Cinque Terre 2026 🇮🇹

The Five Villages

Five villages, one coastline

Strung along the Italian Riviera, each village has its own personality. A tiny train connects them all in minutes – hop on, hop off, repeat. We're based in La Spezia, the gateway city just down the line.

🏖️

Monterosso

The big beach

⛵

Vernazza

Postcard harbour

🍇

Corniglia

Hilltop vineyards

🎨

Manarola

Colourful icon

🌊

Riomaggiore

Dramatic cliffs

The Plan

Day by day

A loose plan – enough structure to not waste time, enough freedom to get lost in an alley and find the best pesto of your life.

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Arrival Day

Thursday, May 22

🗺️ Today's route

Afternoon

Arrive in La Spezia

Make your way to La Spezia – the gateway city to Cinque Terre. Direct train connections from Florence (2.5h), Milan (3h), or Pisa (1.5h). Drop bags at the apartment and breathe.

🚆 travel

Evening

Passeggiata & First Dinner

No rushing to the villages tonight – unwind in La Spezia instead. Stroll the waterfront promenade, wander Via del Prione, and find a local trattoria for the first group dinner. La Spezia has a great seafood scene that most tourists skip entirely. Fresh catch, local Vermentino white wine, and way too much focaccia.

🍝 food

1

Trails & Northern Villages

Friday, May 23

🗺️ Today's route

Morning

Train to Monterosso

Grab a cappuccino in La Spezia, then hop on the Cinque Terre Express to Monterosso – the northernmost village (~25 min). Start the day at the beach or explore the old town streets.

🚆 train · ~25 min

Late Morning

Hike: Monterosso → Vernazza

The most iconic trail in the Cinque Terre. About 2 hours through terraced vineyards with jaw-dropping coastal views around every bend. Moderate difficulty – bring water!

🥾 hike · 3.5km · ~2h

Lunch

Lunch in Vernazza

Earned it. Grab a seat at the harbour – trofie al pesto, fried anchovies, and a cold Birra Moretti. Vernazza's little piazza is the perfect reward after the hike.

🍝 food

Afternoon

Explore Vernazza or Continue to Corniglia

Choice time: laze around Vernazza's harbour, swim off the rocks, or take the train (or hike ~1.5h) to Corniglia – the quiet hilltop village with vineyard views and zero crowds.

✨ explore

Evening

Sunset Dinner in Vernazza

You're already here – stay for the magic hour. Grab a harbourside table as the sun drops behind the headland. Fresh seafood, local wine, the sound of waves. Then a relaxed train back to La Spezia (~20 min). Tickets are only €5 after 7:30pm!

🍷 dinner

2

Colours & Coastline

Saturday, May 24

🗺️ Today's route

Morning

Train to Riomaggiore

Head to the closest village – just 9 minutes from La Spezia. Riomaggiore's colourful houses tumble down to the water in dramatic fashion. Wander the narrow main street, grab a focaccia from a bakery.

🚆 train · ~9 min

Late Morning

Manarola – The Classic View

One stop along by train (or walk the Via dell'Amore if it's open!). Manarola is the most photographed village – get the viewpoint from the cemetery path. It's stunning.

✨ explore

Afternoon

Swim & Boat Trip

Hire a small boat from Riomaggiore or Manarola to see the coastline from the water – the villages look completely different from the sea. Or just find some rocks and jump in 🏊

🏊 swim

Evening

The Big Group Dinner

Last night calls for the best table. Sunset spritz at Nessun Dorma as the sun drops into the Ligurian Sea, then Trattoria dal Billy in Manarola for the seafood feast. Frutti di mare, grilled branzino, local Sciacchetrà dessert wine. Cheers to the crew 🥂 Train back to La Spezia (~15 min) – last service is 11:30pm, plenty of time.

🍷 feast

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Arrivederci

Sunday, May 25

🗺️ Today's route

Morning

Last Espresso in Riomaggiore

One last village visit – train to Riomaggiore (9 min) for a final cappuccino, a wander through those dramatic colourful streets before the crowds arrive, and a goodbye look at the coast. Pick up limoncello, pesto jars, or olive oil to take home.

☕ morning

Late Morning

Back to La Spezia & Depart

Train back to La Spezia – you're already at the main station, no transfers needed. Grab bags from the apartment and catch your onward train. Easy. Or – plot twist – add another day? 😏

🚆 travel

Where We're Staying

Home base: La Spezia 🏙️

We're based in La Spezia – the gateway city to Cinque Terre. Better value than staying in the villages, easier arrivals & departures, and the Cinque Terre Express gets you to Riomaggiore in 9 minutes. More space, more restaurants, more practical for a group of 6.

Option 1

Balcony with bistro table overlooking Italian street

Casa Del Mercato – Prestige Apartment

3 bedrooms · 3 beds · 2 bathrooms · hosted by Claudio

🛏️ 3 double beds 🏠 Balcony 🛁 Hot tub ☕ Espresso machine ❄️ A/C 📍 Pedestrian centre ⭐ New listing

€1,017 total · ~€170 per person

Free cancellation before May 21

View on Airbnb

Option 2

Stylish living room with bold wallpaper and dining area

Cinque Terre Swing – Boutique Apartment

3 bedrooms · 3 queen beds + sofa beds · downtown La Spezia

🛏️ 3 queen beds + sofa beds ❄️ A/C 📍 Excellent location (9.2) ⭐ 9.1 rating · 26 reviews

€1,197 total · ~€200 per person

Non-refundable

View on Booking.com

🔍 Option 3 – Still looking

Got a suggestion? Drop it in the group chat!

Good to Know

Practical stuff

The things that'll save you time, money, and confusion.

🚆

Cinque Terre Express

Every 15-20 min, 5am–11:30pm. La Spezia → Riomaggiore 9 min, → Monterosso 25 min. Tickets €5 after 7:30pm. Get the Cinque Terre Treno Card (~€49-68/3 days) for unlimited rides + trail access.

🥾

Hiking Trails

The Blue Trail (SVA) connects all 5 villages. Best section: Monterosso → Vernazza (~2h). Check trail status before going – some sections close seasonally. Included with the Cinque Terre Treno Card.

💰

Cash & Cards

Bring some cash – smaller village restaurants and shops may not take cards. La Spezia has plenty of ATMs. Budget ~€60-80/person/day for food & drinks.

👟

What to Wear

Good walking shoes are essential (cobblestones + trails). Swimsuit under clothes for spontaneous dips. Layers for evening – it can cool down by the sea.

🌡️

May Weather

Late May is ideal – 20-24°C, mostly sunny, not yet peak summer crowds. Sea temp around 18-20°C – refreshing but swimmable!

🍝

Must-Eat List

Trofie al pesto · Fried anchovies · Focaccia di Recco · Sciacchetrà wine · Limoncello · Farinata · Fresh catch of the day. Don't skip La Spezia's own restaurants – the daily market on Via del Prione is 🤌