Cinque Terre travel guide

There are three things everyone knows about Cinque Terre: there are five villages, they’re gorgeous, and they get stupidly busy. Our Cinque Terre travel guide will share a few tips on how to explore these iconic villages while also skipping the worst of the madness, and introduce you to the joys of walking in the hills above, far from the crowds.

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Cinque Terre travel guide

If there’s nothing you love more than finding yourself in a shopping center at 6pm on Christmas Eve, or you’ve always fantasized about being reincarnated as a battery chicken, then joining a guided tour of Cinque Terre in June will surely float your boat.

If, on the other hand, you want to explore these lovely coastal villages and not be swept along with thousands of others, then visit out of season and stick to the higher walking trails.

Sure, the famous footpaths between the five villages can be transfixingly beautiful in places, but bottlenecks are common. You can get around much more freely further up, following the historic trails of the Cinque Terre National Park. And if hiking isn’t for you, then at least aim to spend a night or two in one of the villages so you can enjoy it without the day-tripper crowd. It’s the best way to get a feel for this gem of the Italian Riviera without a hundred other people in the frame.

Read our Cinque Terre travel guide for more details.

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Cinque Terre is…

without doubt one of Europe’s most picturesque coastal destinations, and as you would expect, ridiculously crowded for much of the year.

Cinque Terre isn’t…

just about the five famous interlinked villages – scenic walking trails abound at higher ground above the busy Azure (Blue) Trail, and further afield, where you’ll find much more freedom.

What we rate, and what we don’t

Underrated

Staying elsewhere

Staying nearby, such as in La Spezia, and making the short journey to the villages in the morning makes sense if you don’t mind a short transfer each way, and is also advantageous for walking further afield. Reasonably priced accommodations in the villages themselves are naturally in very high demand.

Staying in Cinque Terre

Yes a direct contradiction. The best time to experience the villages is either early morning or the evening, when all of the day-trippers have returned to their hotels and everything quietens down. It can almost feel peaceful, and of course the sunsets are magnificent.

Sea kayaking

Another way to admire that stunning Ligurian coastline is sea kayaking, which is a gentle afternoon excursion on some walking vacations around Cinque Terre – it requires a little more exertion than just hiking, but offers a unique perspective of the iconic villages.

Rated

Walking

Cinque Terre is lovely for walking, but don’t stick to the Azure Trail which can be more like a conga line at points. The national park has around 100km of trails, many at higher elevations, that are much quieter and will also offer a little more challenge.

Local produce

There’s no shortage of restaurants in Cinque Terre with menus priced for tourists, but the olive oil, the anchovies, the wines and especially the pesto (which originates from this region) are all renowned. By treating yourself you’ll not only be supporting local producers, but also helping keep people on the land, which is essential to preserve the old hill terraces.

Corniglia

Corniglia is often overlooked, being set inland and usually reached with a tough uphill walk as it’s 100m above sea level. That also means it’s the calmest of the villages, with lovely views of the sea far below, historic terraces and even beaches (more steps down to them though).

Overrated

Via dell’ Amore

Easy to walk, with handrails, and especially attractive, the Via dell'Amore (Path of Love) is the most popular stretch of the Azure Trail but so swamped that it’s little more than an obligatory photo stop for most. More like the Path of Overloved.

Trains between villages

Taking the train between the villages might seem convenient, but it can be an awful experience, with platforms and carriages full to the point of being dangerous at peak times. You’re far better off getting around by foot or by boat.

Terraces

The famous terraces carved into the hillsides above Cinque Terre to cultivate grapes and other crops have been sadly neglected as people leave the land for more prosperous work in tourism. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s time that repairs to this unique cultural landscape were funded properly.