Location: Liguria, Italy, in the West of La Spezia Province
Includes: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore – all five villages have colorful houses and vineyards cling to steep terraces, until recent they were linked only by mule tracks and were accessible only by rail or water
✓ UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription since 1997
✓ popular tourist destination noted for its beauty, high season starts after Easter weekend and lasts through October, the rainiest month is November – low season
MONTEROSSO
✓ the biggest of the five towns with the most amenitites
✓ has the only long and sandy beach in the area
✓ divided in two parts marked by the medieval tower of Aurora; the new part of the town – Fegina – is full of life and dominated by the famous statue of the Giant that represents Neptune, the God of the Sea
VERNAZZA
✓ has a natural pier with an amphitheatre shape making it the most photographed village from Cinque Terre
✓ is probably the most characteristic out of the five towns and is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy
✓ there is a small sandy beach where you can take a swim and a stony beach on the east side of the village
CORNIGLIA
✓ located in the middle of the five towns, the only village that is not built directly on the sea, but on a cliff 100 m above sea level
✓ probably the most genuine town of the five and with the least amount of tourists
✓ has a long and rich agricultural tradition, the village is surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terraces
MANAROLA
✓ built on a high rock 70 m above sea level, is one of the most charming and romantic of the Cinque Terre villages
✓ starts the famous path Via dell’ Amore (Lover’s Lane) which is a very scenic path that leads you to Riomaggiore in just 20 min
✓ there is no traditional beach, however there is a beautiful harbour area that has the best deep-water swimming around
RIOMAGGIORE
✓ one of the most peaceful and quite villages of the Cinque Terre, is a cascade of multi-coloured houses in the typical Ligurian style
What to see?
✓ The Church of San Giovanni Battista – located in the main square of the old town of Monterosso, has a Gothic – Genovese style
✓ The San Francesco Church in Monterosso – major art works are kept such as Crucifixion
✓ The Statue of the Giant, Il Gigante, in Monterosso
✓ The Statue of San Benedetto d’Assisi in Monterosso in the old town side
✓ The Soviore Sanctuary in Monterosso – 400 m above sea level
✓ The medieval castle Belforte in Vernazza
✓ The Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia in Vernazza built on the rocks overlooking the sea
✓ The Tower of the Doria Castle
✓ The Parish of San Pietro in Corniglia
✓ The Oratory of Santa Caterina in Corniglia
✓ The Church of San Lorenzo in Manarola and the defence tower
✓ Via dell’ Amore in Riomaggiore
✓ The Castle of Riomaggiore
✓ The Sanctuary of Madonna di Montenero in Riomaggiore
Where to stay?
✓ La Mala (Vernazza) – antique Ligurian house converted in elegant rooms de charme with breathtaking view for a great budget, located in the heart of Vernazza, 4 min walk from the train station, 1 min away from Castle Doria; got a 9.2 score on Booking and they actually price match!
✓ La Spiaggia (Monterosso) – across the street from the beach, 2 min walk from Monterosso train station; it got an excellent location score 9.8 (with a 9 overall score) and the meals here are highly recommended; it’s one of the couple’s favorite and offers free private parking!
✓ Hotel Marina Piccola (Manarola) – 6 min walk from Manarola train station, cozy inn just above the harbour; overall score 9, offers great food and couples particularly like the location – they rated it 9.8 for a two-person trip!
✓ Ostello (Corniglia) – when you are on a budget (super budget friendly) or if you plan a trip by yourself, located at the top of the village; got 8.2 overall score and 8.9 for a two-person trip
✓ La Toretta Lodge (Manarola) – 5 star service, extraordinary views, luxurious rooms, located in the centre of Manarola; offers a free aperitif every evening and a free hot tub! It’s rated 9.5 from couple’s perspective and got 9.3 overall score. They also price match!
Where to eat?
✓ Il Pescato Cucinato (Riomaggiore) – probably the best spot in Riomaggiore popular for delicious, fresh fried seafood
✓ Trattoria Da Billy (Manarola) – way up at the top of the town and hidden on a little laneway, it’s considered one of the best restaurants in Cinque Terre with breathtaking view
✓ Alberto Gelateria (Corniglia) – Cinque Terre’s best gelatto
✓ Il Pirata delle Cinque Terre – the best breakfast spot in Vernazza, Italian-style meaning delicious fresh pastries and coffee, their famous cannoli is a must-try
✓ Trattoria Da Oscar (Montrosso) – behind Piazza Matteoti, in the heart of the old town of Monterosso, popular for their delicious bread, seafood pasta and fresh caprese salad
Nightlife in Cinque Terre
People don’t come here for the nightlife, that’s for sure. The vacation here is more about exploring, hiking, dining out, beach time and water sports. However, you can still have fun after dark around a handful of bars that stay open late, seasonal concerts, cultural events and beach parties.
Bars:
✓ The beach bars of Monterosso – Fegina Beach in the new section of the town
✓ La Scuna, Corniglia – solid selection of beer, wine and cocktails plus a terrace with a view you would die for, opened until midnight
✓ Bar O’Netto, Riomaggiore – close to a dive bar, opened until 1 am
✓ Vertical Lounge Bar, Riomaggiore – great cocktails, terrace, opened to midnight
✓ Ananasso Bar, Vernazza – cocktails and aperitivo, crowded terrace, opened to midnight
Travel Tips
✓ If you want to avoid the heat or if you plan to hike, plan your vacation in May or September
✓ For an authentic takeaway snack, look for friggitoria, where bite-sized seafood is piled into a paper cone
✓ If you won’t stay in the town, keep an eye on the clock, the last train connecting the town leaves at 11 pm.
This was our short and sweet “virtual” walk through Cinque Terre, let me know if you’ve been there or is on your bucket list and don’t be too shy to leave your feedback.
Source of pics:
9 made up travel words that describe our travel feels – Hostelworld
Corniglia, Cinque Terre – Here’s Why You Should Climb 382 Steps (kevmrc.com)
ced73c712972ec339be26658f5dce50d.jpg (1078×1216) (pinimg.com)
Yours Sincerely, Thea 
