Cinque Terre was once a hidden gem on the coast of Italy and is now a popular place to visit for tourists and locals alike. The name itself means “Five Lands” in Italian, and the five villages are all a part of the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The perfect day trip from Florence, Cinque Terre is a seaside paradise known for its fantastic food, culture, and wine.
History
Until Italy built the Cenoa-la Spezia railway in the 1870s, Cinque Terre was only accessible by the sea. Since the late middle ages, these five beautiful villages have been slowly being built along the cliffs. In years past, the five towns have built large defense towers to fight invaders. Through it all, Cinque Terre has remained a fishing village. There is also a lot of local farming, with the most popular crops being grapes and olives.
UNESCO has considered this area of the coast of such cultural importance that it has deemed the Cinque Terre National Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It achieved this status for many reasons, but most notably, UNESCO mentioned that Cinque Terre, “represents the harmonious interaction between man and nature established to realize a place of outstanding quality.” Much of what you see in the towns today is what they buildings have looked like over the decades and centuries.
The Towns
The five towns that create Cinque Terre all bring different characters and structure to the area, creating a colorful and unique experience for each visitor. Each town is easy to reach via train or the hiking network connecting all five towns.
From South to North:
Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is the town you’ll reach by train first. This town is where Cinque Terre begins. It’s a beautiful seaside town with colorful houses, restaurants, and guesthouses. The most famous hiking path, the Via Dell’Amore, also known as Lover’s Lane begins here, and will take you all the way to Manarola in twenty minutes.
Manarola
Manarola is one of the oldest towns in Cinque Terre with the Church, San Lorenzo dating from 1338, located at the heart of the city. There are a lot of restaurants and small shops here, and a great harbor to grab a bite to eat in. Enjoy walking around the water here, with several trails near the waterfront. The primary industry of the town is fishing and wine-making. Here is a great place to taste test different wines while visiting.
Corniglia
Not only is Corniglia the smallest village, but this town is built on top of a cliff instead of directly next to the sea. To reach this beautiful town you’ll have to climb a total of 382 steps. The most unique part about this town is that it is surrounded on three sides by terraces and vineyards.
Vernazza
Vernazza is the most colorful of the five towns with its bright painted houses stacked along the main street. There’s a small plaza here winding streets that take you through town. The town was originally a fortification and military stronghold to defend against pirates. The first documented records recognizing Vernazza as a town date back to 1080. This beautiful town has stood for centuries. Today, its main function is tourism but it still functions as a fishing town with wine and oil production.
Monterosso
Monterosso is the largest of the five towns, and while not as colorful, it offers an abundance of history and a sizable beach to enjoy. In fact the sand beach in Monterosso is the only one in the five towns. It might get a little crowded in the summer, but it’s a must visit. Don’t miss out on the famous 14th-century Loggia del Ptdestà and the parish church of San Giovanni Battista.
Monterosso in Cinque Terre, Italy also features a famous lookout which is located at a monastery founded in 1618 called the Convent of the Capuchin Friars. This town offers much to explore by walking around, so visitors should make time to explore by foot.
Tourist Activities
For busy travelers, the most popular way to explore Cinque Terre is to visit by a day trip from a nearby town. Many tour companies offer planned day trips from towns such as Florence, La Spezia, or Pisa. Otherwise, you can plan your day trip by yourself. It’s so easy to plan adventures in Cinque Terre with 5 unique towns to choose from and unique activities in each.
Hike The Trails
Cinque Terre has many trails between villages and within each town. Take time to hike some of the paths and enjoy the view! Make sure you check with locals and make sure it is safe, as there can be seasonal landslides.
See The Churches
Each town has a Church, Cathedral, or other historic building. Make sure to walk around town and enjoy sights and view which buildings you can. Cinque Terre has so much to offer visitors in terms of history and culture, that you’ll never know what you’ll see around the next corner. Take your time to explore and appreciate the surroundings.
Monterosso Beach
If you have more time on your trip, make sure to enjoy the sandy beach in Monterroso! It’s well worth the visit. This beach has it all! You can rent boats and umbrellas at the beach. Whether you want to relax or enjoy a day on the water you can have it all.
Local Wineries
Many of the towns are known for growing their own wine. To make your trip extra special, make sure to stop by a winery or vineyard in Cinque Terre and enjoy a local wine experience with local producers. Nothing gets more homegrown than this!
Conclusion
Cinque Terre, the five unique and connected towns in Italy, are deserving of their UNESCO Heritage Site designation. These colorful towns have stood for centuries and withstood invasions and are now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. Whether visitors are interested in local cuisine, swimming, or historical sites, they can find it all in Cinque Terre.
Photo by Duminda Perera on Unsplash
