Feel free to email me with any questions at chrissy@travelpassionate.com. Cinque Terre: Full-Day Train & Boat Tour from Florence, Cinque Terre Small-Group Tour by Minivan from Pisa, Cinque Terre Small Group by Minivan from Lucca. Also make sure to check out the Nativit di Maria Vergine, the bell tower, and the watch-tower. I loved Cinque Terre too, Jacki and it is true if you have the time its better to stay longer. You can do that with TrenItalia and the best way to do it is through the app. They are very windy and hug the cliffside and other drivers will not be very patient with you if you are crawling along at 15 kilometers per hour. The direct regional trains take 40 minutes to reach Monterosso and the ticket costs only 4,90 euros. Explore the old town and the lookouts and reach Punta Bonfiglio for the best pictures, H 11.27 catch a train and reach Corniglia (it just takes 2 minutes), The village is located above the train station and you can catch a shuttle whose price is included in the Cinque Terre Card, Now you can have a typical lunch in a peaceful environment, H 2.40 p.m. catch a train to reach Vernazza (it just takes 3 minutes). The park has so many different hikes to do and they take you up between olive groves, vineyards, and up for views of the coast that are truly breathtaking. The Sentiero Azzurro is very well maintained and very well sign-posted. The other two, Manarola and Corniglia, are equally as beautiful but should not be your priority if youre tight on time. Is there a train from Florence, what would the cost be per person? I've been doing it for all this time without either of them. You can stay almost all day and make your way back to Monterosso at 7pm and catch a direct train to take you back to Milan. The trails between Corniglia and Manarola and between Manarola and Riomaggiore are currently closed because of landslides. Monterosso is also the flattest of the five towns making it very accessible (and packed with tourists), and also making it a great option for you if you have any mobility issues. genoa Follow the trail out along the cliffside until you reach the viewpoint that offers incredible views back over the town. There are some really wonderful restaurants and this sandwich shop made the best roasted pork sandwich that I have ever eaten in my life. Walk from the train station down the hills until you reach the waterfront. But Cinque Terre is not just about relaxing on beaches. Riomaggiore is a beautiful town with some fantastic cafes and restaurants. For a more dramatic entrance, you can take the train to La Spezia and then take a boat to Cinque Terre. H 4.34 catch a train to reach Monterosso al Mare (it just takes 4 minutes), Take your time to explore the village and to enjoy an aperitivo by the sea, H 6.19 catch a train to go back to La Spezia (it takes about 30 minutes), Train tickets from Levanto to Monterosso and from Riomaggiore to Levanto (, Daily ticket for Cinque Terre ferries. Tagliatelle with pesto sauce: in other parts of Liguria youll find trofie, but here using tagliatelle is more common. Walking around Riomaggiore and getting lost in its steeped cliffs is the perfect way to spend your time there as you walk through the terraced grapevines and enjoy the views. There is a Cinque Terre Train Card which costs 18. You alsodo not need to purchase a Cinque Terre Card if you want to hike other trails that are not the Sentiero Azzurro. There is also a small beach here if you want to start the day with a dip in the sea. Riomaggiore has one street, a harbor, its beach and a few other attractions you should check out. Youll also find that Riomaggiore has a livelier nightlife than most of the other villages if youre in the mood for some partying. If you are taking the train between all five towns, it is likely still going to be a better deal for you to purchase the Cinque Terre Train Card even though you dont plan to walk the trails. Youll also find the best food, cafes, bars and restaurants in Vernazza. If youre going to spend one day in Cinque Terre, the top three villages you should visit are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, and Riomaggiore. That means starting your day at either Riomaggiore or Monterosso al Mare. Before planning how youre going to go to Cinque Terre, its important to know that joining a day group tour from any of the cities in Italy would relieve you from the stress of booking plane tickets, changing train stations, or finding the right boats. The Church of San Giovanni Battista A church with a beautiful faade made from marble, a medieval bell tower, and a watchtower. Its worth noting that these trails are not easy. From here it is a 22-minute train from La Spezia to the nearest town and entry point of Cinque Terre, Monterosso. There are five towns in Cinque Terre that you will be able to visit on your one-day Cinque Terre itinerary. If you like wine it is a paradise. Spend about 1 hour exploring the village and taking pictures, especially from the lookout of the S. Margherita church. They are all very close to each other and the station is inside the village apart from Corniglia that you have to climb a lot of steps or take the bus from the station. Take your time and enjoy the views. You should, of course, spend more time here if you can, but one day is a good chance to get a taste of this amazing region of Italy. On the left, there is a little gelato spot that makes delicious ice cream and a nice strong cup of coffee. If youre traveling around Italy, or around Europe, youll be able to relish the feeling of escaping the hustle and bustle of the cities and alternating that with breathtaking scenery, cheap food, fun activities, and an array of activities like kayaking, boat rides, swimming, and sunbathing. The villages are close to each other if you take the train, and youll be able to enjoy the dramatic scenery and the laidback lifestyle that Cinque Terre has to offer you in just one day. I am a Tourism Management Graduate with a passion for traveling. At the base of the church, youll also find a small beach to relax and sunbathe. Some trails are still closed from the floods of 2011. Spring: a weekend by the sea to enjoy the spring sun and the countryside in bloom is always a good idea! Super classy. Whether you are planning to visit Cinque Terre as a day trip from Florence, Milan, Genoa, or somewhere a bit closer, youll want to start early and make sure you dont miss the last train. If you have time and energy, head up the hill to the ruins of Doria Tower. From La Spezia, you will enter Cinque Terra at the first town, Riomaggiore. Now you need at least 2 full days in Florence. If you dont plan to stop in every town along the way, then you can simply pay for each train ticket as you go (although it is nice to have free access to the bathrooms with the Cinque Terre Card). A few times a day you can actually go direct from Milan straight to Monterosso. So come hungry and thirsty! The best way to take in all of Cinque Terres beauty is through hiking the trails! Hi Chrissy. I want to take IT ALL IN!! You will spend the majority of that part of the walk going up. Theyre all 5 to 10 minutes away from each other. Be sure to pack plenty of water. As I mentioned above, I highly recommend sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect from the sun as you walk the trails or lay on the beach. Be careful of pickpockets inside the trains. If you are traveling during peak times, which tend to be late June to early September, you may want to consider pre-purchasing your Cinque Terre Card. The moment I saw photos of Cinque Terra and Portofino I instantly added them to my (mental) travel bucket list. If you purchased the Cinque Terre Train Card (I highly recommend it at least until the entire Sentierro Azzurro is back open), then you dont need to purchase a train ticket, you can simply hop on the train when it arrives and take it to the next stop, Manarola. However, Corniglia is about a 10-minute uphill climb from the train station to the town, and because of its location atop a hill, getting here by boat is fairly difficult. There are a ton of trails and footpaths to choose from. reach Rapallo by the panoramic road and then Portofino by boat. We want to take a day trip form Florence. If you get a chance to take a ferry ride, that would be a great way to spend a second day in Cinque Terre. I am afraid I dont know of a car park as I didnt use a car but I am sure it exists. To get from the train station in Corniglia to the town, you have to climb up a large set of stairs. H 18.24 catch the train to get back to Levanto (it will take 20 minutes). Offeringaround 200 beaches stretched over 1000km, Corsica is a far cry away from the popular and crowded beaches elsewhere in Italy. They sell them at the office and there wont be a long line at this time of year. Ill break down the best way to get there from these different cities and how to make sure you know the train times and even how to pre-book the trains to save a bit of money along the way. My husband and I are taking our first trip to Italy for a week in April and fly into Pisa. If you just want a quick boat ride, it will cost you about 5 euros. The office opens at 9am and by 8:30am there is already a line outside the tourism offices in every single town (but especially Riomaggiore and Monterosso). I started my day in Riomaggiore when I explored Cinque Terre and it felt like I had the entire town to myself. Spending one day in Cinque Terre can be quite hectic, and you will need time to fully take in the different villages. Pesto is the famous sauce made of basil, pine nuts, parmesan, garlic, and olive oil. To leave Corniglia, youll have to follow the signs out of town and down a large set of stairs to get to the train station. There are a few benches along the stairs where you can stop and rest if it is starting to feel difficult. If you feel like an aperitivo at the end of your day exploring Cinque Terre, this is the place to go. The hardest part is finding the trail again when you are leaving a town (finding it in Vernazza was a bit of a challenge, but there are signs!). There is a 24 hour Cinque Terre Card that gives you free train rides and it costs 16 euros per person. Tip: There are no beaches in Manarola, there are only rocky beaches where people go to sunbathe or cliff dive. If you book a few days in advance, you usually save money on the intercity trains as well. What time would be a good time to leave Cinque Terre to return to Florence at the end of the day? You can download the TrenItalia app here for Android and here for iOS. After exploring Vernazza I would go to Monterosso and then Manarola and if I had time Corniglia. It also has tons of al fresco dining options, including a few restaurants in the main square, right by the port, and in front of the towns medieval church. Early May should be ok but not for swimming and it will also be less crowded. The Centre for Environmental Education and Naturalistic Observation. Also if you want to take the perfect photo of Manarola get there in the afternoon during the summer months to have the sun on the back. This is where I recommend having lunch and relaxing for a bit. All rights Reserved Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Warning, this is not for the faint-hearted and definitely not a stroll! Exploring the Cinque Terre in one day by train will be the most efficient use of your time. love your blog. It is even deemed as one of the most beautiful towns in all of Italy, but its also the most overrun by tourists. Visit the village and take your time to immerse yourself in its picturesque atmosphere. The views along this trail are truly magical and after the initial uphill out of Vernazza, it is a mostly flat walk along the coastline until you reach the Corniglia. Monterosso also has a beautiful old town where you can head for an aperitivo after you enjoy the sunshine at the beach. Hi Chrissy: We are staying in Parma for 2-3 days and have a car. I went to Monaco for my 24th birthday so I expect it to be very similar. On your way to Manarola, youll see Corniglia up on the hill. Each of the towns in Cinque Terre has a small church. Thank you! For something a little different, try snorkelling or kayaking with Outdoor Portofino, a funway to seeParaggi Beach. Equally there is a station at SM which we travelled to from France and assume you can go from there to CT.we have only a day thus wanted to do as much as possible what do your think? beaches cinque terre dianashealthyliving visit summer italy travel vacation You can reach Cinque Terre (La Spezia) by train in less than 2 hours.You can visit Pisa, Lucca and Cinque Terre from Florence as well as an alternative. This is the perfect option if youre going to spend one day in Cinque Terre. A beautiful village with tightly packed buildings that sit atop the bluest, most vivid waters you will ever see. They are everywhere. This is one of the most photographed towns in Cinque Terre and without a doubt a town that you will want to stop in during your day trip to Cinque Terre. When you think of the Cinque Terrecome to mind the iconic colorful houses that seem to be scattered at random on rocks overlooking the sea or along lanes dotted with small fishing boats. Road Trips with a Used Car: What to Check? The amounts of nights and any other places that may be hidden gems ! No matter the type of traveler you are, the foodie, the backpacker, the adventurer, or the beach lover Cinque Terre will blow your mind. You also have to get up the 365 steps to reach the center of the town, and for these reasons, youll find its the most relaxed of all the cities since it is the least accessible position. Wondering if the weather would be ok for enjoying the villages? It looks like the hike from Vernazza and Monterosso is the best one. It might come as a surprise to you to find Cinque Terre is a great hiking destination. If you only purchased the Cinque Terre Card rather than the train pass, youll need to purchase a train ticket either on the Trenitalia App or at the train station from one of the red ticket machines. There are also very limited parking spots in the villages, which are small and very hilly and filled with even narrower streets than the one you came in on. That way I would see both of them from the water and Manarola. The walk between Monterosso al Mare and Vernazza has a ton of stairs that youll need to climb up and down and overall it can take about two and a half to three hours to walk the two trails, not including stops in each town. The walk from Vernazza to Corniglia was one of my favorite parts of my one day in Cinque Terre. genoa garibaldi trips Cinque Terre is nice so you could stay for a night there too. You can get a 1.80 ticket that will let you pass from village to village or get the Cinque Terre Trekking Pass which costs 12 euros for one day and will allow you unlimited train journeys and access to all walking trails. H 8.15 a.m catch a train in La Spezia and reach Riomaggiore at 8.23. If you plan to walk the Sentiero Azzurro between April and October, then you will need to get the Cinque Terre Card. You wont want to walk the trails or even around the steep hills in each village in flip flops or thin sandals. I do not recommend doing Cinque Terre by car if you are not very comfortable driving in Italy. This is especially true for those that want to walk the different trails. You need at least a moderate level of fitness to walk these trails. Wear sturdy shoes. hi, love your blogwe are making our second trip to tuscnay and would like some comments on our plan, There is a bus that goes from the train station to town and its free with the Cinque Terre Train Card. The Sanctuary of our Lady of Montenero- The official building here dates back to the 8th century and has gorgeous panoramic views all the way back to Monterosso. It feels like a quintessentially Cinque Terre moment as you swim in the water looking back over the colorful buildings that hug the cliffside. Spend at least 1 hour here and dont miss the belvedere in front of S. Margherita Church. From there you can take the train to all the Cinque Terre villages. The Cinque Terre and its five ("cinque") villages, being one of most beutiful (and therefore, visited) areas in Italy, is often overcrowded especially if you want to get here using the local train. The Cinque Terre Train Card only costs 18, so you save a bit (it adds up if you are traveling with several people). H 15 on your arrival in Manarola, stop at the marina to take some pictures, then head to the old town. From Florence, I highly suggest to do a day trip to the Tuscan villages Siena and San Gimignano, for example, is a good option. Take your time to admire the early morning landscape and wander around the old town. Manarola is a beautiful town where youll want to spend at least a half an hour or more exploring. If you are doing a day trip to Cinque Terre, youll likely need to catch the train back to Monterosso at the end of the day in order to take your train home, so you can save some sightseeing until you are back in town in the afternoon. If you are traveling into Cinque Terre for a day trip from Florence, Milan, Genoa, or elsewhere, then you will want to start at one end. Getting to Cinque Terre for a day trip from Milan is also quite easy to do. Riomaggiore is one of the largest towns inside the national park and youll want to give yourself at least an hour to explore here. What do you recommend? boccadasse roberto savio lo shutterstock