The Five Villages of Cinque Terre: Exploring the Beauty of Italy’s Coast

Cinque Terre is an Italian Riviera, found in the region of Liguria, that consists of five small villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Cinque Terre offers breathtaking views of the coast and includes hiking trails with beautiful waterfalls in between each village. Explore the beauty of this area through the blog.

Cinque Terre: An Overview

Cinque Terre is a group of five villages located on the coast of Italy. The villages are known for their scenic beauty and are popular tourist destinations. There are many things to do in Cinque Terre, including hiking, swimming, and exploring the villages. The natural beauty of Cinque Terre is one of its most enjoyable features.
As you walk along the narrow streets and alleyways, you’ll see natural beauty around every corner. Along with its natural beauty, there are other attractions that make Cinque Terre an enjoyable destination. The towns have several nice restaurants with beautiful views of the sea below them. They also have quaint hotels and guesthouses where you can stay while visiting this wonderful coastal town.
One thing to note about Cinque Terre is that it’s very popular. So much so, in fact, that there may be times when some of the beaches or trails become overcrowded. If you want a more serene experience, it might be best to visit during off-peak seasons like November or March.

Riomaggiore (the First Village)

The first village, Riomaggioreis the village in south in Cinque Terre. This village is picturesque and has many things to do. Visitors can take a scenic hike along the Via dell’Amore, enjoy the views from Castle Belforte, or go wine tasting at one of the local vineyards. Other things to do are visit Grotta di Nettuno for natural spelunking or book a boat tour on the Bay of La Spezia for an opportunity to see other villages from the water.
Riomaggiore is not only an excellent starting point for exploring all five villages but also has enough sightseeing on its own to warrant more than just one day visit.
Riomaggiore may be small but it packs in plenty!
There are restaurants galore (from authentic regional cuisine to international fast food), shops (from old-school Italian grocery stores to modern boutiques), gelato shops, bakeries and so much more. There’s even a museum dedicated to pasta making!

Manarola (the Second Village)

Like the other villages, it is brightly colored and picturesque. Manarola is known for its production of Sciacchetrà, a dessert wine. The village also has a number of hiking trails that offer stunning views of the coast.
Visitors to Manarola should not miss the opportunity to visit Montepertuso, where they can take in the sunset over vineyards on one side and seaside hills on the other. At La Grotta Azzurra, visitors can explore a cave from which an underwater stream emerges. Here, divers feed fish that come up to their hands while they are inside the cave. Another must-see attraction in Manarola is the Church of San Lorenzo.

Although closed during our visit, this church dates back to 1338 and was originally built by Andrea da Barga as a chapel for fishermen at sea. Outside the church, you will find mosaics depicting the entire history of Christianity from Genesis through Pentecost.

Corniglia (the Third Village)

If you’re looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the first two villages, Corniglia is the perfect place. This village is perched atop a cliff, offering stunning views of the Mediterranean. There are plenty of hiking trails to explore, as well as a few beaches.

The best part about Corniglia? It’s relatively quiet, so you can really enjoy the peace and beauty of this village. Plus, there are more than just a couple great restaurants here if you want to stay for lunch or dinner. A must-see in Corniglia is Via dell’Amore (the Lover’s Walk), where lovers leave locks behind as symbols of their love. Just like at Ponte di Piave in Riomaggiore, you’ll find couples walking hand-in-hand up and down the street, stopping occasionally to lock up another piece of history.
You might think that it’s creepy to watch people all around town with padlocks on, but after reading about the history and tradition behind them, it was fascinating! Walking through the streets of Corniglia without any thoughts in mind led me to experience a new way of life.

Vernazza (the Fourth Village)

Vernazza is one of the five villages that make up Cinque Terre. The castle was built in the 11th century to protect the village from pirates. Today, it is a popular spot for tourists to take photos.
Vernazza is also home to a small beach where you can swim and sunbathe. The views are some of the best in all of Cinque Terre. From there, you can see out to sea as well as inland over the vineyards and olive groves towards Monterosso al Mare. Vernazza has two main streets with cafes lining them, making it easy to explore without having to venture far.
You’ll find an abundance of shops offering hand-crafted goods like leather sandals, lace clothes, pottery, ceramics and handmade chocolates. There are several restaurants in town as well if you want to grab lunch or dinner before heading back to the train station. Vernazza is one of my favorite towns because it is so picturesque but still close enough to go on more adventures if I choose too!

If you’re looking for a perfect photo backdrop, this is the place to be. After exploring everything Vernazza has to offer (including taking a selfie at the waterfront), stop by Hotel Ristorante Guercio near the entrance of town for locally grown wine and pasta dishes.

Monterosso al Mare (the Fifth Village)

Monterosso al Mare is the fifth and final village of Cinque Terre. This picturesque village is known for its dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and sandy beaches. Visitors can enjoy plenty of activities such as swimming, sunbathing, and hiking.
Monterosso al Mare is also home to a number of delicious restaurants, making it the perfect place to enjoy a meal with a view. At this seaside town, there are plenty of quaint shops to explore including wine cellars, clothing boutiques, and art galleries. Tourists often end their day by spending time in one of the many gelato shops before heading back on the train to nearby Levanto or La Spezia where they will stay overnight.
One common misconception about visiting Cinque Terre is that it should be done all at once, but each of the villages offers something different to see. If you have more than one day in the area, I recommend splitting your time between three villages instead of trying to see them all in one go.

Activities

Hiking, Swimming, Sunbathing, Eating, Drinking
Cinque Terre is a must-see for anyone visiting Italy. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is made up of five villages perched atop cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The villages are connected by a series of hiking trails, making it the perfect place to explore on foot. In addition to its natural beauty, Cinque Terre is also home to some of the best food and wine in the country. Be sure to try locally grown Pecorino cheese at one of the many cheese shops found in each village, freshly caught fish at any restaurant, and vino at any enoteca (wine shop).
We recommend taking a break from all your exploring and trying one of the different hiking trails. One of our favorites was going from Monterosso to Vernazza which took us about an hour and led us past olive groves, vineyards, and scenic lookout points. Another great activity is swimming! The clear water off the coast is perfect for snorkeling or even just playing around in the waves as they crash against the shoreline.