Visit the Cinque Terre in 3 days: what to see? what to do?

Travel tips for a stay in the Cinque Terre: 

• ✈️ Book your flight to Turin (best prices)
• 🚊 Book your train tickets to La Spezia
• 🏖️See all the activities to do in the Cinque Terre

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Why the Cinque Terre? 

Because they are five colourful villages clinging to the cliffs of the Ligurian coast. The ideal place if you love picturesque landscapes, hikes and Italian cuisine. Their perfect balance between unspoilt nature and authentic heritage is why the Cinque Terre are UNESCO-listed. 

Facing the sea, each village has its own character: 

• Monterosso al Mare is renowned for its golden sandy beach and seaside atmosphere.
• Vernazza charms with its picturesque harbour and medieval lanes.
• Corniglia sits proudly on a cliff 100 metres above the sea, offering an exceptional panorama.
• Manarola is the postcard gem, with its colourful houses clinging to the cliffs
• Riomaggiore, the liveliest, seduces with its typically Ligurian atmosphere and spectacular sunsets. 

Day 1: Visiting Monterosso and Vernazza 

Two charming villages between beaches and panoramas. Here are a few tips to plan your day better. Note that you can also do the reverse and finish in Monterosso. 

Morning: Discovering Monterosso al Mare

Start your stay with Monterosso, the largest of the five villages and the only one with a real fine sandy beach (also the largest in the Cinque Terre). You can visit the historic centre with its picturesque harbour. Allow about an hour for the visit, so don't hesitate to combine it with an activity on site. 

What to do in Monterosso al Mare?

• A visit to the Cinque Terre National Park by e-bike
• From Monterosso: hybrid boat tour with swimming stop‍
• Relax on Fegina beach, one of the most beautiful in the region.‍
• Explore the old town, with its narrow lanes and little shops.‍
• Visit the Church of San Giovanni Battista, dating from the 13th century, the church of San Giovanni Battista or the Villa Montale.‍
• Climb up to the Capuchin convent, for a spectacular panoramic view.

Where to have lunch? 🍽️

• Il Casello (Via Corone, 1) – Seafront restaurant, ideal for seafood pasta.
• Ristorante Miky (Via Fegina, 104) – A local institution, perfect for enjoying fried fish.

Afternoon: Hike from Monterosso → Vernazza

Take the hiking trail between Monterosso and Vernazza (about 1h30 of walking), one of the most beautiful in the region. Expect breathtaking views! Otherwise, you can also get there by boat or take the train (its station is a few metres from the main street in the centre). 

Remember to get the Cinque Terre Card if you want to go hiking: more information here. If you are wondering where to buy this card, you can also find it at the Welcome Centres of the Cinque Terre National Park or directly on their official website.

Evening: Admire the sunset in Vernazza

Arrival at Vernazza, often considered the most beautiful of the five villages.

• Stroll around the main square and the harbour.
• Have your photo taken in front of the colourful houses
• Get lost in the lanes of the village and historic centre 
• Climb up to Doria Castle (Castello Doria) for a stunning view.
• Laze on the pretty pebble beach
• Admire the sunset from the trail leading to Corniglia.

Where to have dinner? 🍷

• Belforte (Via Guidoni, 42) – Restaurant with a panoramic view, excellent seafood risotto.
• Gianni Franzi (Piazza Marconi, 1) – Traditional Ligurian cuisine.

Above all, remember to try the region's typical dish: trofie, delicious pasta with Genoese pesto! Lovers of fresh fish or pasta alle vongole won't be left out either! To get back, you can take the train to return to your accommodation. 

Day 2: Corniglia and Manarola

 
For this second day of our guide "Visit the Cinque Terre in 3 days", let's go and discover two more perched villages and their iconic landscapes

Morning: Visiting Corniglia, the perched gem

For this visit, note that Corniglia is the only village without direct access to the sea, and it is the smallest of the Cinque Terre. Allow about an hour on site. To get there:

• Climb or descend the 377 steps of the Scalinata Lardarina (it links the station to the historic centre).

• Explore the quiet lanes and enjoy a less touristy village.
• Admire the magnificent view from the Santa Maria terrace or from the top of the hill (90 metres above sea level) .
• Eat a gelato!
• Visit the church of San Pietro or the church of Santa Caterina.

Where to have a coffee? ☕

• Cecio (Via Serra, 58) – A café-restaurant with a stunning view.

Midday: Lunch with a view

• A Cantina de Mananan (Via Fieschi, 117) – Small authentic trattoria, remember to book!

Afternoon: Visiting Manarola, the most photogenic

After Corniglia, take the train to Manarola, one of the most emblematic villages of the Cinque Terre, known for its postcard architecture, its beaches and its cliffs. You won't be disappointed, it's an explosion of colour and good cheer!

Best activities in Manarola (tickets with free cancellation): 

• Wine tasting in Manarola 
• Pesto-making class 

What to do in Manarola?

• Stroll around the village and admire its colourful houses.
• Head down to the harbour to admire the panorama and have an aperitif
• Walk the Via dell'Amore (if open, this walk links Manarola to Riomaggiore; it is really worth doing both for the beauty of the scenery and its easy access)
• Stroll along the Via di Mezzo and visit a few local craft shops.
• Enjoy a glass of Sciacchetrà, the local wine, or have a spritz with some bruschetta or focaccia!

Evening: Romantic dinner in Manarola

• Nessun Dorma (Località Punta Bonfiglio) – Tapas bar with a sublime view of Manarola.
• Trattoria Dal Billy (Via Rollandi, 122) – Fish and seafood specialities.

Day 3: Riomaggiore, a postcard village

Last day of our itinerary Visit the Cinque Terre in 3 days. However, to get there, you can take a very special route: the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail), which runs along the sea linking all the villages. Find out more on the official Cinque Terre trails website, otherwise you can always take the train.

Morning: Visiting Riomaggiore

What are the best activities in Riomaggiore? 

• Tour of vineyards and wine cellars with wine tasting
• Explore the harbour and its colourful houses.
• Visit the historic centre of Riomaggiore and the church of San Giovanni Battista.
• Climb up to Riomaggiore castle to admire its panoramic view

Where to have lunch? 🍝

• La Lanterna (Via San Giacomo, 46) – Seafront seafood restaurant.

Afternoon: Last purchases and activities

• Shopping for local products (olive oil, pesto, wine).
• Bonus option: Kayak excursion or snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters.

Other ideas for visits during these 3 days 

Visit Portovenere

Portovenere is also in Liguria. You can get there by ferry or on foot from Riomaggiore by taking one of those famous trails. 

Portovenere is a pretty fishing village on the Gulf of Poets. Once there, don't miss its picturesque harbour, the Via Capellini, the church of San Pietro and the famous Byron's Grotto. 

Best activities in Portovenere: 

• Portovenere cruise with the 3 islands, aperitif included!

• Boat trip to Isola Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto

Visit La Spezia

Half an hour by bus from Portovenere, head to La Spezia. Often, people choose La Spezia as a base to stay. 

Best activities from La Spezia:

• Train excursion to the Cinque Terre 
• Round-trip cruise excursion to Pisa
• Cinque Terre boat tour
• Stroll along the harbour
• Go to the Thaon di Revel bridge
• Visit the historic centre with its cathedral and pretty squares such as Piazza Garibaldi or Piazza Europa
• Explore the medieval San Giorgio castle

Visit the Cinque Terre: transport, budget and tips

How to get around during these 3 days of visits?

• The train is the most practical means (Cinque Terre Express, pass at €18/day).
• Ferries offer a different view (€20 for an unlimited day).
• Hiking between villages is a superb but demanding option.

What budget for the Cinque Terre? 💰

• Accommodation: €80-200/night depending on the village.
• Meals: €15-30/meal.
• Transport: €20/day.

FAQ Visit the Cinque Terre in 3 days or more 

Here are our answers to your most frequently asked questions.

‍

What is the best way to visit the Cinque Terre?

The best way is to combine train and hiking as we suggested in our itinerary for these 3 days. The train lets you move quickly between villages, while hiking offers exceptional panoramas.

What is the most beautiful place in the Cinque Terre?

Vernazza is often cited as the most beautiful village, with its colourful harbour and stunning view from the trail to Monterosso. Manarola, with its houses suspended above the sea, is also a must-see

Which Cinque Terre village to do first?

Riomaggiore is a good starting point to discover the atmosphere of the Cinque Terre. Otherwise, starting with Monterosso lets you go from the largest to the smallest village.

What is the best time to go to the Cinque Terre?

May-June and September-October are ideal to avoid the crowds and enjoy a pleasant climate. July-August are very busy and more expensive.

How much does a train ticket to the Cinque Terre cost for a day?

The Cinque Terre pass costs about €18 per day and lets you travel freely between the five villages. A single ticket between two villages costs about €5.

That's it, our special article Visit the Cinque Terre in 3 days ends here. We hope this immersion in one of the most beautiful landscapes in Italy was to your liking. Enjoy your trip to Liguria! 🇮🇹✨