Five ancient sea villages connected by a network of paths known worldwide for their beauty, crystal clear sea and beaches of unparalleled charm
Liguria
Cinque terre: colors overlooking the sea
Cinque Terre:
colors overlooking the sea
TRADITIONAL FOOD SPECIALTIES : Anchovies and Monterosso rice cake, courgette flower croquettes, trofie with pesto (a kind of pasta with a basil and pine nuts based sauce), stuffed muscles, extra virgin olive oil and aromatic herbs (basil, rosemary, thyme).
WINES: Bosco, Albarola, Vermentino
MUST DO’S : A stop in each of the 5 villages that make up Cinque Terre, the Blue Trail that connects them along a 12-kilometer route known for its breathtaking Mediterranean scenery overlooking the sea.
RECOMMENDED READS:
Italian poet and Nobel Prize winnner Eugenio Montale’s poems. He used to spend summer time in Monterosso during his childhood.
- The lemon trees (I Limoni)
- The Coastguard’s House (La casa dei doganieri)
- Cape Mesco (Punta del Mesco)
What is Cinque Terre renowned for?
Cinque Terre are five characteristic ancient seaside villages located in the Levante Ligure area, on a coastal stretch of about 10 km between La Spezia and Genoa.
Connected to each other by the railway and by a network of paths, the villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore overlook the sea and are known throughout the world for their rare beauty.
Beaches in Cinque Terre
Crystal clear waters, incomparably charming beaches and jagged coasts, terraced vineyards and olive trees with the typical ancient dry stone walls are the perfect place to spend a holiday immersed in nature.
Cinque Terre’s beaches are narrow and pebbly. If you don’t like stones you should go to Monterosso’s soft sandy beach.
Outdoor activities in Cinque Terre
Sports enthusiasts will love the renowned Cinque Terre paths, which have been, for centuries, the only connection between one village and another. The network is about 120 kilometers long and the whole area can be visited along its hiking and trekking routes (have a look at the Cinque Terre National Park website).
BEST TIME TO GO: For sun and sea lovers, from late spring to early autumn. For those who want to go hiking or are interested in the villages, spring and autumn are the best time to visti Cinque Terre
HOW TO GET THERE: The closest airport is Pisa, 100 km away from Riomaggiore (about 1 hour 15 minutes). Genoa airport is 100 km away from Monterosso (about 2 hours). By train with the Genoa-La Spezia train line.
HOW TO GET AROUND: Driving is highly inconvenient, streets are narrow, curvy, overlooking the sea, and parking can easily become a hassle. The most convenient and cheap way to reach Cinque Terre is by train, along the Genoa-La Spezia line. Each village in Cinque Terre has a train station and the 5 villages are connected by regional trains. In the summer a boat service connects Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore (Corniglia doesn’t have a harbour) to La Spezia, Levanto and Portovenere.
WHERE TO STAY: Staying at Cinque Terre can be very expensive and accommodations are quite limited. Levanto, La Spezia and Portovenere are excellent alternatives offering a larger number of cheaper accommodations.
HOW LONG SHOULD I STAY: You can visit Cinque Terre in a day. If you have more time, you may visit the surroundings: Portovenere, Portofino, Rapallo, Genoa.
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