PEOPLES OF CINQUE TERRE: WHAT TO SEE AND HOW TO MAKE THE VISIT

There is an instragramproof place for a long time longer than Instagram itself. It is an abrupt coast, with hills that fall into the sea, as if wanting to reconcile with the blue of the Mediterranean, dotted with small and charming villages. They are five and each more beautiful than the previous one, with pastel-colored houses, winding streets and stairs that give unforgettable views. We talk about Cinque Terre, one of the most beautiful destinations in Italy, and consists of these five villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

In this post we are going to tell you what to do in each one of them and we recommend you how to visit so as not to miss any of its attractions.

It is the largest town of the five, and the one with beaches suitable for swimming. If your idea is to stay inside the Cinque Terre National Park and discard La Spezia, this is probably the best place.

The train will leave you in front of the Fegina Beach, to get to the old town of Monterosso you will have to walk a little while (nothing too heavy, eh). It is best to continue along the promenade, leaving a precise stumbling block that leaves the sea on your right, and go up to the Aurora Tower. Then you will start a small path that surrounds the Capuchin Hill and passes next to this impressive tower, a fortification of the time of the Maritime Republics. At its base you can see a bunker of reinforced cement built in World War II.

Before reaching the town there is a detour that goes up to theConvent of the Capuchin friars, from the year 1619 and that keeps a scene of the crucifixion work of Van Dyck. Although it is best to reach the statue of Saint Francis of Assisi with the wolf, from where you probably get the best views of the bay.

From the convent down the road to the historic center of Monterosso. We recommend you to stroll through its narrow streets that are distributed around Piazza Garibaldi. Don't miss the Church of San Giovanni Battista, both outside and inside.

If you still have time, there is one last attraction in Monterosso: the Literary Park "Eugenio Montale". This is the town where the famous writer spent many seasons and where he was inspired to write his works. And right in that little cove stands the giant statue, which seems to hold a stone ledge on the coast.

We take approximately the entire visit 2 hours.

2. Qwhat to see and do inVernazza

This town is smaller than the previous one, although for us it has more charm. Its colorful houses are concentrated around a natural harbor, in front of which the Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia.

The train will leave you at the top of the town, so from the station take the main street that goes down to the port to reach the places of interest. It is the typical street of the Cinque Terre villages, with lots of restaurants and souvenir shops on the sides, and quite steep. Although this has a somewhat special building: on your left as you go down you will see a exit to the sea through a cave, right at the base of a building like any other!

When you reach the bottom of town, go to the end of the port to have a nice snapshot of the church and the colorful houses. Although the best panoramic you will have it from above. To do this you will have to follow the labyrinthine streets until you find a path that continues to Monterosso. It is part of I feel Azurro, so in summer you will have to have the park ticket to pass. The points from where you have the best views they are just 100 or 200 meters from the control booth.

From the port you can also go up to the old one Castle to admire the entire Gulf of Cinque Terre.

We pass 1 hour in Vernazza.

3. QWhat to see and do in Corniglia

The location of this third town is the highest in Cinque Terre, 100 meters above the steep cliffs (it is the only town without direct access to the sea). This gives it a particular charm, and also difficult access.

The train this time leaves you down at all, so to get to the town you will have to do it on the bus that leaves from the door of the station or a little leg:

• Bus: It costs € 1.50 if you buy the ticket at the station, and € 2.50 if you buy it on the bus itself. If you have the Cinque Terre Card it is included.
• Walking: There are about 360 stairs to reach the town. It takes about 20 minutes to make the ascent and yes, it is tired but nothing impossible!

We do not have the pass, we prefer to go up theLardarina Scalinata and, although it is durilla, it was an experience that we recommend (or to go up, or better yet to go down).

After the stairs, it is best to continue straight ahead (instead of on the left) to go around theChurch of San Pietro and get to the main town square, where the bus stop is. Make a quick visit inside the church and then head to the heart of Corniglia. First you will go through thePiazza Largo Taragio (with the Santa Caterina Oratory) and then continue up some more stairs (yes, more!) to the lookout.

The views of the entire bay are simply stunning, although of course, being above the town, you will only see sea and coast. This is an ideal place to relax for a little while, take out the sandwiches and beer beats and regain strength. In Corniglia there are also many restaurant options at affordable prices. We ate at the restaurant Il Pirun: 2 pastas, 1 glass of wine and a bottle of water, for € 28.

In total we take Corniglia 2 hours, keep in mind that we did the up and down the stairs, and ate there. If you have little time and use the bus, one hour is enough. And if you have very little time, for us it would be the most expendable town of Cinque Terre.

A line of pastel-colored houses snakes in the mountain valley until reaching the sea, just as a lava river makes its way with its colorful fire. And around, a puzzle of vineyard terraces where grapes are grown that produce the famous wine of this region. In Manarola all aspects that describe Cinque Terre are concentrated.

Don't be scared if when you leave the station you see a rock wall that gets in your way. You just have to follow the tunnel that crosses it to reach the town center in a few minutes. Then you can go directly to the lookouts which is on the other side of the port, leaving this on your left. It is a path that ascends the slope of the mountain and where it will be difficult to decide which is the best place to take a selfie, because they are all perfect! Of course, you will have to wait to be alone, because it is one of the most touristic places in Cinque Terre.

If you follow the path up you will reach the restaurant Nessun Dorma, which will sound to you if you are one of those who gives Instagram. The menu is not cheap (nor is it prohibitive), but we have good news, just above the restaurant there is another terrace with several wooden style tables picnic, with the same views and completely free! If you have brought your picnic, it is the best place!

The road then turns to return to the village, and here you will see the typical vineyard terraces. There is even a curious statue that refers precisely to this. By the way, if you are lucky enough to travel at Christmas, this whole hill of terraces is decorated with a gigantic nativity scene (the Present di Manarola) of more than 300 figures and 15,000 light bulbs. An unforgettable image.

You can continue visiting the upper part of the town, with the typical little houses, or also walk the Via dell'amore, which connects Manarola with Riomaggiore and leaves from the train station. When we made the visit, this tour was closed, so we settled for the viewpoints and the interior paths. We dedicate 2 hours in total.

The last of the Cinque Terre villages, and therefore not the least important. In fact, it was the one we liked most of all. Riomaggiore has something special: it reminded us on the one hand the villages of the Basque coast, but on the other hand its Mediterranean soul, sweet and solar, it shows at home step. Although speaking of the sun ... well, we saw it quite cloudy 🙂

Upon arriving at the station you will have two options: either continue up, or turn right and continue through the tunnel until you reach the village. The latter is the one we recommend, and leave around the outside.

The tunnel goes to thePiazza Vignaioli, a beautiful beach surrounded by colorful houses and with a huge mural on one of its sides. If you look out on its south side, you will have an interesting perspective of the lower part of town.

Now take the left side to go down to the small one port. You can go both to the right and to the left, to have different but incredible perspectives of, what is for us, the most beautiful village of Cinque Terre. From these two lookouts you will see how the houses rise directly from the rocks, and you will want for a moment to live in one of those terraces hanging from the sea.

Now it will be your turn to get into climber mode and go up the steep main street of the town. At one point, turn left to go up the narrow alley of steps (Salita della Chiesa) that leads directly into the Church of San Giovanni Battista. On one of its sides there is a free elevator that goes up to the highest part of this part of town. At your feet you will have Riomaggiore like rushing towards the harbor, and right in front of you, across the valley, the cemetery.

A few steps from there stands the peculiar castle. Inside there is an exhibition and a terrace, although the entrance costs € 2 (€ 1 if you have the Cinque Terre Card). We do not enter and settle for the views behind the castle, which must be very similar.

From here we can only go down some stairs that go through orchards full of lemon trees until we reach the main street, on the same train station. On the left we would go back to the town, on the right instead we will go to the train, passing by a peculiar little waterfall.

We dedicate around 2 hours and half to Riomaggiore.

On this map you will find all the places of interest of Cinque Terre and its 5 villages:

We hope this mini guide of Cinque Terre villages I can help you. And above all, enjoy! Cinque Terre is one of those places that make anyone fall in love 🙂

Video: VISITING CINQUE TERRE ITALY Tour with Hello Cinque Terre (April 2024).