Cinque Terre? Worth It
Why Cinque Terre?
Have you heard about the Cinque Terra?
Riomaggiore #5, Image by Elias Kipfer
Vernazza #2, Cinque Terra, Italy
You know, the beguiling five villages carved carefully into cliff mountainsides of the Italian Riveria.
The marble daybeds of rocks jut out from playful waters and sparkle under the sun.
Plus there is also all the food to be had.
Summertime in Monterosso #1
My Intel
I first heard about the Cinque Terre from a friend who was studying art in Italy and said it was a treasure. It is. The Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, manages to encompass a fantasy of classic Italy in unrivaled design with a very unique beach vibe. It plays extra credit with added adventure based on the ability to hike from one to five villages in one go of a day.
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Local market sells fresh fruit on the street
What Are They?
The Cinque Terre or “Five Lands” are old fishing villages that have been around for a very long time. The history of the area dates to the Etruscans who inhabited this region of Italy before the Roman Empire. It was during the Roman Empire that trade and maritime activity in the Cinque Terre area was active, which solidified it as an integral part of the country. Throughout time it carved its own agricultural practices, and sustainability grew despite its geographic precariousness. During the 20th century, there was a population decline because people sought opportunities in the urban areas. But most recently, the draw of the Cinque magnetizes tourists and contributes to the growth of the area since the 1970s.
Getting There
Getting to the Cinque Terre is available by train from major cities Rome, Florence, and Pisa, and into either northern Levanto or the south, La Spezia. Flying in can be done via the same aforementioned in addition to Genoa. Once you get to one of the larger train stations Levanto or La Spezia, you can then take the train to any of the five villages in around 10 minutes as they’re so close to one another.
Riomaggiore #5, the last town of the Cinque
The five towns are different in their aesthetic and due to the location of where they’re built into the seaside cliffs. The above view is from our apartment in Riomaggiore, known as the most romantic and final town of the crew.
Busy beach, Vernazza #2
What Are the Differences?
Monterosso is the largest and has a sprawl of a lovely beach
Vernazza is like the pop star diva, a spectacular sight of colorful buildings over a bay of boats
Corniglia is the middle and most modest, tucked away from the seaside
Manarola, similar to Vernazza in breathtaking view, is of colorful buildings over water, but with a smaller harbor
And finally, Riomaggiore, the endpoint with its marble rocks to sunbathe and jump into the ocean from
Where to Stay? 5TERREONTHEROCKS
5TERRE in Riomaggiore overlooks the sparkling waters. This is the place you want a really special veranda view to take in the architecture of this hillside beach village. It’s is right up that alley, literally. There is something quaint and irresistible about staying in an apartment, or technically a townhouse, in the town versus a hotel. With a few pieces of crisp laundry flying out nearby windows, the sea glistening, and local neighbors conversing audibly nearby, you feel a certain element of welcome.
Additionally, though the seafood-faring restaurants are not to miss, the markets that sell local cheeses, breads, fruits, pastas, and meats are also a sumptuous way to compile a few meals in your own space while there.
Riomaggiore
I recommend staying in Riomaggiore for the reason that it’s the most unique to stay at. While some of the views and beaches of the others are exceptional likewise, Riomaggiore has magic about it. There is no sand sprawl of beach, but rather beautiful rocks that act as day-beds to lounge and sunbathe on before sidling into the sea. Reputation-wise, Riomaggiore is the one that sparks the most activity, allegedly, though I feel that this holds only because it’s the largest town of the five. All villages have a subdued nightlife that seems to revolve around limoncello sipped by revelers watching the sunset.
Vernazza
Next to Riomaggiore Vernazza has the most glitz in terms of beauty. I’ve read that hiking is a primary reason some choose to stay there in addition to its gorgeous buildings in the rock cliffs that give it sparkle.
However, if you plan to embark on the classic hike of all five villages in one go, Vernazza smack dab in the middle of the five is not the most ideal position. For reference, most who hike the 6-hour route will hike one end to the next and then take the train back to where they started from. Or, take the train and hike back. This is another reason to stay at the endpoint of Riomaggiore, or the first town, Manarola.
Hiking the Cinque
Hiking the five villages is one of the most rewarding experiences of visiting the Cinque Terre. Not only do you get a flavor of each individual place, but you also get to see how they’re sewn into one overarching ecosystem. Their close connectivity as well as particulars makes the entire compilation so charming. It’s also undeniably a thrilling hike with spellbinding views from each town. The beach areas and towns all along the way are like being in a candy shop, you don’t know what to choose because everywhere you turn there’s something that makes your eyes widen.
Manarola, village #4
So is it worth going to the Cinque Terre?
Riogmaggiore rocks #5
The Cinque Terre is a special package of destinations. The location has vitality as a perpetuation of its particular existence in Italian history. It’s not the most direct place to fly into, but it’s simple and easily manageable to get to via train or car. Like many places that take an extra step to immerse into, the splendor of this place makes it well worth it.
*Safety tip
Hiking shoes are a definite recommendation for the area. Especially if you embark on the trek from one village to the next, you’ll want at least a good pair of sneakers or sturdy sandals. The hike isn’t especially rigorous and I’ve seen people do it in flip-flops, but it’ll be easier, safer, and cleaner with appropriate footwear.
Pack lighter for this area as the towns are hilly and have steps, you won’t want to be trudging through with gigantic baggage.
Riomaggiore marble day beds #5
Bottom line
The Cinque Terre is an active-based trip that requires getting to. The five villages are tiny and playful, romantic, and fun. The colors of the buildings that comprise these five pop and the seafood is as graceful as can be. If you love hiking and the sea, the Cinque Terre is among an elite roster of places that will blow you away. If you’re further an architecture or geography maven, you’ll definitely need to get there. Though the villages themselves are heralded for impressively withstanding centuries, there is something youthful about their existence. In a way, being in the Cinque Terre feels like being in a Michaelangelo vision, of another time, one that feels like a fantasy come to life.
