Cinque Terre - Hiking Trails and Attractions
Cinque Terre, which translates to "Five Lands", is a collection of five small towns with colorful houses perched on steep cliffs along the Italian coast: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Together with the town of Portovenere and a group of three islands, they form a National Park listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Cinque Terre region is located approximately 80 km from Pisa and is well-connected by train. Therefore:
- It is easily accessible for tourists arriving by plane and who do not want to rent a car.
- It is easy to reach from outside Poland, even for a weekend trip. The train journey from Pisa takes about 1 hour, and trains run frequently.
How to get to Cinque Terre?
The closest airport is in Pisa, from where we have direct train connections to the towns of La Spezia or Levanto, located right on the border of the Cinque Terre National Park.
The airport in Pisa is located approximately 20 minutes' walk from the train station. There is also a train called PISAmover that takes you from the airport to the Central Station in Pisa. It is recommended to check all connections on the website of the Italian railway: [https://www.trenitalia.com/it.html](https://www.trenitalia.com/it.html)
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Pisa in a Few Hours - Sightseeing Route from Pisa Centrale Station to the Leaning Tower
Where to stay in Cinque Terre?
Accommodation prices in the towns themselves can be quite high. It is also worth considering that the towns are small and almost empty after dark, making it difficult to find grocery stores or restaurants. It is more cost-effective to stay in the neighboring towns of Levanto and La Spezia, which have frequent train connections to transport people around the park.
La Spezia
La Spezia is a fairly large port city. If you are considering staying here, the most pleasant location is the old town area near Via del Prione. The areas around the train station and other parts of the city can be unpleasant for relaxation and walks due to busy streets. It is also worth noting that La Spezia does not have its own beach.
Levanto
Levanto is a smaller town with a long pebble beach (it is advisable to bring reef shoes for children) and a long pedestrian and cycling promenade. From Levanto, there is also a cycling trail leading to the nearby towns of Bonasalli and Framury.
Cinque Terre Card
During the season, if you plan to use the train connections between the towns of Cinque Terre and the hiking trails within the park (entrance to the park is subject to a fee), it is worth considering purchasing the Cinque Terre Card.
The Cinque Terre Card also allows for free use of bus lines (each town has its own line that transports people to key locations, for example, from the train station in Corniglia to the town, you need to climb approximately 377 stairs. However, a bus departs from the station about 5 minutes after the train leaves, taking people to the town).
Cinque Terre - Hiking Trails
All the towns are connected by hiking trails, with the main trail known as the "Lover's Path" considered one of the most beautiful in Italy! The easiest and supposedly most beautiful part of the trail is the promenade from Riomaggiore to Manarola, known as Via del Amore or the "Path of Love". Unfortunately, it is currently closed due to renovations. Free trail maps and information about the condition of the trails can be found at information points located at each train station.
The other trails in Cinque Terre are more challenging and involve significant changes in elevation. Although the distances are relatively short (around 3 km), you should be prepared for uphill climbs followed by descents into the towns (usually with elevation differences of 300-400 m).
If you plan to hike in the summer, don't forget to bring water, a hat, and sunscreen with UV protection!
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Hiking the Corniglia-Vernazza Trail with Kids in Cinque Terre
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Monterosso - Vernazza Trail in Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre - Easy Bike and Stroller Trails
Levanto has a pedestrian and cycling trail that starts from former railway tunnels and leads to two neighboring towns: Bonasalli and Framury. This asphalt trail, away from traffic, is perfect for stroller walks or family bike trips.
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A 6-Kilometer Route through Former Railway Tunnels along the Ligurian Coast. An Easy Route for Everyone!
In Bonasolli, there is also a recently created promenade called Via del Mare, suitable for strollers.
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Via del Mare - a paved path along the cliffs near Cinque Terre
Portovenere - The Port of Venus
Although Portovenere is not one of the towns in Cinque Terre, it is located at the end of a peninsula and is part of the National Park. It made a tremendous impression on us! If you are in the Cinque Terre region, be sure to include Portovenere on your list of must-visit places!
Portovenere - where Venus was born
Porto Venere - attractions, trails, and viewpoints ...
Practical Information
It is advisable to buy tickets for trains corresponding to our intercity trains in advance, as they are much cheaper (even up to half the price). The time of ticket purchase does not matter for local trains.
Remember to validate the purchased ticket before boarding the train! Ticket validation machines are located at the station or on the platforms. An unvalidated ticket is invalid! This does not apply to tickets purchased online.
Publish Date: 2023-05-16