If you’re heading to Italy, make sure you add this charming region to your itinerary. Cinque Terre is a coastal region made up of five small fishing villages, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare.
These seaside villages offer beautiful ocean views, remarkable seafood, and quaint colorful architecture. While they are small, they are all worth spending time in and exploring their own bustling streets.
Stay a few nights in Cinque Terre, or explore Cinque Terre in one day as a fun day trip. Each of the five villages of Cinque Terre is unique, you simply have to explore all of them. From the picturesque views of Manarola to the fishing harbor of Vernazza, you won’t want to miss out on any of them.
You can hop on the train and walk through each town all in one day, or take your time, and leisurely enjoy what each one has to offer. Now for the good stuff. Add these activities to your list and enjoy the best things to do in Cinque Terre in one day!
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The Five Villages of Cinque Terre
Skip to the one day Cinque Terre itinerary.
Here are the five towns of Cinque Terre in order if you’re arriving from the south. If you’re getting to Cinque Terre from the north, the order would be reversed. Check out how to get to Cinque Terre before you go.
Riomaggiore
The southernmost village of Cinque Terre is Riomaggiore. This is one of the quieter villages, but it offers the most underrated views.
Don’t miss the views from the harbor! Walk out to the big rocks where many people take photos, and keep going to your left for beautiful ocean views. Riomaggiore is one of the most picturesque towns on the Italian coast.
Manarola
The most iconic village is Manarola. It’s just north of Riomaggiore and a quick ride on the train. The harbor here is beloved and often photographed for its colorful houses and view of the town (pictured at the top of this article).
Corniglia
The most underrated town of Cinque Terre is Corniglia. Many people skip it because it requires a long stair climb to get to, but if you’re up for the trek, Corniglia is worth it. This town is quiet and charming; it has the most local feel to it with far fewer tourists than the other villages.
Vernazza
Right after Corniglia is the town of Vernazza. This Cinque Terre village is very picturesque; it’s the only town with a natural port. You can walk along it and venture all the way to the point of the port for the best photos. If you’ve seen the movie Luca, you’ll feel like you’re transported into the film when you visit Vernazza.
Monterosso al Mare
The final town when you’re heading north through Cinque Terre is Monterosso al Mare. This town is split into two parts, Old Town and New Town, both of which offer a slightly different feel and many great restaurants and shops.
If you want to enjoy a beach day while in Cinque Terre, Monterosso is the place to do so. You’ll find the biggest beaches here along with umbrellas for rent in the summer.
What to Do in Cinque Terre in One Day
Let’s dive into the best things to do in Cinque Terre, Italy in one day. Below you’ll find my top recommendations for things to do in each of the five towns of Cinque Terre.
It is possible to visit all five villages in one day as they’re small and easily accessed by train. You can either pick two or three towns to stick to and really explore, or opt to visit all five and enjoy a few sights before heading to the next.
Either option is worthwhile, it just depends on your travel style. This itinerary begins in Riomaggiore and ends in Monterosso al Mare, but you can easily reverse the order. Before you visit Cinque Terre, here are some helpful travel guides.
Start in Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is the southernmost town of Cinque Terre making it a great starting place. It’s one of the smaller and least crowded villages. Enjoy a cappuccino in Riomaggiore to start your day in Cinque Terre.
I recommend you start from the train station in Riomaggiore and make your way in a clockwise circle up around the town and back down to the coast. Don’t miss the views from the harbor! Walk out to the big rocks where many people take photos, and keep going to your left for beautiful ocean views.
What to Do in Riomaggiore
When in Riomaggiore, you’ll see many colorful fishing boats lining the coast. You’ll definitely want to try some seafood here; it’s absolutely delicious. And keep an eye out for intricately painted tiles in Riomaggiore.
We found that they often lined the walls and buildings and added another layer of beautiful colorful art in Cinque Terre.
Stroll Through the Town
One of the best things to do in Cinque Terre’s villages is to just wander. They’re such charming, quaint towns, you can really admire them if you explore on foot with no real agenda in mind. Just remember to watch the time if you’re wanting to visit all five towns in one day.
As one of the quieter towns, Riomaggiore is the perfect place to wander aimlessly. It’s hard to get lost in the five villages of Cinque Terre, but I recommend downloading Google Maps for offline use just to be safe.
Eat, Eat, Eat
If you’re a seafood lover, you’ll be in heaven in Riomaggiore. This town is known for its numerous, colorful fishing boats floating around the harbor and out to sea. We recommend trying a seafood pasta dish such as squid ink pasta.
If you’re not the biggest fan of seafood, you’re still in luck. There is plenty of pesto pasta, pizza, and more to go around.
Book a Boat Tour
If you want to admire all five towns of Cinque Terre in one day, think about taking a boat tour. These are also available at the beach access point of Manarola (and in each town); however, they may sell out quickly, so we recommend booking in advance. This is a nice option if you don’t have time to explore all five towns on foot.
Next Stop, Manarola
If you travel through the towns in order, which is the fastest way to see them all, the next town after Riomaggiore is Manarola. Photos of this specific town are likely what convinced you to visit Cinque Terre, get ready to admire it for yourself!
Things to Do in Manarola
Known for the most picturesque views, sweet dessert wine, and all things pesto, Manarola is the most iconic of the Cinque Terre villages. While you’re exploring Manarola, Italy, make sure you check these off your list!
Go Swimming in the Sea
There are multiple access points to swim in the Ligurian Sea here in Manarola. There is a ladder at one point, and the others are “beach” entrances that slowly get deeper. If you’re wanting to swim, make sure you visit in the summer.
The water is very, very cold here, but it’s super refreshing on a hot summer’s day! And remember to pack a towel, sunscreen, and an Italian picnic lunch (cheese, meat, bread, and fruit).
Drink Sciacchetrà
Manarola is famous for this sweet, dessert wine. Sciacchetra is served in a little glass and has a strong, but very sweet flavor. We recommend enjoying this Cinque Terre specialty wine with a pastry-like dessert.
When we ordered Sciacchetrà, it came with biscotti, the famous Italian almond biscuits, and we also ordered a lemon shortbread dessert. The three of these all went very well together, and we highly recommend adding them to your order!
Hike and Admire the Views
If you’re outdoorsy and adventurous, you should definitely go for a hike while you’re in Cinque Terre. There are many trails worth checking out as Cinque Terre is a national park; some hikes do require a pass, but you can purchase these at every train station.
The views higher up the mountain are definitely worth the hike! Head to Trail 6p in Manarola for gorgeous, and free, views.
Next Stop, Corniglia
After Manarola, you’ll make your way to Corniglia, the smallest and quietest town of Cinque Terre. It’s understandable why as there are lots of stairs from the train station up to the town itself, but if you’re up for the stair climb, it’s worth adding Corniglia to your one day in Cinque Terre.
Things to Do in Corniglia
The quietest town of all Cinque Terre, Corniglia, is located further up the mountain rather than right on the coast like the other towns. However, this means beautiful ocean views, less crowded streets, and more lush greenery.
Enjoy a Relaxing Meal
This is a great place to grab lunch or dinner if you’re looking to have a quieter meal. Because Corniglia is higher up the mountain, it is overlooked by quite a few tourists. We found it equally as charming as the other four towns though.
The streets aren’t crowded and the whole town gives off a more local feel which is a really nice way to enjoy a meal in Italy. One of the cheapest, yet most delicious places to eat in Corniglia is Andrea’s Corniglia. I recommend planning to have lunch here.
Taste Limoncello
Corniglia, being situated higher up the mountain than its neighbors, is surrounded by farmland and lush greenery. This is the perfect town to grab a glass of limoncello or delicious Italian wine and soak in the views of the countryside right along the coast.
Admire the Streets and Local Shops
Corniglia has the quaintest street scenes of all Cinque Terre. It offers a small, local Italian village feel not quite like any of the other villages.
Because Corniglia is higher up and therefore much quieter, it doesn’t feel very touristy which is a nice change from the other villages. Leave some time to stroll down the streets and maybe wander into a shop or two.
Next Stop, Vernazza
Vernazza has the best harbor views in all of Cinque Terre. Snap some photos of the picturesque fishing boats floating in the sea with the colorful buildings making the most beautiful background.
Things to Do in Vernazza
The most colorful of the five towns in my opinion, Vernazza, is home to the only natural harbor in Cinque Terre. You can walk out to the end of the harbor and see all the beauty of Vernazza from afar.
Window Shop 'Til You Drop
There are little shops in every town of Cinque Terre, but Vernazza has quite a variety. You can shop for sundresses, handmade kitchenware, wine, and more. There is a lot to see at the stores in Vernazza, but even stopping at a few is fun. You might find a local souvenir!
Grab a Gelato…or Two
You have to get some gelato when you’re walking around the coast of Italy, it’s an unwritten rule. We recommend you grab a gelato here in Vernazza and walk through the main street until you reach the harbor.
You should walk to the end of the harbor and appreciate the town of Vernazza all in one frame. By the way, you really can’t go wrong with any flavor of gelato, but some of our favorites here in Vernazza were passion fruit, coconut, and mint chocolate.
Try Italian Street Food Specialties
If you have the time and find yourself hungry in Vernazza, make sure you add this restaurant to your itinerary. Pippo a Vernazza specializes in street foods so everything is cheaper, quick, and still delicious.
This is a good option for those who might want to grab a bite to eat but keep exploring. With handy take out plating, you can easily grab some pasta from Pippo a Vernazza and continue wandering around Vernazza.
Foodies! Check out the best food tours in Rome and the best food tours in Sicily.
End the Day in Monterosso al Mare
Monterosso al Mare is the northernmost town of Cinque Terre. Enjoy the pristine beaches in Monterosso on warm summer days, stroll through Old Town and New Town, and enjoy your day in Cinque Terre with a nice meal here.
Things to Do in Monterosso al Mare
The largest of all five Cinque Terre Villages, Monterosso is the place to find luxury resort hotels, high-end restaurants, and bustling streets. However, you can still enjoy exploring Monterosso without spending a fortune.
Lounge at the Beach
Along with having the most hotels and restaurants, Monterosso also has the best beaches. Pack up your beach bag and head to one of Monterosso’s beaches, swim, sunbathe, and relax under a beach umbrella.
There are also quite a few restaurants located right on the coast here in Monterosso making it very easy to grab lunch and then spend more time on the beach if you please.
Old Town & New Town
There are two different parts of Monterosso, Old Town, and New Town, and they are just as they sound. Old Town is the original Monterosso where you will find beautiful churches, amazing architecture, and long-run family businesses.
In New Town, you will find more resort-type hotels, newer shops and restaurants, and slightly busier streets because of the resorts here. However, both sides of Monterosso are worth seeing and exploring.
Catch a Sunset
If you have the time, make sure you catch a sunset in Cinque Terre. If the skies are clear, sunsets here are unbeatable, they’re so vibrant.
Make sure you admire the colorful buildings as they’re washed with the sunset glow. Watching the sunset over the Ligurian sea after an adventurous day in Cinque Terre is surreal.
End With a Nice Dinner
End your one day in Cinque Terre with a nice meal, or head back to the village you’re staying in for dinner. Every town has spectacular restaurant options, so you really can’t go wrong, but here are my recommendations.
Monterosso al Mare – San Martino Gastronomia
Vernazza – Ristorante La Torre
Corniglia – Ristorante La Posada
Manarola – Trattoria dal Billy
Riomaggiore – Pizzeria Kepris
Is Cinque Terre worth visiting?
If you’re traveling to the northern part of Italy, Cinque Terre is worth visiting. It’s a great place to spend a couple of days relaxing and enjoying the ocean views. Or you can add it to your Italy itinerary as a day trip from somewhere like Florence.
Cinque Terre is best for travelers seeking a small town, more laid back vibe. The only town with an actual beach is Monterosso, but you can still swim in other Cinque Terre villages. If you’re looking for big, open beaches and tons of swimming options, plan a visit to the Amalfi Coast instead.
Getting to Cinque Terre
The best way to get around Italy is by train. Learn how to get to Cinque Terre from Italian cities like Rome, Milan, La Spezia, and Venice.
Check out my full guide to getting to Cinque Terre. It’s quite simple, and the train rides in Italy are so scenic, it’s worth the journey.
Exploring the Five Villages of Cinque Terre in One Day
While you’re booking your trip to Italy, make sure you add Cinque Terre to your list. It is such a charming location on the Italian coast, with a laid-back, relaxing feel. The views are breathtaking from all five towns of Cinque Terre, the restaurants are all delicious, and the streets all have their own personality.
From the delicious wines to the inviting beaches to the unmissable views, Cinque Terre, Italy is not a place to be overlooked. Take the train that goes from Monterosso to Riomaggiore, and explore the five villages of Cinque Terre in one day.
I hope I’ve convinced you to visit Cinque Terre and fall in love with it. This charming Italian coastal region is unlike any other and offers the perfect place to slow down and soak in La Dolce Vita found in no other than Italy.
Ciao! Buon viaggio!
