Cinque Terre
Five colourful fishing villages clinging to the Ligurian cliffs, linked by coastal trails and a train - a UNESCO stretch of terraced vineyards and sea.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
UNESCO World Heritage
The Cinque Terre are five impossibly picturesque fishing villages strung along a rugged stretch of the Ligurian coast, their tall, brightly painted houses clinging to the cliffs above tiny harbours, backed by ancient terraced vineyards. A UNESCO landscape linked by a coastal railway and famous walking trails, they are one of the most beloved corners of the Italian Riviera.
What you actually see
- The five villages - Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
- The coastal trails - the walking paths linking the villages along the cliffs.
- The terraced vineyards - the ancient dry-stone terraces above the sea.
- Manarola and Vernazza - the most photographed of the colourful villages.
When to go
Late spring and early autumn for the trails and swimming without the peak crush; July and August are very busy. The train links the villages in minutes when the trails are closed.
Honest expectations
It is extremely popular, so the tiny villages and trails are crowded in season, and some trails close after landslides, so check. The famous cliff path can require a paid trail card. It is best over a night or two, out of peak summer.
Nearby
Portovenere and the Gulf of Poets are nearby; Genoa and the Riviera spread along the coast.
What to pack for Cinque Terre
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
