Cinque Terre -- tell me about your experiences

All 5 towns are super easy to get to once you are there. I went to them all a few years ago and knocked out everything in a day.

Its a pretty quick train from Florence so i would do it if you are in the region.

As for experiences you need to realize that they are very small towns on cliff sides. There are some good bars and restaurants but it is VERY touristy.

Overall i would make the trip again. The scenes are pretty breathtaking if you get there for sunrise or sunset.

Is it worth the effort? Absolutely. We went there as a day trip from Florence and visited all 5 towns. We parked at the LaSpezia train station, took the train to Riomaggiore, and hiked from there to Manarola. That is an easy hike on a paved path. We took the train to Vernazza then hiked back to Corniglia. That was a more strenuous hike on a rougher and longer trail but the views of the Mediterranean from the trails are spectacular. Then we took the train to Montrosso before heading back to La Spezia. My favorite town was Vernazza. Gambero Rosso in Vernazza was an excellent restaurant. It is on the harbor right across the square from the church. We did not stay in a hotel on the CT but I would look first at Vernazza. There are more hotels in Monterosso because it is the largest of the towns and a beach resort.

Up front, it is worth the effort...Touristy, yes. Still a special place.

Went in June 2012. Took train from Venice through Florence to La Spezia.

Vernazza was our home base, we stayed 2 nights (max I would stay is 3) at Gianni Franzi. I can recommend the balcony sea view rooms.



Getting around by hike/train is easiest, as exploring the five towns is the focus here, which from north to south are:

Monterosso al Mare
Vernazza
Corniglia
Manarola
Riomaggiore

For our hike, we took the train one town north to Monterosso, then hiked back to Vernazza (1 hr or so), took a quick break and hiked to Corniglia (1 hr 15 mins). Those were the toughest two hikes for us, so hydrate and stop for food in Corniglia if you take that route. The path was out from Corniglia to Manarola due to the mudslides, so we took the train for that leg (after descending 400 stair-steps to the train station). The path from Manarola to Riomaggiore is paved and level, the easiest & shortest leg.

From there, we took the ferry back to Vernazza, getting a glimpse of the trails we just hiked, which was pretty cool.

For dining, we loved both Ristorante Belforte overlooking the harbor, as well as Trattoria da Sandro, which is right across from the Blue Marlin Bar.

(Quick note: our first night in town was the first night the Blue Marlin was open after the mudslide that crippled the town the previous October, so that was pretty special to be a part of)

All in all, when I think of Italy I seem to recall our time in the CT more than any big city.

Stayed in Monterosso. Loved our 3 days there. went to all towns by train. The train is really easy to use. It was great. Seafood is amazing. Take a day boat trip if you can. You can see all of the towns plus others by boat and it is amazing.

You can also hike from town to town if all the trails are open and there have been not landslides recently

Very much worth it.

Stayed in Monterrosso. Monterrosso was my favorite because I love the beach. We rode the train to each of the towns and then hiked from corniglia to vernazza. I would prefer to hike from Monterrosso to Vernazza. Corniglia was beautiful because it’s on top of a mountain but a pain to get to the top. I wouldn’t stay there.

I loved cinque terre. It was my favorite part of Italy. I went during the off-season and it was very quiet and absolutely beautiful.

You must eat pesto there. Pesto comes from an area close to the region. If you are in Monterrosso, try the old lady with the calamari, shrimp, and anchovies stand. She’s under an overpass towards the town area. Absolutely delicious and so fresh. There was a long line but worth it.

Bumping this thread for some opinions. Thinking of a trip to Italy. 10 days give or take. In to Milan, over to CT, finish in Florence. I have only been to Rome years ago so I am looking for advice. 3 nights in each?

Gotta agree. So many parts of Italy are drop dead gorgeous, yet people pile up like kittens in the same places, over and over again. OP, consider northern Puglia, around Peschichi, or the bit of Balisicata coastline around Maratea. Off the beaten path for US tourists, and not completely overrun by non Italians.

I’ll disagree with the grumps in this thread. Cinque Terre is fricking AWESOME.

Stayed in Vernazza, got the rail pass to travel between towns. Spent a day in Monterrosso at the beach chilling.

One of the very best nights of my entire life was spent buying a super cheap but amazing bottle of local white wine from the wine shop in Vernazza, and sitting with my wife alone along the sea wall under the cliff with the church on top, watching the waves come in. So gorgeous.

Yes, it is very crowded during the day. Very very crowded. But for a reason. It’s great. The people are wonderful, the pesto and anchovies are stunning, and it’s just gorgeous.

I loved Florence as well. Loved it, one of my favorite cities on earth.

Yeah I’ve heard a lot of people say 2 nights in Milan is plenty but I haven’t been there.

Loved it. I highly recommend it. My favorite town was Vernazza. I would stay there although Monterosso at Mare is a larger town and has more hotels to choose from..... Our favorite restaurant was Gambero Rosso in Vernazza. It is a quaint, family run place on the Harbor Square right across from the church. The food was very good......... How is getting there and getting around? Pretty easy. We drove to La Spezia and took the train. You get around by walking and taking the train. The towns are small and very walkable..... Hike on the trails that connect the towns. The scenery and the views of the Mediterranean with the other towns in the distance are spectacular. Some of the trails are easy and some are a little more challenging, but hike as much as possible. When you are not walking, you can get from one town to another quickly and easily by train.