Cinque Terre National Park (Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre)

The basics

The five centuries-old villages comprising Cinque Terre National Park—Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Manarola, and Vernazza—are the main draw. A well-worn footpath links the towns. Some portions of the trail are better maintained than others, but all offer views over the Ligurian Sea.

Day tours are the most convenient way to visit the coast, running to the Cinque Terre from La Spezia, Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano, and most commonly, Florence. Most day trips squeeze in all five towns plus a stop in nearby Portovenere. For more time in Cinque Terre, stay overnight or book a multi-day tour to make the most of outdoor activities—such as hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and paragliding—plus the region’s seafood and warm hospitality.

Things to know before you go

• Cinque Terre can get extremely busy in summer, so book tours and accommodations well in advance.

• Pack sunscreen, a refillable water bottle (drinking fountains are available throughout the park), and comfortable and sturdy walking shoes fit for the often steep and uneven village roads.

• While many hotels and attractions in Cinque Terre National Park are wheelchair and stroller accessible, the villages’ steep and narrow lanes can be challenging for anyone with mobility issues.

• Wi-Fi is available throughout the national park.

How to get there

Cinque Terre National Park is two hours from Florence by road, an hour from Pisa, and 20 minutes from La Spezia. Parking is limited in the villages, so unless you are staying in Cinque Terre overnight, ditch the car and join a tour or arrive by train. Trains (year-round) and ferries (mid-Apr. through Oct.) connect the five villages, but the best options for exploring the national park are hiking and mountain biking.

When to get there

Cinque Terre National Park sees the most visitors (especially day-trippers) and the highest temperatures—upwards of 100°F (40°C)—in summer. Hikers should aim to visit in May or Sep. to avoid the heat, while budget-minded should skip August, when hotel prices are high. Visiting in winter is possible, but some hiking trails may be inaccessible in rainy weather.

Hiking in Cinque Terre National Park

There are more than 75 miles (120 kilometers) of hiking trails in Cinque Terre National Park—the only connection between the villages and the hinterland for centuries. Today, the most commonly traversed path is the 6-hour coastal Blue Trail, linking Cinque Terre’s villages and offering spectacular views. For a workout, try more rugged mountain trails, including the Sciacchetrail, a challenging 29-mile (47-kilometer) route that loops around the entire area—and hosts an annual trail-running race.