Soggiorna
The Cinque Terre are five villages on the coast of eastern Liguria, between Levanto and La Spezia: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Since 1999 they have been a National Park and they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site: colourful houses clinging to the rock, terraced vineyards held up by dry-stone walls, and a sea that comes right up to the houses. This guide brings together what you need to plan your visit.
The five villages
From north to south, in the order the train from Levanto reaches them:
- Monterosso al Mare is the village with the widest beach. It is divided between the old village and Fegina, the district along the sea.
- Vernazza has the little harbour enclosed by colourful houses and the remains of the Doria castle.
- Corniglia is the only one not on the sea: it sits on top of a cliff, and from the station you climb 377 steps or take the shuttle.
- Manarola has houses rising sheer above the sea among terraced vineyards, and is one of the most photographed villages.
- Riomaggiore is the first for those arriving from La Spezia; the Via dell'Amore to Manarola starts here.
Corniglia belongs to the municipality of Vernazza, and Manarola to that of Riomaggiore.
Getting around
The train is the main way to travel. Regional trains between Levanto and La Spezia stop in every village, and it takes only a few minutes from one to the next. Roads are narrow and parking is scarce: if you come by car, it is better to leave it in La Spezia or Levanto. All the details, with car parks and rates, in the guide on how to get there and where to park.
Boats, in spring and summer, connect Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore, and arrive from La Spezia, Lerici and Portovenere. Corniglia has no landing.
The Park buses serve the inside of each village and its hamlets, for example from the station to the village of Corniglia, but they do not connect one village with another.
Which card you need
The Cinque Terre Card comes in two versions:
- Train Card: unlimited trains between Levanto and La Spezia, plus trails and buses. From 22 to 35 euros a day depending on the band, 17.30 euros from November.
- Trekking Card: trails and buses, no train. 10 euros a day, 15 on peak days.
Without a card, for non-residents of Liguria each train journey between two villages costs 5 to 10 euros. If you take the train more than four times in a day, or also walk the Sentiero Azzurro, you save with the Train Card.
The trails
- The Sentiero Azzurro links the five villages along the coast. The sections between Monterosso, Vernazza and Corniglia are paid and walked with the card.
- The Via dell'Amore, between Riomaggiore and Manarola, is open with a booking, one way, and is included in the card.
- The Park's other trails, towards the sanctuaries and inland, are free.
Landslides and works often close the trails, sometimes for months: always check their status on the National Park website before setting off.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the best seasons: it is warm enough to walk, and there are fewer crowds than in summer. Prices confirm it: in 2026 the Train Card costs more on high-crowding days, while in October almost every day is in the low band. In summer, in any village, the middle of the day is the busiest time: it is better to visit early in the morning or towards evening.
How much time you need
One day is enough for two or three villages, not all five. To see them calmly, and walk a section of trail too, you need two or three days. Itineraries and tips in the guide to the Cinque Terre by train.
Where to stay
You can stay in one of the five villages, with the atmosphere of the early morning and evening but with stairs, few services and high prices, or in a base with better connections: La Spezia, to the south, or Levanto, to the north, from where the train reaches the villages in a few minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the five villages of the Cinque Terre?
Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
What is the best way to visit the Cinque Terre?
By train: regional trains between Levanto and La Spezia stop in every village. With the Train Card travel is unlimited.
How many days do you need for the Cinque Terre?
One day for two or three villages; two or three days to see them all calmly and walk a section of trail.
Which village has the biggest beach?
Monterosso, with the beaches of Fegina and the old village.