Is Cinque Terre Worth Visiting?

by Ryan | Jul 18, 2024

Should I Go to Cinque Terre, Italy?

Cinque Terre is definitely worth visiting for those who are interested in exploring Italian culture and its scenic beauty. The five picturesque villages perched on the cliffside overlooking the Ligurian Sea are a sight to behold. Each town has its own unique charm and beauty, making it an ideal place for tourists to explore different aspects of Italy. With stunning views, delicious food, and friendly locals, Cinque Terre is an experience that should not be missed by anyone traveling to Italy.

When we tell others we are full-time travelers, one of the most popular questions people ask is: “Where should I go?” The honest answer is: “It depends.” The best destination depends on what you want to do on your trip.

Every city is different and has its pros and cons. We can’t say which city is best or our favorite because we like them all (or, at least, most of them) for very different reasons.

We consider several factors when thinking about where we will go next. Some are given more weight than others, but we want to ensure the destination has what we’re looking for and that there are no disqualifying issues (like weather or crowds).

To help you decide if Cinque Terre is a good choice, we’ve analyzed a list of factors we consider when choosing a destination and answered the frequently asked questions.

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Factors to Consider Before Visiting Cinque Terre

We spent two weeks in April in Riomaggiore (the southernmost of the five villages), and we feel like we know the small town and surrounding Cinque Terre region well. Based on our experience, we assigned each factor a score from 1 to 5, with one being the worst and five being the best. If the attribute is unavailable or does not apply, we give it a 0.

If you’re asking yourself, “Is Cinque Terre worth visiting?” hopefully, this information will help you make a more informed decision.

Weather

Hot in the Summer 4
Cold in the Winter 3

Crowds

Few Tourists in Large Groups 1
Few Cruise Ship Passengers 3
Few Tourists in Couples or Small Families 1
Pedestrian Only Areas 5
Lines at Attractions 1

Water Activities

Beaches with Calm Water (Kid-Friendly) 4
Beaches with Rough Water 4
Boating Activities/Kayaking 5
Rocky Swim Spots 4
Sunbathing 4

Food and Beverage

Wine 4
Beer 1
Specialty Liquor 2
Specialty Food 2
Seafood 3
Meat 2
Street Food 3

Large Food Market with Restaurants

0

Interests

History 1
Architecture 4
Art 1
Museums 1
Castles 2
Walled-City 0
Palaces 0
Hiking 5
Running 1
High-Fashion Stores/Shopping 1
Nightlife 2
Dog-Friendly 3
Kid-Friendly 4

Conveniences

Great Grocery Stores 1
English Widely Spoken 4
Outwardly Friendly Locals 4
American Tourists 5
Accessible by Train 5
Day Trips by Train 5
Clean Streets 4
Noise 4

Costs

Food Cost 2
Accommodation Cost 1
Activities Cost 4
Transportation Cost 4

A Closer Look at Each Factor

Some factors may sway you in one direction or another, depending on your circumstances and interests—for example, the weather. If you like to go to the beach, you may be looking for hot weather in the summer. If you like winter sports, you may be looking for cold weather in the winter. On the other hand, if you want to explore the old town (like us), you may be looking for milder weather in the summer and winter. For this reason, you may need to take your situation into account.

Weather

While there are some exceptions, we assume the weather will be good in the Spring and Fall everywhere we consider visiting. So, we focus primarily on the Summer and Winter weather.

Hot in the Summer – 4

We were not in Cinque Terre during the summer, but the average highs for June, July, and August are 76℉, 81℉, and 81℉, respectively.

Cold in the Winter – 3

We spent the first two weeks of April in Cinque Terre, and the weather was excellent in the shade and warm in the sun. We scheduled our hikes so we weren’t directly in the sun during the upward climbs. It did rain often, so pack waterproof shoes, a raincoat, and an umbrella. Also, make sure your waterproof shoes have a grip sole. The stone gets very slick when wet. I didn’t have a pair and have since purchased a pair of Gore-tex hiking shoes for the smooth stone often found in old towns.

The average highs for December, January, and February are 54℉, 52℉, and 53℉, respectively.

Cinque Terre Italy Weather Graph

Crowds

Few Tourists in Large Groups – 1

Cinque Terre is a beautiful place to visit, but there were lots of tourists in large groups and it can get very crowded during peak season. It is advisable to visit during the shoulder season, which is four to six weeks before and after peak season. During this time, the crowds are lesser, and you can enjoy the beauty of the place without feeling overwhelmed.

Few Cruise Ship Passengers – 3

The towns of Cinque Terre are not cruise ship ports and don’t have passengers coming directly off boats. But there are cruise ships in La Spezia, and these passengers come to Cinque Terre via train and ferry.

Few Tourists in Couples or Small Families – 1

There were lots of tourists as couples and small families. We were there for April, which we thought would have fewer people but there were still crowds in certain areas and at times of the day.

Pedestrian-Only Areas – 5

Vehicles are parked outside the main center of each town, and the towns are pedestrian-only zones. This is fantastic, but the pedestrian areas are still very crowded.

Lines at Attractions – 1

Cinque Terre’s attractions include taking the ferries, hiking the trails, and walking through the towns. The lines for these things are long.

Is Cinque Terre worth visiting? The answer is almost certainly yes!

Water Activities

Beaches with Calm Water (Kid-Friendly) – 4

The Cinque Terre region has many beaches, some have rough water, and some have calm water. Beaches with calm, floating while drinking beer water can be found in Levanto and Monterosso.

Beaches with Rough Water – 4

Many beaches offer waves and rough water.

Boating Activities/Kayaking – 5

Renting a kayak, paddleboard, or boat is available all over the Cinque Terre region.

Rocky Swim Spots – 4

There are lots of rocky swimming spots that people sun and swim from.

Sunbathing – 4

There are lots of sunbathing options in the region. You can make like a crab and crawl around the rocks to sunbathe or go to Monterosso al Mare, which has a large stretch of white sand beach.

Experiences

If you would like to take a boat tour, book a highly-rated water experience in Cinque Terre. These are a great way to cool off during the summer heat!

Costeve Friggitoria in Riomaggiore, Italy

Food and Beverage

Wine – 4

Cinque Terre is in the Liguria wine region, primarily producing white wines. These wines pair perfectly with the seafood of the area. In addition to Ligurian regional wines, there are small vineyards and wineries in Cinque Terre. Local Cinque Terre wines can be purchased at wine shops, grocery stores, and restaurants.

Beer – 1

Cinque Terre is not in a beer-production region and is not known for beer.

Specialty Liquor – 2

Cinque Terre is in the Liguria wine region, which is not one of Italy’s regions producing Grappa or Limoncello.

Specialty Food – 2

The specialty food of Cinque Terre is seafood, specifically fried seafood.

Seafood – 3

Cinque Terre has lots of seafood. We were disappointed in the restaurants and food in Cinque Terre. So, seafood is available, but we needed help finding great seafood.

Meat – 2

Cinque Terre is not a meat-eating destination.

Street Food – 3

Cinque Terre has many street food options, the most popular being fried seafood.

Large Food Market with Restaurants – 0

Cinque Terre does not have large food markets. The closest large food market is in La Spezia.

Experiences

Want to learn about local food and wine while visiting Cinque Terre? Book a highly-rated food and wine experience!

Il Castello in Riomaggiore, Italy

Interests

History – 1

Cinque Terre towns are beautiful, tiny fishing villages. History is everywhere, and with a little effort, you could learn about the history of the towns or vineyards, but it is a destination that has yet to be bursting with history and museums to enlighten you.

Architecture – 4

The unique and colorful houses are one of the main attractions. The five villages, the coastline, and the surrounding cliffs of the Cinque Terre National Park are a Unesco World Heritage Site. The village architecture is great, but the combination of the three makes it an incredible, must-see destination.

Art – 1

Maybe there is art in Cinque Terre, and we missed it. Or, you could classify the small shops selling “art” as art, but we wouldn’t say, “go to Cinque Terre; it has some amazing art!”

Museums – 1

We are giving museums a one instead of zero because there may be some tiny museums that we missed.

Castles – 2

There are a couple 13th century castles in Cinque Terre.

Walled-City – 0

The villages do not have walls around them.

Palaces – 0

No palaces in Cinque Terre.

Hiking – 5

You don’t have to climb the hiking trails in Cinque Terre since the ferries and trains will take you around, but if you can, you should. The hiking is fantastic. There is wine tasting along one hike!

We would never call ourselves “hikers” and loved hiking in the national park. Perfect little day hikes with breathtaking views and beautiful scenery from one place to the next while still being able to sleep in the beautiful towns, have a glass of wine, and eat at the restaurants at night. It is glamorous hiking (the hiking version of glamping) and speaks to me.

For more information on Cinque Terre hiking, check out AllTrails.

Running – 1

These villages were not made for running. If you are training for a running race and must run, stay in Levanto. It has a promenade along the sea that you can run along.

High – Fashion Stores/Shopping – 1

Cinque Terre is not a high-fashion shopping destination. It has small arts and crafts stores.

Nightlife – 2

Cinque Terre has restaurants, but they do not stay open late. It is not a nightlife or party destination.

Dog Friendly – 3

Cinque Terre is not ideal for dogs because there are many steep stairs, crowds of people, and few grassy spots. The terrain is not dog friendly, but the people and transportation are. Dogs are welcome on trains and ferries, and there are many Europeans with their dogs. It did feel crazing that we had Gus while staying two weeks in Riomaggiore but we were not alone in that crazy endeavor.

Kid Friendly – 4

We don’t have kids, but there were lots of kids. The kids looked entertained by the hiking, water sports, and beaches.

Conveniences

Great Grocery Stores – 1

Grocery shopping is minimal, and if we were to go back, we would stay in Levanto because it has larger grocery stores. The grocery stores were tiny corner shops. They were also the only grocery option. There were no separate fish markets, butchers, or cheese shops.

English Widely Spoken – 4

English is widely spoken in Cinque Terre.

Outwardly Friendly Locals – 4

We found the locals to be very friendly. We did have our Frenchie, Gus, and they are very friendly toward dogs – so that helped.

American Tourists – 5

If you like to see and talk to Americans, you will be happy in Cinque Terre.

Accessible by Train – 5

A train runs along the Cinque Terre, which makes it the easiest way to get to any Cinque Terre village.

Day Trips by Train – 5

There are lots of day-tripping options available from the train stations.

If you plan to hop around Cinque Terre by train, you might want to purchase the Cinque Terre Card. It gives you access to unlimited train travel and hiking trails. It is offered as one, two, or three-day cards. They are purchased at train stations or tourist information points.

Clean Streets – 4

The streets of Cinque Terre are clean.

Noise – 4

Most of the noise in Cinque Terre is the sound of crashing waves. This is of the few noises that’s actually a plus!

Costs

Food Cost – 2

Cinque Terre food is expensive. There are some low-cost pizzerias and fried fish shops, but everything is more costly and limited.

Accommodation Cost – 1

Cinque Terre’s accommodation is very expensive. It was our most expensive Airbnb stay. We were down by the water with a terrace overlooking the sea, and you can find less expensive accommodations without views, but it is still very expensive for Italy.

Activities Cost – 4

The most popular activities in Cinque Terre are hiking, taking the ferries, and walking around the villages. All are inexpensive and will leave you room in your budget for your expensive hotel.

Transportation Cost – 4

The local train stations make transportation cost low.

FAQs About Cinque Terre

What is so special about Cinque Terre?

Cinque Terre is a group of five picturesque villages on the Italian Riviera. Each village has its unique charm and character. The brightly colored houses are perched on cliffs overlooking the sea, and the views are breathtaking. It’s like stepping back in time to a simpler way of life. The hiking trails are stunning, and each village has its specialties in food and wine. Cinque Terre is truly a gem worth visiting for its natural beauty and authentic Italian experience.

What is Cinque Terre Famous For?

Cinque Terre is famous for its colorful villages attached to the sides of the hills with breathtaking views.

Is Cinque Terre Pretty?

Cinque Terre is known for its beauty, hillside location, and fantastic sunset from Riomaggiore.

view of Riomaggiore, Italy from the water
Port of Vernazza in Vernazza, Italy

Is Cinque Terre Expensive?

We found Cinque Terre to be more expensive than other Italian cities like Venice or Florence. Accommodations are very expensive, and food is very expensive.

We stayed in an Airbnb in Riomaggiore for two weeks, and it was our most expensive Airbnb to date.

How Long Should You Spend at Cinque Terre?

We recommend 2-3 days to see Cinque Terre. This will allow time to explore all the villages, taste the local wines, have a few enjoyable seafood meals with wine, and take one or two short hikes. For a list of the best things to see and a suggested walking tour, check out our article, “15 Best Things to See in Cinque Terre.”

If you have more time, you could consider adding a couple more hikes to your itinerary or exploring nearby destinations such as Portovenere or La Spezia.

What Region is Cinque Terre in?

Cinque Terre is located in the Liguria region of Italy. Liguria is bordered on the south by the Liguria Sea, on the west by France, on the north by the Piedmont region, and on the east by the Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna regions.

Cinque Terre is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Liguria. The other is Portofino. The part of Italy that includes Portofino and Cinque Terre is called the Italian Riviera.

How To Get to Cinque Terre?

Train – Most people get to Cinque Terre by train. There are train stations in Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso, and Levanto. The trains continue north to Genoa and south to La Spezia. From there, you can connect to the rest of Europe. To purchase train tickets in advance, we recommend Rail Europe.

Ferry – Frequent ferries run between the villages of Cinque Terre and also connect to Porto Venere and small island destinations.

Car – If you need to get to Cinque Terre by car, a taxi or private transfer is recommended since each village has either limited or no parking. To schedule a taxi or private transfer, we recommend Get Transfer.

If you have your luggage, we recommend taking the trains since they are more luggage friendly. If you stay in Porto Venere, you must take the ferry or taxi. If you take the ferry, we recommend packing light to easily board and disembark the ferry.

What is the best time to visit Cinque Terre?

The time of the year with good weather and fewer crowds is often referred to as the shoulder season. The shoulder season in Cinque Terre is March, April, October, and November. For many, this is the best time of the year to visit.

We spent two weeks at the end of April in Cinque Terre. The weather was beautiful, but it was very crowded.

Do I need to speak the local language to visit Cinque Terre?

It is not necessary to speak Italian to visit and enjoy Cinque Terre. A large percentage of the locals speak English.

What do I need on my Cinque Terre packing list?

Your Cinque Terre packing list should include hiking shoes. The hikes are very steep, and a good pair of hiking shoes are needed. We saw many people trying to hike the trails in flip-flops.

Best WIFI for a Cinque Terre visit?

Do you need wifi during your trip and don’t want to pay for roaming? We use eSIMs from Airalo during our travel and highly recommend them. They are cheap, easy to set up, and allow you to leave your primary sim card in your phone (so you don’t loose it). Click below for more info.

Is Cinque Terre Safe?

Yes, Cinque Terre is extremely safe.

Where is Cinque Terre?

Cinque Terre is a collection of villages on the Ligurian Sea in northwestern Italy. It is a 3hr 30min train ride south of Milan, Italy, a 1hr 30min ride east of Genoa, Italy, a 3hr 30min ride north of Rome, Italy, a 60min ride north of Pisa, and a 2hr 30min ride northwest of Florence, Italy.

Is the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre better?

Both the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre are beautiful coastal regions in Italy with their unique charm and attractions. The Amalfi Coast is known for its dramatic cliffs, colorful villages, and stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. On the other hand, Cinque Terre is famous for its picturesque villages, hiking trails, and delicious seafood. Ultimately, it depends on what you’re looking for in a vacation and which scenery and experiences appeal to you more.

Jen

Jen

Author

I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2004 with a degree in accounting. I earned my CPA certification and worked in taxation for two public accounting firms in San Francisco, CA. In 2009, I moved to Austin, TX, and took a position in the Large Business and International Division at the Internal Revenue Service. There I worked as a Revenue Agent and audited large companies and their high-net-worth owners. After overcoming my risk-averse nature through extensive budget analysis and financial projections, I quit my safe and secure career in tax accounting in January 2022 and embarked on a life of travel with my husband, Ryan, and French Bulldog, Gus.