Cinque Terre is a place unlike any other. Situated along the Italian Riviera, it offers adorable seaside villages, stunningly colourful architecture, and unmatched views of the Mediterranean Sea. You could easily spend a lifetime here exploring, getting to know the local culture, and, of course, trying the delicious food! But if you’re a little more limited on time, and want to make the most of your trip, here are some suggestions for the top things to do on a journey through Cinque Terre!
THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN’
Within the Cinque Terre region, there are five villages that you can explore: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarolo, and Riomaggiore. You could rent a car and travel between the villages, but it’s much easier (and usually more affordable) to travel by train. But once you’re in a village, the #1 suggested thing to do is just to wander! When you travel on foot, without even a real destination in mind, you’ll get to see so much more of a city! You might find your new favourite restaurant, a secret spot with beautiful views, or you might even make some new friends. A lot of my favourite travel memories have been made by just walking and stopping somewhere that looked interesting! Cinque Terre has tons of little streets to explore. And if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, there are also some amazing hiking trails that will give you the most jaw-dropping views. Take the 12km hike through all five villages on the Blue Path Trail (it is currently under reconstruction but is set to re-open at the beginning of 2021) or do the shorter 3.5km trail all around the village of Riomaggiore (click here for some other trail ideas). Who knows what you’ll discover in Cinque Terre on foot!
ARCHITECTURE ENTHUSIASTS
Similar to the other Italian regions, Cinque Terre is no stranger to stunning architecture. Many know Cinque Terre for the colourful facades of the Liguarian-style buildings, which is a bucket list-worthy sight. But there are also tons of other hidden gems throughout the 5 villages.
First up, the Church of San Giovanni Battista. This 14th-century church was architecturally ahead of its time. While it’s considered to be Gothic-style, it stands out against many of the other buildings in this style. With black-and-white-striped marble exterior walls and a rose-coloured front window, it’s a beautifully unique sight! This church is located in the village of Monterosso. In the next village over of Vernazza, check out Doria Castle! Overlooking Poet’s Gulf, this oddly-shaped castle juts out along the coast. Although its exact date isn’t known, it is first historically referenced as early as the 13th century! The watchtower stands way above the rest of the castle, and definitely has the best views of the whole place! Heading to the most eastern village of Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore is home to traditional Ligurian-style housing. The bright colours of the buildings capture the eyes and the heart of every visitor! With so many buildings to explore and architectural styles to discover, you’ll never run out of places to see in Cinque Terre.
TIME TO EAT
A trip to Italy wouldn’t be complete without trying some of the local cuisine, and in Cinque Terre, you have a ton of delicious options! While this first dish to try may not be at the top of your food bucket list, once you try it you won’t get enough! Monterosso anchovies are well-known all over Italy for their high quality. These little fish are served raw with olive oil and some lemon juice. Don’t knock it till you try it! While it’s technically not a dish, you have to taste limoncello. This liqueur is made in the Cinque Terre region using the peels of lemons from the many groves in the area! Other dishes to have in Cinque Terre include mussels ripieni (these can come stuffed with seasonal vegetables, or with eggs, mortadella, and cheese), pasta al pesto, and ricotta-and-spinach-stuffed pansotti. Oh, dessert you ask? You MUST try pandolce. This fruit cake is a signature of the area and is so delicious. When in Cinque Terre, you can be sure that you’ll never go hungry!
LET’S GET TO THE BEACH, BEACH
When you’re as perfectly situated on the Italian Riviera as Cinque Terre is, you’re bound to have some picture-perfect beaches. Cinque Terre beaches aren’t considered “famous”, so usually they’re quite secluded compared to other spots along the Mediterranean. Whether you want to walk along the sand, bask in the sun, or take a dip in the crystal-blue water, Cinque Terre will have a spot for you.
Monterosso beach is a great place to relax in the sun and go swimming. It’s a well-loved beach for visitors and locals alike, and for very good reason! This beach is family-friendly, and there are some great bars and restaurants along the boardwalk. Want a tip? Head to the Bagni Eden beach club and rent an umbrella and lounger for the day. This part of the beach is a lot quieter. Guvano Beach in Corniglia is up next. This beach is much less known than Monterosso and has a sense of unspoiled beauty. This beach was once popular in the ’70s as a nude beach, and while most people wear bathing suits now, there still is the occasional person who bares it all. If this makes you feel uncomfortable, it’s best not to go here just in case. The safest way to get to Guvano Beach is to rent a boat from Vernazza, and head towards Corniglia to find it. While it’s technically not in Cinque Terre, you can’t miss out on visiting the Bay of Fairy Tales in Sestri Levante. This beach is quiet, safe for kids, and is surrounded by colourful Ligurian houses. You can get to Sestri Levante by taking a 45-minute train from Cinque Terre.
There are plenty of things to do while on a trip through Cinque Terre. From stunning views to historic buildings; from spending a day at the beach to spending an evening eating some of the best food you’ll ever try! While we’ve given you some great suggestions, the most important thing to remember while travelling to Cinque Terre is to make your trip your own! Participate in activities because you know they will bring you joy, not because someone told you to do it. At the end of the day, you’ll be the one going home with all the memories, so make the most of your trip and spend your time how you want!
Want to explore Cinque Terre for yourself? Acanela Expeditions offers 7-day trips to this stunning Italian region. A trip to Cinque Terre could include cooking classes, boat cruises, wine tasting, train rides, and many more amazing activities! You could also extend your trip to Milan or Rome. The world is yours with Acanela Expeditions!
Post Written By Demitria Rounis