Cinque Terre Itinerary: 7 Days of Coastal Gems and Delicious Cuisine

10:50 - 11:50, 12:10 - 15:05: Train from Airport

The nearest airport to Cinque Terre is the Pisa Airport. It is connected to Pisa's central rail station in just 5 minutes by the 'PisaMover', which is an airport-style shuttle train. From Pisa Central Station it is only about one hour to La Spezia on the southern end of Cinque Terre. Unless staying in La Spezia, you'll switch there to a local train (the "Cinque Terre Express") that stops in each of the small towns along the Cinque Terre, such as Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. You may have difficulty finding a good flight to Pisa though. In that case, you should look to Milan, which has 3 large airports, Malpensa, Bergamo and Linate. The total travel time from any of these airports to Cinque Terre will be over 4 hours though. Upon arrival, the first step will be to get to Milano Centrale (Milan's Central Station). The best way to reach the rail station from Malpensa Airport is via the Malpensa Express Train, whereas from Bergamo and Linato you can take a shuttle bus. From Milan you can take a direct InterCity train to Monterosso, on the northern end of Cinque Terre, and to La Spezia, on the southern end. If not staying in one of those towns, just switch to the local rail at Monterosso. One other option is flying into the Florence Airport, which is connected to the city's train station by a direct tram line.

To Be Determined: Transfer from Rail Station

Morning to Afternoon: Monterosso

The northernmost village, Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five towns in Cinque Terre. Situated in the centre of a small natural gulf, it is also the most populated village of the Cinque Terre. During your visit, explore this quaint old-world town with its crooked lanes, churches, viewpoints and beaches. If you are looking to take a swim or just relax by the water, keep in mind that Monterosso also has the best and largest beach in Cinque Terre. Monterosso is easily reached by taking the Cinque Terre Express train, or if you are feeling more adventurous, by hiking up the coast.

Late Afternoon to Evening: Vernazza

The loveliest of Cinque Terre's five villages, with its colorful houses perched precariously on rugged cliffs overhanging the sea, Vernazza is located behind the only natural harbor on this rocky coast. Explore the town's narrow lanes with its iconic tall pastel-hued houses, its medieval bastions and the ruins of its watchtower, and discover the best viewpoints and hidden beaches!

Early Morning to Mid-Day: Day Hike

The five Cinque Terre towns are connected by numerous trails. After the devastating floods that hit Cinque Terre in 2011, many of the trails have been closed for reconstruction due to landslides. However, 2 sections of its Sentiero Azzurro, or “Blue Trail” remain open. On this 5 mile (8 km) hike, you'll enjoy one of Cinque Terre's most rugged and wild coastal trails with rewarding views, hiking between Monterosso and Corniglia. The village of Vernazza is located roughly halfway between Monterosso and Corniglia, meaning it is a great place to take a break, or a good stopping point in case you don't want to do the full hike.  The hike is graded as "Medium" difficulty, featuring numerous steep staircases, uneven pathways, and steep inclines. The route starting in Monterosso and trekking onwards to Vernazza and Corniglia is the easiest way to do the hike, but you can also choose to do the hike in reverse. All three villages along the way are served by the Cinque Terre Express train.

Afternoon/Late Afternoon: Corniglia

Located on top of a 100-meter promontory, Corniglia is the highest of the five villages and is surrounded by a sea of olive trees and vineyards. Corniglia is the only village not to be sat on the water, and it is the least visited town in Cinque Terre, making it the perfect option for those who want to escape the crowds and enjoy a spot of peace and quiet amongst its shaded lanes.  Due to its location on top of the hill, Corniglia's train station isn't located in the heart of the town like the other 4 towns in Cinque Terre. Instead, you have to take a local shuttle to the top or if you are brave enough, you can tackle the “Lardarina”, a long brick flight of steps composed of 33 flights with 382 steps! Roughly a 20 minute walk uphill. The route by stairs is very clearly marked from the train station. Begin walking down the main street called Via Fieschi and you'll immediately notice three things; fewer tourists, the scent of lemons, and multiple gelato shops! Souvenir shops adorn their doors and outdoor baskets with locally-grown lemon products, such as hand-made soups. A great way to keep the whole family happy is the Granita Limone, a slushy like cold frozen drink which can be eaten like ice cream or with a warm brioche (bread).

Morning to Afternoon: Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore is the southernmost of the five Cinque Terre villages. It is a peaceful, picturesque fisherman’s village where you can spend a relaxing hour or two exploring its cheerful streets, discovering something pleasant around nearly every corner. Stroll through the town's main street full of shops and restaurants, admire its picturesque harbor, or visit the rocky beach for a quick swim in the summer months. You can also check out the amazing view from the ruins of a 13th-century hill top fortress that once protected the town.

Morning to Early Evening: Portofino

In the heart of the Italian Riviera, on the Ligurian Sea lies the picturesque coastal town of Portofino, one of the most perfect, photogenic fishing ports in Italy and a magnet for film stars and fashionistas on their superyachts. Its tranquil crescent harbor and pastel-colored houses have made Portofino one of the most photographed villages along the coast. It decidedly romantic and affluent aura draws tourists from around the world who come to explore the many sleek jewelry shops, high-end boutiques and the picturesque harbor full of restaurants serving fresh fish dishes. Some would say the charm of visiting Portofino is the "dolce far niente", the sweetness of doing nothing. Most visitors simply come to Portofino to enjoy a stroll around its narrow lanes, window shop and admire its harbor rimmed by tiny pastel houses of yellow, green and blue. To reach Portofino, you can take the train from Cinque Terre to Santa Margherita Ligure. From there you can take the ferry or a short bus ride to Portofino since the town itself does not have a rail station. Arrive by boat and you'll be greeted with the famous postcard view of the harbor. The journey takes 1-2 hours depending upon when and where you start from.

Morning to Afternoon: Manarola

Manarola is perhaps the favorite town for tourists in the Cinque Terre National Park. It is the oldest of the five towns and its colourful houses that contrast with the vivid green of the hillside it is perched on has made it a haven for photographers. The quaint town has a long tradition of producing wine and olive oil which come from the terraces on the hills above, making Manarola a good choice for foodies or those looking for an extra special culinary meal in Cinque Terre.

10:55 - 13:53, 14:15 - 15:15: Train to Malpensa Airport

The nearest airport to Cinque Terre is the Pisa Airport. Unless staying in La Spezia on the southern end of the Cinque Terre, you'll first need to get there by taking a local train (the "Cinque Terre Express") that picks up in each of the small towns along the Cinque Terre, such as Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. From La Spezia Central Station, it is only about one hour to the Pisa Central Station, which is connected to the Pisa Airport in just 5 minutes by the 'PisaMover', which is an airport-style shuttle train.   You may have difficulty finding a good flight from Pisa though. In that case, you should look to Milan, which has 3 large airports, Malpensa, Bergamo and Linate. The total travel time to any of these airports from Cinque Terre will be over 4 hours though. Unless staying in La Spezia (which is directly connected to Milan), the first step will be to take the local train to Monterosso, on the northern end of the Cinque Terre. From there you can take the direct InterCity train to Milano Centrale (Milan's Central Station). From the station, the best way to reach Malpensa Airport is via the Malpensa Express Train, whereas you can take a direct shuttle bus to Bergamo or Linato airports. One other option to consider is flying out of the Florence Airport, which is connected to the city's train station by a direct tram line.