Italy · Region
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is a string of five pastel-hued fishing villages clinging to Liguria's cliffs, linked by centuries-old footpaths and terraced vineyards above the Mediterranean. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and national park, its car-free villages and dramatic coastal scenery make it one of Italy's most distinctive - and most photographed - regions.
Top attractions
attraction Castello San Giorgio: Cinque Terre Travel Guide (4.4★)
Castello San Giorgio sits above La Spezia, not in one of the five Cinque Terre villages themselves, making it an easy add-on day trip via the train line that serves both. 4.4★ (3,308 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Parco Naturale Regionale di Porto Venere: Cinque Terre Travel Guide
Parco Naturale Regionale di Porto Venere covers the headland, coastline and islands around Porto Venere village, just south of the Cinque Terre, and it's open 24 hours every day with no ticket gate at the entrance. 4.7★ (9,795 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre: Travel Guide (4.7★)
Cinque Terre National Park is five cliffside villages — Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore — linked by hiking trails, trains and boats along Liguria's protected coast. 4.7★ (46,756 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Hidden gems
hidden gem Punta Mesco: Cinque Terre Travel Guide (4.7★)
Punta Mesco is the wooded headland at the western end of Monterosso al Mare in the Cinque Terre. From the top you can see the coastline of all five villages. 4.7★ (319 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
hidden gem Sentiero Monterosso - Vernazza: Cinque Terre Travel Guide
The Monterosso–Vernazza leg is the classic first stretch of the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail): about 3.3km, 1.5–2 hours of climbing and descending between vineyards and cliffside sea views. 4.5★ (1,414 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Top-rated things to do in Cinque Terre
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Where to stay in Cinque Terre
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Frequently asked questions about Cinque Terre
How do I get to Cinque Terre?
Most travellers fly into Genoa (GOA) or Pisa (PSA) airports, then connect by bus or shuttle train to the nearest mainline rail station before catching a regional train toward La Spezia or Levanto. From there, the local Cinque Terre Express train - running along the Genoa–La Spezia line - links all five villages in just a few minutes each, and is by far the easiest way in since roads into the villages are extremely limited.
How many days should I spend in Cinque Terre?
Plan on ~2-3 days to walk between the villages at a relaxed pace, swim, and linger over harbor-side meals, though a single long day by train can still hit the highlights of all five towns.
What is Cinque Terre known for?
Cinque Terre is a string of five pastel-hued fishing villages clinging to Liguria's cliffs, linked by centuries-old footpaths and terraced vineyards above the Mediterranean. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and national park, its car-free villages and dramatic coastal scenery make it one of Italy's most distinctive - and most photographed - regions.