Wondering if visiting Cinque Terre in one day is possible? The short answer is yes!
The longer answer is that while one day won’t allow you enough time to explore all five towns of Cinque Terre thoroughly, it is, however, totally doable to visit them and get a glimpse of their beauty and charm.
Cinque Terre is a stunning coastal region located in northern Italy on the Italian Riviera. It’s no wonder the area has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. This area comprises five villages; in them, you will find colorful houses, scenic views, terraced vineyards, and harbors filled with boats.
If you intend to tour these five villages in one day, I’ve got you covered! After spending a little bit over 24 hours in Cinque Terre, I decided to put together a guide to help you plan the perfect Cinque Terre day trip. While you might have a long day ahead of you, believe me when I say it is completely worth it!
Can You Visit Cinque Terre in One Day?
Yes, you can. If you don’t have much time to spend in Cinque Terre, you will have to optimize your time and decide what to experience and where to visit. However, if you have more time to spare, you should consider extending your trip and fully immersing yourself in the five beautiful towns.
Best Time to Visit Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is a stunning place to visit any time of the year. However, like most destinations, summer is the most popular time to visit Cinque Terre. The weather at this time makes it easy to enjoy fun outdoor activities like swimming and sunbathing. Meanwhile, the place is usually full of tourists at this time, so things might be pricier and a little difficult to find accommodation.
The crowds are usually minimal in winter (from November to the end of March), but you might not be able to take a boat trip or enjoy activities like swimming. It gets rainy in November and December, so this might also not be an excellent time to hike. The rain closes down most of the hiking trails in the towns. Visiting during the shoulder season of spring and fall is a good option to avoid the crowds and get better rates.
If you don’t mind the crowds or price hike of the high season, I recommend you come during the summer months and enjoy the best weather.
How to Get to and Around Cinque Terre
There are three major ways to get around Cinque Terre:
Train
The fastest way to get to and around the five towns of Cinque Terre in one day is by train. The main train station in the Cinque Terre area is La Spezia Centrale. Some popular destinations you can reach from this train station include Florence, Milan, Rome, Venice, Bologna, and more.
Once in Cinque Terre, it’s about a 5-10 minute train trip between each village, and you will need a specific Cinque Terre train card to board. I recommend you get it online ahead of time, but you can also get it at La Spezia Centrale Station. Once you have a card, you will get unlimited train travel around Cinque Terre area plus access to the hiking trails.
Take a Boat Tour
Another great option is to experience Cinque Terre by water, you can catch a local ferry or book a private boat trip to sail through the five villages. The boat ride is the most expensive option, and you have to check the local ferry timetable or book with a private boat company. A boat trip can take longer than a train, but it’s worth the time. Most local ferries will make a quick stop at the villages, but they work on a schedule, so it’s not as flexible as taking a private boat.
And, if you want to experience the beautiful sunset of Cinque Terre in a spectacular way, you can opt for a sunset boat tour which often starts from Monterosso and sails through the four other towns. This was my favorite activity as you get to enjoy spectacular and scenic views of the five villages from the water!
Hiking Through the Five Villages
The last option is hiking. Cinque Terre is connected by many hiking trails, so you can hike from village to village. The trail that connects all five towns is known as “Sentiero Azzurro” or the “Blue Trail.” The average time to hike through all five villages is around 5 to 7 hours, including breaks and village visits, and it covers approximately 7.5 miles (12 km).
Start the hiking journey from Monterroso to Vernazza, which should take about 1.5 hours or more, depending on your skill level. The hiking trail from Monterrosso to Vernazza has some challenging climbs, but you will find some beautiful coastlines and terraced vineyards that make it all worthwhile.
From Vernazza, you can hike to Corniglia, this village sits on top of a cliff so you will need to climb a long staircase known as the “Lardarina”. The next stop is Manarola, which connects to the last stop Riomaggiore. Hiking time will largely depend on your skill levels, but the average time hiking from village to village is:
Monterosso – Vernazza: 1.5 hours
Vernazza – Corniglia: 1.5 hours
Corniglia – Manarola: 1 hour
Manarola – Riomaggiore: 30 minutes
Each village has its own starting and ending points, so you can also select which sections of the trail you want to hike based on your preferences, fitness level, and available time.
You will need to get a day pass to access all the hiking paths, and for an extra cost, you can get a ticket for both hiking and the train. If hiking is your preferred way of exploring Cinque Terre’s small towns, be sure you start early morning.
Top tip: You can tour Cinque Terre’s Villages by combining train rides with hiking for a more fun experience. Or, what I did, hike in the day and boat for sunset!
How to See the Best of Cinque Terre in One Day
The five villages in Cinque Terre are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. As mentioned earlier, there are three options to get around the area: train, boat, or hiking along the coast. That said, here is a Cinque Terre day trip itinerary to see the best in one day:
Start Your Day at Monterroso
The best place to start your one-day trip in Cinque Terre is Monterosso, especially if you are coming from La Spezia. Monterosso is the biggest town and is easily accessible by train, which will take less than 20 minutes from La Spezia.
This village is surrounded by colorful houses, turquoise water, and great dining options. Monterroso makes a great place to swim, sunbathe, and kayak, so if you have more than one day here, you should take your time in this village.
Other highlights in Monterosso include the old town, which features traditional Ligurian architecture, narrow streets, numerous little shops, cafés, and restaurants.
Monterosso – Vernazza
From Monterosso, you can take the local train or hike the path that leads to Vernazza (takes approx 1.5 hours), which is one of the most beautiful of all the villages in Cinque Terre. Vernazza boasts colorful houses, a harbor, and main attraction sites like the Doria Castle, where you can enjoy the views of the city. You will also find a small beach where you can swim or sunbathe and viewing points from where you can enjoy beautiful views.
Vernazza – Corniglia
You can hike from Vernazza to Corniglia (takes approx 1.5 hours), or take the train to access this village. Corniglia was built atop a hill, and you might need to take over 300 steps to access the village if you decide to hike.
A great thing about this village is that it has fewer tourists and offers some of the best views of the Lingurian Sea. The town is also full of vineyards that produce grapes used for Cinque Terre’s wines. You can visit one of the restaurants in this town for lunch or have a picnic in one of the open areas.
Other highlights in Corniglia include the village’s historic center, the Church of San Pietro, perched on the edge of the cliff, and breathtaking sunsets.
Corniglia – Manarola
Manarola is a small village, and it’s said to be the first town founded. To get to Manarola from the train station, you will need to go through a tunnel that used to be a shelter for people during World War II. Manarola is the ideal spot for a relaxing day sunbathing and watching people diving off the cliffs. While it doesn’t have a traditional sandy beach, it offers excellent opportunities for deep-water swimming.
You can also find the village’s historic church, the Church of San Lorenzo and scenic vineyards, the terraced hills surrounding Manarola are adorned with vineyards that produce the local wine, adding to the picturesque charm of the village.
Manarola – Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is the perfect place to end your day trip to Cinque Terre because it has one of the most gorgeous sunsets. If you start your journey early, you can catch the sunset and have time to spend at Piazza Vignaioli, the village’s main square. From here, you will get great views of the gorgeous scenery and colorful houses in the village. I recommend you have dinner here at Riomaggiore while enjoying the beautiful golden hue of the sunset.
Other highlights in Riomaggiore include; the Church of San Giovanni Battista, dating back to the 13th century. The Castle of Riomaggiore, offering panoramic views of the village and the sea. And, the option to relax by the water, enjoy the views, and take a dip in the sea.
More than one day in Cinque Terre?
Ideally, you should take at least two days to experience the five villages in Cinque Terre fully. If you have more than one day, I recommend you visit three villages on day one and dedicate more time exploring each. You can spend the rest of your time exploring the other towns, by the beach or seeing the attraction sites, dining options, or terraced streets. You can also visit places of interest like Portovenere, Cape Mesco, and San Bernardino hamlet.
Check out more content about Italy here!
