How to plan your weekend to Cinque Terre, Italy

You say “Cinque Terre”, and immediately can’t stop thinking about blue sea, sunsets, coloured small towns. Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso: five villages, five charming towns overlooking the Ligurian coast that seduce millions of tourists every year. Here is our itinerary to do by train or just walking, from East to West, for your weekend discovering Cinque Terre.

Riomaggiore

Your journey starts here. Get to Riomaggiore, the first handful of pastel-colored houses perched on the beach. An authentic jewel to discover: take a few hours to visit the picturesque small harbor, and also take a trip to Guardiola Tower, from where you can enjoy a fantastic view.

A romantic walk on Via dell’Amore

A must-see, especially if you’re in sweet company. This beautiful kilometer of trail overlooking the sea that links Riomaggiore to Manarola, a place for gallant couples meeting, is a must-visit in your weekend. Visit it in the early morning or at sunset time, when it is most impressive (and less crowded).

Manarola

This is the second, charming town in your Cinque Terre tour. Discover Manarola walking through the tiny city streets, down to the small harbor. Remember: if you are in Manarola on Christmas time you can visit the biggest illuminated nativity scene in the world, for a touch of magic to your holiday.

A glass of Sciacchetrà

A few kilometers from Manarola you’ll come across Groppo, quaint little town full of wineries: here you can try “Sciacchetrà”, the delicious and sweet wine of Cinque Terre. Your night can end up here, in a mix of taste and relax.

Corniglia

On Sunday morning you will start with a little “workout”. To reach Corniglia, you will have to sweat a bit, climbing the Lardarina, a long staircase: 382 steps will take you to this beautiful town, perched on a bluff overlooking the sea and surrounded by lush vineyards.

Pasta al pesto, seafood and ice cream

After the morning effort, a well-deserved reward: choose one of the restaurants in the town for lunch and try some culinary specialties from Cinque Terre. We recommend muscles with garlic and tomato sauce, trofie al pesto and, finally, the famous Corniglia honey ice cream, an authentic and typical delicacy.

Vernazza

And after your binge here you get to Vernazza. After a visit of the town, one of the most picturesque and beautiful of the Riviera, take some time to visit the castle dating up to the eleventh century and later relax on the town beach, a few meters from the beautiful harbor.

Monterosso

After walking the beautiful path that links Vernazza to Monterosso, here you are in your last stage. In the fifth and last “terra” take some time to visit the Capuchin monastery and the church of San Francesco, perched on a spur overlooking the village, and relax on the nearby beach of Fegina. The right way to end your weekend in Liguria.

Aggiornamenti 12