Cinque Terre National Park, located along the northern coast of western Italy, is an enchanting section of villages worthy of any Italian summer bucket list. One of Italy’s 25 national parks, Cinque Terre is a popular vacation spot on the Italian coast. In my opinion, it can be best described as the Amalfi Coast of northern Italy. It’s famous for its spectacular views, charming villages, and colorful houses. If you’re planning a trip to Cinque Terre National Park, I’ve outlined a few tips for your vacation, plus my top ten things to do in Cinque Terre.
About Cinque Terre National Park
Cinque Terre National Park is comprised of five coastal villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Monterosso and Vernazza were the first villages to be established within Cinque Terre, and these villages can be traced back to the Romage Age. Cinque Terre as a whole, however, has its earliest mention in the 11th century, and was originally described as “the five castles.”
Initially isolated, Cinque Terre gained connectivity through trails, railways, and roads in the late 1800s. In 1999, it became a national park. Cinque Terre is now a beloved tourist destination, celebrated for its breathtaking scenery, hiking trails, fresh seafood, and Italian charm.
When To Visit Cinque Terre National Park
The best time to visit Cinque Terre National Park is between May and September. Of course, the summer months are also the busiest months to visit Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre is a summer destination after all! If you’d like to avoid crowds (or at least, experience fewer crowds), the best month to visit Cinque Terre is September. Crowds start to thin around mid-month, but the weather is still sunny and warm. We visited at the end of August (this was just a few months after the “end” of covid though, so travel had not completely picked up yet) and the weather was great. Visiting just a few weeks after August should offer virtually the same weather but a lot less people!
Below are some temp highs and lows of the recommended months to Cinque Terre:
- May: High of ºF/22ºC and low of ºF/15ºC
- June: High of ºF/26ºC and low of ºF/18ºC
- July: High of ºF/29ºC and low of ºF/20ºC
- August: High of ºF/28ºC and low of ºF/20ºC
- September: High of ºF/25ºC and low of ºF/17ºC
Helpful Tips for Visiting Cinque Terre National Park
Language
As I’ve mentioned, Cinque Terre National Park is a huge tourist destination. This means most places, such as restaurants, boat tours, hotels, and even some grocery stores will speak English. While it is nice to know a few common phrases such as hello, thank you, goodbye, etc., not speaking Italian will not be a stressor when visiting Cinque Terre.
Duration
We spent 6 full days exploring Cinque Terre. This was more than enough, and if you’re looking for a relaxing vacation, I thought this amount of days in Cinque Terre was perfect. We visited one village a day + a day trip to Portofino, and we had an extra day to return to our favorite spots — all at a very leisurely pace. If you’re looking to travel at a faster pace, this trip could definitely be shortened. I have had friends who visited Cinque Terre National Park in as little as 1-3 days, and 3 days is generally the sweet spot for visiting Cinque Terre. Ultimately, it is up to you and how leisurely you want to spend your vacation! If I were to shorten my trip, I would skip a visit to Corniglia and the day trip to Portofino.
10 Things To Do and See in Cinque Terre National Park
#1 Visit Vernazza Port Beach
The harbor of Vernazza is home to a small sandy beach that is perfect for a swim. The surrounding area also has many large, flat rocks that are great for sunbathing, and you’ll find many people spread out across the rocks around the water. I recommend getting to Vernazza early to snag a spot, as this popular swimming spot gets full fairly quickly. When we arrived at noon the beach was already filled up, and many of the comfortable spots around the harbor were taken.
Sunbathing on rocks is the norm in Cinque Terre. There aren’t many sandy beaches, but the rocky terrain provides plenty of large, flat (ish) rocks to set up camp. Plus, you don’t have to worry about getting sand everywhere! While rocks aren’t the most comfortable to sunbathe on, there are ways to make the most of it.
Tips to Enjoying the Rocky Beaches of Cinque Terre National Park
Below is a small list of things I recommend bringing to virtually any swimming spot in Cinque Terre.
- Towels – Hopefully your hotel or Airbnb will provide some, but this microfiber one is compact and dries quickly.
- Portable beach chair – this is a little extra, but if you have room in your suitcase, something like this can make it easier to make a not-so-comfortable spot very comfortable. This allows for more flexibility if you show up during peak hours.
- Inflatable beach chair – cheaper option than the above, and likely a lot more portable.
- Inflatable Pool Mat – another idea to the above is to simply buy a pool mat and stick it under your towel.
- Swim shoes – not only do the stones get hot without shoes, but getting into the water can prove to be uncomfortable without some extra help.
#2 Indulge in Locally Caught Seafood
The region of Liguria, where Cinque Terre is located, is known for its seafood. Though Cinque Terre didn’t necessarily start as fishing villages, there is a strong tradition of fishing that has been built up over centuries. In particular, Cinque Terre is known for its anchovies, and the fishermen of Cinque Terre are experts in catching these small fish. You will find anchovies threaded into the local cuisine — in pasta, fried with lemon, stuffed, and on pizzas and focaccia — anchovies are hard to miss when visiting these coastal towns.
Street Food
In every village, you’ll find a few shops that offer fritto misto or mixed fried plate. The contents vary, but it usually consists of anchovies, squid, veggies, and other various “catches of the day.” Throughout the streets of the villages, you’ll see people carrying cups of fritto misto around lunchtime. The best thing about this lunch is it is not only delicious but affordable, and the portions are more than enough to tie you over for dinner.
Trattoria dal Billy Manarola
Address: Via A. Rollandi, 122, 19017 Manarola SP, Italy
There are many restaurants throughout Cinque Terre that are delicious, but there was only one that stood out on our trip. By chance, Trattoria dal Billy Manarola was next to our Airbnb and was recommended by our host. After our meal, I realized just how much of a gem this find was. Trattoria dal Billy Manarola is a seafood restaurant located in the hills of Manarola. Not only is the food amazing (and copious, as you can see from the photos), but if you can snag a seat on the terrace, you can enjoy a seaside view of the cliffs of Manarola. When it comes to navigating the menu — I especially recommend getting the 12-plate antipasto, a 12-plate sampler of their best seafood specialties. Make reservations ahead of time as the restaurant, especially their outdoor seating tends to get booked out. To book, you will likely have to call the restaurant. You can find their number on their Google Maps listing.
Link to their menu here
#3 Take in the Views of Manarola
Manarola is one of the most photographed villages in Cinque Terre National Park. The views of Manarola are exactly the sort of photos you see in postcards, so don’t miss a chance to take in the scenery of this beautiful village. This view point is by no means a hidden gem, so know that it will be a little crowded, especially as people start to come in for the sunset.
You can find the viewpoint here on Google Maps. The walk follows a narrow fenced path that has views up throughout the short walk. The area is also home to Nessun Dorma, a popular restaurant with a terrace that has the same view of Manarola. We didn’t go as the wait was too long, but you can queue in a digital line via their app. You can find the directions for this here.
Another thing to note about Nessun Dorma is the experiences they offer. Again, we didn’t book anything here because they were fully booked, but I have heard amazing reviews of their pesto experience. The whole experience is 2 hours and is only 80 euro a person — which I would consider a deal given the popularity of their classes, the lunch included, and the fact that you can enjoy the spectacular view. It is definitely a 3 in one experience, and the best way to make the most of your time in Manarola!
#4 See Cinque Terre by Boat
A common theme with any of my summer vacation to-do lists is a boat tour, and Cinque Terre is no exception! Especially with the stunning views Cinque Terre has to offer, seeing the rugged landscape and the colorful villages from the sea is a necessity. There are a lot of boat experiences within Cinque Terre, but one type that I highly recommend is a sunset boat tour. The sunset from the sea is incredible, and is a perfect way to end your day after a long day at the beach.
Boat Tour Options
We booked a sunset boat tour to see the coast and had a blast. Our boat had only about 8 others on it, which made for a pretty intimate/chill tour. We were told to bring our swimsuits, and I’m so glad we did. Our captain stopped in the middle of the sea and as it turns out, my husband and I were the only ones to bring our swimsuits! We had the Ligurian Sea all to ourselves and were even given goggles to see the schools of fish passing by. Below I’ve linked our boat tour, plus a few other options to consider when booking a boat tour in Cinque Terre:
- Sunset Cinque Terre Boat Tour with a traditional ligurian gozzo from Monterosso (€125 per person, 2hr30 – this is the tour we booked!)
- Cinque Terre Sunset Boat Tour Experience (€133.34 per person, 3hrs/10ppl max)
- Relaxing Boat Tour with Aperitif in Cinque Terre (€100 per person, 2hr3/doesn’t mention max but reviews seem like it is 10 ppl max)
#5 Take in the Views at Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is one of the busier Cinque Terre villages and is also the most populated village with over 1500 residents. Riomaggiore is often a base for many visitors as it has more choices for eating, drinking, and shopping. You’ll need to dedicate one full day to visiting Riomaggiore, as there is plenty to see and do here. You can go out for a swim at Spiaggia di Riomaggiore (which I talk more about next), check out the views from Castello di Riomaggiore, or even go diving in one of its 8 diving spots.
Cinque Terre’s only diving center is located in Riomaggiore. Diving 5 Terre, provides trips out to these spots and caters to both novice and expert divers looking to explore the coast of Cinque Terre
#6 Take a Dip at Spiaggia di Riomaggiore
This was one of my favorite beaches in Cinque Terre National Park, so much so that we came here twice. Despite how rocky the beach is (as you can see in the photos) the water here is just unreal, and it didn’t feel nearly as busy as some of the other swimming spots. There were also a lot of fish in this area, so we rented some goggles from a nearby shop and spent the day snorkeling.
Spiaggia di Riomaggiore, also known as Spiaggia del Paese, is located in Riomaggiore, and you have to walk down a few flights of stairs to get down to the beach. Make sure to dress comfortably for the walk down and your time on the beach. I also recommend bringing water shoes as this will make navigating the beach much easier. The rocks are pretty big, so I wouldn’t say it is impossible to walk into the water, but swim shoes make the experience 10x better.
#6 Swim in Manarola Marina
There aren’t any beaches in Manarola, but you can swim in the marina. Many people come here and post up on the bridge that jets out into the water. The water is pretty deep here, so there is no gradual entrance into the water that you’d get with a typical beach. Instead, people will jump from the various rock formations around the bridge. However, there is a small ladder at the end of the “bridge” to enter a section of the marina for those less daring.
If you’re in Cinque Terre National Park on a family vacation and have small children, Manorola Marina is a spot I’d skip since it isn’t exactly an “easy” swimming spot. However, if you don’t need to worry about the safety of small ones, Manarola Marina makes for a perfect morning or afternoon dip in the Ligurian Sea. I’d recommend coming here early as there isn’t much space on this “bridge” and it tends to fill up pretty quickly.
#7 Monterosso al Mare
Monterosso al Mare is one of the few sandy beaches of Cinque Terre National Park. For the beach clubs peppered along the beach, expect to pay at least €20 – €30 to rent an umbrella and two sunbeds for the day. I recommended having this in cash just in case. Note that these prices can be higher in the peak summer months as well.
I liked Monterosso Beach, and while it is convenient, it wasn’t my favorite beach spot. We were in Monterosso because that was where our boat tour was departing for our sunset cruise, so we thought we’d dedicate a beach day to the Monterosso beach because it was so heavily recommended in our research. I much prefer the water in the various swim spots around Cinque Terre, and there is a certain charm to the rugged landscape and the cerulean water that surrounds it. Monterosso is beautiful, but just doesn’t have that same charm! I’d recommend coming here if you’re looking for an easy, convenient beach stay in Monterosso.
#8 Catch a Sunset in Manarola
I’ve already alluded to the sunset in Manarola a few times, and there are quite a few places in Manarola to catch this stunning view. We were lucky enough to have the view above from the comfort of our Airbnb, and we spent multiple dinners out on our terrace enjoying the sunset. You can’t go wrong with many spots in Manarola for a sunset view, but the absolute best is the view from Nessun Dorma, a restaurant located near the popular view point of Manarola.
If you’re looking to have a more private view of the sunset, you can book our Airbnb here. This Airbnb is perfect for two people and is equipped with a terrace overlooking Manarola. Nothing beats being able to enjoy a wonderful sunset from the convenience and privacy of your own terrace!
#9 Go for a Hike on the Blue Trail
There are many hiking trails around Cinque Terre National Park, and the coastal Blue Trail (Sentiero Azzurro) from Monterosso al Mare to Corniglia is the most popular. This trail used to connect all 5 villages, but a landslide in 2011 destroyed a section of the hike that connected Corniglia to the rest of the villages.
To hike anywhere in Cinque Terre, you need to purchase the Cinque Terre Trekking Card, which gives you access to all footpaths and costs for one day 7.50 euros or 15 euros on high peak days. You can buy your card at any train station in Cinque Terre, but if you want to skip the lines, you can also buy your Cinque Terre Trekking Card online here.
For the part of the Blue Trail that is still accessible, you will hike from Corniglia – Vernazza (1h45) and Vernazza – Monterosso (2h15). If you have a decent level of fitness, this hike should be fine, but note that this is still a hike you want to arrive prepared for. Don’t hike without sneakers, a water bottle, and sunscreen! In fact, it is a legal requirement to wear closed footwear to be able to hike the trail. I also recommend starting the hike as early as possible to avoid the summer heat as much as possible.
#10 Drink Cinque Terre Wine
I mentioned earlier that Cinque Terre did not start as a cluster of fishing villages. Instead, Cinque Terre started with great wine makers!
About a millennium ago, settlers established villages on the hills above the Cinque Terre. The farmers who settled in this area were unfamiliar with fishing, and wine trade served as their primary livelihood. Although the steep terrain made cultivation challenging, the favorable climate enabled the cultivation of vines and olive trees. By the 1300s, wine, particularly the esteemed white “Vernaccia,” became the cornerstone of prosperity for these villages.
There are two main local wines: the Cinque Terre DOC and the Sciacchetrà DOC. Most restaurants in the area will have both types of wine, but for a fuller experience, you could also join a wine-tasting tour, like the ones I’ve listed below.
- Manarola: Cinque Terre Wine Tasting (1 hour, 30 euros per person)
- Cinque Terre: Wine Tasting in Monterosso (1 hour, 25 euros per person)
- Vineyard tour & wine tasting (2 hours, 55 euros per person)
