Cinque Terre is a national park and an UNESCO World Heritage site. Cinque terre is located in the Liguria region of Italy near the town of La Spezia and it’s not far from other famous tourist sites such as towns of Pisa and Lucca. Cinque Terre literally means five lands and the name refers to five colourful, cliffside villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. This beautiful national park attracts more than 2.5 million tourists each year so you can imagine that walking around these tiny villages can be overwhelming and too crowded. However, these charming villages are just too beautiful not to be visited. Most tourists explore Cinque Terre on a day trip by train while some wander up and down its many hiking trails and enjoy breathtaking views from above.

Why should you visit Cinque Terre in Italy?

1. Scenic Beauty: The dramatic cliffs and terraces overlooking the sea provide breathtaking views and photography opportunities.
2. Charming Villages: Each of the five villages has colourful houses and pretty, old churches
3. Hiking Trails: The trails connecting the villages offer stunning views and opportunities for exploration.

How to Visit Cinque Terre

The nearest major city is La Spezia, from where you can take a train to the Cinque Terre villages. The Cinque Terre Express train runs frequently between the villages during the main season. Off-season you can take regional trains. The most cost effective way is to buy a Cinque Terre Treno MS Card if you plan to visit all or most of the villages in a single day. Your train ticket is also your national park ticket and you should keep it for the duration of your visit. Write your name on the back side on the provided line and also carry your ID with you at all times. Ticket inspectors at trains can ask for your train card and your ID card.

When to visit Cinque Terre?

Avoid at all costs any public holidays and weekends. Definitely don’t go to Cinque Terre between May and September if you don’t want to push through the crowds. Try to visit it during the week in March, April or October for a more agreeable experience. If you’re not afraid of rain and if you don’t plan to hike then you can also visit Cinque Terre during the winter and basically have the villages to yourself.

What to Do/See in Each Village

You can easily visit all these villages on a day trip spending between an hour and two in each of them. However, for a more relaxed experience choose to visit 3 or 4 villages in a day or ideally spend 2 or 3 days exploring Cinque Terre, especially if you want to hike.

Monterosso al Mare

• Beach: The largest sandy beach in Cinque Terre, perfect for sunbathing and swimming. Definitely check the Statue of the Giant at the beach in Fegina area.
• Old Town: Explore charming streets and visit the Church of San Giovanni Battista.

Vernazza

• Harbour: A picturesque harbour, ideal for enjoying local seafood and scenic views.
• Doria Castle: Offers stunning views of the village and coastline but you need to climb a lot of steps and pay 2.50 EUR for admission.

Corniglia

• Terraced Vineyards: Known for its wine production, take a stroll through the vineyards.
• Church of San Pietro: A beautiful Gothic church with panoramic views.

Manarola

• Scenic Views: Famous for its colorful houses perched on the cliffs, perfect for photography.
• Via dell’Amore: A romantic walkway connecting Manarola to Riomaggiore, known for its breathtaking views.

Riomaggiore

• Historic Center: Explore the narrow streets and vibrant buildings including the remains of the Castle of Riomaggiore
• Church of San Giovanni Battista: A beautiful church dating back to the 14th century.

Why you shouldn’t visit Cinque Terre?

1. Overcrowded by tourists especially in the main season
2. No authenticity-more tourists than locals, more souvenir shops than local amenities
3. Negative environmental impact from overtourism: soil erosion, infrastructure strain, neglected agricultural land

My experience of visiting Cinque Terre

I visited four villages of Cinque Terre on an organized day trip by train. It was a sunny Saturday at the beginning of March and I’d expected to spend an enjoyable day without the crowds. I was somewhat mistaken. There were a number of tour groups (including mine) and it was definitely unpleasant to get on/off the train and to walk through the tunnels in Riomaggiore and Manarola to reach the centers of those villages. However, once you got out of the tunnels you could walk freely around the villages. I was told that that wasn’t the case during the main season, that it’s practically impossible to walk around the main points without bumping into other tourists.

We first visited Riomaggiore which is closest to La Spezia train station. It has a lovely panoramic viewpoint and an interesting church and once all tourists dispersed around the village it was pleasant to walk around. But I liked more Manarola. Nonetheless, you have to be patient to take the iconic photo of the village from the main viewpoint as everyone walks the path from the train station to the viewpoint. Most tourists don’t walk upwards towards a small, lovely church of San Lorenzo which I highly recommend. We spent the most time in Monterosso al Mare because it has a long, beautiful beach and the best choice of restaurants for a lunch. I had a delicious lunch and walked around the Old Town and by the beach. I even sunbathed for a while because it was very warm. Again, once you leave the train station you can wander around and do some souvenir shopping without getting in the way of other visitors. Vernazza was the icing on the cake for me. It’s tiny and adorable with a magnificent church. I climbed up to the remains of Doria castle for stunning views of Vernazza and its terraces.

I liked the villages of Cinque Terre and I had a pleasant day wandering around and taking photos. But I also think that they are over-hyped and too crowded (mind you, I can’t even imagine how crowded it is during the main season). Besides, there are kind of similar places in Croatia too so visiting Cinque Terre for me wasn’t really an unique experience. My advice is to go hiking around Cinque Terre for a more wholesome experience and to definitely visit it off-season and preferably during the week. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to visit it or not.

Conclusion

Cinque Terre is undeniably a mesmerizing destination, brimming with stunning landscapes and charming villages. While the parks’ UNESCO World Heritage status and breathtaking scenery attract millions of visitors each year, it’s essential to consider the timing and approach of your visit to avoid the overwhelming crowds. Whether you choose to explore by train, hike the scenic trails, or simply bask in the beauty of the five villages, planning an off-season trip can enhance your experience significantly.

I visited Cinque Terre in March 2026.