The Cinque Terre Park is one of Italy’s most popular destinations. Many visitors add a few days of hiking in Cinque Terre to their itinerary to experience the trails linking the beautiful fishing villages that hug the Ligurian cliffs.
With so many people coming to the UNESCO heritage site, it’s important to know what to expect. From what to wear to what to carry, we’ve put together a guide based on our experience and the questions we get asked most often about visiting Cinque Terre.
Why is Cinque Terre so popular?
The villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore inside the Cinque Terre park have been isolated fishing communities for most of their existence. A unique way of life developed in close contact with nature for centuries before the railway arrived to connect the villages.
In the 1970s, tourism started to arrive in Cinque Terre. To attract more visitors, the houses were painted bright colors, now drawing millions visit each year in search of perfect photos. Some come for a few hours, others stay longer to fully appreciate this unique environment. Whichever you choose to do, read on for everything you need to know about visiting Cinque Terre in 2025.
How to get to Cinque Terre
The advice we always hear from locals (and we listen to them) is to leave the car in La Spezia and take the train to Cinque Terre. There is some limited parking available in Monterosso, but only residents can drive elsewhere in the park.
You’ll find regular regional and InterCity trains to La Spezia from Pisa, Parma and Genova, making it easy (though not always quick) to get there from other parts of Italy. Check out the Trenitalia website for exact times and different train options.
The Cinque Terre Express train runs every 15-20 minutes from La Spezia on one side of the park to Levanto on the other side. The trains stop at the 5 villages, making it the easiest and quickest way to move from one village to the next.
You can also get to Cinque Terre by ferry. Line 2 goes further along the coast in both directions than the train and stops at all the villages except Corniglia which is higher up the cliff.
The Five Villages
Monterosso al Mare: The largest of the villages, Monterosso is divided into 2 parts. Here you’ll find plenty of hotels and accommodation options, as well as restaurants and nightlife.
If you need to arrive by car, plan on staying in Monterosso where there are accessible roads and some parking (€25 for 24hrs). It’s also the only village with a sandy beach.
Vernazza: With its cute harbor and historic defences, it’s easy to see why Vernazza has been named one of the 100 most beautiful villages in Italy!
Accommodation here is limited. There are a few hotels, but options are mostly vacation rentals. If you are just passing through, head to the harbor where you can go swimming, sunbathe or stop for lunch (of fish, naturally) with a view.
Corniglia: The most isolated of the villages, a steep flight of steps connects Corniglia to the railway station. It’s also the smallest of the villages. Facilities for visitors are limited and most only stop here for an hour or two. If you are looking for peace and some challenging hikes, staying in Corniglia could be a good option for you.
Manarola: Around the village are vineyards where Sciacchetrà wine has been produced for centuries. Follow the paths through the vines for amazing views, then head down to the harbor for a lunch of freshly caught fish and the local wine.
Riomaggiore: The southernmost village is the starting point for the Via dell’Amore, connecting Riomaggiore and Manarola. The flat path, newly reopened after major restorations following a landslide, is an easy 1km walk where lovers from the two villages used to meet unseen. The town itself has some steep pathways, but there are a couple of elevators connecting the harbor and station with the highest points.
Where to stay
If you plan on visiting Cinque Terre for a few days, you won’t find many hotels inside the park. The few that exist are mostly in Monterosso al Mare and generally 1-3 stars. Most accommodation options are guest houses and B&Bs. Facilities may be simple, but perfect if you want to be close to the trails and plan on being out all day.
If hiking is your top priority, we suggest staying inside the park. Hit the trails early then enjoy the quieter evening hours in your chosen village once the day trippers have left.
For those who want to enjoy a bit more comfort while visiting Cinque Terre, are looking to balance hiking with sunbathing or have accessibility issues, consider staying in one of the towns just outside the park. Levanto, Lerici, Portovenere or La Spezia are all connected to thepark by train and/or ferry, while offering more choice of accommodation and facilities, including parking.
Getting Around Cinque Terre
On foot
The distances between the villages aren’t long. As long as you’re reasonably fit and don’t have problems walking, you can complete the Blue Trail in 1 day. Many visitors prefer to do it over a couple of days, taking time to explore each of the villages and using the train or bus to get back to their accommodation.
Train/Bus
The Cinque Terre Express runs every 15-20 minuets. It stops at each of the 5 villages and with the Cinque Terre train card, you can hop on and off whenever you want.
The trains and platforms can be very busy in high season so it’s good to know that there is also a free bus service between the villages. Buses are free with the Cinque Terre Card and will help you reach the sanctuaries above each of the villages.
Boat
Ferry line no.2 connects Levanto, Monterosso, Vernazza, Monarola, Riomaggiore, Portovenere and La Spezia. Not as fast as the train, but it’s amazing to see the villages from the sea.
€42.00 – full day ticket (round trip)
€28.00 – afternoon-only (round trip)
To escape the crowds and witness how dramatic the coastline is, you can hire a private boat for the day. Private boat tours will take you along the coast to see each of the isolated villages clinging to the cliffs. The day will usually include local foccacia, pasta and wine on board, the chance to swim in the calm waters around Portovenere, as well as the chance to explore this town.
The Cinque Terre Card
If you plan on walking the Blue Trail or using the train, you will need to buy a pass.
There’s a choice of pass depending on whether you plan to walk or use the train. Both passes also allows you to use the buses in the park, join guided tours (depending on availability) and use of the restrooms in the railway stations (an exciting benefit in a country which lacks public restrooms!).
Cinque Terre Trekking Card
€7.50 – 1 day
€14.50 – 2 days
Cinque Terre Train Card (low season)
€14.80 – 1 day
€26.50 – 2 days
Cinque Terre Train Card (high season)
In high season, the cost of the card depends on the number of visitors expected. Check out the chart on the official website explaining the classification of each day.
€19.50 (A), €27.00 (B), €32.50 (C) – 1 day
€34.00 (A), €48.50 (B), €59.00 (C) – 2 days
The Trails
The Blue Trail (il sentiero verde azzurro), including the Via dell’Amore, is the most famous of the paths and not too challenging. Most days, the path can be walked in either direction, starting from Monterosso or Riomaggiore. However, it’s important to note that when large numbers of visitors are expected, the Monterosso-Vernazza section becomes one-way. Check out the list of dates below.
For serious hikers or those wanting to escape the crowds, there’s a lot more to do in the park than just the Blue Trail linking the 5 villages. There are plenty of paths from each of the villages that will take you further up the cliff. Expect lots of steps (some really big ones). These will take you through vineyards and reward you with some amazing views. Hiking boots and poles are advisable.
On paths above each of the villages is a sanctuary. The well-marked trails depart from the villages below, taking you along rocky pathways with some stunning views.
Portovenere isn’t on the train line, and while you can get there by ferry, this doesn’t compare with the beauty of the walk from Riomaggiore. Following the rocky path along the clifftop, it’ll take you about 5hrs to reach Portovenere. There are plenty of places to stop along the way and regular ferries that will get you back to your accommodation.
Hiking trails across Italy are marked with red and white signs that are easy to follow when you know which number path you want to be on. The official website lists all the paths in the park, including any maintenance that is ongoing. Always check the list before you go hiking in Cinque Terre to be sure that the path you want to walk is open.
Safety
Since 2019, visitors who want to walk the trails need to have the right footwear. Too many visitors were getting into difficulty because they weren’t wearing the right shoes and needed to be rescued.
Bring closed shoes with a proper grip (no flipflops or smooth soles). Park staff check your footwear and hand out fines to anyone violating the rules. Sneakers are fine for the Blue Trail, but for the more challenging paths, hiking boots are best.
When high visitor numbers are expected, the path from Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza becomes one-way to avoid congestion. Dates announced so far for 2025 are: April 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, May 1, 29, 31, June 1, 2.
There will be extra staff on these days to keep everyone visiting Cinque Terre safe on the narrow paths. Make sure you have the right shoes and ticket so there are no unpleasant surprises on the day.
Top Tips for Visiting Cinque Terre
- Bring the right equipment. If you plan on walking, pack sensible shoes, season-appropriate clothes and hiking poles
- Prepare for the weather. In summer, you might be walking in 100ºF (38ºC) heat; if it’s been raining, the paths could be slippery. Check what the weather will be like before you go so you can prepare.
- Get the right pass. To access the Blue Trail, you need to buy the Cinque Terre Card. If you want to visit some or all of the villages by train, get the Cinque Terre Treno Card.
- Listen to your body. The heat can be hard on your body. Rest frequently, stay in the shade when possible, use suncream and a sunhat and drink lots of water. Carry electrolyte replacements in case you become dizzy and avoid walking during the hottest part of the day.
- Bring a comfortable backpack that will fit a 1lt water bottle, snacks and suncream.
- Respect the park. With the huge numbers of people visiting Cinque Terre every day, protecting the environment and the people who live here are challenging tasks. Treat Cinque Terre like any national park at home – keep the noise down, take your trash with you, don’t damage nature or buildings.
