How to Get Around The Five Villages of Cinque Terre

The thing to do in Cinque Terre is to visit all five of the iconic, seaside fishing villages.

There are a few ways you can do this, including a train, hiking on foot, or even renting a scooter/ motorcycle and driving the hills high above!

Cinque Terre’s colorful, cliffside fishing villages are absolutely iconic to Italy and host tons of tourists every year looking to get a slice of that coastal Italian life.

There’s a very good chance you’ve seen the classic pictures (just like the ones in this post, taken by me) at some point or another of one of the 5 towns that make up this beautiful stretch of the Italian coast. 

Each of the five towns that make up the Cinque Terre, meaning ‘five lands’, have stunning views of the Italian coast paired with the laid back fishing village atmosphere.

The five towns of Cinque Terre are Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare.

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Taking the Train to Get Around in Cinque Terre

The first, and most common way to get around is the Cinque Terre Express train that connects all of the towns.

The train is easy, quick, and the most convenient option. 

But, it’s not the most scenic option.

The train is tunneled into the rocky cliffside of the coast, so most of the time you’re in a tunnel while riding between the villages and unable to see any of the gorgeous views. 

Tickets cost 5 euros for adults and 2.50 for kids one way. So it’s in your best interest to get the Cinque Terre Train Card, 18.20/day, if you’re planning on taking the train multiple times in one day.

With the Cinque Terre Train Card, you also get ‘trekking’ access, which allows you to access the hiking trails along with using the train. So, you can sort of mix and match both options of getting around if you want!

The Cinque Terre train card can be purchased at any train station or the tourist information points in Levanto and La Spezia.

The travel time between each town is around 5-6 minutes, making the train the fastest option to be sure. 

Keep in mind: the Cinque Terre Express trains run once an hour in the winter. Be aware of this if visiting in the off-season! 

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Hiking to the Towns of Cinque Terre 

The second way you can visit all of the towns is by hiking between them.

There is a spectacular hiking trail that connects the villages, and while most of it is free to visitors, you must buy a pass to hike the most popular parts of the trail. 

Cinque Terre is located in a national park, so this money returns to the upkeep of the towns and the natural landscape.

There are two sections of the trail connecting the towns that you need a pass to access: Monterosso – Vernazza, and Vernazza – Corniglia. Otherwise, the other sections of the trails are free to access.

The cost of a day trekking pass is 7.50/day or 14.50 for two days. 

The time it takes to hike between the towns ranges from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

It takes a total of about 5 hours of hiking to go all the way from Riomaggiore to Monterroso, or vice versa. 

At the time of this post the section of trail connecting Manarola to Riomaggiore is closed. It is scheduled to reopen in July 2024.

Traveling Cinque Terre by Scooter or Motorcycle

If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, or you are like me and think the world is best seen on two wheels, you NEED to rent a scooter and drive the coast of Cinque Terre. 

Colton and I did this when we visited Cinque Terre, and we visited all five towns in one day on a little scooter we rented in La Spezia.

The best thing about exploring Cinque Terre on a scooter is that it’s a unique experience!

Most people take the train or hike, but we felt like we got an experience that not many other people do, and we feel kind of special for that!

We rented our scooter, a People 300, from a shop in La Spezia, which you can easily reach by train. It’s only about a 15 minute train ride, and then you pick up your bike and you’re on your way. 

If you want to see why we had so much stinkin’ fun doing this in Cinque Terre, you should watch our YouTube video of our adventure. 

My favorite thing about choosing to rent a scooter to get around in Cinque Terre was seeing the towns and the sea from above.

As you drive, you get really high up into the Cinque Terre National Park. We felt like we really got a better idea of the place and the context of the villages. 

This was seriously just so much fun and we highly recommend this method of getting around. 

PLEASE don’t rent a scooter to drive to the towns if you don’t feel confident or comfortable riding on a motorbike. The roads are secluded and would be quite dangerous to have an accident on.

Boat Around Cinque Terre

So, I wouldn’t exactly recommend this method of getting around in Cinque Terre. It’s a much less reliable method of transportation than the train.

There is a ferry that runs between the five towns of Cinque Terre from the end of March through the 1st of November. The ferry does not visit Corniglia as it is the only town that doesn’t have a port. 

The ferries can quickly be canceled or delayed in rough weather conditions. 

If this is an option you would like to look into, you can purchase a daily ticket for the Cinque Terre ferries. 

Alternatively, you can take a boat tour of Cinque Terre to see the villages from the water. It’s an amazing way to experience the beauty of these cliffside towns. I would recommend this options as a great excursion and activity while visiting!

Where to Stay in Cinque Terre

Conveniently, you have a few options of where to stay when you are visiting Cinque Terre.

What you decide to do will most likely be determined by your budget, how long you are staying, and the experience you’re hoping to have. 

All of these villages are quite small, so there aren’t a ton of options for hotels or Airbnb’s. The tip is to be flexible or consider staying in one of the larger adjacent towns.

The next largest town to the small villages of Cinque Terre is La Spezia.

If you’re really operating on a budget, this is a great place to stay and find cheaper accommodations and more options. 

If you are planning to stay in one of the five villages, they are all beautiful!

It’s very easy to get from one town to another with the train. So, you aren’t really limited by staying in any of the small towns.

We rented a scooter in La Spezia, so we decided to stay in Riomaggiore since it is the next closest town and a short train ride away.

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Where to Stay In Cinque Terre

Riomaggiore

Allo Scalo Dei Mille – Modern design and amenities with beautiful views, this hotel is located right above the water in the small port of Riomaggiore.

The Sunset Line – A truly breathtaking luxury hotel with fantastic amenities and unbeatable views of the Ligurian Sea.

Manarola

Arpaiu – Clean aesthetics with sea view patios and options for both rooms and apartments.

La Piramide – A wonderful option to be close to the water and has fantastic reviews.

Corniglia

Amare il Mare – Views of the sea from way up in Corniglia and comfortable decor.

Rossi Tramonti 2 – A 1 bed, 1 bath apartment that boasts a patio with spectacular views of the water and the Cinque Terre National Park.

Vernazza

La Marinarooms Suite – Light and airy decor and unbeatable views with a sea view terrace right above the coast.

La Ripa Camere Vernazza – Wonderful views of the sea just steps from access to the water.

Monterosso al Mare

La Casa Del Doganiere – Absolutely gorgeous beachfront accommodations with restaurant, bar, and garden.

La Casa del Gigante – A luxury option for a unique experience and an unforgettable oceanside stay.