- Cinque Terre made up of five separate villages.
- You can arrive at this town from the nearest airport in 90 minutes.
- Monterosso offers the most hotel choices of all five villages.
- Vernazza is best for sightseeing as this village is located near many cathedrals.
- Taxi service is available between the Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso villages.
What’s better than a vacation in Italy? Taking a trip to Italy and Cinque Terre offers five separate villages on one European vacation.
Cinque Terre, Italy, is home to five historic villages. Here are tips for arrival, getting around, and finding things to do in this beautiful series of towns.
Arriving in Cinque Terre Italy
Travel here will require ground transportation in addition to any flights you may make. Pisa will be the closest city to Cinque Terre that has an airport. However, you can take a train from Pisa International Airport that connects to Cinque in about 90 minutes.
You can also drive into this town if you so desire. When driving into this town, try to stay in one of the neighboring five villages. However, you may need to start booking in advance because vacancies can fill quickly, especially in warmer months.
Some prefer to keep themselves away from the more popular areas of this town. There are cities that surround the five villages that offer a more provincial feel if this is what you would like. However, you will have to spend time traveling outside of town each day.
Getting Around Cinque Terre
There are a few ways to get around this town. There are ferry rides that can take you between the five villages of Cinque Terre in Italy. Traveling by ferry is a great way to get views of the Italian seaside.
Another popular travel option in this town is by train or taxi. The many trains here ensure you can visit any of the five villages. In addition, you can take a taxi while in the Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso villages.
Hotels in Cinque Terre
You will be able to choose to base yourself in hotels in the five beautiful villages in this town. Monterosso features many resorts, perfect for finding a Cinque Terre hotel right away.
One of the best Cinque Terre hotels in Monterosso is Hotel Margherita with its modern rooms and beautiful hotel bar/lounge. You can also stay at Hotel Pasquale or Hotel Villa Steno while in this village.
Best Things to Do in Cinque
Monterosso is the largest of the five villages. Here, you will find a wide assortment of authentic Italian cuisine at restaurants that include L’Anorce della Tortuga, Ristorante Miky, and Da Eraldo. You may also choose a restaurant that features outdoor seating for a truly authentic Italian dining experience.
Vernazza includes its own harbor and stunning seaside views. The historic alleys are lined with many shops and attractions. You can marvel at such sights as Castello Doria, Santuario di Nostra Signoria de Reggio, and Santa Margerita di Antiochia Church.
Corniglia is the most secluded when compared to the other four villages. However, Corniglia is great if you want a quieter village to spend time in. If you can make the climb, the over 300 steps outside of Corniglia’s train station lead to an amazing observation deck.
Manarola features many wineries and local restaurants. You can sometimes find locals swimming in the nearby water and jumping from rocks. However, this area is a body of water and not an indoor swimming pool. There will not be lifeguards on duty, so it is important to swim safely.
Riomaggiore is the southernmost village of the five. However, there is still much to explore here, including the Terra di Bargon winery. Parco Nazionale is a national park located within Riomaggiore. This park sits right near the coast of Cinque Terre and also offers fishing to guests.
