Cinque Terre is a magical and picturesque region of Italy located in the province of Liguria. Nestled along the rugged coastline of Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre is a collection of five villages - Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Cinque Terre is a must visit destination and everyone should visit it at least once in a lifetime.

My friend Marta (@m.arta_j) and I (@sarowly) spend 3 days (3 nights) in Cinque Terre and it was enough time to visit all the charming villages, eat lots of delicious, Italian food, swim in the sea, relax on the beach and soak all the Italian vibes. I put together this 3 day itinerary in Cinque Terre with my recommendations and travel tips. If you would like to know where to stay, what to eat and drink, how to commute between the villages in Cinque Terre, check out this travel guide.I hope you find this blog post helpful when planning your next trip to Cinque Terre!

How to get to cinque terre?

The nearest airport is located in Pisa (PSA) and I highly suggest your flying there. I was in Europe at that time and we traveled to Italy from Poland, with a budget airline, Ryanair (here you can book the tickets). If you’ll be doing a summer euro trip, you can easily find lots of cheap flights from different countries. The most affordable and reliable airlines are Ryanair, Wizzair and EasyJet. You can find a roud-trip flights for about 200-300 euros in high season, or even cheaper.

From Pisa Airport, we took a train to La Spezia, via Pisa Centrale. The train was very modern and had AC, the ticket costed only 11 euros. You will be able to buy tickets at the train station, in the kiosk. The process was very easy and we got to La Spezia in 1.5-2 hours from the airport.

Where to stay in cinque terre?

We stayed in La Spezia and I can highly recommend you this city. It’s more affordable than all of the famous villages and you can easily get from there to all picturesque towns - Monteresso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. If you take a train in La Spezia, it only takes 7 min ride to get to the first village, Riomaggiore.

La Spezia has more dining options and accommodation than all the five towns. Whether you choose to stay in La Spezia or any other village, you’ll be well-connected by local trail, making it easy to explore all five towns. The train runs frequently, making it easy to hop between villages.

We stayed at Villa Marcela in La Spezia. Our room was very modern, spacious and clean. The hosts were amazing! The villa had a beautiful pool & garden with lemons. You can book it here.

Check out for more hotels and apartments in La Spezia HERE.

*I make a small comission when booking through my link, I really appreciate your support.*

At our hotel, Villa Marcella (La Spezia)

How to get around cinque terre?

Taking the train is the best and easiest option. We bought a Cinque Terre Train Card, which provides unlimited train travel between La Spezia and the five villages. You can purchase the card for 1, 2, or 3 days from the official website or at any train station. We got ours at La Spezia Train Station. The 3-day card costs about 21 euros and is definitely worth it to avoid waiting in line for individual tickets.

When to visit cinque terre?

The best time to visit Cinque Terre is during the summer, from June to September. The weather is warm and sunny with almost no chance of rain. We went to Cinque Terre in July, which was a busy season, but we still found affordable flights, hotels, and the trains weren’t too crowded. If you’re looking to visit during the shoulder season, September is the ideal time.

top villages in cinque terre

riomaggiore

We spent most of our time in Riomaggiore. We kicked off our trip by heading there and catching a stunning, magical sunset. The village is colorful and picturesque, offering a great mix of viewpoints, architecture, swimming spots, and restaurants. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset.monterosso al mare

Monterosso al mare

Monterosso al Mare is the best spot for spending time on the beach. The beach is lined with orange and green umbrellas, set against turquoise waters and golden sands. There’s also a seaside promenade with plenty of restaurants and shops. We spent a day there and loved it. Two lounge chairs and an umbrella cost around 40-50 euros, but it was definitely worth it!

Vernazza

Vernazza is known as one of the most picturesque villages in Italy. You can admire charming fishing boats in the harbor and colorful red and orange houses. The village has a relaxed, charming vibe. We visited at sunset, and it was absolutely amazing!

Manarola

Manarola is a very romantic town with beautiful houses situated on huge cliffs. The village has one of the most picturesque viewpoints in Cinque Terre. It’s located near Nessun Dorma restaurant and bar. The views there are spectacular.

corniglia

Corniglia is the only village in Cinque Terre without direct access to the sea. We didn’t have time to visit, but it’s perched in the mountains and requires a steep, lengthy walk from the train station. I’ll definitely keep Corniglia on my bucket list for future trips to Italy.

3 Days In Cinque Terre, Italy - The Perfect Itinerary