How Many Days in Cinque Terre Is Enough? A Local’s Advice for First-Time Visitors
Planning an Italian adventure and wondering how many days in Cinque Terre is enough?
Hi! I’m Lucille from La Spezia Guide. My husband and I (and Cooper our four legged best-friend) moved to La Spezia (near Cinque Terre) from Australia. We’re locals in Italy now, and visit the famous 5 towns on a regular basis.
We enjoy the outdoors and, because we have Cooper, hiking in and around Cinque Terre is something we do often.
In this blog post I’ll share my thoughts on how to get the best out of your Cinque Terre trip!
How Many Days in Cinque Terre is Enough?
The first time we visited Cinque Terre we were also tourists on a holiday to Italy. We stayed for 3 nights to visit the towns and do some hiking.
Looking back, I think we could have enjoyed 1 or 2 extra days because we only visited 4 of the 5 towns and missed out on a few other activities, like the boat trips and winery tours.
So, depending on your budget and appetite for adventure, you could easily spend 5 days exploring and enjoying the area. But in reality most people will stay for up to 3 days and visit other parts of Italy during the same trip.
Cinque Terre 3 Day Itinerary
To help you plan a 3 day trip, I’ve mapped out a sample itinerary to give you some inspiration.
Day 1: Explore the Towns
On your first day, it’s good to orientate yourself and visit a couple of the towns. This is a chance to wander and explore the ancient villages.
I recommend starting in Riomaggiore, then visiting Vernazza for lunch and finishing up in Monterosso for an afternoon swim and gelato. You can get between the villages either by train or local ferry.
The old towns all have local shops selling handmade crafts, produce and clothing. There are also restaurants, cafes and sometimes you’ll come across markets in the town piazzas.
If you weave through the tiny laneways, you’ll escape some of the Cinque Terre crowds and it’s a good place to take atmospheric photographs to capture the hidden corners of Cinque Terre.
In Riomaggiore, you can complete a circular walk around town.
Starting at the train station, head up the hill and follow the signs to the Church of San Giovanni Battista. The Old School bar and coffee shop is a good place for a short break. From here you can walk down the stairs into the old town of Riomaggiore and continue onto the famous harbour.
In Vernazza, there’s more exploring to do, including staircases that take you up into the village hills to enjoy views over the town and sea. The main piazza in Vernazza is at the harbour. There’s a small beach and a choice of cafes and restaurants. Dining al fresco and eating a seafood lunch here is quite special.
Monterosso has a typical old town, but there’s also a new town with a beach and dozens of restaurants.
The Monterosso beach is very popular, so plan ahead and book a private beach chair and umbrella or find some sand to spread a towel in the public area. The water is often calm enough for a swim and there are several places along the promenade to treat yourself to a gelato.
Day 2: Hiking the Famous Trails
For the 2nd day, I suggest starting in Corniglia and hiking to Manarola. This trail is one of the many beautiful hiking trails where you can experience the mule tracks used to connect the villages and ancient churches.
Before starting out, take the opportunity to wander around Corniglia and take in the views from the lookout (less than 100 metres) from the main piazza.
The hiking in Cinque Terre is nearly always hilly and the paths are rocky and uneven. The steep terrain requires good fitness and strong legs for the hundreds of stairs that you’ll likely encounter.
The walk between Corniglia and Manarola takes around 2.5 hours and passes through vineyards, woodlands and the hamlet of Volastra.
At Manarola you can do some more sightseeing, grab some lunch and take a refreshing dip in the clear waters around the harbour.
Manarola is possibly the most photographed of the villages. The setting sun illuminates the pastel buildings and causes a frenzy of people taking photos from the lookout.
An alternative walk is the much easier Via dell’Amore (Path of Love) between Riomaggiore and Manarola.
Not only is this path ideal for families it’s also just over 1 km in length so can be comfortably strolled in under 30 minutes.
Day 3: Experience the Coastal Beauty
For your final day in Cinque Terre, I suggest you do a boat tour along the coastline.
There are several boat operators that will take you out onto the water where you can enjoy the coastal views and discover hidden caves.
The boats often take guests to areas of beauty for photographs and make a swimming stop along the way.
Further 2 Days In Cinque Terre Itinerary
Ideas for a longer stay in Cinque Terre include exploring the hills around the national park and venturing further afield to visit interesting local towns.
Day 4: Exploring the Hills
Beside boat tours along the coastline, the wineries in particular are an important part of the area’s cultural identity. The terraced vineyards are unique and have been created and managed over hundreds of years.
A visit to the wineries often includes a tour with tastings and appetisers.
Day 5: Venturing Further Afield
Beyond the 5 towns, there are many places for additional sightseeing.
Along the coast, towards La Spezia, lies Porto Venere.
This town is often referred to as the 6th Cinque Terre town and has become a significant tourist attraction in its own right.
The medieval town, fishing harbour, sandy beach and historical buildings (and top notch restaurants) are not to be missed. Porto Venere can be reached by local ferry from Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola or Riomaggiore.
An alternative place to visit is Levanto. There are several attractions in Levanto, including a wide open beach, hiking trails, and an easy cycle path that extends to two other Ligurian coastal towns.
Levanto can be reached on the Cinque Terre Express train line and is within 10 minutes of Monterosso.
How to get Around Cinque Terre
Even though the towns are located in a hilly terrain, access to towns has been made relatively easy with a dedicated trainline. There is also a public ferry running from La Spezia.
If you arrive by car, then the best place to park is at either La Spezia, Levanto or Monterosso. You can then travel between the villages by ferry or train.
Where to Stay in Cinque Terre
If you’re planning on staying in Cinque Terre then the easiest and most convenient village is Monterosso.
Monterosso has a wider choice of hotels, apartments and bed and breakfast type accommodations. Most of the town is also located on flat ground and within easy reach of the train station.
Hotel Porto Roca ⭐⭐⭐⭐
👍8.9/10 (89 reviews)
Hotel Porto Roca sits at a commanding position overlooking Monterosso. For a luxury experience, treat yourself to a suite with a balcony to take advantage of the sea views. Its position is quite a walk from town, but the swimming pool makes up for it!
👍8.8/10 (1,203 reviews)
Smack in the heart of Monterosso’s old town, Hotel Margherita is perfect for beach lovers and foodies alike. Modern rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a breakfast that’ll make your taste buds dance with homemade cakes. Plus, it’s a stone’s throw from the hiking trails.
👍7.6/10 (23 reviews)
Up the hill and away from the crowds, Hotel Monterosso Alto offers stunning mountain views and a cosy vibe. It’s a 15-minute drive from town, but the peaceful setting and friendly staff make it worth the trek.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to a few questions you may found yourself asking!
Are There Any Local Experiences in Cinque Terre?
Beside boat tours and winery visits mentioned above, there are also other activities, where you can connect with the natural beauty of the area.
A few ideas that you might like include cycling trails and horse riding along the Alta Via Trail (AVT), that is set into the hills.
If you have the energy, there are also kayak tours that do similar types of excursions to the boat tours.
When is the Best Time to Visit Cinque Terre?
The best time to visit Cinque Terre is in the shoulder season from May to early June and mid September to mid October.
The Cinque Terre Card is cheaper, the weather is warmer but not blistering hot and there are fewer crowds.
Is the Cinque Terre Card Worth It?
The Cinque Terre Card (multi-service card) is worth it if you plan on using the train to visit at least 2 villages in one day.
The multi service card also allows you access to the famous hiking path known as the Blue Trail.
If you are hiking and don’t plan on using the train between villages, then buying a multi-service card isn’t mandatory and you can opt to buy a Trekking Card instead.
The Cinque Terre Card also works out cheaper when you purchase a multi-day pass.
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Conclusion
So, La Spezia Guide has helped you crack the code on how many days to spend in Cinque Terre, and you can absolutely trust their judgment—they’re locals who practically have GPS embedded in their brains.
With their insider scoop and spot-on recommendations, your itinerary is guaranteed to be nothing short of epic. Whether you’re wandering through the postcard-perfect villages, tackling the stunning coastal hikes, or diving into the history of this villages, La Spezia Guide has ensured you won’t miss a single secret spot or must-see attraction.
Trust their advice, and you’re in for a legendary adventure in one of Italy’s most magical corners.
Happy travels, and get ready to fall in love with Cinque Terre!
At time of writing, there are currently no Coronavirus measures limiting tourists to enter Italy. This is in accordance with the information provided on gov.uk.
