Cinque Terre, ItalyCinque Terre, Italy

Cinque Terre Guide - Area Map - Top Attractions - Accommodation

Eighteen kilometres of sheer rocky coastline in northern Italy, terraced hills and vineyards sloping steeply down to the sea.

The five little villages of the Cinque Terre are built into the rocks between the beach and the hills. You can hike, swim, drink red wine, and watch blazing Mediterranean sunsets Centuries old footpaths and mule tracks wind about 500 to 1,000 feet above the sea, leading through olive groves and vineyards and orchards. Each village has its own character and they are just a few minutes apart by train.

Get yourself a Cinque Terre Hiking Pass, which includes unlimited train rides and a map of the area. You can buy one at the Cinque Terre tourist offices at La Spezia train station or at Riomaggiore.

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Top AttractionsTop Attractions

Map Index:

Riomaggiore
The first of the five villages, Riomaggiore has a particularly photogenic slipway down to the water. The bar near the start of the walking trail is a great place to relax and enjoy the sunset.

Manarola
The walk from Riomaggiore to Manorola along the Via dell'Amore (Lovers Lane) is the easiest and most romantic for the walks between the villages.

Corniglia
Unlike the other villages, Corniglia is not directly next to the sea, but rather on the top of a promontory about 100 meters high and surrounded by vineyards and terraces.

Vernazza
Vernazza is the most popular and most photographed of the five villages due to its natural harbour and ruined castle.

Monterosso
The last of the five villages, Monterosso al Mare is a resort town with big sandy beaches and many tourist shops. Visit the Church of the Capuchin Father. The walk from Monterosso to Vernazza is particularly beautiful and offers great views over Vernazza.

Local Cuisine

This stretch of Italy's Riviera is the birthplace of pesto. Basil is mixed with cheese, garlic, olive oil, and pine nuts and then poured over pasta. Try it on spaghetti, trenette, or trofie (made of flour with a bit of potato). The vino delle Cinque Terre, famous throughout Italy, flows cheap and easy throughout the region. It is white and great with the local seafood. For a sweet, sherry-like wine try the local sciacchetrà wine that is often served with a cookie.

There are great restaurants in all the villages of the Cinque Terre and there is a small supermarket in Riomaggiore.

AccommodationAccommodation

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Hotel Astoria
Via Roma, 139
La Spezia
Italy

The Astoria hotel is situated in the heart of La Spezia, not distant from the port of call marine and near the railway station, from where it is approx 7 minutes by train to Riomaggiore, the first village of the Cinque Terre.

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Prices: Private Rooms from 27.50 Euros.

Directions: From La Spezia Station, walk up Via Milano until you get to Via Roma - turn left into Via Roma and the hotel is about 300m down the road on yout left hand side.