Your Guide to Cinque Terre
The color-blocked houses sitting on the hills that hug the Italian Riviera… in all the places I went in Italy, Cinque Terre was one of my favorites.
Cinque Terre basically means “five lands” or “five towns” in Italian, because Cinque Terre is made up of five little villages – and you get to each of them via train, which takes around 2-4 minutes from one village to the next.
These five villages are known as Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
View of Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre, Italy; July 2018
Should I visit Cinque Terre in the summer?
Traveling to Cinque Terre in the summer can be rewarding as the weather will be optimal to enjoy refreshing drinks under the sun, long-beach days, and speed-boat outings.
However, if you’re planning on going in the summertime like I did, beware… it gets busy. The trains get packed. The weather gets hot.
One of the trains flew by us so fast and so close, that all the moms in my little group for the day claimed we were, “trying to avoid becoming scrambled eggs”.
We also got stuck on the train one time. All of the power went out, and in that July heat… it got toasty in that train.
However, we lived: clearly, as I’m writing this blog post for you – but I will say that if you like comfort and punctual timing when you travel, that this region of Italy maayyyy not be for you.
🇮🇹 If You're Looking For... Visit This Cinque Terre Village 🇮🇹
| If You're Looking For... | Visit This Village |
|---|---|
| 🚤 Speedboat tours and low-key vibes | Riomaggiore |
| 🏖️ Beaches and more upscale vibes | Monterosso al Mare |
| 🏘️ Wandering old European streets and beautiful waterfront views | Vernazza |
| 📸 Amazing photography spots and unforgettable sunset moments | Corniglia |
| 🦞 Swimming and incredible seafood | Manarola |
Which order should I visit the villages in Cinque Terre?
Now, if you’re down for the potential chaos and indescribable, idiosyncratic beauty that is Cinque Terre, and your goal is to tackle all five towns, I recommend you start at the top, and work your way down.
This way, once you get to the end of the villages, you’ll be closer to your accommodation – which is likely to be outside of one of the five villages of Cinque Terre itself.
We were staying in La Spezia, which is just outside of the first town, Riomarggio. We opted to take the train all the way up to Monterosso al Mare first, and slowly make our way back to our hotel in La Spezia.
What are the differences between each the of villages in Cinque Terre?
Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the five different villages in Cinque Terre to decide which one may be worth spending the most of your time in:
| Village | Key Offerings |
|---|---|
| Monterosso al Mare | Resort-style vibes like Capri, biggest beach, ideal for beach days and relaxing on the Italian Riviera. |
| Vernazza | Smaller beach with excellent seafood restaurants overlooking the water; home to “The Lunchbox” for vegetarian and vegan options. |
| Corniglia | Famous for the shuttle bus viewpoint; no direct access to the sea, restaurants, or shops – serves primarily as a lookout point. |
| Manarola | Authentic fishing village atmosphere, perfect for seafood lovers; swimming possible but watch out for jellyfish. |
| Riomaggiore | Most aesthetically pleasing with classic colorful houses; best starting point for boat tours to all villages and photogenic spots. |
I’m going to break down each of the five villages, so you’ll know which are the best villages in Cinque Terre, exactly what to expect when you visit when visiting each one, how to plan your Cinque Terre itinerary accordingly:
Village 5: Monterosso al Mare
This is the village in Cinque Terre that’s the highest up. It feels a lot like Capri: sleek, chic, and resort style. This one has the biggest beach, thus – making it one of the busiest and most popular of the five villages.
The white fences and vibrant florals in Monterosso al Mare reminded me of Capri.
Which Cinque Terre town has the best beach?
If you’re looking for a beach day, and only want to come to Cinque Terre with the intent of relaxing on the Italian Rivera – Monterosso al Mare is the village you’re going to want to spend your time in.
The most popular beach is known as Fegina beach, and while adorned with sunbeds and parasols – it is also private, meaning you’ll have to pay if you want to relax on this Monterosso al Mare beach.
The beach in Monterosso al Mare in Cinque Terre, Italy; July 2018
Ultimately, Monterosso al Mare is best for:
🏖️ Relaxing in Cinque Terre
Monterosso al Mare is the most relaxing of Cinque Terre's five villages. With wider streets, a more spacious layout, and a laid-back atmosphere, it's the perfect place to slow down, enjoy the sea breeze, and spend an afternoon wandering without feeling rushed.
🌊 Beach Time
Unlike most of the other villages, Monterosso has the largest sandy beach in Cinque Terre. Whether you want to swim in the turquoise water, rent a sunbed, or simply relax by the Mediterranean, this is the best village for a classic beach day.
🍷 Italian Wine Tasting
Monterosso is one of the best places in Cinque Terre to enjoy local Ligurian wines. Spend an afternoon tasting regional wines at a waterfront restaurant or wine bar while overlooking the colorful coastline and fishing boats.
Village 4: Vernazza
View of Vernazza from the water in Cinque Terre, Italy; July 2018
Vernazza has a smaller beach, but a lot of good food.
If you’re into seafood, Cinque Terre is the place to be trying it. There are several restaurants that overlook the water that you can eat at here… but my group and I were craving a break from the endless pasta and pizza, so – we opted for a little hipster sandwich shop, The Lunchbox, with vegetarian options.
If you’re also looking for a break from Italian cuisine while on your trip to Italy, I can recommend the Lunchbox! They have really good panini’s and all sorts of other healthy-millennial-gluten-free-dairy-free-stuff to try. I had a lemonade there that also hit the spot… well, it was a detox juice with cucumber, lemon, and ginger.
Like I said, it was a hipster café kind of place.
The ‘Super Vegan’ panini at “The Lunchbox” in Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy; July 2018
The only con I can think of is that the seating is sparse, so if you’re trying to sit a group of more than four – you could be waiting a while.
View of Vernazza from the train station in Cinque Terre, Italy; July 2018
Additional things to do in Vernazza include:
⛲ Guglielmo Marconi Square
Guglielmo Marconi Square is the heart of Monterosso al Mare. Lined with cafés and restaurants, it's the perfect place to grab a drink, people-watch, or simply soak up the village's relaxed atmosphere.
🛍️ Via Roma
Via Roma is Monterosso's lively main street, filled with boutiques, souvenir shops, bakeries, gelato stops, and local restaurants. It's the perfect place to wander and experience everyday life in Cinque Terre.
🏰 Doria Castle
The ruins of Doria Castle sit high above Monterosso and reward visitors with beautiful panoramic views of the village, coastline, and turquoise Ligurian Sea after a short uphill walk.
🥾 Hike the Blue Trail
The famous Blue Trail connects the villages of Cinque Terre and offers some of the region's most spectacular coastal scenery. Even hiking one section rewards you with unforgettable Mediterranean views.
Village 3: Cornigila
Cornigila is the village famous for the shuttle bus that you can take to get the best picture of all the villages.
What is there to do in Cornigila?
The Cornigila train stop serves as an in-between transit spot on the way to the view of Cinque Terre All that’s here when you got off at the train is the shuttle. No restaurants, shops, or access to water. It’s only a gateway to take the shuttle bus up to the town.
I was in a group of people and I was the only one who really wanted to go up, and it was hot, and time was of the essence… so I skipped it…
… but it’s okay. I have no doubt that the view must be fantastic, but waiting for that bus up and down in the heat does require an ample supply of water and sufficient time management.
I made up plenty for missing out on the famous Cinque Terre photo opportunity later, and I’m going to suggest you did what I did instead as well.
Village 2: Manarola
Manarola is the “fishing village” of the five of them. This is the place you want to go eat at if you’re a seafood fanatic.
Can I go swimming in Manarola?
There is no traditional beach in Manarola, but there is a small harbor with deep waters suitable for swimming.
Ultimately, you can go swimming in Manarola, but beware of jellyfish.
View of Manarola from the water; July 2018.
Additional things to do in Manarola include:
📸 Manarola Scenic Viewpoint
The famous Manarola Scenic Viewpoint offers one of the most iconic panoramas in all of Cinque Terre. From here, you'll have the perfect angle of the colorful houses stacked along the cliffs with the sparkling Ligurian Sea stretching into the distance.
🍷 Nessun Dorma Cantina
Perched above the village, Nessun Dorma is one of the best places in Cinque Terre for local wine tasting. Pair a glass of Ligurian wine with fresh bruschetta while enjoying one of the most breathtaking views in the region.
⛪ Piazza Papa Innocenzo IV
This charming little square is the heart of Manarola and home to the Church of San Lorenzo. Surrounded by colorful buildings and local cafés, it's a great place to slow down and soak up the village's atmosphere.
Village 1: Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore was my personal favorite of the five.
Why?
The photo opportunities before my eyes were the exact ones I had always dreamed of taking.
Riomaggiore is where you’ll find the cliche colorful houses you’ve been looking for in Cinque Terre.
Things to see and do in Riomaggiore include:
🏰 Castello di Riomaggiore
Perched high above the village, Castello di Riomaggiore offers sweeping views over the colorful houses, dramatic coastline, and Ligurian Sea. It's one of the best places to appreciate just how picturesque Riomaggiore really is.
⛪ Church of San Giovanni Battista
Dating back to the 14th century, the Church of San Giovanni Battista is one of Riomaggiore's most important landmarks. Its beautiful Gothic façade and peaceful interior make it well worth a quick visit while exploring the village.
🚤 Rent a Private Boat
This was hands down my favorite experience in Cinque Terre and was beyond worth it. Cruising past the teal sea caves and seeing each of the five colorful villages from the water gives you a completely different perspective. In my opinion, it's the absolute best way to experience Cinque Terre.
Is Riomaggiore the best Cinque Terre Village?
While the answer is subject to personal preference, I found Riomaggiore to be the most approachable village of the five Cinque Terre towns –with something for everyone such as boat rides, photo opportunities, or sun-bathing.
This village is definitely the most aesthetically pleasing of the five, and the easiest one to take boats from.
Right here, this is where I made up for skipping the shuttle bus in Cornigila.
Several members of my tour group & I all chipped in to rent a boat tour, where we would jet across all the villages via water for the views, and let me tell you…
… it’s worth it.
On a speed boat in Cinque Terre, Italy; July 2018
Those boat rides also take you by the little coves with the coolest and clearest pockets of water.
Teal water in a cave in Cinque Terre, Italy; July 2018
Just be careful when booking. If your goal is to end up back at Riomaggiore, to make sure that you book a two-way boat ride. Otherwise, they’ll drop you off back at the top in Monterosso al Mare, which will defeat your purpose of starting at the top in the first place.
I hope this gives you an idea of the vibe of each of the villages in Cinque Terre.
🇮🇹 FAQs About Cinque Terre ☀️🐟⛱️
If you’re looking for other things to do in Italy, click here.
Additional articles you might find helpful include:
Never want to miss one of my adventures around the world? Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to never miss my next destination!
Last updated: July 24, 2026