Planning a trip to Cinque Terre, Italy? We spent 2 nights in the area during our 3-month backpacking trip through Europe with our four kids and visited all five Cinque Terre towns: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
In this guide, I’m sharing our 2-night Cinque Terre itinerary, how we traveled between the five villages, the hikes we loved, where we stayed, what we would do differently today and the tips I wish I’d known before our trip.
If you’re trying to figure out whether you can see all five Cinque Terre towns in one day, where to stay or how the trains and hiking trails work, this guide will help you plan it.
Cinque Terre had been on my bucket list for years, so I was watching the weather all week hoping we’d have sunshine — and luckily, we did!
We stayed for 2 nights in La Spezia, just outside Cinque Terre, during our 3-month backpacking trip through Europe. La Spezia ended up being a great home base for our family of six because we could easily take the train to the five villages while having more accommodation options than we found inside Cinque Terre.
Our biggest mistake? We didn’t stay long enough there are so many great things to do in Cinque Terre.
We originally thought two nights would be plenty, but after hiking between the villages, exploring the towns and realizing how much more there was to do, I could easily see spending three or four nights here.
That said, don’t skip Cinque Terre just because you don’t have several days. You can visit all five villages in one very busy day, spend two nights like we did, or make Cinque Terre a day trip from Florence.
Table of Contents
Where We Stayed for Cinque Terre
We stayed in La Spezia and loved using it as our home base. Our place worked well for our family of six, was convenient to the train and cost less than staying directly in one of the Cinque Terre villages.
Check current prices and availability for where we stayed in La Spezia →
Cinque Terre at a Glance
Best for: Hiking, colorful villages, coastal views, food and beaches
How many towns: 5 — Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore
How long we stayed: 2 nights / about 1½ days
How long I’d recommend: 2–4 nights if your itinerary allows
Where we stayed: La Spezia
Best way to get around: Train + hiking
Car needed: No
Can you visit in one day? Yes, but it will be a full day
Our favorite experience: Hiking between the villages
Cinque Terre is also a great spot to stop if you are backpacking Italy! It can be a great day trip from Florence or Tuscany as well.
Cinque Terre Map
Before our trip, one of the things I found most confusing was figuring out where the five Cinque Terre towns were in relation to each other. Were they walkable? Did we need a car? Where did the train go?
This map shows the five villages — Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore — along with La Spezia, where we stayed.
One of the best things about visiting Cinque Terre is how easy it is to travel between the villages without a car. Regional trains run along the coast and connect all five towns, with La Spezia providing a convenient gateway from the south.
You can also hike between some of the villages, which is what we did for part of our itinerary.
Tip: Train schedules and trail conditions can change, so always check current information when planning your day.
Best Time To Visit Cinque Terre
We visited Cinque Terre at the end of March and would absolutely choose this time of year again. It was much less crowded than what you can experience during the busy summer months, and we had great weather for hiking and exploring the villages.
The tradeoff with visiting in March was that it wasn’t really swimming weather yet. We didn’t swim in the ocean, but on a sunny day we definitely could have spent some time relaxing on the beach.
For the best combination of good weather and fewer crowds, I would look at late March through May or September into October. Summer is a great option if swimming and beach time are a priority, but you should also expect more visitors, busier trains and trails, and higher demand for accommodations.
If hiking is a big part of your Cinque Terre plans, remember that trail conditions can change due to weather, maintenance, or safety concerns. Always check the Cinque Terre National Park website for current trail conditions before heading out.
One other thing to know when choosing your dates is that Cinque Terre now uses different pricing for its Train Card based on expected visitor levels. In 2026, dates between March 14 and November 1 are classified as low-, medium-, or high-attendance days, with higher prices on the busiest days. This is another reason to check the official Cinque Terre National Park calendar when planning your trip.
Can You Take a Cinque Terre Day Trip From Florence?
Yes! You can visit Cinque Terre on a day trip from Florence, but be prepared for a long day. Our friends did this and said visiting Cinque Terre was one of the highlights of their trip. It was a long day for them with 2+ hour train rides each way. But they said they would 100% do it all over again.
If you’re traveling independently, you’ll need to get from Florence to the Cinque Terre area and then use the local trains to travel between the villages. Once you’re there, the five villages are connected by frequent regional trains, making it easy to travel between them without a car.
If you only have one day, I would seriously consider booking a guided Cinque Terre day trip from Florence instead. You’ll have someone handle the transportation and logistics, so you can spend more of your limited time enjoying the villages instead of figuring out train connections.
→ Check prices and availability for this Cinque Terre day trip from Florence
Staying overnight instead? We stayed in La Spezia, which made it easy to take the train into the Cinque Terre villages. Where we stayed in La Spezia →
The 5 Cinque Terre Towns: Which Ones Should You Visit?
Cinque Terre is made up of five colorful villages along the Ligurian coast: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. Together, they are part of Cinque Terre National Park and the UNESCO-listed cultural landscape of Portovenere, Cinque Terre and the Islands.
Each village has a different feel, which is why I recommend seeing all five if you have the time. You can visit all five in one day if you mostly take the train and make shorter stops, but we enjoyed having more time to explore, hike between some of the villages, eat, and enjoy the views.
We stayed 2 nights so we decided to visit Manarola on its own the first night and did Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare the following day.
The easiest way to get between the five villages is by train. You don’t need a car once you’re here, and honestly, I wouldn’t recommend driving between the villages. If you’re planning to use the trains throughout the day, consider the Cinque Terre Train Card, which includes regional train travel within the Cinque Terre area, access to the park’s trails, and other services.
You can also hike between the villages (more on this below), which was one of our favorite parts of the trip. Just don’t assume every trail will be open when you arrive. Weather, maintenance, and visitor-management measures can affect trail access, so check the official Cinque Terre National Park trail information before your trip.
Our Favorite Thing In Each Cinque Terre Village:
- Manarola – Enjoy the iconic village view and have drinks or dinner at Nessun Dorma.
- Monterosso – Spend time at the beach and walk up to the St. Francis viewpoint.
- Vernazza – Grab pizza near the harbor and wander through the narrow lanes and stairways.
- Corniglia – Stop for gelato at Alberto Gelateria and enjoy the views from the only Cinque Terre village that sits above the sea rather than directly on the waterfront.
- Riomaggiore – Pie Di Ma for drinks overlooking the water.
Planning Your Cinque Terre Trip?
Where to stay: We stayed in La Spezia and loved using it as our home base for exploring all five villages. See where we stayed in La Spezia →
Prefer a guided experience? There are guided hikes, boat trips, food tours and day trips that let you experience Cinque Terre without planning every detail yourself. See Cinque Terre tours and activities →
Hiking Cinque Terre: Trails, Passes & What to Know
Hiking between the Cinque Terre villages was one of our favorite experiences during our trip! The views are incredible, and hiking offers a completely different perspective than taking the train from village to village. But be prepared: hiking Cinque Terre is no easy feat! There is a lot of up and down, so make sure you have sturdy shoes and water.
Before you plan your hikes, always check the current Cinque Terre trail status. Trails can temporarily close because of weather, maintenance, safety concerns, or high visitor levels. Don’t rely on a blog post (including this one!) to tell you whether a trail will be open on the exact day of your trip.
The famous Sentiero Verde Azzurro (Blue Trail) includes the coastal sections connecting Monterosso, Vernazza, and Corniglia. Access to these sections is included with the Cinque Terre Trekking Card and Train Card.
Another exciting option is the famous Via dell’Amore (Path of Love) between Riomaggiore and Manarola. After being closed for years, Via dell’Amore is open again. Visitors currently enter from Riomaggiore and walk one-way toward Manarola. The walk takes about 30 minutes, and advance reservations are required.
If you plan to hike and use trains throughout the day, the Cinque Terre Train Card may make the most sense, since it includes the park services and trails covered by the Trekking Card, plus unlimited second-class regional train travel between La Spezia Migliarina and Levanto.
It may seem a bit confusing when you are sitting at your computer planning. But once you get there and just ask around, it is easy to figure out. And if something isn’t open or you aren’t feeling up to hiking, you just jump on the train.
Want to Hike Cinque Terre With a Guide?
If you’d rather explore the trails with a local guide, there are guided hiking experiences that combine the scenery with information about the villages, vineyards, and history of Cinque Terre.
2 Night Cinque Terre Itinerary: How We Visited All 5 Towns
We stayed for 2 nights in La Spezia and had about 1 1/2 days to explore Cinque Terre. It was enough time to visit all five villages, hike part of the coastal trail, enjoy some amazing food and take in the incredible views — but we definitely could have stayed longer!
If you have two nights, I recommend arriving as early as possible on your first day. We arrived later in the afternoon (via train using our Eurail Pass), checked into our place in La Spezia, dropped off our bags and headed straight back to the train station to start exploring.
We came in by train from Nice, France, and it was a gorgeous train ride. If you can take a train into Cinque Terre, do it! You won’t need a car when you are here, so a train ride is perfect.
Our 2-night Cinque Terre itinerary looked like this:
Arrival Day: Check into La Spezia → Manarola → dinner and sunset views → return to La Spezia
Full Day: Monterosso → hike to Vernazza → hike to Corniglia → Riomaggiore → return to La Spezia
We chose La Spezia as our home base instead of staying directly in one of the five Cinque Terre villages. For our family of six, it gave us more accommodation options at a better price while still making it easy to hop on the train and explore Cinque Terre.
Where We Stayed in Cinque Terre
We stayed in La Spezia, just outside Cinque Terre, and it worked really well for our family of six. We could walk to the train, easily reach all five villages and paid less than we would have staying directly inside Cinque Terre.
Check current prices and availability for where we stayed in La Spezia →
Night 1: Manarola
Manarola
After checking into our place in La Spezia and dropping off our bags, we jumped back on the train and headed to Manarola.
I specifically wanted to visit Manarola on our first night because I had seen pictures of the incredible view from Nessun Dorma and knew I wanted to experience it in person. It ended up being the perfect way to start our Cinque Terre trip.
Nessun Dorma
Nessun Dorma is one of the most recognizable spots in Manarola thanks to its incredible view overlooking the village. I had researched it before our trip and expected we might have a long wait, especially since there were six of us.
We got lucky and were seated right away! With six people, we couldn’t get a table right along the edge, but we were just behind it and still had an amazing view.
The menu focused on bruschetta-style dishes, meat and cheese boards, and drinks when we visited. It makes it a quick order for them, and they are good at getting you your food quickly so they can move you on and get the next person seated. Not complaining! This is a great way to give many people the opportunity to enjoy this epic spot for dinner!
Once we were done with dinner, we walked along the pathway above the restaurant, and there was a park for the kids to play in with epic views all around. Plus there were picnic tables we could sit it.
We didn’t know there would be picnic tables up there, but luckily you could get drinks to go from the restaurant to bring up there.
Money-Saving Tip
If eating at Nessun Dorma isn’t in your budget, consider packing a picnic and heading up to the picnic tables above the restaurant. You can still enjoy an incredible view of Manarola without paying restaurant prices.
We didn’t realize the picnic area was there until after dinner, but it would be a great option for families or anyone traveling on a budget.
There is also a free public restroom right by the picnic tables.
We had a great first night in Cinque Terre and made our way back to the train to head to La Spezia for the night. Note: The restaurant is uphill from the train station.
Train Tip: Always check the current train schedule before leaving a village, especially later in the evening. Train frequency can vary throughout the day and by season, so don’t assume another train will arrive immediately if you miss yours.
The trains are late once in a while, but don’t count on that! If you don’t want to miss a train be sure to be there when it says it is coming.
Want a Different Way to Experience Manarola?
Cinque Terre also has sunset boat trips, food experiences and wine tours that give you a completely different perspective of the villages.
Full Day In Cinque Terre
We decided to start our full day at the village farthest from La Spezia and then work our way back toward our accommodations. That meant taking the train all the way to Monterosso al Mare first.
You could absolutely do this itinerary in the opposite direction, but after completing the route, we were really happy with our decision to start in Monterosso and work our way toward Riomaggiore.
We aren’t early risers, so we planned to arrive in Monterosso a little after 11 a.m. If you want more time at the beach, plan to hike, or are visiting during the busier summer months, I would recommend getting an earlier start than we did.
Monterosso Al Mare
St Francis Overlook
Our first stop was the St. Francis Overlook, where you can look down the coastline toward the other Cinque Terre villages. It requires an uphill walk, but the views over Monterosso and the Ligurian Sea are worth it.
This was a great way to get our bearings before heading down toward the beach.
Monterosso Beach
Next we walked down to explore the sandy beach. I could see how this would be an awesome summer hang out! Since we had a jam packed day we didn’t stop to enjoy the beach but we talked about how we would love to do that next time.
That was a wrap on Monterosso and it was time to start the hike to Vernazza. The Cinque Terre hiking trails really are awesome and the way to go to see the towns.
Our Hike From Monterosso to Vernazza
Hiking from Monterosso to Vernazza was one of the most memorable parts of our Cinque Terre trip — but be prepared because this is not an easy stroll!
There was a lot of climbing, including what felt like endless stairs at times. The trail took us through vineyards, along rocky sections, and high above the coastline with incredible views of the Ligurian Sea. One of my favorite parts was looking back toward Monterosso as we climbed higher. You get an amazing perspective of the village and beach that you simply don’t get when traveling between the towns by train.
The trail is well-marked, and there are likely other people on it. This can get annoying if you are trying to walk fast and a slow group is in front of you, since the trail is pretty tight.
Bring plenty of water and wear good walking or hiking shoes. It was a tiring hike, but I wouldn’t let that stop you if you’re comfortable with a more strenuous trail. The views were one of the highlights of our day.
Important: Trail conditions in Cinque Terre can change because of weather, maintenance and safety concerns. The information above describes our experience hiking from Monterosso to Vernazza. Always check the official Cinque Terre National Park trail status before planning your hike.
Vernazza
Eventually, we made our way down into Vernazza, and it immediately felt like the Cinque Terre I had pictured before our trip.
Vernazza is colorful, compact and filled with narrow lanes and stairways winding between the buildings. After the hike from Monterosso, we were definitely ready to sit down, grab something to eat and enjoy the waterfront.
Pizza
We had heard that getting pizza in Vernazza was a must, so that was our plan for lunch.
It was busy when we arrived, so we asked about a table and stayed nearby until one opened up. If you’re visiting during a busy time, be prepared to wait or consider grabbing something to go and eating near the harbor.
We eventually got a table right in the middle of Vernazza. The drinks were refreshing and the pizza hit the spot after our hike!
Hike from Vernazza to Corniglia
After lunch in Vernazza, we got back on the trail and continued toward Corniglia.
Another hard hike – not as much up and down but still a lot of hiking. This section of the hike felt different from the Monterosso-to-Vernazza portion, but it still had plenty of climbing and incredible views. We passed vineyards, stone walls and stretches of trail where you could look back toward Vernazza or ahead toward Corniglia.
By this point in the day, our legs were definitely feeling it, but the scenery made the hike worth it.
Bar Il Gabbiano: A Perfect Hiking Stop
Halfway through we started seeing signs about a restaurant we were like say what?? It was hot and a drink was sounding really good.
Sure enough there is a restaurant/cafe halfway to Corniglia and it was gorgeous up there! We got some nice cold lemonades and Craig and I got a vodka lemonade slushy and we sat out on the terrace to enjoy them with an amazing view.
They also had smoothies, foccacia bread, pizza and a few other food options. It is also self serve so you walk down and order what you want and carry it back up to sit on the terrace.
This was one of those places that made the hike feel like much more than simply getting from one village to another. If you’re hiking this section, I would absolutely plan some extra time to stop here.
Tip: Hours can change seasonally, so check Bar Il Gabbiano’s current information before planning your hike around a stop here.
They actually have vacation rentals up there. I would love to come back and stay here for a couple nights. You can check some of them out here: https://www.theheartofcinqueterre.com/
After that, we were reenergized and continued down to Corniglia.
Corniglia
Corniglia feels different from the other Cinque Terre villages because it sits high above the sea rather than directly along the waterfront. That also means you’re rewarded with some incredible views as you approach the village on foot.
After all of the hiking we’d done that day, we were ready for another break — and, of course, gelato.
Our plan here was to stop for Gelato! We had heard there was yummy gelato in town. We headed to Alberto’s, which was recommended by Rick Steves. There was another Gelato shop in town, but I have to say we were happy with Alberto’s!
After exploring Corniglia and grabbing gelato, we made our way down toward the train station to continue our day.
By this point, we had already done quite a bit of hiking, so taking the train for the rest of the afternoon was a welcome break for our legs!
We hopped on the train and continued toward Riomaggiore, the southernmost of the five Cinque Terre villages.
If you haven’t done Manarola, you could stop and do that now, or else continue on to Ramoglia.
Tip: It is a long walk from the town down to the train station, since the town sits high on the mountain and the train station is closer to sea level. It wasn’t a hard walk, but just be prepared; it will take a minute, and time your train ride around that.
Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore was our final Cinque Terre village of the day.
We made our way down toward the harbor, where colorful buildings seem to rise straight up from the rocky coastline. This is another one of those classic Cinque Terre views that you have probably seen in pictures before visiting.
When we got there it was busy and of course our kids wanted to walk out on the rocks.
I was nervous about it but said fine just be careful. Well they didn’t just go a little ways out they went all the way down the rocks. I eventually (with Carson’s help getting over the rocks) made my way out there too and I was glad I did! It was worth it since I got an awesome picture of the kids with the buildings behind them!
I would only recommend walking out on the rocks if you are sure footed. It was scary in a few spots!
After hiking and exploring all day, we were ready to slow down. We headed to Pie Di Ma for drinks overlooking the water before heading back to La Spezia.
It was the perfect way to end a very full day of visiting all five villages.
Via dell’Amore: Riomaggiore to Manarola
One major thing has changed since our Cinque Terre trip!
When we visited, the famous Via dell’Amore (Path of Love) between Riomaggiore and Manarola was closed. After being closed for years, the trail has reopened, making it another experience you can add to your Cinque Terre itinerary.
Via dell’Amore is a relatively short, easy coastal walk with beautiful views of the Ligurian Sea. Unlike the more strenuous hikes we did earlier in the day, this trail is designed to be much more accessible and takes about 30 minutes to complete.
The important thing to know is that you can’t simply show up and walk it. Tourist access is regulated, and reservations are required. Under the current system, visitors enter in Riomaggiore and walk one-way to Manarola.
If Via dell’Amore is on your Cinque Terre bucket list, I recommend reserving your time slot when you’re planning your trip rather than waiting until you arrive.
How I’d Change Our Cinque Terre Itinerary Today
If we were doing this same itinerary today, I would seriously consider ending our day by walking the Via dell’Amore from Riomaggiore to Manarola.
That would make the end of the itinerary:
Corniglia → train to Riomaggiore → explore Riomaggiore → walk Via dell’Amore to Manarola → train back to La Spezia
We couldn’t do this when we visited because Via dell’Amore was closed, but now that it has reopened, it would be a great way to finish the day.
Just make sure you reserve a Via dell’Amore time slot that works with your itinerary.
Our Full-Day Cinque Terre Itinerary
Morning: Train from La Spezia → Monterosso
Monterosso: St. Francis Overlook + beach
Hike: Monterosso → Vernazza
Vernazza: Pizza + explore the harbor
Hike: Vernazza → Corniglia + stop at Bar Il Gabbiano
Corniglia: Gelato + explore
Afternoon/Evening: Train to Riomaggiore + explore the harbor
Optional today: Via dell’Amore from Riomaggiore → Manarola
Evening: Train back to La SpeziaWant someone else to handle the planning? Browse guided Cinque Terre day trips, boat tours, food experiences and hiking tours.
Where to Stay for Cinque Terre: La Spezia
We chose to stay in La Spezia instead of staying directly in one of the five Cinque Terre villages, and it worked really well for our family of six.
One of the biggest advantages was having more accommodation options at a lower price while still being able to easily reach Cinque Terre by train. We could walk to the train station from where we stayed, hop on a train and be in the villages without needing a car.
La Spezia also has grocery stores, restaurants, bars and coffee shops, so it was nice to come back in the evening and have everything we needed nearby.
If you’re traveling with kids, a larger family or simply looking for a more affordable place to stay while visiting Cinque Terre, I would definitely consider La Spezia as your home base.
We only had two nights here, but there were plenty of other things we could have explored in La Spezia. I could easily see spending more time here on a future trip.
Where We Stayed in La Spezia
We found a great place in La Spezia that worked well for our family of six and gave us easy access to the train for exploring Cinque Terre.
Check current prices and availability for where we stayed in La Spezia →
Check out this post on Things To Do In La Spezia to learn more.
La Spezia vs. Staying in Cinque Terre
We loved using La Spezia as our home base, especially since we were traveling as a family of six. But if your budget allows and you want to wake up right in one of the colorful villages, staying inside Cinque Terre would be an amazing experience too.
Compare places to stay in Cinque Terre →
Money-Saving Tip: Before buying your Cinque Terre Card, ask your accommodation whether it participates in the National Park’s Environmental Quality Label program. Guests staying at participating properties may qualify for discounted Cinque Terre Trekking or Train Cards.
Cinque Terre Boat Tours & Kayaking
One thing we didn’t have time to do was see Cinque Terre from the water.
We had heard that taking a boat tour or kayaking along the coastline was an amazing way to experience the villages. Since we only had about a day and a half, we decided not to add another scheduled activity and instead kept the flexibility to explore at our own pace.
If we had another day in Cinque Terre, though, a boat tour would definitely be on my list. Seeing the colorful villages built into the cliffs from the water would give you a completely different perspective than hiking or taking the train between them.
Depending on the experience you choose, you’ll find sightseeing cruises, sunset boat trips, swimming stops, kayaking experiences and private tours.
See Cinque Terre Boat Tours & Kayaking Experiences
Quick Cinque Terre Planning Tips
Where to stay: We stayed in La Spezia and found it convenient and more affordable for our family of six.
Getting around: You don’t need a car to explore the five villages. The train is the easiest way to travel between them.
Train & hiking pass: Look into the Cinque Terre Train Card if you plan to use the trains and trails during your visit. The card currently includes regional train travel, trail access, local buses and Via dell’Amore access.
Hiking: Always check the official trail conditions before setting out. Trails can close because of weather, maintenance or safety concerns.
Via dell’Amore: Reservations are required, so don’t assume you can simply walk up and enter.
How long to stay: You can see all five villages in one day, but after our experience, I’d recommend at least two nights if your Italy itinerary allows it.
Our biggest regret: Not staying longer!
Plan Your Cinque Terre Trip
Ready to start planning?
Where we stayed: Check prices for our La Spezia accommodation →
Where to stay: Compare Cinque Terre accommodations →
Things to do: Browse Cinque Terre tours, boat trips and experiences →
Hiking: Check current Cinque Terre trail conditions →
Transportation: Check current Cinque Terre Train Card information →
Cinque Terre had been on my bucket list for years, and it absolutely lived up to what I had hoped it would be. From hiking between the villages to eating pizza in Vernazza, having drinks overlooking the water and simply wandering through the colorful towns, this was one of our favorite stops during our three-month backpacking trip through Europe.
My biggest piece of advice? Go — and if your itinerary allows it, stay longer than we did!
Whether you visit Cinque Terre on a day trip or stay for several nights, it is one of those places in Italy that you won’t soon forget.
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