The Complete Guide to Cinque Terre: Village by Village
Five villages, five completely different vibes. After hiking the portions trail and spending time in each town, here's my honest breakdown of Cinque Terre, including my largest recommendation for beating summer crowds.
Cinque Terre is one of those places that looks almost too beautiful to be real. And while it absolutely lives up to the photos, each village has its own distinct character that gets lost in the Instagram highlights.
Riomaggiore: The Colorful One
Start here. It's the southernmost village and arguably the most photogenic. The buildings cascade down the cliff in every color imaginable, and the tiny harbor is the perfect spot for golden hour content. Get there early, by 10am the narrow streets are packed.
Manarola: The Romantic One
This is where you go for that iconic Cinque Terre shot. The view from the cemetery (I know, sounds odd) looking back at the village is absolutely stunning at sunset. The wine here is also incredible, they grow grapes on impossibly steep terraces.
Corniglia: The One Most People Skip
Sitting high on a cliff with no direct beach access, Corniglia gets overlooked. That's exactly why I loved it. Fewer tourists, better restaurants, and a genuine village atmosphere. The 382 steps to get up there are worth every single one.
Vernazza: The Postcard One
If you can only visit one village, make it Vernazza. The natural harbor, the medieval tower, the waterfront piazza, it's Cinque Terre distilled into one perfect package.
Monterosso al Mare: The Beach One
The largest village and the most resort-like. The beach with the orange and green striped umbrellas is iconic, and it's the best place to base yourself if you want more comfort and dining options.
Pro Tip
I strongly recommend starting at the Southern most village (Riomaggiore) as I described above because the train traffic getting to each town if you choose not to hike is way less crowded, especially if you go during peak months (like June through August). I also recommend trying to swim at each village if its a hot summer day. Enjoy a spritz to cool down and take dip in the Mediterranean Sea.