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31 Things to Do in Cinque Terre, Italy

We went to Cinque Terre to do three things. Eat as much Italian cuisine as we could stomach (a lot, it turns out), relax, and celebrate my milestone birthday.

For once I hadn’t actually done a lot of forward planning, and I was content to get there and just see how the holiday went. Well, it turns out there is actually a ton of things to do in Cinque Terre!

Must see in Cinque Terre Italy

If you’re wondering what to do in Cinque Terre, it’s one of those places where you can do very little of anything or everything you can possibly cram into your holiday and, in both instances, walk away feeling satisfied!

There are plenty of things to do in Cinque Terre (at least 31, I would say), but before we jump into that, what exactly is Cinque Terre, and where is it?

Cinque Terre is an area of the Italian Riveria made up of five distinct villages (cinque = five and terre = land in Italian). It’s on the west coast of Italy, just above Tuscany, within an easy travelling distance from Florence or Pisa.

The area is a designated national park, with the five villages mostly hugging the Mediterranean coastline and the surrounding lands comprising of agricultural terraced lands and forests.

From north to south, the towns are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Each has its own character and charm, and they are known for different things. Although there are many similar things to do in Cinque Terre towns, there are also a few differences!

Around 4000 people live in Cinque Terre, but 2.4 million people visit it per year. Many of these people do arrive on cruise ships, and Cinque Terre can get very busy during the high season from April to October.

However, taking a day trip to Cinque Terre from nearby cities and towns is popular, so if you do stay in one of the five villages, or Levanto or La Spezia, which are the towns closest to the north and south, then you’ll find that the crowds dissipate later in the day and the evenings can be quiet.

Read More: Cinque Terre Itinerary: One, Two + Three Days

Cinque Terre Italy

I first heard of Cinque Terre when my parents travelled there back in 2004, and I’ve wanted to go ever since! With my 30th birthday looming and cheap flights to Italy beckoning, we decided to indulge ourselves with a visit to these picturesque, mostly carless, brightly painted villages.

Despite my assurance now that no matter how you spend your time there, you’ll leave feeling like it was right, I know that I was frantically searching for things to do in Cinque Terre before we left to make sure we didn’t miss out on any must-see sites and tourist attractions.

The lists of things to do varied greatly, from including adventure activities to just embracing relaxing pursuits.

So just in case you’re like me and want to know it all, or you just want to know what all the fuss about these particular villages is, here’s a list of things to do in Cinque Terre, plus some of my favourite photos!

Things to do in Riomaggiore

We made Riomaggiore our base while staying in Cinque Terre, renting an apartment from a local couple that had an epic view over one side of the village and the sea.

The town rises steeply from the sea so expect a lot of hills and steps if you spend a lot of time here. It doesn’t look like it, but it’s actually the most populous of the villages in Cinque Terre at around 1700, although a hill splits it into half, so it doesn’t feel very big.

On the older side, there’s one main street down to the harbour and a rocky beach in an alcove just around the corner. There are quite a few bars and restaurants, although tables can get full in peak season, so book ahead or expect to wait. The further you go from the ocean, the more chance of getting a table at short notice!

So what are the things to do in Riomaggiore?

Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre Italy

Watch the sunset

The sunset is a must-see in Cinque Terre since you’re right on the west coast overlooking the ocean. I loved watching the sunset in Riomaggiore, and you have several options.

If you want to see the sun setting and the village at the same time, then there’s a small square that you walk through on the way to the ferry or the rocky beach, and it gets very popular as the sun goes down. You can also watch from the rocks just below it.

On the opposite side of the harbour (the righthand side if you’re facing the ocean), you can look back on the village and out to sea. On that side, you can also climb some stairs towards where the coastal path to Manarola used to be (it’s currently closed – scheduled for opening around July 2024), and there’s a bit of a platform on an outcrop that gives you a lovely view of Riomaggiore with the sun setting on it.

Grab some takeaway pizza or seafood (more on that to come) and set yourself up for the show!

Things to do in Riomaggiore

Swim at the rocky beach

Cinque Terre has more rocky beaches than sand, but when you’ve spent all day walking around in the hot Italian sun, you’ll take whatever beach you can get! The water was crystal clear, and we were able to swim comfortably in the temperature, even in late September.

You’ll find the beach around the corner from the above picture. Follow the path at the top of the cliff and there will be stairs descending to it.

Eat seafood in a cone

There are several shops in Riomaggiore where you can get takeaway calamari in a cone (we loved Mamma Mia!).

It’s delicious and well priced, making it a great snack or even part of a takeaway meal that you can eat while you watch the sunset, one of the best things to do in Riomaggiore.

Things to do in Cinque Terre

Cliff jump

Watch out for where the locals do this and follow suit if you dare! I did not thank you. You can also do this in the next village along…

Things to do in Manarola

Manarola is the favourite of many who visit Cinque Terre. The iconic, often featured, view looking back at the pastel-coloured houses perfectly perched on a rock above the sea has long drawn visitors to this beautiful area.

Only around 450 people live here, so accommodation options are much more limited, but during the day it’s teeming with visitors.

So what are the things to do in Manarola?

Manarola, Cinque Terre Italy

Practice your photography

I think I turned to Phil at least 5 times while we were in Manarola and told him that I had taken “the best photo ever”. It seriously looks like something out of a fairytale!

Head away from the harbour towards the cliffs opposite, and you’ll be rewarded with the best view of Manarola.

However, you might want to try and visit later in the day when the sunlight won’t be as harsh as it was for us!

You can also check out my post on the best photo spots in Cinque Terre.

Enjoy a meal or drinks with a view

We had my birthday lunch here, in one of the many restaurants overlooking the harbour.

You can watch people swimming and sunbathing on the rocks below and try to guess where other people are from and what kind of holiday they’re here for. Watch for the serious hikers, the honeymooners, the elderly couple and the backpackers.

Things to do in Manarola Italy

Walk up to the vineyards

Cinque Terre is famous for its wine, with many of the vines growing on ancient terraces above the villages. You can actually visit some of the vineyards and do wine tasting, often accompanied by delicious food like bruschetta or locally caught anchovies.

Book a Cinque Terre wine tour with tastings and snacks here

Things to do in Corniglia

Corniglia is unique amongst the villages in that rather than being next to the sea, it’s built on a cliff high above it. It’s smaller and quieter than the other villages, even during peak season. The narrow streets amongst the multi-story colourful buildings hide tiny shops selling delicious food and boutique items.

Many people pass through when they’re hiking in Cinque Terre, but it’s worth spending some time here as a refuge from the other busier villages.

So what are the things to do in Corniglia?

Corniglia Cinque Terre Italy

Climb the stairs

There are more steps from the train station to the village than there are people living there, 382 steps versus 240 people in fact. Don’t let that put you off; it’s worth the climb to see another side of Cinque Terre, and if you’re STILL put off, there is a shuttle bus for a small fee.

Visit the churches

All of the villages in Cinque Terre have a different patron saint and their own churches. However, the ones in Corniglia are another reason to visit.

The Church of St Peter was built in 1334 over a pre-existing building and has elements of the Baroque style, and also Gothic and Ligurian designs.

Must see in Cinque Terre Italy

Eat and shop local

Sample some of the fresh produce on offer from the small local shops, or see what other treasures you can find.

The views from the height of the village are beautiful, and there are several terraces overlooking the ocean, often surrounded by vineyards or beautiful flowers.

Walk to Vernazza

Hiking in Cinque Terre is one of the most popular things to do. It used to be relatively easy to walk between Riomaggiore and Manarola along a coastal path, and you could even continue further along the coast as well.

However, after severe storms and heavy flooding several years ago, the coastal paths were damaged and have unfortunately been in a state of disrepair ever since.

That doesn’t mean that hiking in Cinque Terre isn’t possible, though. It just means you have the tougher paths between Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso to contend with!

On local advice, we went from Corniglia towards Monterosso, and I have to say I think we got the better end of the deal when it came to the ups and downs!

While still fairly challenging, the walk between Corniglia and Vernazza was lovely, and I enjoyed starting at a higher point and coming down to Vernazza at the end (not to say there weren’t other ups in between!).

Hiking in Cinque Terre

Things to do in Vernazza

Vernazza is probably the most popular village in Cinque Terre, ahead of Manarola even, and you’d certainly notice it in the summer with the number of tourists around.

The numbers don’t hide the beauty of Vernazza, though! You’ll be walking all over to look at the pastel-coloured buildings from every angle or people watching in the piazza.

The village is flatter than Riomaggiore or Manarola, but any accommodation will likely involve some stairs!

So what are the things to do in Vernazza?

Vernazza, Cinque Terre Italy

Enjoy the views

Vernazza is definitely not lacking in views. From the pier to the small sandy beach to the hills on either side, each and every spot offers a new and unforgettable view of Vernazza.

Swim

There’s a tiny sand beach at Vernazza, as well as some smoother rocks around the bay that provide a sheltered area for swimming and sunbathing.

Things to do in Vernazza, Italy

People watch in the piazza

Grab a gelato and watch the world go by in Vernazza. We sat down to rest for a bit before continuing our walk to Monterosso and ended up in a conversation with a Canadian man for quite a while!

You never know who you might meet, but at the very least, you can amuse yourself by watching those around you.

Climb the tower at Doria Castle

The tower dates back to the 11th century and provides panoramic views of the ocean and cliffs on one side and Vernazza on the other. A ticket is €2, and it’s open every day from 9-7 pm.

What to do in Cinque Terre Italy

Hike to Monterosso

The hike from Vernazza to Monterosso or vice versa is meant to take around 2 hours, but we did it in maybe an hour and a half. It really depends on your level of fitness and how many times you want to stop.

Just after you leave Vernazza and climb a LOT of stairs, you’ll have some amazing views looking back at the village.

Hiking in Cinque Terre

We found that hiking from Vernazza to Monterosso seemed to give us the better end of the deal when it came to ups and downs once again!

Either direction has a fairly steep ascent at the beginning/descent at the end. Just remember to take water with you, and keep an eye out for the man making fresh orange juice!

Hiking in Cinque Terre

Things to do in Monterosso

Monterosso is the largest town in Cinque Terre by size, with an Old Town, a New Town, two sandy beaches and a long promenade, giving it more of a resort feel to it than the others. There are even hotels with swimming pools!

It’s the best option accessibility-wise, as it’s much flatter so lacking in stairs. You’ll find the most accommodation options here, but I didn’t think it was as charming as the other villages in Cinque Terre.

So what are the things to do in Monterosso?

Monterosso Cinque Terre Italy

Go paragliding

Paragliding from the top of the hill behind Monterosso and landing on the beach is definitely a unique experience to have in Cinque Terre.

I didn’t get to experience it, as it’s only available from October to April when there are fewer people on the beach, although you can travel to some other areas close by if you really want to try it!

Shop for souvenirs

There are many more shopping options here, so if you like to collect souvenirs or just want to browse and see what’s on offer, then this is the place.

Things to do in Monterosso, Cinque Terre

Grab an umbrella at the beach

Nothing about spending a day at the beach on the Italian Riveria sounds bad to me, and with Monterosso providing the umbrellas and loungers to make it happen, why not?

Visit the churches

I’d never seen striped churches until I stepped into Monterosso. The Church of San Giovanni Battista has a striking facade made of white and green marble that makes it appear black and white striped, and it has a beautiful rosette window.

Eat pizza

If you’ve walked all the way from Corniglia, then surely you should reward yourself with a pizza?! And even if you haven’t, then the pizza is too good to pass up.

We found a great little spot with a HUGE menu of pizzas, including a “surprise pizza” that will leave you at the mercy of the chef. Phil tried it and loved it!

Food in Cinque Terre Italy

Other things to do in Cinque Terre

Many of the above things are specific to each town, although some things to do in Cinque Terre can be found in many towns.

Here are some more options to look out for!

Take a boat tour

One of the best ways to see Cinque Terre is from the ocean, where you’ll be able to see more clearly how the colourful houses have been built into the steep hills around them.

Venture out during the day, or for something a little more special, take a boat tour of Cinque Terre at sunset, and watch how the light changes these already stunning villages.

What to see in Cinque Terre

Join a cooking class

Cinque Terre is famous for many types of cuisine, and you can take a cooking class to learn more about how to cook Italian food and the different cuisines on offer.

There’s everything from lessons on how to make pesto, which originated here, to vegetarian cooking classes and learning the art of traditional Italian cooking methods.

Book a cooking class here.

Visit Levanto or La Spezia

Many people choose to stay in Levanto or La Spezia rather than in the villages of Cinque Terre themselves. There are more accommodation options, and the prices can vary widely.

Even if you don’t stay in either one, if you have the time, they’re a nice place to visit to see what Italian life is like just outside of the more touristy area.

Levanto, Italy

Eat your body weight in gelato

This should really go without saying! I love gelato, and all of the gelatos I had in Cinque Terre was so good!

Gelato isn’t just Italian ice cream; it’s actually made differently from ice cream as we know it elsewhere. It’s lower in fat, which means you can taste the intensity of the flavours more, plus it contains more air and isn’t kept as frozen as ice cream.

Basically, it’s even more delicious, and you should eat as much of it as possible while you can.

Sample the local seafood

Being on the coast, Cinque Terre has some great seafood restaurants. Be sure to try some things you might not normally have, like the squid ink pasta (deliciously salty), as well as other locally caught seafood options.

Anchovies are a typical staple and can be found cooked in a variety of ways like fried and marinated, so don’t be put off if you’ve only tried the salted kind!

We found that choosing a seafood pasta option or one type of seafood was usually better than a platter as it seemed to be more worth the money, and you don’t always know what you’ll be getting when you order a platter. Take a look around the restaurant and see what everyone else has first!

Local food in Cinque Terre Italy

Taste the local wine

The primary wine in Cinque Terre is a white wine made from grapes grown on the surrounding rocky hills. Many restaurants will sell wine by the carafe that they have purchased directly from a local vineyard, or you can pick up a bottle from the local shops.

However, there is also a special white wine made in Cinque Terre called Sciacchetrà. It’s more of a liquored dessert wine made with 18% alcohol.

The white grapes are specially selected and dried on rocks in shady areas and sometimes further ripened with a piece of Gorgonzola cheese. Therefore, it goes great with cheese or with some biscotti!

Kayaking and Paddle Boarding

Several of the villages have options for kayaking and Paddle Boarding, with either hourly hire charges or guided tours. It takes around half an hour to paddle between the villages, although you shouldn’t attempt to do so without a guide unless you’re more experienced!

Book a guided Kayak tour along the coast from Monterosso

Try focaccia bread

Focaccia bread originated in Liguria, the area in which Cinque Terre resides.

You’ll find entire bakeries devoted to this fluffy bread with all sorts of toppings. It makes a great snack or something to buy and then eat on the beach.

Focaccia Bread Italy

Take a boat to Porto Venere

Porto Venere is a town to the south of Cinque Terre, comprised of several villages and islands. It’s every bit as beautiful as the towns in Cinque Terre and is also a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The picture-perfect harbour makes visiting by boat a great option. Enter the historical city centre through the gate and explore the medieval streets.

Visit Cinque Terre Italy

After waiting so long to visit Cinque Terre and not really planning exactly what we would be doing there other than seeing it, I was pleasantly surprised by all the options available.

Visiting Cinque Terre could be as relaxing or as active as you like, and you could definitely spend more than the usual several days that people spend there uncovering its secrets and lesser-known spots.

I had to turn 30 somewhere, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place!

Essential Cinque Terre Travel Info

The best time to visit Cinque Terre

Although there are five villages to choose from, Cinque Terre can still become very busy in the summer season thanks to day-trippers from nearby cities like Florence and Pisa and visitors from cruise ships.

I would recommend visiting in April/May or September to avoid the biggest crowds, although still expect some then!

April and May are ideal for hiking, but the sea is still pretty chilly. It’s still warm enough to swim in the sea in September and great for hiking, if not a little hot in the middle of the day.

The rainy season begins in mid-October, and hiking trails can be closed from then throughout the winter.

You can still visit in the offseason from October to March, but it will be cold, and there can be frequent rainfall.

August is the hottest month of the year and the most expensive.

How long to spend in Cinque Terre

How long you stay in Cinque Terre depends on what you’d like to do.

It is possible to travel for a day trip, but I would recommend more for taking advantage of all the things to do and to be able to see all the different villages.

Three days would be ideal for a first visit, but you could spend even longer like we did!

Check out my one, two, and three day Cinque Terre itineraries

Where to stay in Cinque Terre

I adored staying in the village of Riomaggiore, as it was much quieter at night but still had several good restaurants to choose from and beautiful sunset views.

Manarola and Vernazza are popular if you want to stay in one of the villages, and Monterosso is the only one with a large beach and on flatter ground, so it has a lot more hotel options.

Consider staying in La Spezia or Levanto to be away from the tourist crowds and easily catch the train in.

Read my post on camping in Cinque Terre for more information on how to save money but still stay close by, with easy access to the villages. There are bungalows and glamping options too!

Check out accommodation in Cinque Terre on Hotels.com

Check out accommodation in Cinque Terre on Booking.com

What to pack for Cinque Terre

Electronics

  • Mobile phone/Camera for photos – I use the Sony A6000, which is a compact mirrorless camera that’s easy to use and takes great photos you can transfer to your mobile right away. Also, take an extra SD Card; Cinque Terre has so many photo opportunities (read this post on Cinque Terre photo spots for more info!)
  • A plug adaptor – If you’re from outside the EU, you’ll need one of these for your electronics. I love how this one has USD ports too!
  • A power bank to keep your devices going while you’re out all day – I have several of these ones.

Outfits & Accessories

Sonja x

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6 thoughts on “31 Things to Do in Cinque Terre, Italy

  1. Philip says:

    Looks great, how long did you stay there? I’m in Santa Margherita Lingure right now, only for three days. It’s a 40-90 min train ride to Cinque Terre.

    • Migrating Miss says:

      I’d recommend a visit! We were there for 4 days which was enough to do a lot of things, and spend a whole day just hiking as well. I’d recommend staying there in the future if you ever get the chance!

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