Part of the Riviera di Levante east of Genoa, the Cinque Terre are a unique place, with landscapes blending nature and architecture. Five ancient villages are nestled along the rocky coast, between the Mediterranean maquis on one side, and on the other cliffs plunging into a crystalline sea, with their beautiful stratifications and caves.
This protected territory, including a marine area, has been listed as a Unesco World Heritage site since 1997, thanks to the particular charm of this balance between the natural beauties of the land and the sea, and the human constructions that have inscribed themselves into a hostile terrain.
From north to south, one finds the towns of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. The hinterland is characterized by restanques, terraces built on the hillside, supported by thousands of kilometres of walls to allow the cultivation of olive trees, vines or citrus fruits. Moreover, the wine produced in the Cinque Terre is prestigious and is exported all over the world.
How to visit the Cinque Terre
It is on foot and by train that it is recommended to discover the villages, with very beautiful paths linking the towns. The railway line that crosses the mountain is not accompanied by a road and access by car is difficult, the urban centres being enclosed and the car parks far from the centres. One can also easily discover the coast and the villages by sea.
The easiest way to visit by train is to start from the station of Levanto (to the west of the Cinque Terre), or from that of La Spezia (to the east). Offered, beyond simple journeys, are day passes to make stopovers, some of which are associated with entry to the park (since 2024, certain “classic” paths are subject to a fee).
The five villages
Each village has its own charm, with the northernmost Monterosso al Mare which above all has a large beach, but also a castle and a historic centre. Vernazza is already more picturesque, with a castle, its picturesque port and the pretty colourful houses. Then, Corniglia, which is the smallest village, stands out for its lack of access to the sea, dominating the coast from a rock accessible by a long staircase. The two towns of Manarola and Riomaggiore cling to the rocks or cliffs forming coves, with their colourful urban planning and picturesque alleys.
Beyond these five villages, the hinterland is of great beauty and counts several picturesque sites and hamlets, which paths – sometimes steep – allow one to discover.
Trails
A superb trail, the sentier Azzuro, links the five villages over nearly 12 km, although following a landslide, sections are cut off, including that of the Via dell’Amore (1 km) between Manarola and Riomaggiore, replaced by a steep path.
Another trail, the via dei Santuari links the sanctuaries perched on the summits (Sanctuary Nostra Signora di Montenero at Riomaggiore, Nostra Signora della Salute at Manarola, San Bernardino at Corniglia, Madonna di Reggio at Vernazza, Nostra Signora di Soviore at Monterosso).
One of the most beautiful routes is the one that goes from Levanto to Monterosso, less frequented and wilder than the others, with views both towards Levanto and the gulf, and towards the Cinque Terre.
To the south of the Cinque Terre, there is the Monesteroli staircase, a superb excursion, counting 1100 steps, in a bucolic setting to reach the small hamlet perched a few feet from the sea.
! New for 2023 : access to the main trails subject to a fee !
Weather in the Cinque Terre
Map
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Guided tours
Information
- Wikipedia page: en.wikipedia.org
- Unesco site: whc.unesco.org
- Timetables, fares and conditions for the trains: www.cinqueterre.eu.com
- Trenitalia railway company, Cinque Terre conditions: www.trenitalia.com
- Tourism portals: www.cinqueterre.it, www.10cose.it, www.visitcinqueterre.eu, www.parconazionale5terre.it
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