What to do in Cinque Terre? Which village is the nicest?

Cinque Terre is not only incredibly beautiful, but it is also a diverse destination because every village is just slightly different from the next. Whether you plan to spend a week in Cinque Terre or are going for a day trip, there is plenty to do and experience. If you are in the area, a visit to this beautiful place is truly worthwhile. Read more here for everything you need to know for a visit to Cinque Terre.

Cinque Terre consists of five different villages, and since there is something different to do in each village, you will find an overview below of what there is to do in each village and which village is the best for you.

Riomaggiore

If you take the train from La Spezia to Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore is the first place you encounter. This is the southernmost village and immediately our favorite! Especially if you love nice restaurants, this village is a good choice. The harbor is beautiful with bright, colorful houses, and restaurants and terraces can be found everywhere. Particularly on a beautiful summer evening, you will find people strolling through the village with a takeaway pizza and a drink.

Riomaggiore is one of the smaller villages and can therefore feel crowded quickly. To take the most beautiful pictures, it is therefore best to go during the low season or travel to the village early in the morning. I highly recommend making reservations for dinner here, especially during the high season.

Manarola

This village is the oldest of the five and is also famous for its colorful houses built on a cliff. This is another nice village to walk through, but our favorite spot to enjoy the view here is at the restaurant Nessun Dorma. This restaurant has an amazing view, the Aperol Spritz is delicious, and the snacks are really good. It's the perfect place for an aperitivo! You can also book a pesto workshop here in the afternoon. Fun to do!

Because this is such a popular spot, I recommend taking a good look at the website. You can't simply make a reservation here, but you can join a digital queue. This allows you to explore Manarola at your leisure, and as soon as it's almost your turn, you can walk to the restaurant to claim your spot.

Corniglia

Corniglia is the least visited village and also the smallest. This village is situated on a rocky plateau and is surrounded by vineyards, creating a picturesque scene. As a result, unlike the other villages, Corniglia cannot be reached from the sea.

To get from the station to the village, you have to climb 382 steps. The walk takes about 15 minutes, so you should keep that in mind.

Vernazza

While Corniglia is the least visited village, Vernazza is actually the most visited. This is because Vernazza is considered by many to be the most beautiful village. Vernazza has a beautiful harbor, a lovely but small beach, and, just like Riomaggiore, many charming outdoor cafes. Consequently, most visitors who stay overnight in Cinque Terre often do so here.

We personally enjoyed walking a section of the hiking trail from Vernazza to Monterosso. It is not too far, and you will find a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the village here.

Monterosso al Mare

Monterosso is the largest of the five villages and the perfect place if you want to relax on the beach for a few hours (or days 😉). This village is the only one with a large sandy beach where you can rent sunbeds. You will also find a promenade here with shops and restaurants.

Monterosso consists of two parts. The old part with small streets and shops, and the newer part with the promenade and accommodation. The station is located in the middle, so you can easily visit both parts of the village.

Walking between the villages

What makes Cinque Terre unique is that there is a walking path connecting all the villages. For example, you can walk all the way from Riomaggiore to Monterosso al Mare, passing through Manarola, Corniglia, and Vernazza along the way. Of course, you can also walk parts of this route, for instance just from Vernazza to Monterosso, or even just a section of it.

To walk (part of) the route, we recommend setting off well-prepared. The walks can be quite strenuous, and this can certainly be tough in the summer. Therefore, always bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen. Also, only set out wearing proper shoes, as a ban on flip-flops has been in effect since 2019. Hikers with unsuitable shoes (including shoes with slippery soles) risk fines of up to €2,500. There are several checkpoints you will pass, so please keep this in mind. The reason for this? Too many visitors have underestimated the walking route, which led to tripping and the subsequent deployment of rescue helicopters.

Just like a train pass for the train in Cinque Terre, you also need a walking pass to hike between the villages. You can buy this pass at any station in Cinque Terre, as well as in La Spezia. Nowadays, it is also possible to purchase it online in advance. You can do so via this link.