Why Cinque Terre Should be on Your Bucket List
Cinque Terre lies along a beautifully rugged stretch of coastline in the Italian Riviera, and looks like it’s ripped straight from a picture book. The five villages boast vibrant terraces overflowing with blooming bougainvillea, fishing boats painted in bright blues and reds, and steep cobblestone streets where the smell of pizza intermingles with the fresh Mediterranean air.
But seriously, it smells like how I imagine heaven to be. Strolling through the streets, enjoy the fusion of nature, sea, and Italian culture that you can only find in Cinque Terre. One of the best ways to see these villages is by hiking Cinque Terre (or at least parts of it!)
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Manarola
My first glimpse of Cinque Terre. As soon as I laid eyes on the village, I knew I was in love (but really, if I could marry a place, Manarola would be near the top of my list.) The colorful buildings perched on the side of a cliff can only belong in a fairytale. If you need a break, hop on a wine tour of the Italian Riviera. You can meet the winemakers, plus sample some of their produce with snacks!
Corniglia
To get to Corniglia, I climbed 382 verrrrryyyyyy steep stairs, and I definitely felt every one of them. Hiking Cinque Terre is a bit of a sweat fest. It probably didn’t help that temps were over 90 degrees that day…(I threw on a baseball hat to try and pass myself of as slightly less of a hot mess.) In town, I rewarded myself with a lunch of fresh fish and pasta, completing negating any exercise points I gained from climbing the stairs. FYI—totally worth it. Every time you get a chance to eat in Italy, take it! (At least that was my motto, which may explain why those shorts felt a bit tighter by the end of the trip…)
Vernazza
The hike from Corniglia to Vernazza took about 90 minutes and let me soak in the Italian sunshine and picturesque views. Approaching Vernazza from above, I got a bird’s eye view of the village, complete with a lively main square, quaint boutiques, and calm bay housing dozens of fishing boats. This was probably my favorite town, and a great spot for photo ops!
Monterosso
Monterosso is one of the larger villages, and boasts a rocky beach along the shores of the town. This was not my cup of tea, but I’m also super spoiled by Florida’s white sand beaches. It has the most resort-like feel with a paid beach with rows of blue and white striped umbrellas. If you’re really in the mood for the beach, keep walking toward town where you can enjoy the beach for free.
Riomaggiore
I boarded a boat in Monterosso to take me back to Riomaggiore, the first village from La Spezia. I would definitely recommend taking a boat at least sometime during your visit, so you can enjoy the views approaching the town from the water. This was the part where I took approximately 20564574389 pictures… Riomaggiore is home to dozens of restaurants and gelaterias that radiate mouthwatering smells of pizza, garlic, and cheese. I enjoyed a cup of dulce de leche, put my feet up, and soaked in the views of the Mediterranean. If you’re up for it, Riomaggiore also offers a food & wine tasting of the local delicacies.
Logistics
Cheap flights: I’d recommend searching through eDreams.net. They scan tons of different travel discount sites and feature special flight deals. You can easily reach Cinque Terre from Florence. The easiest way is probably via a guided tour from Florence. This one includes all transportation (even a boat ride!) plus lunch.
Hotel Deals: My top choice for hotel deals is Expedia. I’ve found some insanely cheap and beautiful hotels on both sites. If you’re looking to avoid hotels and go the hostel route, I recommend Hostelworld . They have thousands of properties listed, as well as tons of ratings and reviews. Note that if you want to just to do a day trip to Cinque Terre, that’s totally doable. You can drive or take a tour from Florence and be back in the city that night!
Rental cars: Depending on where you’re going, definitely shop around. I usually check out Expedia and Sixt. Sixt offers some awesome deals on premium and luxury rentals!
There you have it—why hiking Cinque Terre should be on everyone’s bucket list (I’ll be back again someday). Enjoy your trip!
The colorful houses look really charming. Looks like Cinque Terre is a place to visit.
Yes, definitely! I loved all of the colorful houses 🙂
I absolutely love CInque Terre! Riomaggiore was my fave but I took the train in from Florence. Loved reading this. Brought back memories.
Riomaggiore was a close second for me! A really charming little town.
I love this place more than anything! I spent a week over there, as my aunt lives there and trust me I had the best time of my life! lovely scenes from there! Out of the world. Cheers
A week there? That sounds amazing, and I’m sure an unforgettable time 🙂
The only down side of Cinque Terre is that, being clung on a cliff, it’s a continuous up and down on steep streets or staircases! 😀
But except for that they’re gorgeous, especially when the sun starts to shine and heat up the days.
Oh yes, definitely agree. By the end of the day, I was totally exhausted and didn’t want to move for a week haha
I live not that far from Italy but I have never been to the Cinque Terre. BUT… it is one of my numerous hiking goals ! I’ve always wanted to see those colored villages. The only thing is thta it is often packed, and I just can’t bear hiking with too many people !
The villages themselves can definitely get full in the summer, but it seemed like hiking between the villages was pretty empty 🙂
So colurful! I did not have much idea about it but after seeing the first photograph, it made it to my bucket list immediately.
So colurful! I did not have much idea about it but after seeing the first photograph, it made it to my bucket list immediately.
Like how they have thoughfully colored each building to create such patterns.
Glad it’s on your bucket list now!! 🙂
You’re opening sentence really nailed my impression of Cinque Terre, that it seems as though it has been ripped out of a picture book. Every part of it is postcard ready as can be evidenced from your photographs. Got to agree with you though about hiking in the area being something of a sweat fest and I can only advise others intending on visiting to make sure you’ve got a good supply of water with you before attempting the trails
The villages are so gorgeous! I absolutely love the colorful houses in contrast to the blue water. The fishing boats are so pretty too, this is definitely a place I’d like to visit. I can imagine the views of the villages and landscape from a boat ride are stunning too!
Yes, I honestly could not stop taking pictures basically the whole time I was there. It was just too beautiful
Cinque Terre is just such a colorful and cute looking town. I love those flowery balconies and the whole row of colorful homes. I can picture myself walking through those lanes to discover more. Some day I shall be back to explore this part of the world.
Exactly, it just feels like there’s so much beauty to explore there 🙂
Beautiful photos! I have such great memories of my visit there in 2004. We had just gotten engaged in Paris and this was a pretty romantic place to spend a few days. Thanks for bringing it all back:)
Aww that does sound like the perfect place for some romance 🙂
I visited back in 2015, stayed in Riomaggiore for 3 nights and FELL IN LOVE!!! I’d love to return and explore more of the little villages and of course hike!!
I hope you can one day!! The hike was honestly was of my favorite experiences in Italy
I also love colorful buildings, so I’m pretty sure I would be in heaven here. I love how even the boats are full of color!
Your photos sold me!! Though this is a photo that’s already been on my bucket list as well for a long time!
Good!! And best wishes to make it there soon 🙂
The colourful houses and the beautiful sea near it gives the entire scene such a picturesque view. Cinque Terre is just so amazing and you showed the perfect testimonials to why one should hike. This picturesque town looks to have leapt out of the canvas of a painting.
Thanks so much Sandy! It really is such a beautiful place, and I’m glad you got that from my post 🙂
Those colorful buildings of Manarola. And the beautiful blooming bougainvillea that you see out of the window. Those could be reason enough for me to must visit cinque. I will definitely put it on my bucket list.
Yay, that makes me happy! Truly hope you make it to visit soon.
The buildings are so colorful. Loved the pictures. Would surely visit Cinque Terre someday 🙂
Thanks Raksha, I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful trip when you make it there!
I’m totally obsessed with Italy and Cinque Terre is really high on my bucket list. I hope that I will visit it this year. It must be such a charming place.
Oh awesome, I really hope you make it there this year 🙂
I missed visiting Cinque Terre and Amalfi coast when I was in Italy a few years ago. But seeing your pictures, I want to book a return trip soon. Hiking those many stairs would have been the death of me. In Italy, one’s got to eat.
Those stairs were pretty killer, but so worth it! 🙂
Such a colorful place! The facades do attract attention.
I wish I had taken a detour to this place during my trip there.
Maybe you’ll make it back again one day? There’s so much to do in Italy–I feel like I could spend so much time there without seeing everything.
Italy and its countryside places simply charm me a lot. I have been fascinated by the colourful houses of Cinque Terre and I can’t wait to visit personally someday. Very informative post.
Thanks! I was a little obsessed with the photos of it before I visited in person, and it definitely didn’t disappoint 🙂
This place is straight out of a picture postcard. I have seen so many pictures on my Instagram feed that I have been longing to visit this place this year for sure. Lovely pictures and splendid place.
Well I hope this year is the year you finally make it there!
You’re right, it does look right out of a picture book…unreal! Cinque Terre is one of my favorite places in Italy, maybe even in Europe. You captured it beautifully. I look forward to returning and doing some hiking! Thanks for sharing, happy travels 🙂
Thanks Carmen! It’s definitely up there on my “Europe Favorites” list, as well. There’s truly no other place like it.
Girl, I would totally marry Manarola too. Or maybe all of Cinque Terre?! Or is that too greedy? 😉 What a beautiful part of the world and your photos capture its beauty perfectly. Thanks for sharing and happy travels 🙂
Definitely not too greedy, haha 🙂 It’s just insanely charming there, you can’t help but fall for it.
I completely ageee! These lovely villages are straight out of a fairly tale book or postcards. The saturated colours here are a delight to any photographer…
I know!! I was in photography heaven there 🙂
We stayed for 3 nights in Manarola and loved it… One of my favorite places!
That’s awesome! Such a beautiful place 🙂
I am a student studying abroad in Seville Spain this summer and I am trying to figure out the best way to make a weekend trip out of it if that is even possible! If anyone has recommendations please let me know (ie best place to fly in and easiest way to get there etc)
The closest airports for traveling to Cinque Terre are Pisa, Florence and Genoa. From there, look for trains to La Spezia, which is the largest and closest city to Cinque Terre.
Hello! Planning a trip for late June. How many days did you stay in Cinque Terre? Did you do all this in 1 day? Also, what type of camera do you use? The pictures are amazing! Thanks!!
I did it all in one day, but if you have a couple days, I’d definitely recommend that! I use a Sony alpha 5100 (mirrorless) which is a pretty light travel camera 🙂 Hope you have an awesome trip!
Melissa- did you do all of this in a day? Or what was your time frame? We only have a full day 🙁
Haha yes! It was a very full day though 🙂
Impressive!! Thanks for sharing