11 Exciting Things To Do In Cinque Terre, Italy

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Cinque Terre is a Northwestern Italian region that offers crystal clear waters, laid-back coastal towns with picturesque, colorful homes, amazing hikes, and great food.

It’s famous for its centuries-old villages that are surrounded by rugged cliffs and sit on steep terraces. The Italian Riviera hugs the coastline, offering tranquil beaches and a historic harbor full of sleepy fishing boats sleep and lively trattorias.

The area is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves and hiking trails with incredible ocean views.

Needless to say, there are many things to do in Cinque Terre that offer a welcome break from the sometimes rushed sightseeing in Rome and other cities in Italy.

Its laid back atmosphere and quaint Cinque Terre village charms offer a romantic setting to those planning an Italy honeymoon.

But what are the best attractions in Cinque Terre and what are the top things to do? This guide will tell you what to add to your itinerary.

Where to Stay in Cinque Terre, Italy

Cinque Terre is a term for a group of 5 coastal towns in northern Italy that are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They include (from north to south) Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

Each town is unique, but when deciding on where to stay it’s hard to go wrong. We stayed in Riomaggiore in an apartment located in the marina, just steps away from the water!

We were booking last minute and reached out to Martha to rent her apartment. It was already booked, but she arranged for us to stay at another Cinque Terre apartment nearby.

Rio, as the locals call it, has everything you need including several restaurants, cafes, shops, a post office, and a laundromat.

Since it is further south, it tends to be less crowded than the more popular towns. Watch out for the B&Bs and hotels saying they are in Cinque Terre but are not actually in the 5 coastal towns.

Getting Around Cinque Terre

It is very easy to get from village to village in Cinque Terre. There is a train that is simple to use and comes regularly, and the fare is usually quite cheap. There are also ferries that go from village to village.

Hiking from town to town is also possible (more on that later), but to do so you need the Cinque Terre card, which is essentially a hiking permit.

This area is not car friendly, but if…