Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is the new Positano (according to me). Cinque Terre is on the Northwest coast of Italy and b-e-a-uuuutiful. It’s made up of five villages that are connected by train or if you’re adventurous enough you can hike between the five villages. I, surprisingly enough, have done both the hike and train. As you can imagine, I preferred taking the train between them. The villages are some of the most picturesque places I have ever seen- the colorful buildings are built into the cliffs and each town has a harbor, it is truly stunning.
How to get there: Both times I have traveled to Cinque Terre I went via Pisa. The train from Pisa Centrale is about an hour and a half to get to Monterosso, the last of the five villages. When departing from Pisa Centrale, there is a connection in La Spezia and from there you take the train toward Monterosso ( use RailEurope to help you). Once on this train, you can get off at any of the five towns. A one-way ticket from Pisa to Monterosso is about 15-20 Euros. At the La Spezia train station you will have the opportunity to buy a train ticket day pass that works in Cinque Terre for sixteen Euros. This deal includes: unlimited train rides between the villages for a day, wifi password, and access to toilets. I highly recommend buying this pass for at least one day and hiking the other days. If you opt out of the unlimited train ticket for the day, it will be roughly four euros for each ride whether that is one or four stops- the train ticket for the day definitely pays off. When riding the train, be sure to validate your ticket before starting the journey or prepare to get hit with a fine.
Accommodation: The first time I visited Cinque Terre, I stayed at 5 Terre Backpackers in Monterosso about 20 minutes out from the center. Upon my arrival, I was picked up by a bus that was arranged by the hostel. The hostel provided a van service to take us back and forth every day. The hostel was clean, had a great environment, friendly/helpful staff, and free breakfast. I also had the option to pay for an Italian style dinner every night, which was delicious and affordable. I recommend booking in advance as Cinque Terre is a popular destination in the summer, to avoid crowds try going during the off-peak season. The second time I visited Cinque Terre, I stayed in Pisa and did a day trip. Day trips from other places in Italy, such as Florence and Rome are completely doable, Italy is easy to travel through. I typically do not stay in luxurious places, so I prefer booking through Hostelworld or Airbnb for more affordable rates.
Hiking: My first time in Cinque Terre, I thought it would be a good idea to hike between the villages. It was a good way to feel the local vibes, bounce between streets and of course drink! Many people travel here to hike between the villages and it will give you some of the most breathtaking views. There are quite a few different options/ paths for these hikes. It seemed to me that I was on some of the harder trails or am just reallyyyy out of shape. Take the time to look at a map before setting off and getting an idea of which trails you’d like to take. Be sure to pack lots of water, wear the right shoes (not converse), and check the weather. Give yourself enough time to fully enjoy the sites because the trails between villages can take an hour to three hours.
The lazy way: My second time in Cinque Terre, I made it V clear to my boyfriend that we would not be hiking. We would be taking the train between all of the villages. If you have time, I highly recommend taking a day to hike and then the other day/days giving yourself enough time to explore each village. This time we were only doing a day trip and wanted to ensure that we were making the most of our day. We started the day in Monterosso and then went in order from there, stopping in each village.
Monterosso: You will quickly realize each one of these villages is filled with vibrant colors and exquisite architecture, you will find beauty in each step you take. This village has a beach, you can rent umbrellas or set up a towel to lay out. During the summer I can imagine the beach gets packed, get there early and claim your spot! Walk along the coast and once high enough you will get a spectacular view of the beach. There are tons of cafes and restaurants to choose from in this village.
Vernazza: I love the harbor in this village, walk all the way out to the end of the walkway to get an incredible view of the village. Sit down by the water and have a drink or gelato and soak in that you are sitting in one of the most amazing places in the world. If you have time, walk up to the castle by following the signs up. It is at the top of the village and you will get a 360 view of the whole village and coast, it is definitely worth the Euro.
Corniglia: This town is located at the top of a hill, yes that means even if you take the train you will need to walk up stairs and quite a few of them. If you have that handy dandy day pass then you can take the bus up, unless of course you are trying to get your steps in. Amongst walking through these narrow streets, at the end of the town I stumbled upon a little cafe, Bar Terza Terra. There is a patio overlooking the water and lucky for me, there were open tables. It was such a tranquil place to have a glass of wine and grab a snack.
Manarola: A fan favorite! If you Google Cinque Terre, Manorola is most likely the village you’ll see. Manarola is absolutely majestic, there are tiny little colorful houses planted into the side of a cliff and a quaint little harbor. Walk on the path on the opposite side of all of the buildings to get the best view of this little village. Continue up the path to Nessun Dorma, you will not regret grabbing a beverage or snack up here. Of course it is a little bit more pricey, but we’re not talking break the bank prices. I went for the Italian classic, Aperol Spritz, I have to say it would not be my drink of choice but when Italy, do as the locals, amirite?! This bar/restaurant is seasonal and may be closed depending on the time of year you go, also it may be closed if there is inclement weather.
Riomaggiore: Last but not least! On my day trip we started from Monterosso and ended our day here and watched an incredible sunset (soooo romantic). I have seen the least of this town, but that doesn’t mean you should skip it. When I hiked the first time I visited Cinque Terre, I had started here and made the trek (I am so dramatic) to Monterosso. The views were phenomenal, but if my memory serves me correct this hike was completely downhill and then straight back up hill. Keep in mind, this was two years ago and some trails had been closed, this very well may have changed.
Tips: Pack light and try to avoid bringing a suitcase. Many European roads are cobblestone, making it difficult to roll suitcases. Bring cash, many places in Cinque Terre still only accept cash. Exchange your money before traveling, go to your bank for the best exchange rates. Avoid changing money at airports, since they usually have the worst exchange rates. Pack comfortable shoes, the best way to see a city is by foot. Most importantly, try new foods, talk to new people and take in the scenery around you!
