By Blaise Jaeger · Updated October 14, 2026

The Cinque Terre, the “Five Lands”, are five fishing villages clinging to the cliffs of the Ligurian coast, in north-western Italy: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Their colourful houses, terraced vineyards and tiny harbours form one of the most photographed landscapes in Europe, protected as a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. No cars drive between them: the train, the boats and the footpaths link the villages.

I spent a day there in June 2025 with my friend Roy, between Pisa and Genoa. This guide follows that day: the train from La Spezia, the Via dell’Amore between Riomaggiore and Manarola, Monterosso and Vernazza, how the Cinque Terre Card works, what to do with your luggage, and where to stay.

Cinque Terre at a Glance

• Where: on the coast of Liguria, between La Spezia and Levanto, about 1 hour by train from Pisa and 1 h 30 from Genoa.
• The five villages, from south to north: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare.
• Getting around: regional trains run along the coast between La Spezia and Levanto and stop in every village; the ride between two villages takes a few minutes.
• Ticket: the Cinque Terre Treno Card gives unlimited trains for the day, access to the park trails and the Via dell’Amore with a reserved time slot.
• How long: one long day for four or five villages, two or three days to hike the trails and enjoy the evenings once the day-trippers have left.
• Best time: May, June and September; July and August are hot and very crowded.

My Day in the Cinque Terre

On the morning of Monday, June 2, 2025, Roy and I took the 8:50 AM Frecciargento from Pisa and arrived in La Spezia at 9:37 AM. We left our suitcases at a luggage storage in La Spezia, and with the Cinque Terre Card for unlimited trains, took the first train to Riomaggiore, the southernmost village.

Riomaggiore and the Via dell’Amore

We were in Riomaggiore around 10:15 AM. From the top of the village, the view plunges over the rooftops to the sea. Then we walked the Via dell’Amore, the famous “Path of Love”, cut into the cliff above the sea between Riomaggiore and Manarola. It reopened in 2024 after years of closure, and access now requires a ticket with a reserved time slot. It is only about 1 km long, flat and paved, and the views along the cliff are spectacular. It was the only part of the day we did on foot.

Manarola

The path ends at Manarola station, where the trains run on a narrow ledge between the cliff and the sea. Manarola is the most photographed village of the Cinque Terre: its pastel houses are piled on a rocky spur above a tiny harbour. We stopped for a spritz and bruschetta on a terrace facing the village, then walked down to the rocks below, where many people were swimming. With the crowds that day, we did not go in.

Monterosso al Mare

Back on the train, we went north to Monterosso, the largest village and the only one with a long sandy beach, lined with rows of blue umbrellas. Its old town, behind the beach, is full of narrow streets, shops and restaurants.

Vernazza

We reached Vernazza in the early afternoon and spent part of the afternoon there. It is, for many, the most beautiful of the five: a small harbour with fishing boats, a little beach, the church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia right on the water and colourful houses all around. In the late afternoon, we took the train back to La Spezia to pick up our suitcases, then rode up the coast to Levanto for our evening train to Genoa.

Corniglia

Corniglia is the only village not on the sea: it sits on a headland about 100 metres above the water, reached from its station by a long staircase or a shuttle bus. We did not have time to stop there.

How to Get Around the Cinque Terre

By train

The train is the easiest way to move between the villages. Regional trains run along the coast between La Spezia and Levanto, with a stop in each of the five villages; the ride between two neighbouring villages takes 2 to 5 minutes, and in season there are trains every 15 to 30 minutes. Many stations are partly in tunnels, so watch the announcements: the platforms are crowded and the trains stop briefly.

The Cinque Terre Card

The Cinque Terre Treno Card covers unlimited regional trains between La Spezia and Levanto for the day, access to the national park trails, the park buses and the public toilets in the villages. Its price depends on the season, €32.50 in high season in 2025. It pays off as soon as you take several trains in a day, which was our case. Buy it online or at the stations of La Spezia, Levanto and the villages; see the Cinque Terre National Park website.

On foot

The Sentiero Azzurro, the “Blue Path”, links the villages along the coast. The stretches between Monterosso and Vernazza and between Vernazza and Corniglia are the most popular, each about 2 hours of walking with steep steps. The Via dell’Amore is the easiest section, flat and short, but it requires a reserved time slot. Some trails close after heavy rain: check their status on the park website before you go.

By boat

In season, ferries link Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore with Levanto, La Spezia and Portovenere. The boat is slower than the train but offers the best view of the villages from the sea.

Leaving Your Luggage in La Spezia

If you arrive with suitcases, as we did, do not drag them into the villages: the stations are crowded, the streets are steep and full of steps, and the trains are packed. We left ours at a luggage storage in La Spezia in the morning and picked them up in the late afternoon, before continuing our trip. Plan the time to go back to La Spezia at the end of the day.

Getting to the Cinque Terre

• From Pisa: about 1 hour by train to La Spezia. We took the 8:50 AM Frecciargento and arrived at 9:37 AM. See my Pisa travel guide.
• From Florence: about 2 to 2 h 30 by train to La Spezia, direct or with a change in Pisa. See my Florence itinerary.
• From Genoa and the north: trains run along the coast to Levanto and Monterosso. We did it the other way round, from Levanto to Genoa at 6:33 PM, in 1 h 20.
• Tickets: train times and prices can be compared on 12Go.

Best Time to Visit the Cinque Terre

The best months are May, June, September and early October: the weather is warm, the sea is swimmable and the trails are open. In July and August, the villages are packed with day-trippers and cruise passengers from late morning to late afternoon. We went at the beginning of June, under a perfect blue sky, but it was already very crowded around midday, especially in Manarola and Monterosso. In winter, it is quiet but many restaurants close and the ferries do not run.

Where to Stay in the Cinque Terre

• La Spezia: the most practical base, with more hotels, lower prices and direct trains to every village. See hotels in La Spezia.
• In the villages: mostly small guesthouses and apartments, often reached by steep steps, but the evenings are magical once the crowds leave. Monterosso has the most choice. See hotels in Monterosso and Manarola.
• Levanto: a quieter seaside town just north of Monterosso, at the end of the Cinque Terre line. See hotels in Levanto.

Practical Tips for the Cinque Terre

• Start early: the villages are calm before 10:00 AM and after 5:00 PM.
• Book the Via dell’Amore: the time slots sell out in high season.
• Shoes: even without hiking, the villages are steep; wear comfortable shoes with a good grip.
• Swimming: the beaches are small and rocky, except in Monterosso; bring a towel and water shoes.
• Water and sun: there is little shade on the trails and the station platforms; carry water and a hat.
• Respect the villages: people live here; keep your voice down in the alleys and take your rubbish with you.

Read More

• Italy travel guide: my trips and itineraries in Italy.
• Pisa travel guide: our stop the night before.
• Florence itinerary: the start of our Tuscan trip.
• Rome travel guide.

Cinque Terre FAQ

Where are the Cinque Terre?

The Cinque Terre are in Liguria, in north-western Italy, on the coast between La Spezia and Levanto, about 1 hour by train from Pisa.

Can you visit the Cinque Terre in one day?

Yes. With the train and an early start, you can see four or five villages in a day, as we did with Riomaggiore, Manarola, Monterosso and Vernazza. Two or three days are better if you want to hike.

Which is the most beautiful village of the Cinque Terre?

Manarola and Vernazza are the most photographed. Monterosso is the best for the beach, and Riomaggiore for the view over its rooftops.

Do you need the Cinque Terre Card?

It is worth it if you take several trains in a day or walk the trails and the Via dell’Amore. For a single train trip, a regular ticket is enough.

Is the Via dell’Amore open?

Yes. It reopened in 2024 and is open with a reserved time slot, one way from Riomaggiore to Manarola.

Where can you leave luggage in the Cinque Terre?

The easiest is La Spezia, where there are luggage storages near the station. Leave your bags there in the morning and pick them up at the end of the day.

How do you get from Pisa to the Cinque Terre?

By train from Pisa Centrale to La Spezia, in about 1 hour, then by the regional trains along the coast.

Is it Cinque Terre or Cinque Terra?

Cinque Terre, which means “Five Lands” in Italian, for the five villages.