The essentials of Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre, the treasure of Liguria

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The Cinque Terre (“the Five Lands”) refer to five villages clinging to the cliffs of the Ligurian coast: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. With their colorful houses on rocky spurs and vineyard terraces overlooking the Mediterranean, they are one of the most loved landscapes in Italy. The Cinque Terre National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.

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From Corsica, reaching Cinque Terre via the Cors'Express ferry is the most logical strategy. The ferry to Genoa from Bastia lasts 3 hours, and from Genoa a train connects La Spezia in 1 hour and 15 minutes, the main gateway to Cinque Terre. You can also go through Livorno and then take a train to La Spezia (1h15). The car is not recommended — the regional train connecting the villages every 30 to 60 minutes is the ideal way. To organize your visit, consult the Official site of the Cinque Terre National Park.

What to see and do in Cinque Terre

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The villages: Vernazza and Manarola

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Vernazza is generally considered to be the most beautiful of the five villages, with its natural harbor protected by a Genoese castle and its intensely colored houses. Manarola, famous for its terraced vineyards and its nocturnal reflections in the water, is quieter. Monterosso al Mare, the largest of the five, is the only one with a real sandy beach.

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The hiking trails

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Hiking is the main activity in Cinque Terre. The Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path) theoretically connects the five villages in 12 km (5-6 hours with breaks) — always check the condition of the trails on the Park website before leaving. La Cinque Terre Card gives access to trails and regional trains for the day.

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Snorkeling and boat trips

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Boat trips leave regularly from each village to admire the cliffs from the sea, with swimming stops in coves inaccessible by land.

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Excursions from Cinque Terre

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La Spezia, Porto Venere and Genova

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La Spezia, a logistics base in Cinque Terre, has a lively historic center. 10 km to the south, Porto Venere (UNESCO) is a fishing village with a Genoese citadel accessible in 25 minutes by bus. Consult our guide to Genova — the day after Cinque Terre can be spent there before taking the ferry again. Also find the The highlights of Portofino, one hour to the west by train. For accommodation, compare on Booking.com La Spezia.

How do you get from Genova to Cinque Terre?

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Located about 80 km south-east of Genoa, the villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are easily accessible. Here are the best options for planning your trip.

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Option 1: The train, ideal solution

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The train is the most efficient means of transport, as car traffic is almost impossible in the villages of Cinque Terre.

• Logistics: Join the station of Genova Piazza Principe (5-10 minutes from the port). Take a regional train or Intercity to La Spezia or Levanto.
• Journey: Get off at Monterosso (the first village) or Levanto to take the Cinque Terre Express, the rail shuttle that connects the 5 villages in a few minutes.
• Travel time: Environ 1:15.
• Advantages: Direct access to the heart of the villages, no worries about parking, and a breathtaking view of the sea from the train.

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Option 2: Car rental

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Ideal if you want to explore the Ligurian hinterland or stay on the heights of the Riviera.

• Logistics: Rent your vehicle directly at the port of Genova as soon as you leave the ferry.
• Itinerary: Take the highway A12 Direction Livorno and exit at Levanto or La Spezia.
• Travel time: Environ 1:20.
• Advantages: Total flexibility to discover the panoramas from the Corniche road, although it is then necessary to park on the outskirts of the villages.

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