The best way to see the Cinque Terre on your next holiday in Italy
Deciding on the best way to see the Cinque Terre is well worth thinking about before beginning your trip. Italy’s iconic ‘Five Lands’ or in fact five villages are amongst the most visited areas in the whole of the Italy. Tucked into the cliffs of southern Liguria, the Cinque Terre is a stunning collection of villages filled with multicoloured houses which seem to almost tumble into the turquoise waters below. The Bookings For You team have had several wonderful trips to the area and between us have created this guide to help you find the best way to see the Cinque Terre.
We’ve split the guide depending on which time of year you intend to travel. In such an popular coastal area, this can really impact what makes the best way to see the Cinque Terre. Most people will choose to visit during the summer months. However, the Cinque Terre is a great year-round destination – especially if you plan to use the region’s extensive hiking trails. In our opinion these are best enjoyed in the Spring, Autumn or even in the winter. However, whenever you decide to visit the Cinque Terre, we’re sure you’ll fall in love with its magic. We hope this guide helps you decide the best way to visit the Cinque Terre whatever the season.
Getting to the Cinque Terre
Genoa and Pisa are the nearest airports to the Cinque Terre. However, you can easily make the journey in just a couple of hours from both Florence and Milan. The villages are almost completely car free. So when considering the best way to see the Cinque Terre, you need to think about whether you would prefer to arrive by boat or by train.
While there are direct trains to Monterosso from both Pisa and Genoa, most visitors begin their journey at La Spezia Centrale. This is the railway station in La Spezia and is almost the gateway to the Cinque Terre. Local trains leave every 30 minutes, stopping at all five villages. It’s just 8 minutes to Riomaggiore, the first of the villages, so it is a very efficient way to travel.
Alternatively, there are also ferry services direct from La Spezia to Riomaggiore. If you’re tight on time, this is arguably not the best way to see the Cinque Terre. The journey takes 1hr and 20mins. And while it’s perhaps more pleasant than the train, this only takes you to the first village and will eat into your day quite significantly. If you plan to continue to use the boats to get to each of the other villages, the journey beyond is even longer. Unless you have several days to explore the area, it potentially wouldn’t be our recommended option. That said, if you can spare the time, sit back, relax and enjoy the journey. The views along the coast are stunning on a bright, sunny day. And there is no better way to catch your first glimpse of the Cinque Terre than from the sea.
The best way to see the Cinque Terre in high season:
July and August are by far the most popular months to visit the Cinque Terre. I’m sure it will come as no surprise to read that this means it’s busy. However, don’t let this put you off. It just means that finding the best way to see the Cinque Terre may take a little more planning and an early alarm!
As with all popular tourist areas, the earlier you arrive the fewer people you’ll have to share your experience with. The first train leaves La Spezia at 4.30 but that is perhaps a bit of an extreme early call. If you’re staying in a villa or apartment in Tuscany or Liguria and have a rental car, you will probably find it easiest to drive to La Spezia and park in the station’s underground car park.
On a recent trip in August, we were able to park easily at around 9.00. There are many warnings in the car park about thieves operating in the area. But we saw no evidence of this on our trip. Our advice is to make sure you don’t leave any valuables in the car, just as a precaution. Remember to validate your ticket and pay before returning to your car – this can’t be done at the exit barrier.
By Train
This is definitely the most efficient way to travel and we’d say it probably is the best way to see the Cinque Terre in the summer months. While we found the carriages to be very busy (and the trains are double decker!), the air con worked well so we were comfortable. It’s just 8 minutes to Riomaggiore (the first village) and then just a few minutes to hop between the villages thereafter.
We bought digital tickets on Trainline to Riomaggiore. This saved us having to queue for a physical ticket at the station, which was very busy. However, if you plan to use the train to hop between the villages, you may find that buying a Cinque Terre Treno Card is better value. It offers unlimited travel on the line between La Spezia and Monterosso. Click here to see ticket prices for single journeys and the Cinque Terre cards. July and August fall in the ‘peak period’ so are the most expensive times to visit. While these tickets may seem quite pricey for such short journeys, it’s worth considering them as the entry fee to an UNESCO world heritage site too. I found this made it easier to swallow!
By Kayak or Boat Tour
As with so many coastal villages, it’s best to admire them from the sea. After all, this is where all the amazing drone footage we see in Instagram is taken! In the summer, the Cinque Terre is hot and busy and by taking to the sea you can both avoid the crowds and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze while exploring. There are boat tours between the five villages with options for sunset cruises, swimming stops and even an aperitivo on board.
If you’re a more adventurous traveller or are visiting Italy with teenagers, opting for a kayak tour is a wonderful way to explore. We always recommend joining a guide for this experience. The sea can be unpredictable and can become quite choppy along this stretch of coast so by joining an organised tour you will be sure to be safely guided around this stunning region. This way also means you can concentrate on the paddling and taking in the gorgeous vistas.
Click here to book your boat tour or kayak experience in advance.
Hiking
The Cinque Terre’s hiking trails are some of the most iconic in Italy. Each village is connected to the next with well maintained paths and these can offer some stunning views of the picturesque landscape. However, if you plan to visit during the summer months, in our opinion this is not the best way to see the Cinque Terre. Like most of Southern Europe, Italy is hot in the summer season. The heat is often accompanied with high humidity which even on the coast can make it feel even warmer.
While the Cinque Terre’s trails are a wonderful way to see the area, they are steep – in some places exceptionally so. There are also a lot steps to contend with and in temperatures that can be well into the high 30s we really don’t think this is the best way to see the Cinque Terre at this time of year.
Probably the least arduous stretch is between Riomagggiore and Manorolla – the Via dell’Amore. Until August 2024, this section of the Cinque Terre hiking route had been shut for several years, following a significant landslide. Since its reconstruction the path is flat and evenly paved so is much more accessible than the other sections. However, these beautiful renovations have come at a price! Even if you’ve purchased a Cinque Terre card there is a €10 supplement to walk this stretch of the trail. And if you haven’t, it’s €70 for a family of four to enjoy this 2km walk. The Via dell’Amore is open from 8.30 – 21.30 in high season and 9.30 – 17.00 during the winter.
The best way to see the Cinque Terre in low season
Visiting the Cinque Terre away form the summer months can allow for a completely different experience. Along with the intense heat of the summer, by mid September the crowds have waned and the Cinque Terre is still bathed in warm autumn sunshine. Arguably, the autumnal sunsets make this stunning region look even more magical. Equally, in the Spring months the Cinque Terre is filled with new life and beautiful wild flowers line the hiking trails. That said, we wouldn’t recommend visiting the Cinque Terre in very bad weather. However, this part of Italy does have some gorgeous sunny days even in January and February. Of course this is a bit of a gamble. But if you’re able to be flexible with your travel plans and have a good weather app, don’t rule out visiting the Cinque Terre in the winter.
Hiking
The best way to see the Cinque Terre in the Spring, Autumn and even on a fine winters day, is to use the hiking trails which link the five villages. If you’re fit, then these trails offer a wonderful way to see not just the Cinque Terre villages but also the stunning countryside which lies between them. However, they are steep and do involve some significant inclines and descents. This is why we recommend this option in the cooler months of the year. The inland route between Riomaggiore and Manorola is particularly arduous and should not be tackled without some prior hiking experience.
Allow plenty of time to enjoy the walk and be aware that Google Maps can often underestimate the time it will take (it seems to struggle with all the steep steps!). This option is all about the views – they really are incredible. Take your time, bring lots of water and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment as you get first sight of the next village. While it is possible to walk between all five village in one day, this is not our recommendation. If you want to hike between them all, consider staying in Corniglia overnight so you don’t feel rushed.
By Train
As in the summer months, the train is a certainly one of the best ways to see the Cinque Terre. While trains are slightly less frequent in the shoulder seasons, there are still trains every 30 minutes between the five villages. At this time of year, not only will you find the trains have fewer passengers but the tickets are cheaper too!
By Kayak or Boat Tour
Most of these services are still available in the low season. Whether they are the best way to see the Cinque Terre, depends entirely on the weather! Poor weather conditions can mean that ferry services and boat tours can be cancelled. So, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the forecast in the days approaching your trip. Much of the joy of seeing the Cinque Terre from the sea comes from the beautiful contrast of colours. The blue sky, magnificent multicoloured houses and azure waters – it’s magnificent. However, In low light, from an overcast sky, we just don’t think it has the same magic.
Tips for visiting the Cinque Terre
- Make an early start. However you decide is the best way to see the Cinque Terre, arriving before the crowds is always good advice.
- Take a boat or kayak tour in the summer months to avoid the heat and the crowds on the hiking trails.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Even if you don’t plan to hike between villages, you will be climbing steps and walking on uneven ground.
- Check the weather forecast!
- Book boat tours and experiences in advance – the Cinque Terre is a very popular destination.
- Make time for a lunch stop or aperitivo with a view. Our favourite is Bar e Vini a Pié de Ma in Riomaggiore.
Our team at Bookings For You love Italy and are always happy to help you plan your holiday. We specialise in villas and apartments but also have a wealth of knowledge about how and when to travel to Italy for the best holiday experience. Click here to see our stunning collection of accommodation right across Italy. Or, contact us to help you arrange a bespoke experience.