If you are looking to experience the authentic Italian flavor, complete with ancient seaside villages, breathtaking scenery, colorful houses, and quintessential European elements, Cinque Terre should be your travel destination. The beautiful villages of Cinque Terre are a must to see before you die, for they offer you all that Italy has to offer and more! The following are the best towns of Cinque Terre that should be on your travel bucket:
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1. Monterosso
The first on our list is Monterosso, a beautiful and historic beach town that you will come to love. The village enjoys the biggest beach of all villages of Cinque Terre. Although the beach strip may not be very wide, owing to the hills that line it, it stretches very long, providing enough space for you to lounge on. Plus, the hills on the back gorgeously add to the charm of the location, making a lazy day at the beach worth it. When you are not relaxing on the beach, you can embark on a meaningful hiking trip. There are several hiking trails present here, meaning that you are likely to find one that resonates with your soul. You can explore some stunning displays of nature during your hike, which always is a treat.
Monterosso Travel Guide & Planning Resources:
Here you can find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Monterosso, one of the most beautiful villages and towns of Cinque Terre.
Not sure where to stay in Monterosso? Here are some of our favorite hotels you might like:
Not what you are looking for? Here is our full list of the best hotels in Monterosso to stay in.
Want to add more excitement to your itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Monterosso in addition to what is already mentioned here.
2. Vernazza
One of the most beautiful villages of Cinque Terre, Vernazza, is a monumental village that will sway your heart. An ancient town that previously served as a military base to defend the coast from pirates, the town enjoys a long and rich history. Plus, there is plenty to see in here! Start your tour by visiting the iconic Church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia, an exceptionally simple and elegant build with an interesting legend associated with it. The church boasts of architectural elements common in the 12th century and is a treasure trove for everyone in architecture.
You should also consider visiting the Doria Castle Tower, which is an ode to Vernazza’s days of serving as a military base. Climb atop the tower to enjoy remarkably picturesque trails on either side and a panoramic view of the harbor. There is no point coming to Vernazza if you do not taste its local wine produce. Plan a trip to its vineyards and have a taste of its sweet, sweet wines. You will develop a taste for it and would definitely want to get some bottles for home.
Vernazza Travel Guide & Planning Resources:
Here you can find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Vernazza, one of the most beautiful villages and towns of Cinque Terre.
Looking for something different? Here you can browse our full list of the best hotels in Vernazza to stay in.
Want to add more excitement to your itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Vernazza in addition to what is already mentioned here.
3. Corniglia
Corniglia is another one of the most remarkable towns of Cinque Terre and a destination that deserves your attention. The fact that it has plenty of attractions to keep one hooked makes it a place you would love to visit on your vacation to Italy. Thanks to it being an ancient village and the locals interested in preserving old artifacts, you can find several historical monuments here, which provide a fascinating educational experience. Visit the Church of St. Peter, a Baroque-style structure featuring Gothic and Ligurian elements, which give it a distinguished appearance. If you happen to be here on June 29th, the day the church’s patron saint is celebrated, you can become a part of the festivities. For more peeks through the window of history, you can visit Oratorio dei Disciplinati di Santa Caterina, an 18th-century building with an incredible ceiling. If you are looking to spend some alone-time, away from the crowds, but surrounded by nature, you should heed to Corniglia’s beaches. The area is one of the least crowded and is marked by clear waters flaunting multiple shades of blue. It is a sight to witness!
Corniglia Travel Guide & Planning Resources:
Here you can find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Corniglia, one of the most beautiful villages and towns of Cinque Terre.
Check out some of our recommended hotels to stay in Corniglia below.
Not what you are looking for? Here you can browse our list of the best hotels in Corniglia to stay in.
Want to add more excitement to your itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Corniglia in addition to what is already mentioned here.
4. Manarola
Manarola may be a humble village of Cinque Terre, but it in no way means that it is behind other towns of Cinque Terre. It is small but enchanting, with a lot in store to impress you and give you a flavor of authentic Italy. Manarola was previously famously known for its wine production, something which carries till date. This means that you cannot leave the area without tasting its delicious white wine production.
The harbor is one of the best places to see in town, thanks to its distinctive appearance – a natural rocky area lined with cliffs that provide panoramic views of the town. If you feel adventurous, you can take a swim in its deep blue waters. The opportunity is fantastic and one you shouldn’t miss. Plus, there are plenty of churches in the locality for you to check out, like the Church of San Lorenzo, Oratory of the Disciplinati of Manarola, and the church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. These are historical structures and will sway your heart. When you are done exploring churches, you might want to embark on a hike. The hiking trails here are fantastic, to say the least. Secluded, uncrowded, and surrounded by nature, they serve as the perfect escape from your everyday miseries.
Manarola Travel Guide & Planning Resources:
Here you can find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Manarola, one of the most beautiful villages and towns of Cinque Terre.
Also, here you can browse our list of the best hotels in Manarola to stay in.
Want to add more excitement to your itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Manarola in addition to what is already mentioned here.
5. Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is easily one of the most beautiful villages of Cinque Terre. It has inspired many artists with its pretty streets, colorful houses, vineyards, and coast and is a destination worth your time. Lose yourself in the labyrinths of its roads and pose beside cute tower-like houses, which flaunt different hues of paint. You would love a visit to the Castle, a structure consisting of two towers and a wall, which initially served to protect the town from pirates but was repurposed as a cemetery. Walking up the hillside to it allows you to enjoy a 360-degree view of the town beneath, something that one should not miss.
If you want to witness architectural elements of the past, you should plan a visit to the Church of San Giovanni Battista. The church was constructed in the 14th century and features beautiful pillars, arches, Gothic doors, etc. The structure is a work of art! Although the beaches here are not very big in size, they are still must-visit destinations, thanks to their stunning presence. Clear shallow turquoise waters lined by rugged, green cliffs are a spectacle to witness and record in one’s memory, and you should not miss the opportunity to do so!
Riomaggiore Travel Guide & Planning Resources:
Here you can find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Riomaggiore, one of the most beautiful villages and towns of Cinque Terre.
Need a place to stay? Here are some of our favorite hotels you might like:
Not what you are looking for? Here you can browse our list of the best hotels in Riomaggiore to stay in.
Want to add more excitement to your itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Riomaggiore in addition to what is already mentioned here.
Video Guide: 5 Most Beautiful Towns and Villages of Cingue Terre to Visit
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Additional Resources for Planning a Trip to Cinque Terre, Italy
To make planning your trip to the most beautiful villages and towns in Cinque Terre easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do in each destination during your trip.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Need help planning a trip to Cinque Terre, Italy?
Want to plan a trip to Cinque Terre, Italy but don’t know where to begin? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as a multi-city trip to Cinque Terre and other destinations in Italy are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city vacations at the best price.
Don’t want to start from scratch and need some trip inspiration? Check out our marketplace for customizable pre-designed packages available right now for many amazing destinations.
To learn more about how our process of trip planning works in detail, please see our “How It Works” page or check out our video on “How to Plan a Multi-City Trip to Europe in 5 Easy Steps” here.
Have questions for us? Schedule a FREE Call with us here or contact one of the travel experts/destination specialists at [email protected], call/text us at (888)223-2316 today.
