FAQ About Cinque Terre, Italy!

1. Is Cinque Terre worth visiting?

Slightly out of the way from major tourist destinations like Rome, Milan, and Florence, many people ask if Cinque Terre is worth the detour. In our opinion, this picturesque coastline is one of Italy's most magical places. We promise you will not regret visiting this little slice of paradise.

2. Should I visit all of the towns?

Before arriving, we expected all of the towns to be pretty similar. Although all five show off bright houses and stunning views, each vibrant seaside village offers unique advantages. Translating directly to “Five Lands,” we highly recommend visiting each one if possible.

3. How many days do I need in Cinque Terre?

Ideally, 3-4 days is perfect for Cinque Terre. This is especially true if you plan to do some hiking, visit the beach, and experience each town thoroughly. If you are tight on time, seeing all five towns in one day is possible. It would be long and busy, but we would still deem it worth the trip if that's all you have.

4. How do I get to Cinque Terre?

There are two ways to reach Cinque Terre in Italy. The first and the easiest is by train. The Cinque Terre Express connects each village. This train runs from Levanto (1 stop north of Cinque Terre) to La Spezia (1 stop south of Cinque Terre).

You can take intercity trains directly from Rome, Florence, Pisa, Milan, and most other places in the country to La Spezia. From there, you can hop on the Cinque Terre Express and go to any of the five villages.

The second method is by vehicle. This requires much more planning, but it is possible. The issue is that there is VERY limited parking in all the villages. Monterosso has a small public lot, which makes it a great home base if you have a car. We rented an Airbnb in Corniglia that included a parking spot, which is also a great option.

5. How do I travel between the villages?

A hiking trail and a train connect each village in Cinque Terre. The Cinque Terre Express is the quickest option, with each town being only a few minutes apart. You can either pay 5 Euros (2022) for a one-way ticket between each stop or buy a day pass called the Cinque Terre Train Card.

This is the option we would recommend as it allows unlimited travel. The cost in 2023 was 18.20 euros for a one-day card, 33 euros for a two-day card and 47 euros for a three-day card. Discounts are available for children, families, and seniors.

Alternatively, you can hike between the towns on the Sentiero Azzurro, AKA the Blue Path.

6. What is the Sentiero Azzurro?

Although not for the faint of heart, the Sentiero Azzurro (AKA the Blue Path) is a spectacular way to explore the area. This trail connects all five villages over 11 kilometres with almost 600 meters of elevation gain in each direction.

The trail can get hot and crowded, so we recommend starting early. There are a few lemonade shops and restaurants along the way, but bring plenty of water as they are few and far between.

NOTE: Do not attempt this hike in flip-flops. You will want to wear runners as the trail has uneven rocks, steps, and dirt paths.

You can either choose to do the entire hike or just certain sections. It meets up with every town along the way, offering you relief via the train if needed. In 2022, the trail from Corniglia to Riomaggiore was closed due to a landslide. Check here for trail updates.

7. Where should I Stay in Cinque Terre?

While all of these towns offer excellent accommodation, we chose Corniglia and were overjoyed with our decision. Because this is the only town that the train does not take you directly to, Corniglia has all of the charm with a fraction of the crowds.

Don’t let the 10-minute walk scare you off; it is only 1 kilometre, and the views are a remarkable distraction. A bus runs from the train station to Corniglia from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM. This is helpful if you are arriving by train with your luggage. Otherwise, we would opt for the scenic walk. At the top of the steps, you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the rugged Italian coastline.

Our second choice would be Monterosso. It is the largest of the five towns and the easiest to access. If you plan on driving, there is a parking lot, and the beach is fantastic.