Are you looking to visit the colorful seaside towns of Cinque Terre in Italy but you are not sure where to begin? You are going to want to check out this complete travel guide to Cinque Terre.
During my trip to Italy, I had the opportunity to spend some time in the beautiful coastal area of Cinque Terre and I love every moment of it, although when I first started planning, there was so much conflicting and confusing information out there, it made me, even more, confused than before.
And now that I have an actual recent experience of traveling there and having a great time, I decided to write this travel guide to help those who are also as confused about Cinque Terre, where to stay, how to get around, as I was, and assist you in planning the best trip of your life.
Without further ado, here is a complete guide to backpacking Cinque Terre for solo travelers with all the information you need from a complete one-day itinerary, where best to stay, how to get around, and so much more. Let's get packing!
- Cinque Terre Itinerary Map
- One-Day Backpacking Cinque Terre Itinerary
- More Cinque Terre Activities
- Where to Stay in Cinque Terre?
- What to Eat and Drink in Cinque Terre?
- When to Visit Cinque Terre?
- How Many Days to Spend in Cinque Terre?
- How to Get to Cinque Terre?
- How to Get to Around Cinque Terre?
- How Much Does it Cost to Visit Cinque Terre?
- Is It Safe In Cinque Terre?
- What to Pack for Cinque Terre?
- Further Reading for Northern Italy
Cinque Terre Itinerary Map
| 🌤️ Best time: | Spring and Autumn |
| 🚘 Get around: | Train |
| 🕓 Time to spend: | 2-3 days |
| 💰 Cost: | 200 EUR |
One-Day Backpacking Cinque Terre Itinerary
Riomaggiore
No matter which area you are staying in Cinque Terre, may it be the northern part in towns like Moneglia or in the southern part in places like La Spezia, I highly recommend you start early in the morning from the southern end of Cinque Terre in Riomaggiore and then we will make our way up the coast as the day goes.
Riomaggiore is one of the 3 most beautiful towns in Cinque Terre where you will be able to see the iconic colorful houses Cinque Terre is so famous for, and it is a great place to visit first thing in the morning as it can get extremely crowded during the day.
Riomaggiore is also the town where you will have to walk the most to get from the train station to the dock area where it is most photogenic and it requires you to walk uphill for at least 10 minutes.
- Florence: Cinque Terre Day Trip with Optional Hike (13 hours) 🏅 Top Pick
- From Florence: Seaside Beauty Day Trip to Cinque Terre (12 hours)
- La Spezia: Cinque Terre Tour by Boat (8 hours)
Since the Italian summer heat is no joke, this is another reason why I recommend you visit Riomaggiore first thing in the morning when the heat is still bearable. That way, you won't have to suffer the walk under extreme heat as I did when I was there mid-day.
While you are in Riomaggiore, be sure to check out the view from this platform where you will be able to see the colorful houses in Riomaggiore in all their glory. In the early morning, you should be able to have the whole place to yourself.
Other notable attractions you should check out while you are here are Castello di Riomaggiore, 13th-century stone castle perches above the sea with an incredible view, Church of San Giovanni Battista of Riomaggiore, a 14th Century Catholic church with beautiful Gothic features, Riomaggiore Town Hall, offering an incredible view over the town. Spend at least 1 - 2 hours here before we move on to our next destination.
Manarola
After you are done at Riomaggiore, you can take the train towards Genoa and get off at the next station in Manarola, another of the 3 most beautiful villages in Cinque Terre.
By the time you are done at Riomaggiore, you should be in Manarola by late morning which is when the crowd is starting to form although it should be too much and you should be able to have some time to enjoy the scenery of Manarola and its hiking trails.
The train station and Manarola are connected via a tunnel which allows easy access to both places without having to climb like in Riomaggiore. It should take you no more than 5 minutes to walk from the train station to Manarola's harbor.
Manarola is probably the prettiest town of them all with the grandest viewpoint that runs along a cliff nearby and you will be able to capture that postcard-perfect shot of the colorful houses of Cinque Terre.
There are also several walking trails you can do here with awesome views of the town from above as well as beautiful surroundings. The Parco giochi Paradiso is a great spot for joggers and morning people to come out and enjoy the beautiful morning air before the day trippers arrive. I highly recommend you spend some time walking along the cliff and up to the park for a great view over Manarola.
You can also hike along the famous coastal trekking trail that connects Manarola to Corniglia for an incredible view of the town and the whole area.
Usually, you need to buy a ticket to hike this trail but with the 24-Hour Cinque Terre Train Pass, all you have to do is show the ticket guy the electronic pass and you should be able to access the trail and its viewpoint for free.
You do not have to hike the whole trail which can take hours but you can simply go up as far as you like until you find a great view above the hills and then make your way back down and continue your journey along Cinque Terre.
Vernazza
After spending a few hours in Manarola, you can continue your journey up north via trains and get off at Vernazza, which is another beautiful charming coastal town, known for its colorful houses and the iconic Ruins of Doria Tower.
Although the houses in Vernazza aren't as colorful as Manarola and Riomaggiore, they are still extremely photogenic and definitely feel less clamped, chaotic, and more spacious than the other 2 towns.
I definitely prefer exploring Vernazza more than the other 2 towns because of its more open-air atmosphere and vast space that doesn't make one feel claustrophobic.
Unlike the other 2 towns, Vernazza also has a small sandy beach you can enjoy although, by the time we are there at noon, I doubt there will be any space left for us to chill by the beach, but don't worry, the best places for beach lovers are coming up soon.
While you are here, you should also check out the view from the Ruins of Doria Tower, a beautiful hilltop castle dating to the 10th Century, which offers a sweeping view over Vernazza and its mountainous surroundings. To access the castle, you will have to pay around 2 EUR which is pretty cheap considering the view you get.
You can also visit the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, which is a small 14th Century catholic church known for its octagonal tower overlooking the Ligurian Sea.
For the best view over Vernazza, I highly recommend you walk to this spot that runs along the famous Cinque Terre's hiking trail connecting all the towns together. You should be able to access the trail for free if you have the 24-Hour Cinque Terre Train Pass. Probably, the best viewpoint in the entire town in my opinion.
Monterosso
If you have been looking forward to spending some time at the beach in Cinque Terre, I am happy to tell you that we have now arrived at one of the best places to do just that. Monterosso is the beach town of Cinque Terre with access to a long strip of white sand beach you can enjoy.
The long strip of beach at Monterosso can easily be accessed by a platform that connects the train station to the beach area. When you are there, you will find plenty of sun beds and umbrellas, perfect for those who do not mind paying a little for a reserved spot at the beach with amenities like drinks, shower access, and more. It should cost around 35 EUR for 2 sun beds for the entire day which is not bad, if you are planning to spend the entire day here.
If you just want to go for a dip in the ocean, you should also be able to find a small beach area where it is open to the public although, you will likely have to fight the crowds there to get the spot.
While you are in Monterosso, be sure to check out Scoglio di Monterosso, a beautiful rock formation and Statua del Gigante a beautiful giant stone statue carved out of the cliff nearby. You can also have a late lunch or spend the rest of the evening, enjoying the sunset in Monterosso.
Moneglia (Bonus)
If you are looking for a less crowded place to spend your evening at the beach with a beautiful charming old town that you can stroll in leisurely without having the wade through people, there is no better place to be than Moneglia.
Moneglia is a small little town located north of Monterosso that offers all the charming qualities of Cinque Terre but without the crowds, you often find in all the places I mentioned above.
Despite Moneglia being a part of Cinque Terre, due to its remote location and limited train access, not many tourists make it all the way here which allows the town to retain its charming and authentic qualities as well as its pristine beaches and small Roman ruins scattered along the hills here.
If you are there in the evening, I highly recommend you check out Moneglia beach, a long strip of sandy beach where you will be able to relax and watch the sun dip behind the horizon. It is not as crowded as the beaches in Monterosso and there are even fewer people in the evening here. Since I love experiencing sunset in solitude, I couldn't ask for a better place than this!
While you are here, do not forget to visit Parco Castello di Villafranca, a small fortress surrounded by a park which is free to enter as well as go and stroll along its charming main street of Via Vittorio Emanuele, where you will find shops and restaurants, all lined on both sides of the streets.
There is also several other beautiful architectures around Moneglia you should check out like Chiesa di Santa Croce and more but if you are not staying overnight in Moneglia, make sure that you are able to catch the train back to where your accommodation is before the last train at around 1:12 AM.
More Cinque Terre Activities
Looking to save some costs on your travel? Why not join a shared group tour from Cinque Terre? Here are some activities you might be interested in:
Where to Stay in Cinque Terre?
Cinque Terre is a large coastal area that encompasses several cities and towns via a single train line and it can be extremely confusing for first-timers to actually pick a place to stay in Cinque Terre.
I was definitely confused at first for sure and to help you ease that pain of figuring out where best to stay, I have decided to categorize each town into groups so you can pick the one that fits the type of trip you are planning.
Accommodation For City-Lovers
If you prefer to stay in cities where all the actions are happening, you might want to consider staying in La Spezia, the largest city in the area.
The city is also Cinque Terre's train connection to the rest of Italy, making it one of the easiest places to travel to. Since it is a big city, you will also likely find more affordable places to stay that are not booked out yet.
The downside is you won't be staying near a beach or an ocean which may be a turn-off for some, but for the price you get and the availability, you just can't beat La Spezia. Below is some recommended accommodations in La Spezia you might like:
Accommodation For Solitude-Seekers
If you prefer a more quiet place that rarely gets any crowds, a beautiful coastal area with rich history, and a more authentic place to stay where beaches are within walking distance, I highly recommend staying way up north in towns called Moneglia.
Due to its location being further north with fewer trains running to this town, the place also doesn't get as crowded as all the other towns in Cinque Terre which is a huge win for me.
Despite its remote location, you will still be able to enjoy nice pristine beaches, and I would even go as far as to say that it is the prettiest beach in all the towns I've visited in Cinque Terre. Moneglia also has a charming little old town area, a beautiful promenade, and a few old Roman ruins you can explore.
It is my favorite place out of all the towns in Cinque Terre and a perfect place to stay if you prefer being away from the crowds and having a more authentic experience. Below are my recommended accommodations:
Accommodation For Beach Lovers
If you don't mind a little crowd and you want to be near beaches and commercial district that is typical of beach towns in Europe, you can also stay at Monterosso.
The town is closer to the iconic colorful towns of Cinque Terre (Vernazza, Manarola, and Riomaggiore), and more trains run through it than Moneglia which in turn, attracts more tourists to Monterosso.
The place can get quite crowded during the day and the accommodation might be a little harder to find during the peak season but if you plan in advance, you should be able to find relatively affordable accommodation. Here are some recommendations:
Accommodation For The Best Views
If you will do whatever it takes to stay in a hotel with views of the iconic colorful houses of Cinque Terre, then you might want to look at staying in Vernazza, Manarola, or Riomaggiore.
All of these places are known for their colorful houses and they are the most popular towns in Cinque Terre. With such titles, they also attract the most tourists and it can get extremely crowded during the peak season.
They also do not have access to sandy beaches and most of the accommodations with great views are uphill where you will have to climb its narrow streets to get to, definitely not easy if you have a lot of luggage.
Some places like Riomaggiore also require a bit of walking from the train station, mostly uphill, and it might not be the most convenient place to get to with many pieces of luggage.
The accommodations here are also extremely expensive and they get booked out ridiculously fast and so if you really REALLY want to stay at one of these old colorful houses, be sure to plan way ahead, be prepared to spend a ton of money for it, and try not to bring to many bags so you do not have to rug them up narrow stairs to your accommodation. Below are some of the best accommodations in these 3 towns:
What to Eat and Drink in Cinque Terre?
1. Eat Seafood Pasta at Mamma Mia 2 Pizzeria Restaurant
Mamma Mia 2 Pizzeria Restaurant is my favorite restaurant in Moneglia. If you are visiting Moneglia or are staying overnight here, I highly recommend you check the place out for dinner and order their pizzas or my favorite dish, the Seafood Pasta, one of the most delicious seafood pasta I tried in Italy.
They also make delicious pizzas as well as other traditional Italian dishes. I tried several of their pizzas when I was there and I loved them all. If you are looking for a nice place to have dinner in Moneglia, be sure to check out Mamma Mia 2 Restaurant.
The restaurant is open from 12 PM to 11 PM every day and the food price should be around 8 - 20 EUR per dish depending on what you order. The seafood pasta dish I ordered was around 16 EUR and it was packed with seafood meat. Highly recommended.
When to Visit Cinque Terre?
Italy can get pretty hot in the summer and so if you want the weather to be a little milder which is perfect for hiking and the crowds a little thinner, I highly recommend you visit during spring from April to late May.
If you just want the best weather for swimming and relaxing in the sun, you are going to have to brace the crowds and visit Cinque Terre in the summer months between June to August.
Despite the area being crowded, there are ways to avoid the crowd by simply staying outside of the touristy towns like Vernazza, Manarola, Monterosso, and Riomaggiore, and choose places like Moneglia which is as beautiful but you won't find as many tourists there. You can also visit these places early before the crowds arrive if you don't mind waking up super early.
Winter is not recommended since most restaurants and cafes are closed for the season except for a few guest houses and bed and breakfasts which are often open for those who are looking for a little adventure.
How Many Days to Spend in Cinque Terre?
Two nights with one full day should be the minimum for staying in Cinque Terre. With one full day, you should be able to see all the beautiful towns you are there to see like Vernazza, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
If you want to spend some time relaxing by the beach a little more, you can also opt for 3 nights, and 2 days as you can spend your first day exploring the iconic towns while spending the next, relaxing, and enjoying the beach in places like Monterosso and Moneglia.
A day trip from cities like Milan or Florence is also possible if you do not have a lot of time and you don't want to deal with the logistics and finding accommodation but the trip is often rushed and you won't be able to see these towns at night which in my opinion, is the best part of Cinque Terre.
How to Get to Cinque Terre?
In order to get to Cinque Terre, you will have to first fly into either Milan or Florence, both are popular travel hubs of Northern Italy, and from there, you can catch a 3-hour train to one of the towns in Cinque Terre.
From the US, there are many direct flights from JFK that will take you straight to Milan in about 11 hours via Emirates, Delta, and American Airlines. You can browse through great direct flights from here.
From Europe, you have quite a lot more options here. You can either fly directly to Milan from places like the UK via Wizz Air, take a train from all the major train stations around Europe, or catch one of the many buses to Milan or Florence. Flixbus is highly recommended when it comes to bus travel in Europe.
From Asia, there are also many direct flights to Milan operated by local carriers from cities like Singapore, Seoul, or Tokyo or you can go with connecting flights which are often a bit cheaper. There are many flights from Asia that connect via middle east countries like Emirates via Dubai or Etihad via Abu Dhabi. The journey should take approximately 12 hours direct.
To find a cheap flight to Italy, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.
How to Get from Milan to Cinque Terre?
Once you arrive in Milan, you are going to have to get yourself to Milan Centrale and catch one of the many trains to Cinque Terre heading towards La Spezia Centrale. Depending on where you are staying in Cinque Terre, the train should be able to take you directly to that town in about 3 hours.
The direct trains between Milan and La Spezia, passing through all the Cinque Terre's towns run between 5:15 AM to 8:05 PM every day and cost around 25 EUR. You can book the train ticket here.
How to Get from Florence to Cinque Terre?
Once you arrive in Florence, you are going to have to get yourself to Florence Train Station and catch one of the many trains to Pisa which should take about 1 hour, and switch to a train that is heading towards Genoa or Milano.
There are no direct trains, unfortunately, but there are many connections via Pisa so you should have no trouble catching one to Cinque Terre. The whole journey should take about 3 hours and cost around 18 EUR. You can book the train ticket here.
How to Get to Around Cinque Terre?
Getting around Cinque Terre is surprisingly easy. With a single train line running along the coastline from La Spezia to Genoa every few minutes during peak seasons, there is no better way to get around Cinque Terre than via trains.
There are several trains per day during the summer months that can take you around Cinque Terre for a small fee. You should be able to traverse all the towns between La Spezia and Genoa easily without waiting for too long.
The train between La Spezia and Monterosso often runs every 30 minutes whereas between La Spezia all the way to Genoa passing through less visited towns like Moneglia runs every hour or so.
If you plan to spend a day traveling around Cinque Terre by train, I highly recommend you get the 24-Hour Cinque Terre Train Pass which includes an unlimited train ride on the Cinque Terre train + free access to its public toilets, access to the two hiking paths: from Monterosso to Vernazza and from Vernazza to Corniglia, use of buses in the national park, and a reduced admission fee to the Civic Museums in La Spezia for only 15 EUR per person.
How Much Does it Cost to Visit Cinque Terre?
For this one-day itinerary, we can calculate approximately how much you will be spending in Cinque Terre as follows:
Accommodation: For 2 nights in Cinque Terre, you can expect to pay around 100 EUR for accommodation minimum considering you are staying in guesthouses that are located away from beaches and hot spots.
Food: For 2 days, 3 meals a day in Cinque Terre, you can expect to pay around 90 EUR for food considering you eat out every meal. It will be cheaper if you cook it yourself.
Transportation: For this itinerary, you can simply buy the 24-Hour Cinque Terre Train Pass for 15 EUR and you get unlimited access to trains and buses which should cover all transportation costs in Cinque Terre.
Activities: For activities, depending on how much you want to follow my itinerary, you can expect to pay around 2 EUR for access to the Ruins of Doria Tower in Vernazza and that is it. Hiking trails are included in the Cinque Terre Train Pass and all the viewpoints and places we will be visiting are all free.
Total Budget for 2 days in Cinque Terre: 207 EUR
Is It Safe In Cinque Terre?
Cinque Terre is totally safe and you shouldn't have to worry much about pickpockets or petty thefts like traveling in cities like Rome or Naples although it is always a good idea to keep your wits about when you are in crowded areas. Keep your belongings with you at all times, be aware of your surroundings, and trust your guts and you should be fine here.
What to Pack for Cinque Terre?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Cinque Terre, Italy:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Cinque Terre, Italy in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Northern Italy
I hope you found this Italian travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Italy, here is a selection of articles you might like:
- First time visiting Italy? Here are the 15 Best Places to Visit in Italy.
- Want to see the highlights of Italy in 2 weeks? Be sure to check out our 2-Weeks Backpacking Italy Itinerary.
- Want to travel around Italy for one month, from the Dolomites in the north to Sicily in the south? You are going to love this backpacking itinerary packed with information: One Month Backpacking Italy Itinerary
- Looking for a complete itinerary for Northern Italy? Check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Northern Italy Itinerary.
- Every trip to Northern Italy starts in Milan. If you are a first-timer, here are the 16 best things to do in Milan.
- Want to make the most out of 3 days in Milan? Check out: 3 Days In Milan: An Itinerary For First Timers.
- Ah... Venice, the city of art, culture, and the birthplace of the Renaissance. You just can't visit Italy without seeing it with your own eyes. To help you plan a trip there, here are the 15 best things to do in Venice.
- Planning a trip to Lake Como but not sure where to begin? Check out the 10 Best Places to Visit in Lake Como.
- For a complete backpacking guide to Lake Como, check out: The 3-Day Lake Como Itinerary For Those Without A Car.
- Want to visit Lake Como as a day trip from Milan? Check out: One-Day Lake Como Itinerary from Milan.
- For an off-the-beaten-path place to visit in Northern Italy, you can't go wrong with Bologna. For a complete travel guide, check out the 10 Best Things to Do in Bologna.
- Want to explore the Dolomites but not sure where to begin? Check out the 10 Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites.
- For a complete backpacking itinerary for the Dolomites, check out the 7 Days Dolomites Itinerary For Those Without A Car.
- At the heart of sunny Tuscany lies Florence, one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Italy. If you are planning to visit Florence, check out: 16 Best Things to Do in Florence.
- Planning to visit Pisa and the Leaning Tower? Check out: 10 Best Things to do in Pisa.
- Siena, a medieval town in Tuscany, will transport you back to the Middle Ages the moment you step in it. If you want to visit Siena, here are the 10 Best Things to do in Siena.
- For a complete 7-day backpacking itinerary in Central Italy that will take you from Rome to Pompeii to the Amalfi Coast, be sure to check out: 7 Days Backpacking Italy Itinerary.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- To see all the articles about Italy, visit the Italy Travel Guide page.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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