Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a collection of five picturesque villages perched along the rugged coastline of the Italian Riviera. With its colourful houses, terraced vineyards, and stunning sea views, Cinque Terre is one of my favourite places in Italy (hence why I’ve visited three times). If you have limited time, fret not! This blog post will guide you through an optimised itinerary, allowing you to see the best of Cinque Terre in one day.
I will show you some of the most instagrammable photo spots in Cinque Terre, as well as share tips on how to get to Cinque Terre, where to stay in Cinque Terre and the best time to go.
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Begin your adventure in the village of Monterosso al Mare, the largest and most accessible of the five towns. Stroll along the charming streets, savour a typical Italian breakfast at a local beachfront café, and visit the beautiful Church of San Giovanni Battista. If you like you can also enjoy a panoramic views of the coastline from the Giant Statue of Neptune.
If you have more time in Cinque Terre then you might want to relax on the beach. Monterosso is the village with the largest beach area with multiple colourful parasol and deckchair areas. It’s the best place to swim in the sea in Cinque Terre.
Embark on the famous Sentiero Azzurro, a coastal trail that connects the villages of Cinque Terre. The segment from Monterosso to Vernazza offers mesmerising vistas of the turquoise sea and the vineyard-dotted cliffs. The hike is 3.6km with some steep incline and will take you around 1.5-2 hours to complete. Make sure to pack comfortable closed shoes and bring water and snacks for the journey.
Just before Vernazza you will also find an incredible viewpoint of the town, one of the most instagrammable photo spots in Cinque Terre (photo below). Even if you don’t do the full hike you can still get here from Vernazza by just walking up the path for about 10/15 minutes.
You will need the hiking pass to access this trail (€7.50). As this one day in Cinque Terre itinerary covers all five villages, where you will both hike and catch the train, then I recommend taking the Cinque Terre pass which covers everything for the day for €18.20.
If you wish to spend time relaxing on the beach then you can also skip this hike and catch the train from Monterosso to Vernazza in just 5 minutes.
As you arrive in Vernazza, you’ll be enchanted by its picturesque harbour and colourful houses. Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets, visit the 14th-century Church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia, and walk up to the castle for a great view. Vernazza also has a small beach area. So it’s another nice spot to relax and take the sun, as well as enjoy a swim in Cinque Terre,
On top of the view I mentioned that you’ll find on the Monterosso to Vernazza hike, you’ll also find another incredible view of Vernazza, and one of the most instagrammable photo spots in Cinque Terre on the path from Vernazza to Corniglia. This is also the direction you will need to walk for the restaurant mentioned below.
If you are hungry then Vernazza is a great town to stop for some lunch. For a light lunch I recommend grabbing a snack at Batti Batti Focacceria. Followed by some local artisanal gelato at the Gelateria Vernazza.
If you are looking for something a bit more substantial, as well as a place to sit down and enjoy one of the best views in Cinque Terre then I recommend Ristorante La Torre. They have a delicious seafood menu, as well as other options. You can reserve a table here. However, I went for opening at 12:00 and had one of the best tables in the restaurant (which was in an area that you can’t reserve).
Continue your one day in Cinque Terre with the beautiful hike from Vernazza to Corniglia. If you only want to hike one section of the coastal path then I recommend this one. However I would NOT recommend doing this hike the other way around. The steps from Corniglia train station to the main town are insane! By hiking from Vernazza you can avoid these steps whilst still enjoying the cute town of Corniglia.
The trail is 3.5km long and will take you just under 1.5 hours. There’s also a nice panoramic cafe with views of Corniglia where you can sit and enjoy a refreshment.
Once in Corniglia, I recommend taking the left path after the trail ends so that you walk through some vineyards. Then head right at the water fountain to enjoy the best view of the village from near Cecil Ristorante Camere. Next wander through its quiet streets, visit the Gothic-style Church of San Pietro, and indulge in some gelato from a local gelateria.
Make sure to keep an eye on the train times as some are only every hour! Give yourself enough time to walk down all the steps to the train station.
From Corniglia you will want to take the train to Riomaggiore. You might notice that you go through the town of Manarola. Don’t worry, you are not missing it, you will come back to that town after!
Riomaggiore, is the southernmost and oldest of the five towns. Wander through its narrow alleys, admire the historic buildings, and take in the vibrant atmosphere. Don’t miss the scenic viewpoint from the Church of San Giovanni Battista and the port. If you’re hungry then make sure to try out the fried seafood at Tutti Fritti. If you want to try some local wine then why not also book a 1 hour wine tasting tour in Riomaggiore from €29 per person.
Then head to my personal favourite photo spot at the Vista Panoramica di Riomaggiore. This is also a great place for a swim!
Finish your one day in Cinque Terre watching the sunset in Manarola, just a short train ride from Riomaggiore. Known for its postcard-perfect views and charming atmosphere. Explore the colourful houses, enjoy a relaxing moment by the waterfront, and walk around to the Manarola Overlook viewpoint for a breathtaking sunset vista.
Manarola has a number of tasty and well rated restaurants for dinner. It’s also famous for its Sciacchetrà wine, so be sure to sample some of the local delicacies. For one of the best views in Manarola I recommend going to Nessun Dorma. You cannot reserve a table however you can join an electronic queue via their app, so you can wander around whilst you wait. I recommend going as soon as you arrive to join this queue. Make sure to try the limoncello spritz if you do go here!
Alternatively you could also go from Corniglia to Manarola to Riomaggiore and then finish your day on a sunset boat tour. However this will depend on what time you started your day, how much you hiked, how long you spent eating lunch and what time the sunset is! I managed to visit all five Cinque Terre villages in one day in early May and then finish my day with a sunset boat tour around 6:00-8.00pm. My personal highlight of the trip!
You can either book a private 2 hour tour starting from around €450 for up to 6 people. Or join a group tour from around €70 per person. There are a number of different tours leaving from each village. I have been on both a private tour with Cinque Terre Adventure Boat Tours in Riomaggiore and a group tour with Nord Est in Vernazza.
Located in the north west of Italy, Cinque Terre’s nearest large town is La Spezia, which is only 10 minutes away by train. Genoa is just over an hour away by train, so if you base yourself here you could easily visit both Cinque Terre and Portofino over two days.
As the five Cinque Terre villages are connected by rail I recommend travelling there by train, which is very affordable in Italy.
It is possible to get to the different Cinque Terre villages by car however I strongly advise you not to drive here. If you do have a car then I would recommend driving to La Spezia and then getting the train from there. The train is fairly regular and only takes a couple of minutes between each of the towns.
It will take you around 2.5 hours to get to Cinque Terre from Florence by train (changing at La Spezia). So 5 hours of the day will be spent on the train. Whilst it is possible to to visit Cinque Terre as a day trip from Florence it will mean a very long and tiring day for you. Probably starting around 7am and finishing at midnight. However It only takes 1.5 hours by train from Pisa, so if you are planning on visiting both Florence and Pisa then I recommend visiting Cinque Terre from Pisa instead. The closest large airport to Cinque Terre is also in Pisa.
If you still want to visit Cinque Terre as a day trip from Florence then I would recommend joining a tour.
The best time to visit Cinque Terre largely depends on your personal preferences and what you’re looking to experience during your trip. It is a very popular tourist destination so here are some considerations for each season:
Ultimately, the best time to visit Cinque Terre depends on your preferences for weather, crowd levels, and activities. I have visited in both April, May and September and found them all to be great.
Yes, it is completely possible to hike between all five villages in Cinque Terre in one day. The trail is only 11km one way. Back in 2016 I actually hiked the entire path from Monterosso al Mare to Riomaggiore. However, unfortunately due to a landslide a section of the trail is currently closed between Manarola and Riomaggiore. Make sure to check in advance which trails are closed.
As there are five villages in Cinque Terre, there are several options for accommodation. Where to stay in Cinque Terre will completely depend on your preferences. I’ve listed some popular choices below or you can read a more detailed guide on each village here.
This village is the first one you’ll encounter when coming from La Spezia. The train also stops more frequently here as there are direct trains to both Riomaggiore and Monterosso al Mare from Milan. Riomaggiore has a unique charm with its steep and narrow streets. It offers various places to stay, including hotels, guesthouses, and apartments. I have stayed in this village two times as it’s one of my favourite villages and one of the best places to watch the sunset in Cinque Terre.
If you are looking to stay in an apartment with one of the best views in Cinque Terre then I recommend Ai Pesci Room Rental which starts from around €300 a night for two people.
If you are travelling as a group and also want a nice terrace to relax on I recommend Ca Vivaldi Penthouse Apartment. It has 2 bedrooms and sleeps up to 6 people from €300 a night.
If you prefer to stay in hotels then I recommend the Hotel Villa Argentina. They have a lovely rooftop terrace to enjoy the views over Riomaggiore. Rooms are small but clean and double rooms start at €140 a night, including breakfast. A hotel also means you can leave your luggage there whilst you explore.
Known for its colourful houses and small harbour, Vernazza is another excellent place to stay. You’ll find a range of accommodation options, including hotels with beautiful sea views. I stayed here near the train station which was perfect. As I avoided walking up stairs in the narrow streets with my suitcases.
If you are two people looking for a centrally located room with a beautiful view of the Main Street then I recommend Camere Anna. You will need to book two nights to stay here. However it works out only €100 a night for two people. You can leave your luggage here when you arrive but when you check out you will need to leave them in a cafe next door for €5-10. Check out my Cinque Terre story highlights for a room tour.
This is the largest of the five villages and where you’ll find the best beach in Cinque Terre. It offers a variety of accommodation options, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals. However many of them require a minimum of a two night stay. Monterosso is the perfect town to relax in thanks to the beach and it’s direct train connection to many towns. However personally I find it a bit overpriced in comparison to the other towns.
If you do wish to stay here I recommend the I Tibei Guesthouse. Which offers bright and spacious double rooms with balconies for around €140 a night.
Although it’s not one of the Cinque Terre villages, La Spezia is a larger city nearby and serves as a convenient base for exploring the region. It has a wider range of accommodation options (especially for those travelling on a budget) and a direct train to the Cinque Terre.
I would recommend booking the B&B 5 Stelle. It offers clean and spacious rooms with a nice city view for as little as €50 a night.
If you are looking for a larger apartment for up to 6 people with city views. I recommend Apt Il Rigufio del Marinaio, starting from just €130 a night.
Visiting Cinque Terre in one day may seem challenging, but with this optimized itinerary, you can experience the essence of each village and its unique charm. From the stunning coastal trails to the colourful houses and delicious local cuisine, it is completely possible to visit Cinque Terre as a day trip. However if you wish to dive deeper into each town and enjoy tours such as visiting vineyards, pesto making classes, kayaking around the villages or pasta and tiramisu making classes then I recommend staying for a couple of nights.
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