tourism News / 29.01.2024

Cinque Terre. Trip to Cinque Terre, Italy What to visit in Cinque Terre

On the west coast. In the Gulf of Genoa, on a high and rocky shore, five settlements are comfortably located: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, which make up the national park. Cinque Terre is one of the few cleanest areas in the Mediterranean. Thanks to the unique combination of landscape and historical monuments, UNESCO included the Cinque Terre National Park in the list of World Cultural Heritage.

Main cities of Cinque Terre

The most visited places in the Cinque Terre are the towns: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza.

1. Riomaggiore located on the southernmost shore of the park, bordering Manarolla, to which a beautiful walking trail leads - the Road of Love. Riomangiore can be divided into several parts: the city itself, the marina area with a pebble beach and the train station.

Riomaggiore was founded in the 13th century. One of the main attractions is the ruins of a medieval castle, which previously served as a defensive fortification of the city, and now attracts tourists with its romantic landscapes. The ancient temple of Montenero, built in the 8th century, will surprise you with its grandeur. Uniquely picturesque frescoes decorate the Church of St. John the Baptist, which was erected in the 14th century. The church, built in a neo-Gothic style, is made of gray stone and decorated with white sculptures.

2. Another beautiful village of Cinque Terre - Manarola, attracting the attention of tourists with the bright colors of modern houses and ancient architectural structures. Manarolla is one of the oldest cities, with buildings dating back about 500 years.

Gourmets and wine lovers will especially appreciate Mediterranean cuisine in Manarola. From December 8 to the end of January in the city you can see one of the largest Nativity scenes (Presepe), dedicated to the Nativity of Christ. An interesting combination of Baroque and Gothic styles is represented by the architecture of the Church of St. Lawrence, which was built in the 14th century. The Road of Love is one of the most romantic places in Manarola.

3. Corniglia- a town located at the highest altitude in the Cinque Terre, attracts the attention of tourists with such historical pearls as the large Gothic Church of St. Peter, the chapel of St. Catherine, and the ruins of an ancient Genoese castle. The town is famous for its vineyards and the nudist beach in Guvano. The Lardarina Staircase and St. Mary's Terrace will appeal to lovers of outdoor activities.

4. Vernazza- one of the most romantic and beautiful cities of the Cinque Terre. The cozy bay is surrounded by picturesque rocks and decorated with colorful houses. The abundance of ancient architecture gives the town a special charm and comfort. The clean sea air and unique natural landscape will not leave anyone indifferent.

The symbol of Vernazza is the Belforte Tower in the Doria Castle. Magnificent landscapes can be observed from the observation decks of this castle. Also, the church named after St. Margaret of Antioch from the 13th century and the Palace with galleries located next to it are very famous.

How to get to Cinque Terre?

One of the most convenient modes of transport is the railway. Every hour, regional trains traveling along the route Genoa - Rome deliver tourists to the towns of Cinque Terre.

You can also get to the national park through the city of La Spezia, or other nearby cities by means of transport convenient for you (train, boat, campervan, car).

Since some central areas of the Cinque Terre are closed to cars, it is recommended to leave your vehicle in the parking lot of La Spezia, Levanto or Riomaggiore.

Cinque Terre on the map:

Cinque Terre is a national park in Italy. Cinque Terre translates to “five lands”. The park unites five small ancient cities located between the sea and the cliffs: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare, home to about 4,000 inhabitants.

In the 11th century, during the time of the great Romans, according to historical facts, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare (they also say simply “Monterosso”) appeared, and only then the other three villages.

The settlements developed, then fell into decline, but in the 19th century a rise began due to the construction of a railway line from Genoa.
If you look at the map, you can find Cinque Terre in northwestern Italy, in the Liguria region, in the region of La Spezia.

Location of Cinque Terre on the map of Italy

Nowadays the Cinque Terre park is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

How to get to the Cinque Terre, this most interesting corner of Italy?

The first step is to arrive, of course, in Italy.

Then, in, which is a transit point on the way to the Cinque Terre, this can be done both from Genoa, Milan, Florence, and from any major city.

It is from here, from La Spezia, that there are several options and ways to get to the Cinque Terre National Park:

By car. If tourists wishing to visit the national park come by car, they leave the car in the parking lot in La Spezia. Then, using another means of transport, you can get to any of the five towns of Cinque Terre. The fact is that car traffic in the Five Lands is prohibited. Rail, local "green" buses and water boats are allowed. Only in Monterosso are some categories of citizens partially allowed to drive;
By suburban train. The most affordable and most convenient option is to come to Cinque Terre by local train. Each city has a stop at the central station. Communication between the towns themselves is also possible by train. The price of the trip varies from 4.00 to 16.00 euros.
As of July 1, 2016, a convenient transport card system has been introduced for all five cities, which are offered to guests staying one or more days in the Cinque Terre.

Train 2 days for adults 26.00 instead of 29.00 euros; train 3 days for adults 35.00 instead of 41.00 euros;
By sea. The second option is a ferry or boat. Considering that the water side offers incredibly beautiful views that cannot be seen by arriving by train, we can recommend arriving in Cicque Terre at least once this way! The ticket costs a little more than the train, depending on the end point you choose - 7-32 euros.
It is also possible to travel between the cities of the park by boat.

For lovers of hiking, special brochures have been issued that describe in detail the routes of the trails connecting the “Quinque Lands”; they can be purchased at any station or stop in each of the cities of the Cinque Terre.

Towns of the Cinque Terre

Let's tell you a little about each town of the Cinque Terre

Manarola

Manarola is the oldest city of the five. Known for its colorful tower houses on the cliffs.
The facades were painted in bright colors so that captains could see the town from the sea even without a lighthouse.

Manarola is the second city of the Cinque Terre

Main attractions of Manarola:

From Manarola comes the famous "Path of Love", which leads to Riomaggiore.
In the town, during the Christmas holidays, it is organized the largest Nativity scene in the world;
Antique small St Lawrence Church, built in 1338. With a Gothic facade, a rose window in the pediment, decorated with marble lace. An antique bell tower of the 14th century was erected near the church. The whole ensemble against the backdrop of green mountains is conducive to calm contemplation and admiration of antiquity;
In Manarola there is a small rocky beach;
There is an opportunity to visit interesting Italian cuisine courses, in several languages, including Russian.

Where to stay in the oldest town of the Cinque Terre?
The best hotels, according to tourists:

Hotel Marina Piccola— 3-star hotel on Via Renato Birolli, 120;
Da Baranin— apartments on Via A. Rollandi, 29;
Ca' D'Andrean— 3-star hotel at Via Discovolo, 101.

Riomaggiore

The first town from La Spezia is divided into three parts due to a tunnel and a sea pier.

The largest of the five cities.

Here you can see antique church of St. John the Baptist(Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista), which was built in 1340 and painted with frescoes, inside it there is a mechanical organ from 1851. You should also look here Riomaggiore Castle(Italian: Castello di Riomaggiore), a preserved city fortification, the adjacent square offers an amazing panorama of the sea.

Very beautiful church of San Giovanni Battista

This town of Cinque Terre has a small pebble beach.

Where to stay in Riomaggiore:

Hotel Affittacamere Le Giare on Via di Loca, 19017, 500 meters to the train station;
Hotel Locanda Ca Da Iride on Via del Santuario, 162. A small hotel with 6 rooms, there is a bus stop five minutes from the hotel;
Hotel Scorci Di Mare at Via San Giacomo, 82. Luxurious location 3 minutes from the beach, in a 14th century building.

Vernazza

The town is considered the most comfortable of the five.

A large number of local restaurants in a large area in the city center.

Usually Church of St. Margaret of Antioch(Italian: Chiesa della Santa Margherita di Antiochia), tourists really like it. The Gothic style built in 1318, 40 meters high, is popular among tourists.
Belforte Tower and Doria Castle(Italian: Castello Doria) was built in the 11th century for defense purposes, as a security bastion.

The Doria Castle in the vicinity of Vernazza was built in the 13th century, although the first of the towers was founded in the 11th century

Unusual, but many people are interested in visiting cemetery Santuario di Nostra Signora di Reggio.
Vernazza has an excellent sandy beach.

Where to stay in Vernazza:

Villa Accini 3-star hotel on Via Molinelli. 2 minutes to the beach, old family mansion. A few meters from the Monterosso al Mare train station;
Camere Giuliano on Localita Capanna 1. The hotel, the rooms in which are decorated with notes of the Middle Ages, used wood and stone. Delicious food, flowers all around, it’s not for nothing that this small hotel is considered one of the best.

Corniglia

The smallest town in the Cinque Terre. It is located at 100 m above sea level, so if you arrive by train you will have to climb 382 steps.

For people unprepared for such an ascent, there is a city bus.

Here lies the most beautiful Spiaggione beach, with huge rocks where sunbathers love to lie and look at the crystal clear water. There is a nudist beach "Guvano".
Sights to see St. Peter's Church, it was built in 1334, inside you can see statues and a baptismal font.

St. Peter's Church was built in 1334 on the site of an ancient chapel from the 11th century

Also Chapel of St. Catherine, located in the central square of the city. Behind the chapel there is a large terrace with stunning views of the Riviera.
Hotels recommended by travelers:

Guest House Affittacamere Arbasia De Ma on Via Fieschi, 214. Simply stunning views from the windows and balconies of the hotel! 3 minutes to the beach, train station is 10 minutes walk;
Guest house Il Timone 3 stars, on Via Solferino 28. Pets allowed. And again - an amazing view;
There are many in Corniglia apartments and flats, which can be rented.

Monterosso al Mare (Monterosso)

The largest (about 1500 inhabitants) and oldest (1056) of the Cinque Terre settlements.
Worth a look here Church of Saint Giovanni Batista(Italian: Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista), it is located in Piazza don Giovanni Minzoni, next to the sea.

Built in the 13th-14th centuries, in the Gothic style, it has a striped façade.

Next to the Battista Church is Chapel of Mortis et Orationis(Italian: Oratorio della Confraternita dei Neri Mortis et Orationis), the name means “Brotherhood of Death and Prayer”, the facade of the church is the same striped as that of the Church of St. Giovanni Batista.

The Church of San Giovanni Batista was built back in 1340, it is one of the oldest buildings in the Gothic style

Another attraction is the famous Capuchin Monastery on a hill. Built in 1619-1622.
Monterosso has the largest and most beautiful beach, and therefore is the most visited town. In addition, the beach is located very close to the station, which makes the trip to the sea very convenient.
The old town also has a beach, but much smaller.

Evening entertainment is more popular here than in the other four cities.

Monterosso has a huge number of hotels, apartments and apartments that can be rented. Be sure to do this in advance, online.

I would like to especially note some hotels:

Da Vice Rooms, on San Pietro 5, located 200 meters from the beach;
Hotel Zia Letizia Bed And Wine, on Via Buranco 4. From the hotel you can see the rocky coast or the rooftops of houses. The name speaks for itself about the hotel, translated from Italian “Aunt Letizia, bed and wine.”

Cuisine in the Cinque Terre

Typical Cinque Terre cuisine is based on seafood and vegetables grown in remote areas. In ancient times, common dishes were simple vegetable soup, polenta with pesto sauce, anchovies, and octopus. Foods low in fat.

One of the traditional Italian dishes

Modern dishes retain the basic principles of dishes from the past.

The traditional cuisine of the Cinque Terre most often consists of a varied assortment of fish and seafood dishes. Anchovies, sea bass, squid, cuttlefish, and octopus are used in many dishes. A large amount of herbs are added, such as oregano, thyme and marjoram. The use of olive oil is absolutely natural.
Flour products also have their place in local cuisine. Pea flour focaccia looks like a simple flatbread or flatbread, with a filling of cheese, herbs, etc. wrapped in it.

Pizza made from pea flour, with the addition of olive oil, is always baked in a stone oven.

Also in Monterosso you can serve rice cake, which is prepared in honor of the feast of Our Lady of Soviore, August 14th. It is made from puff pastry with the addition of various fillings - from boiled rice and eggs to cheese and mushrooms. Baking with goat cheeses creates crazy smells!
In Corniglia, you simply must try the typical local gelato (ice cream), made exclusively from natural products with the addition of local honey.
We can't help but mention the wine. Vineyards are everywhere in the Cinque Terre, which is why ancient recipes for Sciacchetrà, a sweet golden wine, are very popular all over the world.

Cinque Terre in one day

What if a traveler only has one day to do everything? What's the best way to do it? Buy a one-day tour? Or rush around the cities of Cinque Terre in the hope of visiting every imaginable excursion?
Perhaps you need to plan this “one” day at home, before the trip:

The most convenient way to arrive from La Spezia is by train to Riomaggiore, buy a Cinque Terre Card and start your “fast” journey with tunnel, leading to the city. Walk through those places of the city that are interesting, have lunch at some restaurant to feel the local atmosphere;
To the next city Manarola, you need to travel either by train or walk over the hill along the “Beccara road”.
Although it may seem difficult and time-consuming, what photos can be taken along the way!

In Manarola, you should definitely take a photo in front of the famous houses with colorful facades hanging over the sea. Well, if your stay falls during the Christmas holidays, then of course, see the largest Nativity scene in the world;
The next stage is traveling by train or walking along the “Azure Trail” to Corniglio. But with the trail closed until 2018, the only option left is the train. Corniglia, as already mentioned, is the highest town in the park. You will have to climb the steps or get to the center by bus. Eat local honey ice cream, go to Church of St. Peter, buy or just look at amazing souvenirs in the Mg5terre store;
Another train. Corniglia – Vernazza(the journey is only 3-5 minutes). There is a beautiful pier, many restaurants near the sea, in the central square. For beach lovers, the local sandy one is suitable;
Vernazza – Monterosso– and this time only 3 minutes! It is absolutely necessary in these three minutes to examine, or better yet, capture the amazingly beautiful seascapes! Go to both churches in vests and admire the perfection of the beaches. Wait until evening and see the city in the night lights!

Advice: If you still need an organized tour in the Cinque Terre, you should contact a company that sells or organizes tours; you can choose a company based on reviews from tourists who have visited Italy, the Cinque Terre.

You can see more detailed information about the history and attractions of the Cinque Terre in the video:

So what is this Cinque Terre? These are wonderful places that connect ancient culture and history with our modern world, in a hurry to live. These are rocks where rare birds live, these are rare trees and plants, this is wonderful food and wine.

Whenever a trip to the Cinque Terre happens, in July, when crowds of tourists are rushing between beaches and restaurants, or in March, when everything is just starting to smell sweet, but there are few tourists and prices are still not high, the trip will always be full and memorable!

Travel notes, day 4

The Cinque Terre, or Five Lands of Liguria, is an eight-kilometer stretch of rocky coastline near the Ligurian Sea. There are five small villages in this area - Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. This entire area is considered a national park in Italy and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is one of the most unpolluted areas of the Mediterranean coast and is almost completely car-free.

Cinque Terre is a very rare phenomenon for Italy. There are no significant architectural monuments, no antiquities, but there are stunning views. Those who are tired of the stale air of museums and ancient churches come here to relax in the indescribably beautiful Italian nature. There are mountains, forests, greenery, rocks, sea and bays, and all this is so picturesque that people come here like crazy.

01. You can get to Cinque Terre from the city of La Spezia by small train.

02. It leaves the station every half hour and stops at every station in the Cinque Terre (there are five of them according to the number of villages).

03. To get on the steam locomotive, you need to buy a Cinque Terre Pass card. With it you can ride a steam locomotive in any direction during the day. Also, with this card you will be admitted to some of the attractions for free.

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05. The police ask you to take care of your belongings.

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08. Before heading to Cinque Terre, you can take a walk around La Spezia. It is the military and industrial center of Italy. There is a large commercial port, shipyards, engineering enterprises and a naval base.

09. Tourists also come here, but most of them do not stay here for a long time, because there are many much more famous resorts in the area.

10. Although everything was different before. In the old days, La Spezia was regularly visited by many famous poets and writers, including Byron, Shelley, Sand, Lawrence and many others.

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12. This is Riomaggiore - one of the villages of the Cinque Terre, the closest to La Spezia.

13. The village of Riomaggiore appeared around the 13th century. Even then, locals grew vineyards and made wine. Not much has changed since then.

14. The village is located by a small bay, there is a small beach and a pier for boats.

15. There used to be a stream here called Remus Major, but then it dried up and disappeared.

16. The main street of the village stretches from the beach to the mountains, where there are restaurants, bars and shops. In the highest part of Riomaggiore there is a medieval church and castle ruins.

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18. According to legend, the village was founded by a group of Greek refugees who were fleeing the power of a harsh ruler.

19. Houses in Riomaggiore usually have 3 or 4 floors. All of them are built in a tower type and painted in traditional colors.

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22. Here you can rent a boat or book a tour along the Cinque Terre coast. This is another way to travel between villages, in addition to the railway and footpaths.

23. Boat rental costs from 80 euros per hour.

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25. And this is the next village of Manarola. The name Manarola comes from the Latin phrase “maniam arula”, which translates as an altar to the god Mani (this is the Roman god of the house)

26. Manarola is the quietest village in the Cinque Terre and usually has the fewest tourists. It is connected to neighboring Riomaggiore by a picturesque pedestrian road called the “Path of Love”.

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30. The next village is Vernazza.

31. It was founded around the year 1000 and its name comes from an old Roman family.

32. Vernazza was once the most prosperous town in the Cinque Terre. Many medieval architectural monuments have been preserved here.

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35. It even has its own port - the only one in the Cinque Terre.

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37. Elements of the fortress wall built against pirates are still preserved here. Pirate raids were very common in the 15th century.

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41. Now they are engaged in growing grapes and producing local wine (this is a common activity for all villages in the Cinque Terre). Due to the wine trade, Vernazza has more than doubled in size.

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46. Such narrow streets with stairs are very common in Vernazza.

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48. View from above

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50. Cinque Terre coast

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53. The last village is Monterosso. It is also surrounded by grape and olive groves.

54. There are very beautiful beaches and cliffs. The town itself is located on the hill of San Cristoforo. There you can also find the ruins of a medieval castle.

55. Previously, Monterosso was defended by 13 towers, but only three have survived to this day.

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Traveling around Italy:

There are five small towns - small resorts on the Ligurian coast of Italy, surrounded by countless villages and vineyards. Together they form the national park of Italy - Cinque Terre (Italian. Cinque Terre).

This protected area includes five lands - small villages: Corniglia ( Corniglia), Riomaggiore ( Riomaggiore), Monterosso ( Monterosso al Mare), Vernazza ( Vernazza) and Manarola ( Manarola).

This is a unique place where the settlements themselves are located right on the cliffs; this cannot be found in every country. The fantastic landscape of untouched nature will not leave anyone indifferent. Walking along numerous hiking trails, you can see the oldest castles and other abandoned buildings in the park. And if you want, you can always bask on one of the many beaches in this area.

Cars are prohibited in the park so as not to disturb the environment. Instead, you can use local, environmentally friendly buses that run on certain routes. You can leave your vehicle in the parking lot in Monterosso.

In 4–5 hours you can walk around all five towns. Fans of difficult mountain trails can go the other way and enjoy the scenery for at least 12 hours (you will have to walk 40 km at an altitude of 1.5 thousand meters above sea level).

How to get to Cinque Terre?

This can be done from the airports “Galileo Galilei” (84 km) in Pisa or “C. Colombo” Genoa (112 km). There are trains and tourist transfers to the National Park. For example, a train runs constantly from Genoa, which has stops in all the villages of the reserve. The park itself can also be reached by train from La Spezia, which is not difficult to get to from any major city in the country (Milan, Rome, ...).

You can also arrive by boat, admiring the sea views along the way. But if you decide to get there on your own, then think through your own route along the Cinqua Terre on the map of Italy.

When planning a trip to the park on your own or rented, the autostrade service will help you, which can easily calculate the cost of the entire trip.

Do you want to know which one without overpaying intermediaries?

To have a vacation without any unpleasant surprises, it is important to know what will happen and what is best to take with you from things.

Monterosso

Monterosso is the most populated western town of the five. It is surrounded by many vineyards and olive groves. Conventionally, Monterosso al Mare is divided into new and old parts.

In the old part, the oldest buildings have been preserved, which now have great historical value for the whole country: ordinary houses, outbuildings and the ruins of the Monterosso Castle, the Aurora Tower, the Church of San Giovanni Batista and San Francisco.

Once upon a time the city was surrounded by 13 towers, 3 of which have survived to this day. There was a castle and a monastery near the Aurora Tower, but they have not survived. The tower itself, as is often the case in Italy, is used as a private home.

The Basilica of San Francisco still houses the famous icon “The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ” by the Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck.

The Church of San Giovanni Batista was built back in 1340, it is one of the oldest buildings here in the Gothic style.

The most significant 20th-century building in the village is the statue of Neptune, which reaches a height of 14 m, executed by the artist Arrigo Minerbi and the engineer Levacher.

An equally significant architectural monument of Monterosso al Mare is one of the oldest temples preserved on the Ligurian coast. This is the temple of the Virgin of Soviore, patroness of sailors and fishermen. It was erected back in the days of Rotary, as the records of 1225 remind us of.

Near Monterosso in Italy there are popular hiking trails: the Azure Trail, the Trail to Cape Mesco, the Path to the Temple of Soviore and Trail #1.

In addition to cultural monuments, tourists are provided with a free sandy beach in the modern part of the city. In the entire protected area, this is the only place where there is sand.

You can have a delicious meal in the restaurant Miky. This is a very old establishment that will delight you with Ligurian dishes and wine.

Riomaggiore

This wonderful town is located in the very south of the park. Local culinary traditions and the bright colors of the houses create a special Italian flavor. The oldest surviving structure here is the Riomaggiore Castle in Cinque Terre Italy.

Interesting sights include the Church of St. John the Baptist, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta with a wooden statue of the Madonna and the Temple of the Virgin of Montenero, which offers views of the cape and the island of Tino. There are legends that the town was founded by Greek colonists, and the Romans captured it much later. Currently, the city is inhabited by barely more than 1,500 inhabitants.

Near Riomaggiore there are popular hiking trails: the Path of Love, the Ring of Riomaggiore, the Path to Portovenere.

The beach here is rocky, but the nature and landscapes in this place will still be able to tempt you to spend time here in the sun.

You can stay in such popular hotels as Sottocoperta, Scorci di Mare, Villa Argentina. The price per room will vary around 100 euros.

The most famous cafes in the city: trattoria La Lanterna and restaurant Ripa del Sole. These establishments will definitely delight you with their delicious fish and seafood dishes.

Corniglia

The smallest of the towns stands on a picturesque hill. It doesn’t even have its own seaport, so you can only get there on foot or by train. From here you can see the other four.

But this is not the only remarkable thing about Corniglia. Here you can see unique historical and architectural attractions, for example, the Church of St. Peter and the Chapel of the Flagellants of St. Catherine. Even today they attract the attention of many historians and archaeologists.

The Gothic-style Church of St. Peter is the pearl of Corniglia. It was built in 1334, its chapel is even older, the exact year of construction is not known, but no later than the 11th century.

In the central square of the city there is an 18th-century chapel of the flagellants of St. Catherine and a monument to those who fell in 1926.

In the town itself, as in the other four, there is everything for tourists: cafes, restaurants serving local cuisine and hotels. Hotels voted the most romantic Corte del Gallo And Affittacamere Arbasia De Ma, located so that every morning you will be pleased with the view of the beach and sea.

There is a nudist beach between Corniglia and Vernazza.

Near Corniglia there are popular hiking trails: Path d'Azur 2b, Path d'Azur 2c, Path to Path #1 or Volastra and Manarola.

Manarola

This town stands out for its age - the oldest in the Cinque Terre. They say that it was founded by the ancient Romans. They called themselves then Manium Arula, which translated means the altar of the god Mani. But, most likely, this is just a legend, because Mani is a northern god, meaning the month or, in another interpretation, the moon.

The town is located on flat terrain. But we must mention the famous cliff - “Dark Rock”. It received this name because it is always located in the shadow of a mountain peak; even at noon the sun’s rays do not penetrate here.

The largest Christmas crèche in the world is built annually in Manarola - Presepe. The grand opening takes place on December 8th. Closing occurs at the end of January - beginning of February.

There is a Temple of the Virgin of Health in the city. This is a 10th-century building, inside there is an image of the Madonna from the 18th century.

And if you can’t wait to travel around this wonderful town, then take a virtual trip by watching the video below.

You can stay at the hotel La Totetta, which is located on a hill, so you can watch the sunrise in this beautiful place.

Near Manarola there are popular hiking trails: Path of Love, Path d'Azur, 2b, Path to Volastra, Groppo, Path #1 or Corniglia.

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Vernazza

It is generally recognized as the most beautiful town in the National Park of Italy. Architects have long spent their holidays here, looking at the bizarre forms of Vernazza. To some, the city resembles a mushroom. It's all about the multi-colored bright facades of the houses going up from the coast.

Standing on the shore and looking towards land, you might inadvertently think that the houses are about to fall into the sea. The city is crossed by many narrow spiral paths. At each turn you want to stop and look around; sea and mountain landscapes appear before passers-by in one image or another.

The harbor is located right next to the main square, where local merchants invite tourists to their stalls every day, shouting with each other about all kinds of goods. Here you can also take a boat ride to the islands of Tino and Palmario.

In the city there is the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch in the Romanesque style of the 11th - 12th centuries. The style changed to Baroque at the end of the 18th century, but in 1970 the Romanesque style was returned. The Temple of the Black Madonna, built in the 11th century on the ruins of an ancient temple, of which only the crypt remains, is noteworthy.

Having been here, you simply must visit the best bakery and confectionery in the region - Pasticceria Il pirata delle Cinque Terre. Pastries and all kinds of pastries and cakes will not leave anyone indifferent.

In reviews of the Cinque Terre (Vernazza), numerous visitors confirm that the best place to eat is the Captain's Tavern. This unique place is famous for its unusual fish recipes.

The ideal option to stay here is a hotel Gianni Franzi, which is located almost at the very cliff cliff.

Near Vernazza there are popular hiking trails: Cote d'Azur, 2c, Côte d'Azur, 2d, Path to San Bernardino or Reggio.

Hiking trails

There are many hiking trails in Cinque Terre in Italy, many of which are not even shown on maps. If you decide to take an unexplored route (not marked on the map), the journey will become even more exciting and interesting.

The trails vary in difficulty: from the simplest to the most professional. If you choose the easiest routes, you will not need additional equipment. Such trails will become an exciting walk and you will be able to calmly admire the surrounding landscapes.

To hike a more difficult route, you may need: bottled water, trekking or at least sports shoes, and a cap. Trekking poles make difficult areas easier to navigate, so you should purchase them in advance. You should always exercise caution and avoid hiking in adverse weather conditions.

The following routes are the most popular:

Azure Path– the main one, almost all tourists visit it. There is a fee for entry, approximately 3–5 euros.
Ring of Riomaggiore . The journey is 3 km or 1-1.5 hours.
Monterosso - Cape Mesco . The popular part is 2.2 km, but you can move further towards Levanto and increase the route to 7 km.
Corniglia – Volastra – Manarola. This route includes several trails. The journey will take 2 and a half hours. If you want to start your journey from Manarola, it is better to take the bus to Volastra. The fact is that there are 1200 steps between the villages, which are more pleasant to go down rather than up.
Riomaggiore – Portovenere. In 5 hours, a fascinating 12 km walk along mountain trails.
Path of Love in the Cinque Terre. It has this name thanks to the sentimental legend about two lovers who tragically died on a cliff between Riomaggiore and Manarola in the name of their love. The road is hung with ribbons and locks, as all local newlyweds always walk along it.

Be careful, because many trails are closed at certain periods of time for reconstruction and improvements, as are some descents to the sea. Find out if the trail or portions of it are open in advance of your trip.

Cinque Terre CARD

When visiting a national reserve, you may need a Cinque Terre CARD, which gives access to the main attractions of the park. It's kind of like a general ticket. The card is sold at all railway stations, at the beginning of sections of the Cote d'Azur, at tourist information centers, and from eco-bus drivers.

Since the Cinque Terre CARD includes a walk along the Côte d'Azur, its cost depends on the number of open sections of the trail. The ticket is valid for 1 day - until midnight, regardless of the time of purchase. The cost varies from 5 to 8 euros; in November 2014, the card cost 7.5 euros. Discounts apply for children, senior citizens and families. When purchasing a long-term ticket - 2 days - there is a 20% discount. For an additional 5 euros you can purchase unlimited use of the La Spezia-Levanto train.

The standard Cinque Terre CARD includes:

travel by bus,
entrance to the Azure Path,
entrance to some museums (you should check in advance),
unlimited Wi-Fi.

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Photos of Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre National Park in Italy is simply a wonderful place and not just in the photos! If you have the opportunity to visit one of the cities of Italy, do not miss your chance to visit such a large reserve, with so many beautiful places and attractions. After all, having been here, you will want to come back here again!

Church in Manarola Fountain in Manarola Panorama of Manarola
Monterosso al Mare Monterosso Church of San Giovanni Baptista in Monterosso

5 Lands is a small unique region in northern Italy. Five villages, in time immemorial, arose on the steep slopes of a mountain range plunging into the Ligurian Sea on the border of Liguria proper and La Spezia. The entire territory of Cinque Terre is a national park and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5 lands are unique nature, unique architecture and unique engineering. Until the end of the 19th century, villages were connected with the world only by sea, or along narrow paths along steep slopes.

In 1870, a railway was built to the northernmost village of Monterossa al Mare. Subsequently, she connected all five villages. The railway mostly runs in tunnels, emerging to the surface only at stations.

Today you can travel through the five lands on foot, by water, or by train. You can only reach Monterossa al Mare by car. The parking lots of the remaining villages are located quite far from them. The site in Monterosso has been reclaimed from the sea. We arrived here the next day after.

This rock-sculpture building immediately caught my eye.

Without hesitation we set off on the path that would lead us to the next village called Vernazza. The distances between villages in Cinque Terre are small, 1.5-2 km, so we hoped to run from the first to the last, and then return by train and go further. But everything turned out to be not so simple.

From Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza is a little more than a kilometer, but this is a kilometer that first goes up 170 meters and then down, and there is no trail as such. It is an almost endless staircase. It was here that I realized it was time to run, and also why mountaineers have few heart problems. The Italians overtook us with ease. At one time we unsuccessfully tried to keep up with two grandmothers - but we never overtook them.

As for recreation, Monterosso al Mare is the best option in this region. Firstly, the village has the only large beach in all five lands, there are also plenty of cafes and places to stay. Here's the view from the trail.

At first the trail looks pretty decent.

But the easy walk continues right up to that building above. By the way, this is a three star hotel. Next is a real goat trail.

Let's take another look at the morning Monterosso al Mare and its beach

The path between the villages lies through the vineyards. The mountain slopes in the five lands only seem to be covered with forest, but in fact they are all vegetable gardens, vineyards and other crops. This is what a local peasant's house looks like.

Having already moved a decent distance away from the village, you suddenly come across a booth where you have to buy a ticket. Passage through the park costs 5 euros. You can also buy a single ticket, which will give you the right to travel on boats and trains. We took everything separately. But for those who relax here, it is very convenient.

But at one of the resting places we are met by this creature

With every step the village gets closer. And there is cold water and the sea. Even though it was early in the morning it was already quite hot. Along the way we see a house with heads

How a train hides in a tunnel

And a local elevator.

Vernazza is probably the most picturesque of the villages of the Cinque Lands. There is a fort with a tower, a bay and even a central square.

We walk around the village.

Having nothing else to do, we even climbed the tower.

From the tower we saw the next village, Cornilia. It does not go directly to the sea, but is located on a 100-meter cliff.

Realizing this fact, as well as assessing the road we would have to take to Cornelia, we made a brilliant decision - to sail to the last village by boat and look at the Five Lands from the sea.

And now we are sailing on a pleasure boat. Farewell Vernazza

And here comes Cornelia

This is how the railway goes. Station between Corniglia and Manarola.

Manarola - view from the sea.

Cemetery of Manarola

And this is what the trail looks like here

At the very top there is some kind of monastery

Well, here is the last of the villages of 5 lands. Riomaggiore.

We dock and disembark.

There is a walking road from Riomaggiore to Manarola. Via d'Amore. It was along this road of love that we went to Manarola, where we took the train to return to Monterosso al Mare. Thus ended our trip around the world. Walking along Via d'Amore is just like taking a stroll, looking at the sea and looking at beautiful flowers. But first, a little “Sotsart”.