In the heart of the Italian Riviera, you will find 5 unique villages called “Cinque Terre”. Each of them has something special to offer ! Magnificent ocean views, colorful old houses, narrow streets, delicious food and amazing Mediterranean vibes are what you should expect from your trip to Cinque Terre. Depending on the time you visit, it can be very crowded. That’s why we suggest you plan your trip carefully. With so many things to do and places to explore, you will need at least 2 days to get a good taste of their beauty ! In this article, you will find the best things to do during your 48 hours in Cinque Terre.
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Things to know before visiting Cinque Terre
Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare are the five villages of Cinque Terre. Nestled along the Italian Rivera, they are the perfect summer destination. The whole area is now a National Park which is actually the smallest and oldest in Italy. Cinque Terre is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Due to its geographical location, it attracts adventure enthusiasts from all over the world. It has amazing hiking trails that connect the villages. You can also try other fun outdoors activities, such as kayaking, snorkeling, diving etc. However, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance before any trip, especially if it involves outdoor activities. As they say “better to be safe than sorry”.
As you can guess, Cinque Terre is one of the most Instagrammable places not only in Italy, but also in Europe. With countless beautiful spots and charming corners, you will have the opportunity to take amazing photos and videos. In case you are not a European and you need mobile data to work or just contact your loved ones, we suggest you buy a digital e-SIM card to save time and money. It is not the easiest task to find affordable mobile plans in Cinque Terre neither find free public Wi-Fi hotspots
How to get to Cinque Terre ?
There are 2 convenient ways to get to Cinque Terre either by train, or by boat. We would not recommend visiting Cinque Terre by car. Parking or surviving the traffic will be quite a mission and the roads are narrow ! Plus, it is not allowed to enter the historic center of the villages. La Spezia is the closest town to take the train to Cinque Terre. But, you can also access it from the other parts of the Ligurian coast. Since it is a popular destination, you can obviously reach it from any major Italian city, including Genoa, Pisa, Florence, Rome or Milan. That’s why many people choose a day trip to Cinque Terre. If you do not want to use many trains, you can alternatively fly to the nearest airport which is Pisa Airport. Then, you only need 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach magical Cinque Terre.
How to get around Cinque Terre ?
The easiest way to get around Cinque Terre is undoubtedly by train. Regular trains run and the journey between villages only takes a few minutes ! If you plan to move around the villages, we strongly recommend buying the Cinque Terre card. It is the best way to skip the long queues to buy tickets, especially during the high tourist season. This card is available at every train station in Cinque Terre, La Spezia or Levanto or online. However, you can trek from one village to another. Keep in mind that there are 48 hiking trails ! But, the 2 most famous trails from Monterosso to Vernazza and from Vernazza to Corgnilia require a Pass. It is called Cinque Terre trekking card and it costs around 7,50€ per day.
Where to stay in Cinque Terre ?
Cinque Terre is one of the most beautiful places to stay in Italy. During peak summer season (or a just before), it gets very crowded and chaotic. So, you need to book your stay months in advance ! It totally depends on your preferences and needs to decide which village to stay in. You should be aware that Cinque Terre is an expensive destination. The same goes for accommodation which can be very pricey in peak season. But, as a touristy place, it has many apartments, hotels and a few hostels.
- Monterosso al Mare : the largest village, ideal for ocean lovers.
- Vernazza : the most beautiful and picturesque place to stay
- Manarola : the most peaceful place to stay with magical sunrises and sunsets
- Riomaggiore : the liveliest place to stay and the closest village to La Spezia
The best time to visit Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is one of those places that gets very busy in the summer with busy streets, beaches etc. We would therefore advise you to try to avoid visiting during this period. April to May and September to October are the best times to go to Cinque Terre. In these months, you will be able to enjoy your time to the fullest without having hundreds of tourists around ! However, if you want to have these fairytale villages to yourself, we recommend visiting at sunrise or early in the morning.
Best things to do in Cinque Terre in 48 hours
1-Visit Riomaggiore Beach
Riomaggiore beach is one of our favorite places in Cinque Terre. On one side, you will have the famous colorful houses of the village and on the other, you will have stunning ocean views. As you can see from the photo below, there are rocks you can climb to get a better view of Riomaggiore. However, if that’s not something you are into, you can simply walk along the coastline. No matter how you spend your time, the magnificent views of the Ligurian Sea will leave you in awe. The giant marina rocks are the perfect place to watch the sunrise or sunset !
2-Wander through the village of Riomaggiore
Since Riomaggiore is one of the most beautiful and vibrant villages, you can easily spend 3-4 hours wandering around its streets. Needless to say, you need to get there as early as possible to have enough room to walk in the summer. The reality is that Riommagiore is also one of the busiest places, so its little alleys quickly fill up with tourists ! The same goes for its cafés and restaurants. That’s why we suggest waking up early, going down to the beach, enjoying the view and then walking around the village. You will have a chance to find a good place for a proper Italian meal.
3-Enjoy a drink at Bar “II Sole a 180 Gradi”
Are you looking for the best panoramic view of Riommagiore and the Ligurian coast ? If so, you need to add the II Sole a 180 Gradi bar to your itinerary. The spectacular sea views and amazing atmosphere make it a real gem ! You can easily enjoy a light meal, a drink or a coffee there while admiring the wonderful view. Most people arrive at this bar either by car or on foot. Both are convenient ways to get there and the views will reward you. We visited at sunset and were speechless the entire time. So, if you want a romantic spot to end your day, you should definitely consider this place.
4-Watch the sunset in Manarola
Manorola is another must-visit village in Cinque Terre. The most famous spot is undoubtedly the seaside promenade. It offers breathtaking views of the village and the Ligurian Sea. You can take the path along the beach for a walk or go down to take a dip in the sea. Although you can swim in Manarola, you have to go down the cliffs first and then enter the water. The marina is a picturesque spot with incredible views of the surrounding area. Keep in mind that the sunset there hits different with the beautiful pastel colors ! One of the best and most Instagrammable places in Cinque Terre is the famous Italian restaurant “Nessun Dorma” where you can have a delicious meal with the iconic view of Manarola.
5-Visit the picturesque port of Vernazza
You will not have a full Cinque Terre experience without visiting Vernazza. It is the most picturesque village with an adorable port and old town. It is such a pleasure to walk along the port and enjoy the views. The beautiful church, the vineyards, the fishing boats, the colorful houses and of course the sea make you feel you are stepping into an Italian movie scene. However, you should expect masses of tourists even from May. So, if you want to take a relaxing walk or take pictures without tourists, you must get there as early as possible. We visited in October and it was quite crowded around 9am ! There are many cozy cafés and restaurants in the port to have an incredible dining experience with amazing views.
6-Go to the famous viewpoint of Vernazza
If you want to have the best view overlooking Vernazza, you have to follow the path towards Monterosso al Mare. After about 15 minutes, you will reach the famous viewpoint, also known as the “bird-view” of Vernazza. For us, it is the most magical view in Cinque Terre ! But, you should know that you have to go down the rocks to reach the main tourist attraction. It can get very crowded during the day. If you visit in summer, we strongly recommend that you avoid hiking in the middle of the day, as the temperatures can be very hot. Another thing to keep in mind is that you will need the Cinque Terre trekking card to do this hike. However, if you visit off-season or early in the morning, there will be no one to check your card.
7-Take the trail from Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare
If you are willing to continue the trail to Monterosso al Mare, the views along the way will surely blow your mind. It is called “the Blue Trail” and it is not an easy trail ! You should be in good shape to do it, mainly because there are a lot of stairs and the terrain is steep. Comfortable shoes, clothes and plenty of water and even food are essential. Plus, be aware that depending on the season you visit, as one of the most popular hikes, it will be overpacked and you will need to be patient. But, it is a unique travel experience with scenic views almost everywhere !
8-Enjoy the famous beach of Monterosso al Mare
Once you reach Monterosso al Mare either on foot or by train, you will feel like you are entering a completely different world. This little town has the best beach in Cinque Terre called “Fegina Beach”. It is the only sandy beach and is the perfect place to relax ! The beautiful blue umbrellas create a unique atmosphere. Since it is the best spot for swimming, you should expect crowds of tourists. If you want to find a place to lay your towel or rent sunbeds and parasols, we suggest you go to the beach early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Watching the sun rise or set on this beach is a mesmerizing moment. Of course, you can alternatively take a long walk along the stunning coastline of Monterosso admiring the horizon and listening to the sound of the waves.
9-Walk in the center of Monterosso
As the largest village in Cinque Terre, Monterosso al Mare has many incredible places to visit. It consists of the old and the new town. The latter has great places to stay, while the most picturesque and charming part remains the old town ! Its medieval architecture, narrow streets, vivid colors make it one of the most beautiful places in Cinque Terre. If you are traveling as a family, Monterosso is the best destination for families with children, as it is flat and walkable. There is a wide range of shops, cafés, restaurants etc. In case you want to do a proper tour and have fun, we highly recommend the e-bike tour below. The whole experience and the views will leave you with the best impressions.
Other nearby Italian places to visit
1-Genoa
Genoa is a must-visit city in Italy and the capital of the Liguria region. The distance between Cinque Terre and Genoa is approximately 75 kilometers (1h15 by train). Its port is one of the oldest and most important in Europe ! We both love this city for its brilliant architecture and amazing Mediterranean vibes. Genoa Cathedral, the famous Piazza de Ferrari and the aquarium are some of the best places to visit during your trip. However, the most beautiful neighborhood of Genoa is Boccadasse. We could describe it as a mini version of Cinque Terre with its multi-coloured terraced houses. It is a hidden gem that definitely should not be missing from your list.
2-Camogli
Between Cinque Terre and Genoa, you will find the best kept secret of the Italian Riviera called “Camogli”. It is a small town with unique natural and architectural beauty. The turquoise waters of the beach, the adorable old town and the port with countless boats will make you fall in love with it at first sight. We suggest spending at least one full day in Camogli.
3-Portofino
Words do not do justice to how dreamy this Italian village is. Portofino is actually our favorite place on the Ligurian coast. It is the perfect place to visit as a day trip from anywhere on the Italian Riviera. It is a little piece of paradise with scenic beaches and lovely surroundings. But, Portofino also has a charming marina and old town where you can find luxury restaurants, shops, high-end boutiques etc. Although Portofino is known for its luxurious lifestyle, it is actually its natural beauty that left us speechless. It is a real pleasure to dive into the sea and enjoy the amazing scenery. Since it has a rich marine life, we highly recommend taking a snorkeling tour to enjoy the turquoise waters and various species.
4-Florence
Florence is a unique city that you should visit at least once in your life. Its rich history, culture, art and architecture are the pole magnet for thousands of tourists from all over the world. Its historic center is like an open-air museum where you will find the famous Duomo, the Ufizzi Gallery, the Ponte Vecchio and much more. That’s why we strongly recommend spending at least one day in Florence. In case you have Florence as your base, you can easily take a day trip to Cinque Terre to tick off your list 2 of the best places to visit in Italy !
5-Milan & Lake Como
You do not want to leave Italy without visiting Milan and the iconic Lake Como. Milan has brilliant architecture and vibrant life, while Lake Como is the place to experience the Italian dolce vita. Both are unique destinations that should be at the top of your Italy bucket list. We advise you to visit them together. You can stay in Milan which has more accommodation options available at better prices. And then take a day trip to Lake Como (to avoid spending a fortune on accommodation). A full day trip with cruise is undoubtedly the best way to enjoy the uniqueness of Lake Como. It will leave you with the best memories and photos !
Final Thoughts
Cinque Terre will always have a special place in our hearts and we sincerely look forward to visiting again and enjoying more time. During your 48 hours, you should focus on the best things you can do and give yourself some time to wander around and feel the magical vibes. We can assure you that Cinque Terre and its fascinating views will steal your hearts ! If you can spare some extra time in Italy, we advise you to try to take day trips at least to the other gems of the Italian Riviera. They are really worth a visit.
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