Best Things to Do In Cinque Terre In 3 Days

Cinque Terre is a National Park in the province of Liguria that is home to five of Italy's most beautiful villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. They are known for their picturesque and colourful houses suspended on steep cliffs by the sea, their magnificent landscapes and the trails that connect the different villages. If you're wondering how long to stay, three days is ideal. To get there, the most common option is to book an excursion to Cinque Terre from Florence or Milan.

The most common and convenient way to visit the five towns that make up Cinque Terre is by train, as all the towns, except Corniglia, have a station close to the historic centre and the journey time between them is minimal. If you decide to use this means of transport, it is best to purchase Trenitalia's Cinque Terre Express, as this will allow you to take all the trains you need for one day.

Due to the high prices of accommodation in Cinque Terre, many tourists decide to stay in La Spezia and book an excursion to Cinque Terre from La Spezia, although you can also find a wide range of hotels in Monterosso. However, trains run quite frequently, so you won't have any trouble getting around the Ligurian coast.

Now, for your first day, I've prepared an itinerary that starts in Monterosso al Mare, the largest village in Cinque Terre, and ends in Vernazza, considered by many to be the most beautiful of the five.

Discover Monterosso al Mare, the largest village in Cinque Terre

In addition to being the most populated of the five villages, Monterosso has the longest beach in Cinque Terre. Divided into a public and a private area, this crystal-clear beach is perfect for a swim and a refreshing dip if you're travelling to Cinque Terre in the summer.

Monterosso al Mare consists of two areas separated by a hill, under which there is a tunnel connecting them. In one of these areas you will find its charming historic centre and the port, which are well worth exploring on foot, and in the other you will find both the train station and its most famous beach, Fegina beach.

Despite being the largest town, it is possible to explore Monterosso in just over an hour, so if the weather is nice, you will have time to relax on the beach or even do some water activities. For example, you can book a kayak tour in Monterosso al Mare or a sunset boat trip around Cinque Terre from Monterosso. Don't forget to visit its main monuments, such as the Church of San Francesco, the Church of San Giovanni Battista and Villa Montale.

Go horse riding in Monterosso

Another popular option is to book a horse ride through Monterosso, an ideal way to get to know and explore this town in Cinque Terre with a professional guide. You'll enjoy incredible views of the coast as you ride and connect with nature. A unique and exciting experience. You can also stop to take photographs.

Head to your next destination, Vernazza

Once you have finished your visit to Monterosso, your next stop will be the charming village of Vernazza. There are several ways to get there, including following the footpath that connects the two towns. However, this section of the route can be quite challenging, so if you are not used to this type of activity, I recommend taking another form of transport.

A really fun option for getting around is by boat, as the views of the villages from the sea are spectacular. However, it is a less economical alternative than the train, and it may not be particularly pleasant if you are travelling to Cinque Terre during the winter.

If you take the train, you will find that the main street of Vernazza is just a few metres from the station, where there is a wide range of shops and restaurants, and the central square, where the famous Church of Santa Margherita is located. Vernazza is particularly notable for its seaside atmosphere, its picturesque colourful houses and its narrow, sloping streets. Once there, I recommend taking a pleasant stroll through the historic centre.

Take a break to sample the local cuisine

After a long morning of walking, what better plan than to take a break and enjoy the exquisite dishes of this Italian region? I recommend choosing one of the magnificent restaurants in the central square and taking the opportunity to try some local cuisine.

One of the most typical dishes of Liguria is the delicious trofie, a type of long, twisted pasta that is usually served with pesto genovese. It is also common in this area to find different pasta dishes accompanied by seafood or fish, such as the famous spaghetti ai frutti di mari.

If you are interested in learning more about the local cuisine, don't hesitate to book a gastronomic tour of Cinque Terre, where an expert will accompany you on the tour and reveal the secrets of this spectacular corner of Italy. Another even more original option is to book a gnocchi and pesto cooking class in Riomaggiore.

Continue your walk and climb up to a very special viewpoint

Once you've finished your lunch, you can walk to the port of Vernazza, one of the most outstanding in the whole of Cinque Terre, and take a stroll along the seashore or take some striking photos. Next to the port is a small pebble beach where you can take a dip or sunbathe.

Next, I recommend making a little effort and climbing up to what is considered one of the best viewpoints in Vernazza. To get there, you will have to start from the central square and climb some stairs in front of the church, at the base of which you will find a sign marking the beginning of the path to Monterosso.

Follow the signs along this path for a short distance and you will be at the top in less than 15 minutes. I can assure you that the views are well worth the effort. Please note that you will need to show your Cinque Terre Card to access many of the trails.

End the day watching the sunset from Doria Castle

A visit to Doria Castle is definitely a must if you decide to visit Vernazza. This imposing fortress once stood guard over the town on a small rock, but unfortunately, today only one tower remains, which you can visit for around €2.

From here, the views of the village are spectacular, and if time allows, I highly recommend waiting to watch the sunset, as I can assure you it will be an unforgettable experience.

As you can see, Cinque Terre has a lot to offer. For your second day in Cinque Terre, I have prepared an itinerary that takes you through the three towns you have yet to visit: Riomaggiore, Manarola and Corniglia.

Start the day in the highest village in Cinque Terre, Corniglia

Although the village of Corniglia is sometimes overlooked in comparison to the other villages that make up Cinque Terre, the magnificent views from the top of the hill on which this small village is located make it well worth spending a little time visiting.

Corniglia is the only village in Cinque Terre that does not have access to the sea, as well as being the smallest of them all. However, one advantage of some travellers deciding to skip this part of the tour is that the village is much quieter than the others, making it an ideal place to enjoy the peace and quiet and stroll around without crowds of tourists.

If you decide to arrive by train, be prepared for the Scalinata Lardarina, a staircase with almost 400 steps that takes you from the station to the historic centre. This picturesque village is located on top of a mountain, about 90 metres above sea level. Of course, the views from the top are unbeatable. Another option would be to take a minibus, which is included in the Cinque Terre Card. Some of the monuments you can visit are the Church of St. Peter and the Church of St. Catherine.

Visit Manarola, the next stop on your tour

Once you have explored Corniglia, which will take no more than an hour, you can return to the train station and head to your next destination, Manarola, one of the most beautiful and well-known villages in Cinque Terre. It is particularly striking for its fantastic architecture, with its colourful houses nestled among the rocks, its magnificent views and its stone beaches and cliffs.

Once there, I recommend that you walk around Manarola and lose yourself in the explosion of colours in its narrow streets. Going down to the port, you will also find a natural balcony from where the views of the village are spectacular and which is perfect for taking photos.

If it is open during the season of your trip, I recommend you visit the restaurant with the best views in Manarola, Nessun Dorma, where you can enjoy a good wine and a typical Italian appetiser, such as bruschetta. However, if you are a true wine lover, don't hesitate to book a wine tasting in Manarola. Finally, don't forget to stroll down Via di Mezzo, the main street. There, you'll find numerous local craft shops and restaurants where you can buy delicious focaccia for lunch.

Walk along the famous Via dell'Amore

The next and final stop of the day is the charming village of Riomaggiore. However, to get there, I recommend taking a very special route. As mentioned above, one of the attractions of Cinque Terre is its famous trails. Specifically, the best-known route of all, the Sentiero Azzurro, or "blue trail", which consists of a path along the sea that connects all the villages.

If you are a hiking enthusiast, you can consult the official Cinque Terre trail website and plan your itinerary, swapping trains for this walking route. However, I would strongly recommend that you do not miss one of its sections, known as the Path of Love.

The Path of Love, or Via dell'Amore, is the section that connects Manarola with Riomaggiore and is one of the most popular routes, both for its beauty and because it is the easiest to walk.

Discover Riomaggiore, the last of the villages that make up Cinque Terre

After less than half an hour's walk, you will reach Riomaggiore. This village in Cinque Terre has a charming old town and, like some of the other neighbouring villages, is made up of pretty, colourful houses nestled in a rocky formation.

One of the most notable areas of Riomaggiore is its picturesque pier, from where you can enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of both the harbour and the crystal-clear waters of the sea. Other main attractions include the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Castle of Riomaggiore, located in the highest part of the village.

If you are spending the night in Cinque Terre or the surrounding area, I recommend taking the opportunity to watch the magnificent sunset from its small cove, or choosing a more original option and booking a sunset boat trip, or even booking a cooking class in Riomaggiore.

If you are travelling to Cinque Terre for two days or visiting Cinque Terre in a single day, it is best to focus on visiting the five towns so you don't miss anything. However, as your stay is a little longer, you have the opportunity to take a trip and learn a little more about the beautiful region of Liguria.

Enjoy your visit to Portovenere

There are several different options for getting to Portovenere, depending on where you are starting from. The first would be to take public transport. If you are staying in La Spezia, you can take a direct bus or book a boat trip to Cinque Terre from La Spezia. If, on the other hand, you are staying in one of the villages that make up Cinque Terre, you can take a direct ferry or change at La Spezia.

However, if you are up for a good walk, a fun way to get to Portovenere would be to book a guided tour with a local guide along the trails in the area, starting from Riomaggiore.

Once there, you can enjoy strolling through the streets of this fishing village located in the Gulf of Poets. Portovenere is also located parallel to the sea and is populated by the characteristic colourful houses of this area of Italy. Some of its main attractions are the harbour, Byron's Cave and St. Peter's Church. I also recommend walking along Via Capellini, which is the heart of the village, where you will find a wide variety of restaurants both on the street itself and in the surrounding area.

End your trip with a final stroll and a pleasant dinner

If you're not too tired after your trip to Portovenere, one option for your last night is to take a stroll around La Spezia, which is only half an hour away by bus.

Some of the activities you can do in La Spezia include strolling around the port, walking across the Thaon di Revel Bridge, visiting its most emblematic squares, Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza Europa, exploring its cathedral or, if you have time, the imposing Medieval Castle of San Giorgio. In addition, in its historic centre you will find a wide range of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a fantastic last dinner in Liguria.

If, on the other hand, you are staying in one of the towns of Cinque Terre, you can make the most of the rest of the afternoon by taking a walk, watching the sunset over the sea and saying goodbye to the gastronomic delights of the area.