Visiting Cinque Terre will surely be the highlight of your next visit to Italy. I have visited multiple times, most recently in October of 2021, and it never ceases to amaze me. If you’re on the fence about adding this quaint coastal paradise to your itinerary, do it!
I’ve put together the ultimate Cinque Terre Travel Guide for your next coastal trip.
The Five Lands
“Cinque Terre” directly translates to “The Five Lands”. There are five fishing villages that make up Cinque Terre in the Liguria region of Italy. The five towns are: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
Each one of the villages has its own distinct personality and vibe. There are stunning views from every angle in Cinque Terre. Pesto sauce is native to this region and any restaurant that you go to will have an excellent pesto option for you to try.
Terraced hills look over the villages of Cinque Terre that produce the famous Sciacchetrà wine from the region. It is possible (and very popular) to hike from village to village. The hiking trail winds through the hills with jaw-dropping views and amazing scents of white wine and lemons. More on that later 😉
How Much Time You Should Spend in Cinque Terre
Minimum two full days in Cinque Terre will allow you to experience all five villages. If the hike is a priority for you, I could plan to dedicate an entire day solely for that (totally worth it!).
Where to Stay
Airbnb is definitely the way to go when it comes to finding an affordable place directly in on of the villages.
There are a few hostels in the area, which I’ve heard are great, but you won’t be saving much money by booking a hostel versus an Airbnb here. You will get much more value for your money during the shoulder seasons which are March-May and September-October.
I have stayed at this Airbnb in Riomaggiore and this Airbnb in Manarola. Both were absolutely wonderful and had everything we needed. You really can’t go wrong when it comes to choosing a town to stay in for your visit. Each town is less than five minutes away from each other on the train, which is centrally located in each town.
When to Visit Cinque Terre
The shoulder seasons of March-May and September-October are ideal for affordable stays and smaller crowds.
I have been fortunate enough to visit in mid-March, May, and October. March was a tad spotty with the weather but we had two great weather days out of the three. May was perfect, but I definitely noticed that the crowds were beginning to arrive compared to in March. October was chilly at night but absolutely perfect during the day. We wore shorts on the hike in October and swam in the water during the day.
March in Cinque Terre 
May in Cinque Terre 
October in Cinque Terre
Best Restaurants in Cinque Terre
You can’t go wrong with really any restaurant in Cinque Terre. I mean face it, you’re in Italy! Almost any restaurant you decide to go to has the potential to be the best meal you’ve ever had.
If you’re looking for dining with a view, head up to La Torre in Vernazza. If you’re going for lunch, you probably won’t need a reservation unless it’s June-August. The staff here are some of the most welcoming people and they create a fun and lighthearted environment. Every table has a view due to the terraced landscape. This restaurant is a must-see while you are in Cinque Terre!
View from La Torre!
Nessun Dorma is another picturesque restaurant in Manarola. It’s a popular spot and can get touristy very quickly. There is typically a very long wait time, even in the shoulder seasons, so a reservation is a must.
Enjoy the views of Manarola, sip some white wine, listen to house music, and watch the sunset over the sea.
La Scogliera in Manarola is a great place for a hearty seafood dish after watching the sunset. We stayed in Manarola this past October and loved walking down the steps to this restaurant for an easy dinner.
For a great Trofie al Pesto dish and Tiramisu, try Il Porticciolo in Manarola.
The other restaurant in Manarola that we tried, but ultimately could not get a table at, was Trattoria dal Billy. This restaurant was recommended to us by everyone and due to our lack of planning, we could not get a reservation here, even in mid-October. The view from this restaurant was gorgeous and had an excellent vibe. It’s on my list for next time!
Rio Bistrot 
Rio Bistrot
There is a wonderful restaurant in Riomaggiore called Rio Bistrot. It’s a Michelin star restaurant that’s surprisingly affordable. The pesto ravioli here is fantastic. It can be nice to have dinner in Riomaggiore because it is the smallest and most quiet town of the five.
Nuovo Eden Bar in Monterosso al Mare is a fantastic stop if you’re hungry after the long train ride! Enjoy a panoramic view of the iconic Monterosso al Mare beach and get settled into vacation mode. I ate here before embarking on the hiking trail and found it to be the perfect restaurant to start my day at.
Nuovo Eden Bar Monterosso al Mare 
Nuovo Eden Bar Monterosso al Mare
How to Travel Through Cinque Terre
No travel guide to Cinque Terre would be complete without explaining how to navigate your way from town to town. The Cinque Terre Card is an essential purchase if you plan on going to any other towns. This card is about $20.00 USD and is your ticket to the five villages.
The card can be purchased at any train station. The train stations are centrally located in each town and very easy to find.
You absolutely must have this card on you if you plan to use the hiking trails or take the train. This card needs to be purchased every day as it is only valid for 24 hours.
Cinque Terre Hiking Trail 
Cinque Terre Train Station
The hiking trails are pretty challenging with lots of elevation and rocky areas. Do not try to wear a cute outfit on these trails! Be sure to wear actual hiking/running shoes and athletic clothes and bring lots of water.
This is truly one of the most scenic trails I have ever seen in my life and is completely worth exploring. Due to landslides in the past, not every trail is open, but typically you can get from Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza and then to Corniglia. The train runs very frequently and can take you to the other two towns!
I hope this guide inspired you to travel to Cinque Terre!
If you need more inspiration, check out my YouTube vlog from Cinque Terre in October of 2021.
