Country: Włochy
Cinque Terre (translated as Five Lands) is a collection of five small medieval port towns located on the steep cliffs of the Italian coast: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. These towns are connected by trekking trails considered to be some of the most beautiful in Italy! Together with the town of Portovenere and the archipelago of three islands, Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The entire region is located near Pisa and is well-connected by train to the city and its airport. Between the towns, you can travel by train or boat - making Cinque Terre a great option for a short weekend getaway from Poland, even without a car!
Getting to Cinque Terre from Poland
The most convenient way is to fly to Pisa Airport. From Pisa, there are direct train connections to the towns of La Spezia (closer to Pisa) or Levanto, which are located near the park's border - these are the best towns for exploring Cinque Terre. The train journey from Pisa to La Spezia takes about 1 hour, and the connections are very frequent - so you can even consider a day trip while in Pisa.
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Pisa in a Few Hours - Sightseeing Route from Pisa Centrale Station to the Leaning Tower
Cinque Terre - Trekking Trails
If you enjoy hiking, it is definitely worth walking at least one of the footpaths between the neighboring towns in Cinque Terre. The trails, winding through the rocky coastline and olive groves, offer breathtaking views. Although they require some fitness, the views are simply stunning and definitely worth the effort! If you plan to hike in the summer, don't forget to bring water, a hat, and sunscreen with UV protection!
Trail between Corniglia and Vernazza
One of the easier and most popular trails is the one between the towns of Corniglia and Vernazza. This route is like a "balcony with a sea view." You can truly feel like you're on a long terrace. The descent to Vernazza is particularly scenic - from below, you can see the town perched on the cliff with its characteristic tower.
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Hiking the Corniglia-Vernazza Trail with Kids in Cinque Terre
Trail between Monterosso and Vernazza
The trail between Monterosso (a town with a long beach) and Vernazza is stunning and relatively easy in terms of technical difficulty. Vernazza is one of the most beautiful towns in Cinque Terre, and it looks best when viewed from above!
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Monterosso - Vernazza Trail in Cinque Terre
Pedestrian and Bicycle Trail through an Old Railway Tunnel
An asphalt, flat path away from cars, suitable for strollers or a family bike ride! It's also a great option for bad weather. The real treat is that it passes through an old railway tunnel from the town of Levanto to the nearby town of Framura:
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A 6-Kilometer Route through Former Railway Tunnels along the Ligurian Coast. An Easy Route for Everyone!
You can find more descriptions of routes and trails in the article:
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. ...
Cinque Terre - Five Port Towns on Cliffs
...and each one is unique and one-of-a-kind! What they have in common is their intensely colorful houses and buildings! They have been painted this way for centuries - it was meant to help fishermen recognize their homes from a distance at sea. As a result, it's hard to find two houses next to each other with similar colors.
Monterosso al Mare
This town is located at the northern edge of the national park - it is the largest among the Cinque Terre towns and features the most beautiful beach - long and sandy. The beach is located right after leaving the train station, and there is an entrance fee. Unlike the other settlements, Monterosso is situated on flat terrain.
Vernazza
Vernazza is a small town located on a rocky promontory and is considered the most picturesque among the Cinque Terre towns. It looks best when viewed from above - from the hiking trails that descend towards it. The tall Belforte tower was part of the fortifications defending the town, built at the end of the 11th century.
Corniglia
Corniglia is a town located on a high promontory, away from the sea. If you arrive in Corniglia by train, remember that the train station is located below the town (right by the sea) - to reach the town itself, you have to climb 382 steps or take a bus that departs five minutes after the train arrives (keep this in mind when planning accommodation, for example). However, the steps have their advantages - Corniglia is less visited by tourists and, as a result, is much quieter and more intimate than the other towns. While wandering through its narrow streets, we managed to find several panoramic terraces.
Manarola
Manarola is the oldest settlement among the Cinque Terre towns. On the northern side of the port area, there is a path leading to a small garden, which is one of the best viewpoints and the best place in Cinque Terre to admire the sunset.
Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is the southernmost town in Cinque Terre. It is situated in a small and narrow valley that gently slopes down to the Ligurian Sea. The buildings have colorful facades and form a compact settlement suspended on rocky cliffs.
Portovenere
Located at the end of a promontory, the small town of Portovenere, literally translated as "the port of the goddess Venus," is often referred to as the "sixth Cinque Terre" - and for good reason, as it can easily compete for the title of the most beautiful village! If you are in Cinque Terre, be sure to add it to your list of places to visit! Portovenere does not have a train station - you can reach it by bus from La Spezia or by boat.
Portovenere - where Venus was born
Porto Venere - attractions, trails, and viewpoints ...
Publish Date: 2017-12-30
More in the Region Włochy (Italy)
Total Length 60 km
