AndSheXplores

Cinque Terre pops up on Instagram, Pinterest with endless dreamy pictures and it’s on top of the bucket list of every traveler.

Driving up to Cinque Terre was a spontaneous decision we took after staying for a few days in Tuscany. Cinque Terre is actually not one place, you won’t find it on the map, but rather an area of 5 fishing villages, next to each other. Villages are not accessible by a car (except for Monterosso al Mare), you can either hike or take a train ride to each one. Easiest way to visit is driving up to La Spezia and base from there as you can get a train from there to each village. It cost 2EUR while we were there, while daily pass was 12EUR. If you are lucky enough to stay longer, I would recommend hiking between the villages.

We went there end of October, so we thought its pretty much off season, and didn’t book any hotels in advance. Mistake. The whole surrounding was 100% booked so we could only get a hotel 1 hour away by car from La Spezia. If you would prefer to stay in one of the Cinque Terre go for Monterosso al Mare, as in others you will have to carry the suitcases through stairs and narrow streets.

Riomaggiore

First village from the south is the closest to the main city of La Spezia and has one street, some restaurants, a harbor and a rocky beach.

Manarola

Second one heading up north is the on where most famous pictures of Cinque Terre are taken from. Hike up to Nessun Dorma, that has the best views,  best cocktails and snacks and wait for the sunset. If you’re visiting in the summer it offers also a small crowded beach area where you can cool down.

Corniglia

The one in the middle and also the smallest one is built the highest on the cliffs and the only one without a direct access to the beach. My warn of not staying there goes specially for this one as you need to climb 365 stairs from the train station to reach the center of the village.

Vernazza

Aaaand we got to my favourite one. The prettiest one and also bigger than other three. It even has a square with many restaurants and bars, but come early to lunch if you want a table free. Take at least half a day to spent here and also visit a castle and there’s also a beach!

When you’re done and want to continue to Monterroso al Mare, do yourself a favor and hike to it as that route gives most spectacular views, you will be rewarded and put up with that delish lunch you had in Vernazza. 🙂 

Monterosso al Mare

It’s the biggest of all five villages and isn’t build up on a cliff, so no stairs for you in this one. But, there’s beaches, pretty dreamy ones. It feels like being on real vacations here with the larger hotels, seaside promenade and lots of restaurants. It’s actually combined of an old town and new town – old one is prettier, while one one has this beautiful beach.