Cinque Terre is one of the most photogenic destinations in Italy. It is synonymous with the colorful old villages perched on the cliffs and the magnificent coastal views. If you want to get a taste of this colorful Italian paradise but have limited time, you can also visit it as a day trip. In this article, you will find the ultimate 1-day travel guide to Cinque Terre, Italy.
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Why is Cinque Terre a must-visit place in Italy?
Cinque Terre is a unique part of Liguria that you should add to your list. Not only the authentic beauty of the villages but also the stunning ocean views make it a very special destination. As it is one of the most popular places, we highly recommend visiting it in the off-season. Otherwise, you should expect overpacked villages. The months of April and May, or September and October, are the best months to visit the famous Italian destinations. We could call Cinque Terre the “Santorini of Italy”, due to its massive tourism. However, it is worth visiting even as a day trip. The beauty of this Italian gem will leave you in awe.
How to get to Cinque Terre?
The fastest and most affordable way to get to and around Cinque Terre is undoubtedly by train. The traffic is hectic, and parking spaces are limited. There are also a lot of pickpockets, so leaving your car in an unguarded parking lot is not a safe option! You can take the train from La Spezia train station or simply from one village to another. If you are taking a road trip in Liguria and arriving by car, you can easily leave it in the La Spezia parking lot and continue your journey by train. Another way to get to Cinque Terre is by boat. However, we do not recommend this transport for your day trip, as it will take much longer to reach each village. You can alternatively visit it as a boat day trip from other major Italian cities such as Genoa, Florence, etc.
Is one day in Cinque Terre enough?
You can visit most of the amazing villages of Cinque Terre, even in one day. Obviously, you cannot enjoy them to the fullest, exploring them at your own pace. However, it is still possible to get a good taste of these Italian gems. In case you are a photography enthusiast, we strongly recommend that you visit the best photo spots during this day trip to Cinque Terre. Since you only have one day ahead, your goal is to explore as many places as possible without wasting time on certain spots. Better not to go to all the “perfect” viewpoints than not to visit an entire village.
The perfect 1-day itinerary for Cinque Terre – Italy
You need to start your day in Cinque Terre as early as possible, meaning before 7 am, especially if you want to avoid the crowds. We will start our itinerary with the village of Riomaggiore and its iconic view below. We will then head to Vernazza to enjoy its harbor. After that, we will go to Monterosso al Mare to relax by the beach. We will end our day in Manarola to experience its magical sunset. We left out the village of Corniglia (the second village in the row). The reason we did not include it in our itinerary is simple. You need to climb almost 400 steps to reach the center, which is very time-consuming.
Our 1-day itinerary: From the southernmost to northernmost village :
- Riomaggiore
- Vernazza
- Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare (Hiking Trail)
- Monterosso al Mare
- Manarola
1-Start the day in Riomaggiore
If you take the train from La Spezia, the first stop will be the village of Riomaggiore. It is the largest and one of the most incredible places in Cinque Terre. It is very easy to reach the beach, just by walking through the tunnel from the train station. However, if you want a perfect view of the colorful façades of the old houses (from a distance), you can climb the rocks to reach this viewpoint. If you visit early in the morning, we suggest you try it. But, if you are running out of time, then you can skip it and continue walking along the beach and the village for some equally stunning views.
2-Head to the village of Vernazza
After enjoying the magical village of Riomaggiore, it is time to go to the next village, called “Vernazza”. It is a bit different from the previous village, but still very charming with a picturesque harbour and cozy cafés and restaurants. If you want to have your breakfast there, we advise you to choose one of the cafés to enjoy the Italian pastries and the beautiful ambiance of the village. Of course, it depends on your plan and how you distribute your meals throughout your day. So, if you are a little late in your schedule, you can enjoy your lunch in Vernazza! We highly recommend “Ristorante La Torre” for an Italian lunch with a view. Be aware that after 9 am, the harbor will fill up quickly, especially on summer weekends.
3- Take the trail from Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare
The only trail we advise you to take is the trail from Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare to admire the famous birds-eye (panoramic) view. In addition to the magnificent view of the village, you will have stunning views of the vineyards and the ocean all along the way. You will need around 15-20 minutes to reach the famous view of Vernazza. However, the whole trail (Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare) will take you about 3 hours. So, if it is too hot or you are not in good physical shape, you can definitely avoid it and take the Cinque Terre train instead. After hiking this trail, you will be exhausted. That’s why it is better to enjoy a relaxing time in Monterosso al Mare. Since it is a long trail, you should come well-prepared. So, you should always check the weather forecast to avoid rain or high temperatures.
4- Enjoy your time in Monterosso al Mare
Monterosso al Mare is the ideal place for ocean lovers, as it has the most iconic sandy beach in the region. That’s why we chose it to relax and spend a relaxing time. It is divided into two parts. One part is the sandy beach, which is just a few steps away from the train station. The other part is the center of the village, which is 10 minutes away from the train station. If you want to enjoy the famous colorful beach umbrellas of Monterosso, it is better to skip the village center and spend your time on the beach. You can alternatively have a delicious meal or coffee just in front of the umbrellas. We chose “La Terrazza Cigolini” for a light meal and coffee.
5-Watch the magical sunset in Manarola
After enjoying our beach time in Monterosso, we need to return to Manarola, which is the last stop for this day trip. This village is one of the most enchanting villages in Cinque Terre. It is undoubtedly the best place to watch the sunset. For this reason, you should expect huge crowds, especially at the most famous viewpoint, the “Promenade“. It is very easy to find it, by just taking the main street and literally following the crowds. The best way to capture it empty is to try to find different angles without people. If you follow the little alley, you will reach the most famous restaurant of Cinque Terre, “Nessum Dorma”. You can enjoy a glass of wine or an Aperol spritz with the wonderful view it offers. However, you should book in advance to secure a seat.
Final Thoughts
Cinque Terre is one of the most magical places not only in Italy but also in Europe. It is one of those places that you should visit at least once in your life! If you get the opportunity, we suggest you visit it even as a day trip. The countless beautiful spots and stunning ocean views will leave you speechless. Just keep in mind that it is a very touristy place, especially during peak season and weekends, so book your day or multi-day trip in advance.
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