Best Things to Do in Cinque Terre

1. Riomaggiore

The starting point for most visitors to Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore is a romantic village of vibrantly colored buildings scattered across sheer cliffs. The buildings tower above the small harbor of the village, hugging the sides of the ravine the town sits upon.

Travelers to the southernmost village of Cinque Terre can explore the tiny harbor, eat at the many local seafood restaurants, or take in the stunning views of the sea and village at sunset. Riomaggiore is also known for its smaller cliffs around the water where travelers test their merit by jumping off of the cliffs into the crystal clear waters below.

2. Punta Bonfiglio View Point

Punta Bonfiglio is one of the best viewpoints in Cinque Terre. You can capture some of the most stunning views of Manarola from this spot as you make your way down the Cinque Terre Trail between Manarola and Corniglia. For those needing a break or wish to enjoy the sights a little longer, there is a playground and cafe next to the trail for you to enjoy.

3. Corniglia

The only Cinque Terre village without direct sea access and surrounded by lush vineyards, Corniglia sits atop a 100 meter high bluff. Corniglia is considered the “quietest” village of the five and is the central town of the region. Noted for its pastel colored buildings and small streets, the village provides a romantic getaway.

Visitors can either take the easy or hard way to get to Corniglia. There is a shuttle bus that transports you from the nearby rail station or you can take the Lardarina. The Lardarina is a 377- step stairway that winds itself up the bluff from the train station to the village.

4. Footpath Monterosso

The Footpath Monterosso is a 2.2-mile path between Monterrosso and Vernazza. The path winds its way through vineyards, orchards, and right next to the cliffside. Make sure to take plenty of breaks to check out the amazing views off the cliffs or of the surrounding vineyards. But make sure to watch your step, parts of the path are narrow and very close to the edge of the bluffs making some areas precarious.

5. Parco Nazionale Cinque Terre

Stretching across 9,500 acres of Italian coastline, the Parco Nazionale Cinque Terre encompasses the five towns that make up Cinque Terre. With over 4,000 inhabitants living in this small area, the park is one of the most populated national parks in Italy. The park is a World Heritage Site and considered a Park of Man.

For over a thousand years, humans have changed the landscape of this region to grow crops, build villages, and make a life upon. The national park also includes the Cinque Terre Trails that go between the villages and the rest of the park.

6. Church of San Francesco

Sitting atop a hill that acts as a dividing point between new Monterosso and old Monterosso, the Church of San Francesco is an important religious and cultural site. Noted for its striped facade, the abbey and church were built in the Byzantine style during the 1600s. The church and abbey are a testament to the varied religious history of the region.

7. Monterosso’s Beaches

While Cinque Terre isn’t known for its beaches, there are a couple in Monterosso you can visit. Monterosso is made up of two sides, the new and old side. Each side of the village has its own stretch of beach. The new side, Fegina, has a traditional beach with soft sand and umbrellas. As where the beach near the older part of the town, Vecchio, is smaller, but also includes chairs and umbrellas for you to use.

Visitors will have to pay for an umbrella and beach chair since both beaches are private. There is a tunnel that connects both beaches so you can easily hop back and forth between the two.

8. Doria’s Castle

One of the top attractions in Cinque Terre, Doria’s Castle sits right outside of Vernazza, just above the harbor. The castle was built during the 12th century as a strategic point for Genoa’s war with Pisa. Today you can walk around the ruins of the castle or climb to the top of the tower to see the panoramic views of Vernazza and the Mediterranean.

9. Via dell’ Amore

Cinque Terre’s Via dell’ Amore (“Lovers’ Lane”) is the most famous stretch of walking path in the Cinque Terre Trail. Situated between the villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola, the .6 mile section winds its way next to the cliffside while providing hikers with the best views of the vineyards, cliffsides, and towns of Cinque Terre. The path was recently renovated and now includes guardrails and benches along the way. There is an entrance fee to walk the path, but if you buy a Cinque Terre Card to hike the trails, the fee is included.