Tourist Information Italy 5 Terre

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Cinque Terre information for tourist about the Cinque Terre.

Find here useful tips, information and advises to fully enjoy the beauties of the region

  1. How to get to the Cinque Terre

  2. Information about the five villages.

  3. Maps of the area.

  4. Visit 5 Terre in one day.

  5. Where to stay in the Cinque Terre.

  6. Top 10 things to do in the 5 Terre.

 

How to get to the Cinque Terre

In this section, you find more information about how to arrive in the Cinque terre coming from all over Italy or from abroad and with different means of transport: by plane,  by train,  by car, or by private transfer travel to the 5 Terre.

Cinque Terre is not a single town,  but a geographical area of the eastern coast of Liguria region that is situated in northern Italy.

In the 5 Terre area are located five villages, from West to East they are: Riomaggiore,  Manarola, Corniglia,  Vernazza,  Monterosso.
There are other two villages in the Cinque Terre area named Volastra and San Bernardino. They are never listed in the 5 original towns but are included in the Cinque Terre National Park territory.

Cinque Terre are reachable by train, by car, by bus, by boat:

  • Go the 5 Terre by train is the best because of stops in every village.
  • If you want to get to Cinque Terre by car, consider that the road is narrow and winding and runs up high from the villages. Cars are not allowed to drive into the villages and parking for visitors are located outside the villages.
  • Getting to 5 Terre by public bus now is possible there are small buses departing from La Spezia and arriving in Vernazza only.
  • Going to 5 Terre by boat is certainly very scenic but takes too much time to get there. The boat stops in Portovenere, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Monterosso (Corniglia has no pier). From La Spezia to Monterosso, including the stops takes approx 2 hrs.
  • For the calculation of the distances and duration of the transfers we keep La Spezia as a reference,  this is the biggest town inland of Cinque Terre.

There are no airports in the Cinque Terre, the two closest ones are:
Genoa, one hour west of Cinque Terre
Pisa, one hours east of Cinque Terre

Other airports in the range of 3 hrs drive
Florence
Milan Linate
Milan Malpensa

There is a coastal road that runs up high, secondary roads depart from the main one and reach each of the villages down by the sea.
Since the road is interrupted there are 4 villages reachable via La Spezia: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza.
The fifth one, Monterosso, is reachable via Levanto, another town located west of Cinque Terre.

1) From Florence to Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza by car
Take the highway A11 in direction of Viareggio – Genoa, once arrived in Viareggio take the highway A12 in direction of Genoa.
Exit in La Spezia and after the toll both drive along the junction, then through the city following the signs showing Cinque Terre.
To arrive in Riomaggiore consider approx 2, 15 hrs

2) From Florence to Monterosso by car
Take the highway A11 in direction of Viareggio – Genoa, once arrived in Viareggio take the highway A12 in direction of Genoa.
Exit in Carrodano and after the toll both turn left to Levanto, once there drive towards Monterosso.
From Florence approx 2,5 hrs

In alternative email us for a private transfer or day trip to 5 Terre from Florence.

3) From Genoa and the Riviera to Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza by car
Take the highway A12 in direction of Livorno, exit in La Spezia and after the toll both drive along the junction, through the city following the signs showing Cinque Terre.
From Genoa approx 1,5 hrs

4) From Genoa and the Riviera to Monterosso by car
Take the highway A12 in direction of Livorno, exit in Carrodano and after the toll both turn left to Levanto, once there drive towards Monterosso.
From Genoa 1,5 hrs

In alternative email us for a private transfer or day trip to 5 Terre from Genoa

5) From Milan to Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza by car
Take the highway A1 in direction of Bologna, once arrived in Parma take the highway A15 in direction of La Spezia.
Exit in La Spezia and after the toll both drive along the junction, then through the city following the signs showing Cinque Terre.
To arrive in Riomaggiore consider approx 3 hrs

6) From Milan to Monterosso by car
Take the highway A1 in direction of Bologna, once arrived in Parma take the highway A15 in direction of La Spezia.
Once there take the highway A12 in direction of Genoa, exit in Carrodano and after the toll both turn left to Levanto, once there drive towards Monterosso.
From Florence approx 3,15 hrs

In alternative email us for a private transfer

In Italy between bigger cities run Intercity/Frecciabianca trains***, they are faster, it’s possible to reserve seats, there are 1st class coaches.
All these call in La Spezia, some of them also call in Riomaggiore, Monterosso and Levanto. (the timetable for these small towns is under review by Trenitalia the Italian Railways Company).

For short range movements between smaller towns in Italy travel Regional trains. In most of the occasions and certainly for going to Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza it is necessary to change train in La Spezia, Levanto or Monterosso and take a Regional train.

Please check on Trenitalia.com for finding the combination of trains more convenient for you.

1) From Florence to La Spezia by train
There are Regional trains going directly to La Spezia, there change train to the 5 terre
There are Regional trains going directly to Pisa and there change train (Regional or Intercity) to La Spezia. There change train to the 5 terre.
Same thing for the return.
If you are coming for a Cinque Terre guided walking tour don’t hesitate to ask for more information, we’ll be glad to help you to plan your itinerary.

2) From Milan to 5 Terre by train
There are Intercity trains going directly (via Genoa) to Levanto or Monterosso, there change train to the 5 Terre.
There are Intercity trains going directly (via Genoa) to La Spezia, there change train to the 5 terre
Same thing for the return.
If you are coming for a Cinque Terre guided walking tour don’t hesitate to ask for more information, we’ll be glad to help you to plan your itinerary.

3) From Genoa to 5 Terre by train
There are Intercity trains going directly to Levanto or Monterosso, there change train to the 5 Terre.
There are Intercity trains going directly to La Spezia, there change train to the 5 terre
There are Regional trains going directly to the 5 terre and calling in every village.
There are Regional trains arriving until Sestri Levante, there change train to the 5 terre.
If you are coming for a Cinque Terre guided walking tour don’t hesitate to ask for more information, we’ll be glad to help you to plan your itinerary.

Please check on trenitalia.com for finding the combination of trains more convenient for you.

The first town to stop in is La Spezia, tourist buses are allowed to drop off/pickup passengers in Viale Fieschi (near the soccer stadium) and in Viale Italia in frot of the ferry terminal. The bus ticket costs € 50,00

The only village of the 5 Terre reachable by bus is Manarola, only after making an online reservation and the payment of € 100. http://www.manarolaparkbus.it/

An alternative option, if you come from Genoa and the Riviera, is to drive as far as Levanto, from there take the train to the Cinque Terre. Remember that also in Levanto there is a bus ticket to pay. Here is the link where find necessary information http://www.comune.levanto.sp.it/modulistica_on_line/polizia_municipale_bus_turistici.html

There is a bus service active since July 2016 that links La Spezia to Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza traveling along the panoramic road of Cinque Terre and making stops even between the villages. An alternative and more panoramic way to reach the 5 Terre villages. Find more info here http://www.explora5terre.it/en/

It surely is not the fastest but definitely the most scenic way to reach the villages. Remember that ferries run (approx) between April and November.

It takes much longer than by train and by car, but if you have enough time, small luggage and your accommodation is not far from the pier, you could think about it. Consider one more thing, if you get off the ferry in Portovenere, Vernazza, Monterosso you find a flat walk to the village from the pier. But if you get off in Manarola and Riomaggiore there are several steps to get to the village.

This is the official website of the ferry company http://www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it/

For a private boat service contact us

Welcome to the Cinque Terre, in this page, you find more information about 5 Terre in general and more details about the villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso.

The name Cinque Tere was given in the 15th century by a Genoese cartographer, who was sent by the Republic of Genoa to map its territories in the eastern Liguria.

He noted those five small villages included between Montenero cape at east and Mesco cape at west. Hold onto the cliffs and totally surrounded by kilometers of terraces, vineyards and olive groves, where people have lived for centuries isolated and in perpetual struggle with such an ungenerous Mother Nature; life in the Cinque Terre is tough, any human activity still requires hard effort, sweat and toil.

The entire area is included in the National Park of Cinque Terre and since 1997 has been included in the World Human Heritage List run by UNESCO. The five little towns count today approx 5000 inhabitants and are divided into three municipalities: Riomaggiore which includes Manarola, Vernazza which includes Corniglia and Monterosso, the largest of the 5 Terre.

The municipality counts approx 1300 inhabitants for the majority living in Riomaggiore, the other live in Manarola the village beside located by the sea, Groppo and Volastra located upon the hills.

The town is divided in two main parts split by a rocky spur on top of which is visible the ancient castle (today used as a meeting center): the new one born around the train station area and the old one built along the main course of a torrent. Most of the village is pedestrian, the only cars allowed are delivery trucks and public buses.

Riomaggiore is not flat, it develops uphill and it is quite steep. Since the car parking is located up high before the village, remember that you have to walk all the way up again to take it.

The train station is located in the new part of the village the old part is reachable on foot by walking for 5 min. along the tunnel. There is also an elevator (payment) that brings you up to the high path.

Bus stops are located along the main street in the old side of the village and at the car parking.

Post office is situated near the church.

Tourist info points are two: one located by the car parking and open during the high season; the other one located beside the train station and open all year round.

Public restrooms are three: one at the train station (free); another up the main street in the old village (payment); the third is along the path downstairs to the marina (payment).

ATM machines are two in Riomaggiore: one in front of the train station, the other along the main street in the old village.

The ferry pier is located at the marina in the old side of the village. Remember you have to go down and upstairs to reach.

St. John the Baptist church is located along the high path overlooking the village.

This hamlet is included in the municipality of Riomaggiore and counts approx 200 inhabitants, the two villages are very close together but separated by a mountain. The shortest path to get from one to the other village was the Via dell’Amore, still closed for works. The entire village is pedestrian, the only cars allowed are delivery trucks and public buses along the main street.

The town is not flat develops along the main street (Via discovolo – Via Birolli) as far as the marina.

The car parking (payment) is located up high, from there to the village it’s approx 10 min. walk downhill.

The train station is located almost at the end of the main street, it is linked to the village by a tunnel.

Post office is situated up the main street.

Bus stops are located along the main street in the old side of the village and at the car parking.

Tourist info points is one located inside the train station.

Public restrooms are three: one behind the train station (free); another at the bus parking (free) located above the car parking, the third bathrooms (free offer) below the cemetery located on the right of the marina.

ATM machine is one in Manarola, located along the main street right beside the tunnel to the train station.

The ferry pier is located at the end of the main street.

St. Lawrence church is located on top of the village at the end of the main street

It is the 3rd village of Cinque Terre, it is included in the municipality of Vernazza and counts approx 150 residents, it’s certainly the quietest of the area because it’s located on top of a rocky spur approx 100 mt. above the sea.

The town is flat develops along the main street (Via Fieschi) as far as an esplanade that overlooks the sea.

The car parkings (payment – blue stripes) are located along the road before and after the village.

The train station at the sea level below the village that is reachable with public bus or going up approx 350 steps.

Bus stops are located at the train station and in the main square. The bus goes also to San Bernardino, another village situated above Corniglia.

Post office is situated along the road to the train station.

Tourist info points is one located inside the train station.

Public restrooms are two: one inside the train station (free); another below the bus parking (free).

ATM machine is one and findable by the main square.

No ferry pier in Corniglia.

St. Peter church is located on top of the village at the end of the main street..

The municipality of Vernazza is the 4th village, has approx 400 residents and was built in a gully along a little creek.

The town is flat develops along the main street (Via Roma – Via Visconti) as far as the marina where the main square is located.

The car parking (payment) is located before Vernazza approx 20 min. walk from the village.

The train station is situated half way along the main street.

Bus stops are located at the end of the main street by the post office, and at the car parking.

Post office is situated up at the end of the main street.

Tourist info points is one located inside the train station.

Public restrooms are two: one inside the train station (free); another below the train station (free).

ATM machine are two, both located along the main street, one before the other after the train station.

The ferry pier is after the main square.

St. Margareth of Antioch church is located at the sea level beside the main square.

Monterosso is the 5th village, another independent municipality and also the largest town of the Cinque Terre with approx 1800 inhabitants Like Riomagiore is divided in two parts: the new one called Fegina is the one built along the beach (the only one of Cinque Terre) along which runs the road and a nice promenade; and the old one.

The town is flat develops along the main street along the sea (Via Fegina) and after the tunnel along Via Roma.

The car parkings are two (payment) one is located in Fegina, the other one at the end of Via Roma in the old village.

The train station is situated in Fegina, the new part of the town.

Bus stops are located in Fegina by the car parking, in the old town by the square with the fountain, and at the end of the main street.

Post office is situated in Via Roma main street.

Tourist info points are two, one located inside the train station, the other along below the train station at the street level.

Public restrooms are two: one inside the train station (free); another beside the ferries ticket office in the old town.

ATM machines are two: one at the street level of the train station, another one at the end of the main street (Via Roma).

The ferry pier is located in the old village.

St. John the Baptist church is located at the sea level in the old side of Monterosso.

Staying in the Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre showed up on the tourist market quite recently, and for who wants to come is not so easy to collect information about the villages:

their precise location, the best way to reach them, some people believe that Cinque Terre is one town, or think that the villages are an island.

That’s why some of the most frequently asked questions are something like “which village is the best to stay for enjoying the area?”, “how long should I stay in the 5 Terre'”, “what’s the best place to find accommodation?”.

Frankly does not exist a precise answer to these questions, but if you consider certain factors it will be easier to take your decision.

Let’s start to say that Cinque Terre is not just something to photograph, not just a place to see, but an experience to prove. A new kind of vacation that makes people try something new, real, unique. Tourist comes to “live” the villages, they stay door to door with the locals, they shop where locals shop, they eat where locals eat……life flows slower that’s why everybody reduces the pace of living.

We organize a “slow pace” walking tour, have a look and ask for more info if interested.

So, it is this what you are looking for, stay in one of the villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso. In all of them, there are B&B, rooms to rent and hotels, outside the villages like in Volastra and San Bernardino you find also some other agriturismi and hotels.

Outside 5 Terre, take into consideration La Spezia and Levanto the two closest towns, and don’t forget that there are good accommodations even in Portovenere, Lerici and Gulf of Poets area. Further inland in Sarzana and the valleys behind 5 Terre.

Moving westwards, after Levanto there are lovely towns by the sea like Bonassola, Framura, Deiva Marina; further west starts the Italian Riviera with Sestri Levante, Lavagna, Santa Margherita, Rapallo and Portofino.

For doing the best choice consider also:

1) How many days you intend to stay. My personal opinion is that to start enjoying the slow pace of the villages you need at least 3 days or more. For shorter stays remember that places like Levanto and La Spezia (see places listed above) are located just outside 5 Terre (look at the map). They are easy to reach and offer a good variety of accommodations.

In alternative consider to stay in the Italian Riviera and dedicate one or more days to the exploration of Cinque Terre.

2) What kind of vacation you want to do. If you just want to come and stay in the Cinque Terre for hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing………stay in the villages.

But if you also want to do excursions in the neighborhood: Pisa, Lucca, Sarzana, the Gulf of Poets, Carrara and the marble quarries, Portofino and the Riviera, Parma perhaps it is more comfortable to move back and forth from Levanto, La Spezia and surroundings.

3) How fit you are. Remember that in all the villages there are steps to climb up and down, but in Riomaggiore and Manarola the main street is uphill, while in Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso is quite flat. The only two villages with an old and new part are Monterosso (the largest) and Riomaggiore. The other three ones have practically one main street and side streets. Remember that train stations in the 5 Terre have no elevators (for the moment), B&B and apartments are located mostly in ancient buildings, so charming, but without elevator.

This article is dedicated to those who plan to stay longer in Cinque Terre and gives you more information about 5 Terre attractions, and local culture.

The top sights are not listed in order of importance, the Cinque Terre are all beautiful and fully enjoyable, decide to reduce your pace and take your time to look, walk, eat, chat, drink.

I advise to visit in every village the main church, they were built between 1300 and 1350, one in each village and every ten years. They will tell you more the architecture of the area and about the main works of art.

Never forget to walk the backstreet, they were the true beating hearth of every village and very characteristic. For practical information about every village look here.

Riomaggiore, the entire village. In particular walk the high footpath that leads from the train station (the new part of the village) to the old part of the village. On the way admire the Via dell’Amore (still closed), the view of the harbor, walk by St. John the Baptist Church then get into the main street.
Walk downstairs to the Marina of the village, it’s a lovely place from where reach either the ferry pier and a rocky beach where take a swim.

Manarola the entire village. I advise to walk all the way down the main street as far as the marina, from there go to Punta Bonfiglio located below the cemetery, finally enjoy a gorgeous view of the village!
Walk all the way the main street St. Lawrence church, before the church there is a footpath that runs through the vineyards and takes you to the cemetery and than to the Marina (uneven terrain and lots of steps). The other path runs through the village and departs from a staircase situated right after the church, this alley takes you above the harbor, then downstairs reach the main street.

If you want to take a swim, only the rocks are available.

If you just want to have a taste of the Via dell’Amore, from behind the train station starts the famous path that is walkable for 200 mt. until the interruption for the rock slide.

Corniglia, the entire village. It is the only one of the five without direct access to the sea, because is located on top of a rocky spur approx. 100 mt. above the sea level. This makes the village always a little quieter that the other four.

Remember that from the train station to the village you have to climb a long stairway or take the shuttle bus, or just walk uphill along the road. By walking the main street until the end you breathe the unique atmosphere of the village, then arrive to an esplanade from where broaden your sight all over Cinque Terre. If you wanted to dip your feet in the sea water, take the staircase located along the main street.

Vernazza, the whole village. Vernazza offers lots of panoramic places for taking pictures of the village and the surrounding areas. The village mostly develops itself upstairs from the main street from which you can reach two panoramic points: one located at the beginning of the trail to Monterosso, the other one located at the end of a long staircase that ends by the watch-tower (approx 150 steps) on the way to Corniglia.

Once returned to the main street, keep walking towards the sea until the main square, from there go upstairs to the left as far as the second watch-tower that overlooks the sea. Another gorgeous view that deserves other 150 steps and 1,50 euro fee to enter.

Monterosso the entire village. This village is the largest of Cinque Terre and more spread on a bigger area then the others, it is almost entirely flat, this makes walking particularly enjoyable. Walk along the boardwalk of Fegina (newer part of Monterosso) as far as the Giant, located almost by the Mesco promontory.

Then return along the boardwalk and pass by Torre Aurora path that starts right beside the entrance of the tunnel linking the two parts of the village.
Walk until the beginning of the path to Vernazza below the hotel built on the cliffs, from there for me one of the best views village. Once returned in the old town, don’t miss to see the inside of the Oratorio (tiny church located right beside the big one), it is decorated by “scary” figures!

From the oratorio you can take the steep footpath (Via Buranco) that leads to the cemetery and the ruins of the medieval castle. Another lovely walk is the one to the Convent of Cappucini friars, big yellow building that overlooks both sides of Monterosso.

Volastra, considered the 6th Terra. It is considered one of the five former settlements built up high where the natives were living before moving down by the sea. From there is one of the best views in Cinque Terre.

It is reachable on foot along the path (1,5 hr) from Manarola, or still from Manarola by public bus (ask the timetable at the tourist points). Once there, just walk around the rounded-shape village, it is peaceful and very characteristic, from the church area you could also walk for a short distance along the path to Corniglia for enjoy awesome views over Manarola and Corniglia. Pay attention, the terrain is uneven and there are steps to climb.

This is true wherever you go around the world, but its’ even more true in Italy. Our country offers such a wide variety of foods and wines, in every region, in every provinces food may change, may change the recipes with which the same food is cooked.

So eat what the local eat, be curious, behave like a traveler and like a tourist.

Only local food are listed. Everywhere you find pizza, Gelato, pasta tomato sauce, Bolonneise sauce, mixed fried fish, baked fish, Gelato.

Local street food (bars, bakeries, groceries, pizza places, wine shops): focaccia (savory flat bread, try to dip it into the pesto sauce), fried anchovies, rice tort (savory), vegetable pies, farinata (cheek pees flan), cheese focaccia (thin focaccia with melted cheese inside), bruschetta butter and salted anchovies or with chopped tomato and anchovies.

Restaurant food: fresh anchovies cooked under lemon juice and olive oil, trofie (local type of pasta) with pesto sauce (pesto was born in Liguria region), stuffed ravioli with walnut sauce, vegetable soups genoese style, pasta with fresh anchovies, mussels marinara style (steamed, olive oil, parsley and garlic) OR stuffed, fried anchovies, anchovies stuffed and and fried, steamed octopus with potatoes, tegame di Vernazza (stewed fresh anchovies, potatoes, tomato sauce)

Wine and spirits. Cinque Terre white wine D. O. C. (table wine), Cinque Terre sweet wine D.O.C. (sciacchetrà), Cinque Terre Limoncino (lemon liquor)
Visit Cinque Terre in one day

There are many ways to visit Cinque Terre in one day, it depends on how much time you have, which are your interests and wishes. If you wish to more of the 5 Terre with a local guide, book one of our private guided tours by choosing one of our proposals listed in the right side of the page.

With one day available for having a touch of local culture, enjoy breathtaking views and experience local specialties, the best is moving:

partly by train, that makes you move faster between the villages; here is the train timetable from la Spezia to Levanto and from Levanto to La Spezia Remember to beware of pickpockets.

partly by ferry (sea permitting), for enjoying the views of 5 Terre from the seaside; here is the ferries timetable. You may also choose to move back and forth on ferries, remember that ferries don’t call in Corniglia and getting off in Riomaggiore and Manarola there are many steps to climb to reach the village from the pier (more in Riomaggiore than in Manarola).

partly on foot, explore the inside of the villages, walk the backstreet in order to breathe their atmosphere. If you are fit, and properly equipped (shoes, clothes, etc etc) you also may like to hike one of the footpaths. The choice is very wide, the most walked path is the blue path that runs more or less along the coast and through the villages. Take a look the National Park section dedicated to the footpaths for choosing the one you like most.

Here below you see an example of itinerary that starts from La Spezia train station. If you wish to more of the 5 Terre with a local guide, book one of our private guided tours by choosing one of our proposals listed in the right side of the page.

take the train to Riomaggiore
from Riomaggiore take the ferry (they are big boats seating approx 300 passengers) to Monterosso
from Monterosso return to La Spezia by train stopping in Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola.



Another option is to choose riding by train to Monterosso (with stops in the villages) and return by ferry to La Spezia via Portovenere (UNESCO site).
Now it's possibile to reach Riomaggiore, Manarola, Volastra, Corniglia, Vernazza by public bus that departs from La Spezia check here http://www.explora5terre.it/
If you are in one of the villages and wish to go to the settlements located above like: Volastra and Groppo (above Manarola), San Bernardino (above Vernazza and Corniglia), Soviore (above Monterosso), you can walk all the way up along the paths, or take one of the shuttle buses (€ 2,00 per ride). Ask for the buses timetable at the official info points located in every train station.
If you are staying in Tuscany (Florence and surroundings, Pisa, Lucca) or in the Riviera (Genoa, Portofino, Santa Margherita, Rapallo and surroundings) you can catch a train and get to La Spezia or book one of our private day tours: Cinque Terre from Florence - Cinque Terre from the Riviera.

Have a boat ride along the coast, by public ferry or private boat. The seaside is definitely one of the best viewpoints from where admire the 5 Terre. I always advise not to use the ferry to get on and off in every village, because it takes time to disembark and often, during the high season, the are long queues at the piers. Better to find a good seat and enjoy a long ride from point to point, the most complete one is from La Spezia to Monterosso, takes approx two hours. Another good option is the ride between Riomaggiore and Monterosso.

The ferry ride could be also an option for people with mobility problems to approach the villages from the sea, note that from the piers of Riomaggiore and Manarola there are steps to walk for getting into the village.

Remember that ferries don’t ride: 1) in winter time, start around the end of March and finish the service the first week end of November. 2) With bad sea conditions.

For something more exclusive we can organize a private boat tour relying on one of the local boat rentals and private guide.

Hike the footpaths. No doubt, Cinque Terre and surroundings are the paradise for trekkers! The network of paths in the National Park territory and neighborhood areas is more than 120 Km long, then suitable for all kinds of tastes, training, wishes and levels of difficulty.

The two main trails are the red and the blue one. The red path, that starts from Portovenere and ends up in Levanto running mainly along the ridge of the mountains bordering Cinque Terre. This is for true hikers who are well trained and equipped, and (I advise) stay longer in the area.

The blue path, that starts in Riomaggiore and runs through Manarola, Volastra, Corniglia, Vernazza and ends up in Monterosso. Certain legs of the path are closed due to rock slides, that’s why after Manarola the path goes all the way up to Volastra in order to get to Corniglia. Even this path is for people well trained and equipped, but since the legs between the villages are shorter, could be suitable also for those that in one day would like to have a taste of the Cinque Terre trails.

For more info check the National Park site, or email us for a customized hiking tour.

I advise also for moving easily through the area to buy the Cinque Terre card. It permits to hop on and off the trains in both direction between La Spezia and Levanto, to take the buses in the villages, to use the WI-fi connection available in the info points and to support the National Park in the maintenance of the landscape and all its projects.

Portovenere, Lerici, Sarzana and Levanto, La Spezia. These are the towns situated around the Cinque Terre area, they all are very nice places either to stay or just to visit during your 5 Terre experience.

During your exploration don’t miss to take a look at the fortress located inside the town (closed to the public) and to the Diocesan art museum.

Portovenere is like Cinque Terre an UNESCO site. Built by Genoa in 1116 A.C. to be its stronghold and trading point in the eastern Liguria, it is reachable by car or bus via La Spezia, from the 5 Terre only by car and ferry (sea permitting). Once there don’t miss to walk along the promenade by the sea and take a look at the “Palazzata” that long line of houses one attached to the other, at the end you arrive at an open space overlooked by the ancient church of St. Peter with a great view over the coastline.

Return at the main square by strolling along the main carugio (alley), the beating hearth of Portovenere, or decide to climb as far as the fortress (closed to the public) below which there is St. Lawrence church, the biggest of Portovenere.

Lerici, together with Portovenere is one of the gems of the so-called Gulf of Poets. It is reachable by ferry from Portovenere or by car and bus from La Spezia. Enjoy a stroll along the boardwalk that links Lerici with St. Terenzo, or walk up to St. George fortress (visitable), or just stroll around and enjoy the quietness of the town.

Sarzana is another pearl of the area, town of antique dealers, art galleries and with a beautiful cathedral. The town was born in the 1200 along as a trading place along an important trail. Later Sarzana improved its wealth and importance becoming bishopric, this promoted the construction of St. Mary cathedral, imposing church located along the main street.

During your exploration don’t miss to take a look at the fortress located inside the town (closed to the public) and to the Diocesan art museum.

La Spezia is the largest town of the area, it counts approx 90 thousand inhabitants and is the capitol of its province. A little village was transformed into a real town across 1800 and 1900 when there was built the first Italian naval base that, together with the naval arsenal made the history of the city.

La Spezia is worth of a visit for its several museums: archaeological museum settled into the ancient St. Geroge castle, Naval museum, Lia museum, Diocesan museum, Museum of the seals, Etnographic museum. The city center offers many shopping opportunities and very morning (except Sundays) a colorful food market.

Levanto is one of the largest towns in the area with approx 10 thousand inhabitants. It’s located by the sea right West of Monterosso It is reachable easily by train and by car exiting at Carrodano motorway exit, and also by ferry from the Cinque Terre.

St. Andrew is the oldest church of the village, showing beautiful architectures and works of art, around that area spreads a lively historical center with a pleasant promenade by the sea. A lovely bike ride (partly in tunnel) can be done along the ancient railway track as far as Bonassola and Framura.