The Beautiful Villages in Cinque Terre, Italy

BOOK HOTEL IN CINQUE TERRE TOURS AND THINGS TO DO IN CINQUE TERRE

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‘Cinque Terre’ means ‘Five Lands’, and the five lands the name refers to are the five beautiful villages that dot the coastline on this section of the Italian Riviera.

The Cinque Terre villages are one of the most famous and popular destinations on the Italian Riviera. Although there are some similarities, each town has its unique charm and appeal.

Destination

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Thu 28 Sep 2023

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Fri 29 Sep 2023

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Cinque Terre Hiking Trails

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Many small hiking trails rise from the villages and crisscross the cliffs along this rugged stretch of coastline.

Most of these trails can be hiked for no fee, but if you want to take the Blue Trail (Sentiero Azzurro) that links all five villages together, there is a small fee to pay.

You don’t have to hike the whole length in one go, and in fact, walking from one village to the next and then staying the night is a great way to get to see each of the Five Lands.

Monterosso al Mare

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Monterosso is the most individual of the five villages and the most touristy.

It has more of a beach resort feel because it features a nice beach, and the buildings don’t rise as steeply up the cliffs as they do in the other villages.

It also has the most places to stay out of the five villages, Over 40 different accommodation options, and they include some of the largest hotels within the national park.

So, Monterosso could make a good base for you while exploring The Five Lands if you want a more extensive selection of places to stay and dining options.

Check the overview of hotels here

Vernazza

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The next village south from Monterosso is Vernazza.

The village is beautiful with its brightly coloured buildings, tiny beach and harbour tucked into a small inlet.

Tourism is significant here too, but the commune remains an authentic fishing village and continues its centuries-long tradition of making wine and olive oil.

Lovely sights here, including the Doria Castle, built in the 15th century as a lookout tower, and the tiny Chapel of Santa Marta.

If you’re feeling energetic, a popular hike takes you up a steep trail from Vernazza to the Sanctuary of Madonna di Reggio. Walking there takes about an hour, but the views are fantastic.

Here are some excellent properties if you want to stay in Vernazza.

Corniglia

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The third village heading south along the Cinque Terre coastline is Corniglia.

This village is different because it’s not right on the coast but perched on a promontory overlooking it.

Like Vernazza, it features brightly coloured homes, and you wonder how they constructed the buildings and pathways so expertly onto the artificial terraces of the peninsula.

Of course, being above the coast, you can enjoy the incredible coastal views while vineyards further surround the village.

Visiting this village, you’ll need to be prepared for a climb as 382 steps are rising from the train station into the heart of the village!

You can find some cosy and typical Italian-style properties for your stay here in Corniglia.

Manarola

Monarola is the second smallest village of the Cinque Terre.

Again it features brightly coloured buildings set into the rising hillside, and as you wander the narrow streets, you’ll pass many a small fishing boat parked outside houses, just like cars would be in any other town!

Look for the water wheel in the village, and walk one of the popular Cinque Terre hikes called Via dell’Amore (meaning Love’s Trail).

It goes between Manarola and the next village to the south, Riomaggiore.

Not so many accommodation possibilities here, but a few nice ones.

Places to stay in Manarola.

Riomaggiore

The southernmost of the Cinque Terre villages is Riomaggiore.

The buildings rise up the hillsides from the coast almost in a ‘V’ formation, resulting in a narrow main central street that ends right at the water’s edge.

Here there’s a small boat launch from which the fishermen take their daily, often night-time, outings.

The main street is lined with several bars, restaurants, and shops, and Riomaggiore is second to Monterosso for its many places to stay.

Many properties are available in Riomaggiore, making this village another good base for exploring Cinque Terre.