How Many Days Do You Need To See Cinque Terre?

You can see Cinque Terre in 2 to 3 days. In 2 days you can briefly visit all 5 villages via the Cinque Terre train. A third day will allow you more time for activities like a wine tasting, a coastal hike between the village such as the one between Monterosso to Vernazza or a ferry ride.

Below is a comprehensive guide to how to many days to spend in Cinque Terre and what all to do there.

How Many Days do you need in Cinque Terre?

2 – 3 days is the ideal amount of time to spend in Cinque Terre to allow you enough time to visit most of the 5 villages as well as do some hiking or take a ferry ride. Although having an extra day or two is a great opportunity to explore the region further in a slower pace, perhaps even head to Levanto or Porto Venre or challenge yourself with the Manarol to Corniglia hiking trail. Having an extra day or two really does make a big difference when it comes to enjoying a vacation in this part of Italy!

Can you see all 5 Cinque Terre Villages in 1 day?

Yes, it is technically possible to see all 5 villages in a day if you are squeezed for time, given the fast and frequent train service that connects these towns. However, you will most definitely be rushing through each town. For a more relaxed experience allowing you to appreciate each village’s unique charm, consider staying 2 to 3 days here.

Is 2 Days enough in Cinque Terre?

2 days provides a chance to see the highights of Cinque Terre, perhaps a quick visit to the most famous of the 5 villages – Vernazza and Manarola. and Riomaggiore. This will be enough time to get a brief feel for these villages and see their highlights. However 3 days or so is ideal if you want more time to explore and hike coastal paths as well as see all 5 villages without feeling too rushed.

Is 3 Days in Cinque Terre enough?

With 3 days in Cinque Terre, you can visit all 5 villages, enjoy a coastal hike or two, visit the village harbours and perhaps fit in a vineyard or two if you plan ahead. Spending 4 days here is best if you want to do these things but at a more relaxed pace allowing time to soak up the atmosphere.

What to do in Cinque Terre?

Cinque Terre literally translates to 5 towns in Italian. As such, there are 5 towns to explore, with each one having its own unique charm and stunning views of colourful houses that need to be seen. Having visited all 5, I would suggest half a day minimum to allow enough time to explore each of the towns without feeling too rushed.

1. Riomaggiore

Start your adventure in the easternmost village. Wander the narrow streets, catch a sunset at the marina, and savor fresh seafood. It’s the perfect introduction to Cinque Terre’s charm. Recommendations include –

• Tour the Castello di Riomaggiore and enjoy its panoramic views of the cascading village and sea from the castle terrace.
• Grab a slice at Pizzeria Kepris near the train station and dine on the adjacent rocky outcrop.
• Explore the famous Via Colombo’s winding streets and visit the Church of St. John the Baptist right by the waterfront.

2. Manarola

Famous for its sweet Sciacchetrà wine and breathtaking views from Punta Bonfiglio, Manarola is a feast for the senses. Don’t miss a swim in its crystal-clear waters. Recommendations include –

Watch sunset from the terrace at Nessun Dorma, offering an uninterrupted view over Manarola’s harbor.
• Joining a pesto-making class at Trattoria dal Billy to experience authentic Ligurian cuisine firsthand.
• If open, walk the Via dell’Amore coastal path connecting Manarola to Riomaggiore for a romantic hike.

3. Corniglia

Perched atop a hill, this town offers panoramic views and a quieter vibe. The hike up from the train station is a rite of passage here. Recommendations include –

• Ascending the Lardarina staircase (382 steps) to the village center for breathtaking sea views.
• Post staircase, rewarding yourself with handcrafted gelato at Alberto Gelateria while wandering its charming narrow streets.

4. Vernazza

Often hailed as the most picturesque, Vernazza definitely lives up to its reputation with a stunning harbor and the iconic Doria Castle. Recommendations include –

• Dining at Ristorante Belforte on its cliffside terrace overlooking the picturesque harbor, but book in advance over summer!
• Climbing from Piazza Marconi up to the lookout near the Doria Castle ruins for panoramic coastal views.
• Strolling the narrow alleys by the natural harbor and then take a short walk toward Corniglia via the local trail.

One word of warning if you are visiting Cinque Terre between May to August time, is to book any popular or view worthy restaurants in advance! The place can get busy very quickly especially at peak meal times, so better to be safe and book ahead where possible, rather than risk being turned away.

5. Monterosso al Mare

With its expansive beaches and lush lemon groves, Monterosso calls for a slower pace. Leave time plus some beach time. Recommendations include –

• Lunch at Ristorante La Spiaggia on Fegina Beach for fresh seafood with direct sea views.
• Tour and wine tasting at Buranco Winery (renowned for its Sciacchetrà) just outside the old town.
• Begin a scenic Blue Trail hike from the vicinity of the Church of St. John the Baptist toward Vernazza.

6. Levanto

Levanto is not officially one of the five Cinque Terre villages, nonetheless its highly worth checking out Levanto and Levanto beach for its relaxed vibe and loval atmosphere. I’m personally because we stayed in Levanto while exploring Cinque Terre and absolutely loved it! Not only was it a lot cheaper than the other five Cinque Terre villages, but it was less touristy with a more authentic feel. The best part is that Levento is on the Cinque Terre train only a few minutes from Monterosso, hence easy to get to /from anywhere in Cinque Terre.

How to get to Cinque Terre?

There is no International Airport in Cinque Terre itself, however the 2 closest International Airport you can fly into are in Genoa and Pisa.

1. Genoa to Cinque Terre

Genoa Airport is the closest airport to Cinque Terre, taking about an hour and a half away by car. It’s ideal for those looking to dive straight into the Italian Riviera without the long transit times. The drive from Genoa to Cinque Terre is as picturesque as it gets, with stunning views of the Ligurian Sea to greet you.

2. Pisa to Cinque Terre

The next convenient option is to arrive into Cinque Terre from Pisa Airport, then a two-hour train into Cinque Terre. It’s perfect for if you are looking to weave a little train adventure into their travel plans, offering a glimpse of Pisa and the Tuscan countryside along the way.

This is the option we went with. We in fact decided to fly in the night before, and explore Pisa in the morning before catching our train to Cinque Terre from Pisa.

Where to stay in Cinque Terre

Riomaggiore is great if you’re looking for a lively scene with places to go out.
Manarola boasts some killer sunset spots and the great spot in the main harbour for a dip in the water. Its perfect for those looking to capture insta worthy shots.
Corniglia is the quietest of the 5 vilages, offering a break from the crowds. Nonetheless, it’s up on a hill, so the views are top-notch.
Vernazza a great option if you like harbour views and want to enjoy your evenings with a good meal by the sea as there are plenty of restaurants here.
Monterosso offers the best beaches, if you’re looking to soak up some sun. I found Monterosso has bigger feel and more accommodation options practically speaking given its the largest of the 5 towns.
Levanto is much lesser known and not officially one of the 5 cinque Terre towns. However, its well connected to the other towns via the Cinque Terre train. It has a smaller, more local feel and can be somewhat cheaper to stay in than the official 5 villages.

We overlooked how far in advance we needed to book accommodation here. Hence we ended up booking a Airbnb in Levanto. Although its further out from the other villages, it was always nice to be roaming in the main towns then come back to a quieter, more relaxed village to sleep at night. For booking, I recommend Airbnb or Booking.com.

Overall, I found of all the towns, Riomaggiora, Manarola and Vernazza had less accommodation options available, compared to Corniglia and Monterosso. Corniglia is overall a little quieter than the other towns, whereas Monterosso is a lot larger hence has much more accommodation options available. I would recommend booking accommodation as early as possible for Cinque Terre as popular places get booked up fast! We ended up staying the Levanto – the town furtherest up past Monterosso in Cinque Terre.

Cinque Terre Card

I highly recommend the Cinque Terre Card to get around Ciqnue Terre. This handy pass can be purchased online from the Cinque Terre tourism wesbite or in person once in Cinque Terre. Prices vary depending on what you’re after – a basic hiking pass starts at around €7.50, while a combo train and trails pass, which includes unlimited train rides between the villages and access to all trails, is about €18.20 for one day. Getting this made things really convinient, saving us time and money from having to buy separate train tickets and hiking passes our trips between the vilages.

How to get around Cinque Terre?

Cinque Terre is easy to get around, especially with the local Cinque Terre train which connects all 5 villages. You can also ferry or hike between the villages on the famous Blue Trail.

Cinque Terre by Train

The local train service is the most convenient way to hop between the villages. Trains run frequently, about every 20 minutes or so, making it easy to explore multiple villages in a single day. For costs, a single journey ticket ranges from €4 to €5, depending on the distance. However, investing in the Cinque Terre Card is more economical if you plan to travel multiple times or hike. This card offers unlimited train travel between the villages and access to the hiking trails. A one-day pass for the train version of the Cinque Terre Card costs about €16, while a two-day pass is around €29. Prices are slightly lower for children and groups.

Driving in Cinque Terre

While it is possible to drive to Cinque Terre, it is not the ideal way to get around the 5 villages. The roads leading to the villages are narrow and winding, and parking is scarce and expensive. Plus, the villages themselves are largely car-free, meaning you’d have to park outside and walk or take a shuttle in anyway.

Ferries

Ferries in Cinque Terre offer a scenic route between the villages, perfect for those looking to take in the coastline from the sea. The main ferry provider, Navigazione Golfo dei Poeti, runs frequent services in peak summer, connecting Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Corniglia unfortunately, does not have sea access. Prices for a single trip start around €7, but day passes are available for around €30. Check the offiicial ferry times before planning your day.

Hiking between the villages

If you’re up for some physical activity, hiking in the Cinque Terre region is a fantastic way to take in the breathtaking landscapes. The blue trail as its known is the famous coastal path which connects the five villages via its hiking trails. The trails between each of the villages vary in difficulty, so there’s something for most people from casual walkers to seasoned hikers. Keep in mind that trail conditions can change, and some paths may be closed for maintenance, especially after heavy rains. It’s free to hike, but some trails require the Cinque Terre Card for access.

Cinque Terre Itinerary – 3 to 4 Day Guide

If you ask me, having been to Cinque Terre I would say 2 days in Cinque Terre is enough to cover the bare essential places, but if you really want to enjoy your vacation, I would opt for 3-4 days in Cinque Terre. This will allow you time to really visit each of the villages, so some amazing hikes, explore a vineyard or two and relax at the beach. Given the amount of towns to see and activities to do, 2 days in Cinque Terre may make trip a little rushed and will require cutting some some of the acitivities or skipping some of the towns, netiher of which I recommend because each place is unique and worth a visit!

Below is a day by day itinerary for the 3.5 days I spent in Cinque Terre. You can adjust the itinerary based on which villages you want to skip or further explore.

Day 1: Arrive into Levanto

First day, we arrived into Levanto, where our first Airbnb was located and settled in. After unpacking, we headed to the local beach and market for some famous focaccia with a view. The bustling market had the lingering smell of dreshly baked bread and we made the most of it, sampling out all the different flavours of focaccia in the local market. After a short post lunch break, we ventured to do the shortest of all the walks (50 mins) between the villages which is between Manarola and Riomaggiore, also known as ‘Love’s Lane’. However it turned out that this path was closed, and resulted in us taking an unconventional and steep detour through the vineyards (which I don’t recommend), to finally arrive in Manaola for dinner!

Day 2: Levanto to Monterosso Hike

Day 2, we kicked off the day with a morning hike from Levanto to Monterosso (to avoid the midday sun!). After the hiking experience, this day was all about soaking up the sun at the iconic Monterosso beach. However, my favourite part was wandering through the old town sampling some iced lemonade and local gelato shops!

Day 2: Hike Monterosso to Vernazza

Late afternoon post lunch (and gelato!), we decided to complete the stunning Monterosso to Vernazza hike. This is honestly one of the most beautiful and scenic trails, so if you do just one, I highly recommend this one! If you’re like me and looking to capture those iconic views of Vernazza’s natural harbor and colorful marina, then these can be found at towards the end of your hike to Vernazza as the route makes way down to the village, provding a stunning vantage point for views of the coastline.

We had heard Vernazza was an excellent place for wine tastings, so after wandering to a places offering tastings in the area, we decided to do a local wine tasting at Cinque Sensi – a charming little wine bar and restaurant. Vernazza for the evening was the sunset views, we decided to stop by and grab some pesto to go at a locally recomended spot Pippo A Vernazza, before heading to a viewpoint for sunset views from a short path just s short distance from the main street in Vernazza.

Day 3: Riomaggiorre

The next day, we leisurely strolled the quaint Corniglia after breakfast. In the afternoon we hiked the picturesque trail from Corniglia Riomaggiore. We were greeted by the iconic pastel buildings and dramatic cliffs. The rest of day was spent cooling down with a refreshing swim in the clear waters before exploring the alleys in the main town. We ended the day getting some food nearby then setting up to watch the sunset on the rocks along with a bunch of other locals and visitors at this spot in the harbour (pictured below).

Day 4: Levanto to Liquria

A fourth day isn’t neccessary to cover Cinque Terre, as we had by now seen all 5 of the villages. As such on day 4 we decided to hire some bikes and cycle over to the smaller town of Liquria for a half day trip. Liquria is accessible via a short coastal cyclying route from Levanto and definitely feels more local and off the beaten path. Here spent some time at the beach before heading back to Manarola in the late afternoon for our final evening in Cinque Terre.

Nessun Dorma viewpoint

This time we opted to get sunset views from the iconic viewpoint near the famous Nessun Dorma restaurant. This place is truely magical at sunset, with a buzzing atmosphere and breathaking views. I would highly recomend booking dinner here in advance or trying their walk-in option if its not too busy!

Hiking between the Cinque Terre Villages

Unlike the Amalfi Coast, I found that Cinque Terre has a lot more options for hikes, especially short 1-2 hour coastal hikes which you can easily fit into a day itinerary. Before setting out on any of the hikes, make sure you have purchased your Cinque Terre Pass. This pass is used to access all the hikes between the five Cinque Terre villages on the Blue Trail. Also check the latest park website notice on which paths are open. Often rail or erosion can cause paths to close at different times of the year, so best to check this in advance.

Cinque Terre Hikes

These are the most well known hikes in Cinque Terre –

Monterosso to Vernazza: Expect to spend about 2 hours on the trail. The hike is a bit challenging with some steep sections, but the views are worth it.
Vernazza to Corniglia: Plan for about 1.5 hours. This part of the trail offers a mix of climbs and easy walks, with plenty of scenic spots.
Corniglia to Manarola: Allocate around 2.5 hour. This segment is generally easier, with flatter sections and stunning vineyard views.
Manarola to Riomaggiore: Takes about 1.5 hours. Known as the Via dell’Amore, it is currently closed for repairs, but once reopened, it is one of the most iconic and easiest stretches.

Finally I hope the above has helped you decide how many days to spend in Cinque Terre. Buon viaggio!

Are you heading to Italy? Check out our other guides on Italy below!

Monterosso to Vernazza Hike via Sentiero Azzuro in Cinque Terre

Corniglia to Manarola Hike via Volastra

Ultimate Guide to Visiting Levanto Beach in Cinque Terre, Italy