Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre are five fishing villages on the rugged Ligurian coast between Levanto and La Spezia, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Their colourful houses cling to cliffs above the sea, surrounded by vineyards on steep terraces built by hand over centuries. Together with Portovenere and the islands of the Gulf of La Spezia, they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Each village has its own character. Monterosso has the largest beach, Vernazza a small harbour guarded by a medieval tower, Corniglia sits high on a promontory without direct access to the sea, Manarola tumbles down to a rocky inlet and Riomaggiore climbs a narrow valley. The Cinque Terre National Park protects the terraced landscape, the dry stone walls and the marine area along the coast. Show more

Hiking trails connect the villages, from the coastal Sentiero Azzurro to higher paths through vineyards and to sanctuaries above each village. Boats link the harbours in the warm months, and swimming from the rocks is a summer pleasure. Local specialities include anchovies from Monterosso, focaccia, pesto and the sweet Sciacchetrà wine.

The Cinque Terre are reached by the regional train from La Spezia and Levanto, which stops in every village, while cars are of little use. Two or three days suit the area. Spring and autumn are ideal for hiking, while summer is very busy.