Table of Contents:
When to travel to Cinque Terre
How to get to Cinque Terre from Genoa
How to get to Cinque Terre from Milan
When to travel to Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre National Park consists of 5 fishing villages called Monterosso, Manarola, Riomaggiore, Vernazza and Corniglia, united into one historical and cultural monument. Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. Cinque Terre is located on the shores of the Gulf of Genoa, in the province of La Spezia, in the Liguria region.
Cinque Terre is considered to be a cultural attraction so it can be visited any time of the year. Among all 5 villages, only Monterosso has its own beach area. The swimming period lasts from June until mid. September here. Frankly speaking, Liguria region in Italy is not always good for beach holiday as there is a steep shore and no gentle entrance to the sea. In Cinque Terre only Monterosso has a tiny sandy beach which is overcrowded in summer. If you look for a place for a beach holiday in Liguria, then it will be better to stay in Sanremo, Alassio of Finale Ligure. Those resorts are located north from Cinque Terre and close to the border of France.
How to get to Cinque Terre
Where do you fly into to get to Cinque Terre? To get to Cinque Terre, you first need to get to one of the major cities by plane. It can be Genoa or Milan. The current flight timetable can be checked via specialized online services such as Aviasales and others. Then you can get to Cinque Terre by train, by boat, by taxi or by rented car.
How to get to Cinque Terre from Genoa
All villages within Cinque Terre are located close to each other and each can be reached by train, by boat or by taxi. Distance from Genoa to Monterosso is 88 km, to Vernazza is 97 km, to Riomaggiore is 116 km, to Manarola is 117 km, to Corniglia is 120 km.
By train: Regional trains run from Genoa to each of the towns of Cinque Terre. The travel time to Monterosso is 1 hour 20 minutes; to Vernazza is 1 hour 25 minutes; to Riomaggiore is 1 hour 35 minutes; to Manarola is 1 hour 40 minutes; to Corniglia is 1 hour 50 minutes. All trains depart from Genoa Brignoli Railway Station. There are many trains running throughout the day. You can check the current train timetable and purchase tickets in advance at the Raileurope booking service.
By boat: Similarly, you can go to Cinque Terre by water transport and explore the picturesque shore of the Ligurian Riviera (in summer). Numerous excursion boats depart from the port of Genoa. The travel time is from 2 to 2.5 hours.
By taxi: Alternatively, you can get to the towns of Cinque Terre by taxi. You can order a taxi upon arrival at the airport or train station in Genoa, or in advance via the specialized international services such as Kiwitaxi and other similar ones. The travel time to Monterosso is 1 hour 50 minutes; to Vernazza is 2 hours; to Riomaggiore is 2 hours 10 minutes; to Manarola is 2 hours 15 minutes on the way; to Corniglia is 2 hours 20 minutes.
By rented car: It is no less convenient to travel from Genoa to the Cinque Terre National Park by rented car. Genoa and the park are connected with the highway No. A12/E80; the distance of 80 km to the first village can be covered in 1 hour 20 minutes (see on the map). In addition, this is an unforgettable opportunity to see the most picturesque views of the Ligurian shore. Car rental in Genoa is extremely popular; rental offices can be found in the city and at the airport. You can book the desired class of car in advance via various online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and some others. During the holiday season, early booking will allow you to choose one of the best available options, as Genoa is a popular tourist destination.
How to get to Cinque Terre from Milan
The average distance from Milan to Cinque Terre is 240 km. You can also get to the towns of the National Park by train or by car.
By train: Each of the Cinque Terre towns can be reached by train from Milan.
- A high-speed IC train runs between Milan and Monterosso every 2 hours, with a travel time of about 3 hours.
- There are no direct trains between Milan and Vernazza, but you can get there with a change in La Spezia or Levanto; the journey time is just over 3 hours.
- From Milan to Riomaggiore you can travel in 3 hours 20 minutes with a change in Monterosso or La Spezia.
- You can get to Manarola in 3 hours 25 minutes with a change in the same Monterosso or La Spezia.
- It takes the longest to get to Corniglia – about 3.5 hours with a change in Levanto or La Spezia.
You can check the current train timetable and purchase tickets in advance at the Raileurope booking service.
By rented car: One of the most convenient and fastest ways to get from Milan to Cinque Terre is to rent a car directly at Milan airport. Milan and the Cinque Terre National Park are connected with the motorways #A1 and A15/E33 via Parma or along the motorways #A7 and A12 via Genoa. The travel time is approximately 3 hours (see on the map). You can find a suitable car for renting both in Milan and at the Malpensa airport. You can also book the desired class of car in advance via various online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc.
Where to stay in Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre consists of 5 villages called Monterosso, Vernazza, Riomaggiore, Manarola and Corniglia. You can live here for a while. In all 5 villages there are hotels of different star categories, mainly 3 and 2 stars, as well as guest houses without stars. The hotels below include three-star hotels in Cinque Terre in the mid-price category:
Hotel Due Gemelli 3*: Among the hotels in Riomaggiore, this one stands out for its views from the hotel, since Hotel Due Gemelli is located on a hill overlooking the Gulf. Nearby there is a pine forest and vineyards. The hotel has a restaurant with terrace serving Ligurian cuisine. Private parking is available on site and is free of charge. Luggage storage is also provided. Most of the rooms have sea views;
Locanda Il Maestrale 3*: This hotel is located in the town of Monterosso al Mare, the first of the five villages of Cinque Terre. The hotel is located in a historical building, surrounded with gardens. The nearest beach can be reached within a few minutes. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Locanda Il Maestrale. The hotel has economy, standard and superior-class rooms;
Hotel Margherita 3*: Among the hotels in Monterosso, this one is conveniently located near the beach, which is just a few steps from the hotel. Monterosso train station is also within walking distance. The hotel has its own garden. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. The hotel also offers luggage storage. There is a parking lot nearby;
Hotel Marina Piccola 3*: Hotel Marina Piccola is located in Manarola, within walking distance of both the beaches and the train station. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi and luggage storage. The disadvantages are that the hotel does not have an elevator or a parking area;
La Dolce Vita; This hotel is located in Riomaggiore. You can stay in the spacious rooms equipped with everything you need. All rooms are equipped with a coffee pot or a kettle. Wi-Fi is available in the rooms and is free of charge. Luggage storage services are provided at the front desk. The hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the nearest beach and train station.
What to see in Cinque Terre
The attractions of Cinque Terre are a mixture of natural landscapes and historical monuments preserved within the National Park. Each of the 5 villages has preserved its own interesting places, and you can move between towns partly on foot via “Path of Love”, partly by public transport (by trains).
Monterosso is the largest of the five villages of the Cinque Terre National Park. Conventionally, the town is divided into an old and a new part. The first is famous for its historical buildings, while the second is famous for its pebble and sandy beach (which is generally rare for Liguria). The must-see attractions of Monterosso include the Monterosso Castle and 13 towers (16th century), the Capuchin Monastery (17th century), the Church of St. Giovanni Baptista (13th century), the Villa Montale Residence (19th century) and other historical monuments. In addition, the image of Monterosso will be incomplete without going up to the observation deck located on the Aurora Tower, from where the best views of the village and the Gulf are open.
Vernazza is a very tiny town located on a steep cliff, which is why moving around it requires you to constantly go up or down stairs. It’s worth a visit to Vernazza to admire the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch (14th century), the Franciscan Monastery (17th century), and the ruins of Doria Castle (11th century). Of course, the main natural attraction of the village is the steep cliffs that go straight into the raging blue sea. This landscape is infinitely beautiful both from land and from water, which is why boat trips are so popular here.
Riomaggiore, like the rest of the Cinque Terre villages, has retained the charm of the Middle Ages. Just look at the ruins of Riomaggiore Castle, the construction of which dates back to the 13th century. Also, there are several churches and chapels that date back to the Early Middle Ages, located here. These particularly include the chapel of St. Anthony, the chapel of St. Rocco, the church of St. Sebastian and the church of Assunta. In addition, the picturesque views of the villages are complemented by a small secluded beach, which is not as well-known as in Monterosso, but surprisingly beautiful. Then you can get to the next village, called Manarola, along an equipped walking trail which has a poetic name – the Path of Love.
The distance of the Path of Love is only 900 m, but it passes by the sheer cliffs of Ligurian shore, which is why the local landscapes are so picturesque. The route is not difficult at all. There are no sharp ascents and descents, so many tourists are happy to overcome it on foot, although there is also a cable car. You can also travel along the route by train, but in this case, you will not be able to see the most of the landscapes, because the railway passes through a tunnel in the mountains.
Manarola is a combination of colorful red and yellow houses and gray formidable cliffs that go into the sea, at the foot of which fishing boats gently sway. Every morning at the local market you can find fresh seafood and fish caught right there in the Gulf. Manarola is a very small town and it is decorated with a tiny central square and the Church of St. Lorenzo, made in a magnificent Baroque style. The construction of the church dates back to the beginning of the 14th century. The church is surrounded with a chapel and a bell tower, no less magnificent and beautiful.
Corniglia is the last village in Cinque Terre. The settlement is located on a hill, a little further from the sea. Here you can find the Gothic Church of St. Peter (14th century), the ruins of fortifications (16th century), and the Chapel of St. Catherine (17th century). By the way, the latter offers magnificent views of Corniglia. There is also a small beach not far from the town, however, it is not suitable for everyone, since it is considered to be nudist.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out a travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerged medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase an insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: bvi4092
The author is Julia Mam
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more…
