village without water access. Get a day pass for the ferry as it will allow you to get on and off the boat whenever you'd like. This way you can freely discover every village, but of course you’ll need to pay attention to the ferry timetable.

Cinque Terre enjoys beautiful, not-too-hot summers however, this isn't really somewhere to sit on a beach and relax (albeit a midday beach escape is certainly a fabulous suggestion). 

Since most visitors come for an active trip with plenty of hiking, spring and autumn are the best months to visit. Cinque Terre is crowded throughout the year – unbearably so in summer but you would benefit from the longer sunny days. The area is quieter in winter, though it's not always possible to hike due to the weather and cross-referencing your dates with the Italian public holidays is a sensible place to start when deciding on when to visit.