Cinque Terre Travel Guide

1. Go kayaking

Being on the water makes the views here all the more majestic. The cliffs feel more dramatic, the colors more intense, and the water seems a deeper shade of blue. It’s a very different way to see the five towns. Rentals start at 10 EUR per hour or 50 EUR per day and can be done from any of the towns in the area. You can also take a guided kayaking tour, with half-day tours starting at 85 EUR.

2. Have an authentic Ligurian beach picnic

Grab yourself a basket and shop around town for some local goodies. There are some great little restaurants that serve fresh, hot focaccia and there are plenty of cheap local wines available too. Grab some food and drinks and head to one of the beaches, where you do as the locals do and eat, swim, and be merry.

3. See the Nativity in Manarola

If you happen to be visiting between December 8th and the end of January, this scene is worth a quick visit. The Nativity Manarola is the world’s biggest lighted nativity scene, and its opening ceremony is a huge event. Started in 1961 by a former railway worker, the scene contains more than 300 life-size figures lit up with over 17,000 lightbulbs. Many locals also come out and light candles. It’s free and best seen from the square of the church of San Lorenzo or for a closer look, on the via Beccara trail (it’s a bit of a hike up over 300 stairs though!).

4. Go camping

Spring through early fall is a beautiful time to go camping (or glamping) here. There are a few campgrounds to choose from that offer inexpensive tent set-ups that can cut your accommodation costs while giving you a chance to embrace the natural scenery here. Camping Acqua Dolce is a popular choice near the town of Levanto (it’s close to the beach too). A basic campsite costs 15-20 EUR per night in the shoulder season and most have room for campervans and parking available for cars.

5. Explore castle ruins

In Monterosso, you can visit the ruins of a 16th-century castle which was built as a defense fortification after a Saracen (Arab Muslim) attack. The castle once included a monastery, a watch post, three town gates, and 13 towers. Now the ruins consist of three circular towers and a square tower that lie near the cemetery on San Cristoforo Hill.

In Riomaggiore, the 13th-century Castello di Riomaggiore is perched at the top of the town’s historic center. Only the tower and a few buildings remain, but it’s just a short walk from town and offers beautiful views over the town and the water. It’s free to wander around and 2 EUR to enter. From time to time there might be an exhibition on inside displaying an aspect of the area’s culture too.

6. Run the Schiacchetrail Ultra Marathon

Every year in late March a few hundred runners take on a challenge along ancient mule trails through the vineyards and fields between Riomaggiore and Monterosso. Participants run either a 47 or 100 Kilometer (29 or 62 Mile) trail with a 2600 Meter (8530 foot) elevation. Registration opens in October with athletes running the 47 Kilometers being chosen via lottery draw months before.

Named after the dessert wine Cinque Terre is best known for producing, Sciacchetrà, this race is a grassroots community effort aimed at preserving and boosting agriculture in the region. If you haven’t trained quite enough to run the trail, indulge in the 3 days of events around the race like pasta parties, wine tastings and traditional games.

7. Learn about Italian naval history

The Technical Naval Museum is the world’s oldest naval museum. It’s located next to a major Italian naval base in La Spezia, the gateway city to the region. The collection takes up two levels and contains a lot of information on the region’s naval history including an area dedicated to Marconi, the man who developed the first wireless telegraph over sea. There are also all kinds of artifacts, including old diving suits, ship replicas, anchors, and more. The museum is open 7 days a week until 7:30pm and admission is 1.55 EUR. Give yourself at least 2 hours to experience the exhibits – naval enthusiasts will probably spend even more.

8. Go wine tasting

This region is home to some great wine, so if you get thirsty and need a break from hiking, take a wine tour! You’ll learn about the unique grape-growing qualities of this area while tasting locally produced wines. Local wines from Cinque Terre are mostly dry white wines that pair excellently with the abundance of fresh fish and seafood in the area. While some restaurants will hold a tasting and food pairing on site, others can include a walk (or hike) to the vineyard itself as part of the experience.
Tours vary in length and price, but a vineyard tour with Get Your Guide costs around 75 EUR.

9. Check out Chiesa di Santa Margherita

The picturesque harbor of Vernazza has a waterfront piazza that’s a great spot for people-watching and taking a break. The Gothic church, Santa Margherita di Antiochia, can also be found here. Originally built in 1318, it was supposedly built when Santa Margherita’s bones washed up on the town’s shores — twice. The church’s unique octagonal, domed bell tower is still intact and offers great views over the harbor.

10. Hang out in the villages

Each of the five villages has a slightly different flavor and vibe. They range in size from Monterosso al Mare, the largest and home to the only sandy beach, to Corniglia, the smallest and perched high on the cliffs. If you have the time, it’s worth spending a little more time in each soaking up the atmosphere. The Cinque Terre express train makes it super easy to pop around to the different villages.