Overview
2 to 3 days is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights of Cinque Terre villages, do some hikes (a must!), and even join some fun experiences, as well as have some free time on the beach.
2 days in Cinque Terre is definitely enough for all our favorite things to do, but 3 days will give you a bit more time to enjoy everything at a slower pace.
We spent 3 days in Cinque Terre, and even though we could easily stay longer, we felt this was perfect for our first visit.
2-3 Days Cinque Terre Itinerary by day
Our 2 to 3-day itinerary for Cinque Terre focuses on seeing all the highlights of each village, as well as the best hikes at the best times to do them.
We really tried to optimize the itinerary so you avoid hiking at the hottest time of day (do it early morning or late afternoon) and instead spend that time at the beach or exploring the villages. It’s the same thing we did ourselves, and it turned out perfect!
So, at first, this Cinque Terre itinerary may seem a bit out of place, but trust us, there is a good reason for it! 😁
Itinerary Overview:
Day 1: Vernazza exploration, pesto making class, Corniglia exploration, Corniglia to Manarola hike, sunset in Manarola
Day 2: Early morning hike from Vernazza to Monterosso, Monterosso exploration & swim, train to Corniglia to start Corniglia to Vernazza hike, sunset in Riomaggiore – optional sunset cruise
Day 3: Extra time to explore Riomaggiore & Manarola (if you didn’t manage in the days before), beach time at both, time for fun experiences, or sunset cruise
Keep in mind that even if you don’t want to hike (although you really should do at least one hike), you can still follow our 2-3 days Cinque Terre itinerary.
Instead of hiking, just use the train. Simple as that! 😀 The only thing that changes is that you have more time in each village. 🙂
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Day 1: Vernazza, Corniglia, Corniglia-Manarola hike, sunset in Manarola
Depending on your arrival in Cinque Terre, you can start your day early in the morning (highly recommended) or later in the day.
We started our first day in Cinque Terre somewhere around noon due to our arrival. But if you can, start early. Though even if you start later, like us, you should still be able to do everything on today’s itinerary.
Exploring Vernazza
Your first day in Cinque Terre starts with a morning exploring Vernazza, one of the most popular villages in Cinque Terre.
Vernazza is a beautiful village renowned for its picturesque viewpoints, which are definitely a highlight of a visit to Vernazza and the Cinque Terre.
Beyond viewpoints, which you’ll naturally pass when you do the hikes (on day 2), one of the main things to see in Vernazza is the charming harbour, where the colorful fishing boats bob along the water—perfect for some picturesque photos and a leisurely stroll.
Right there, you’ll also see Vernazza’s beach and the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, a beautiful little church with a lovely façade that adds to the village’s charm.
Looking for a good breakfast place? Check out Il Pirata delle 5 Terre. It offers both sweet and savory breakfast options, plus, their pastries are supposedly amazing!
Pesto-making class
Next on your itinerary, learning how to prepare authentic Ligurian dishes is undoubtedly a must-have experience in Cinque Terre. Since pesto is very popular in this region, the most popular cooking class in Cinque Terre is the iconic pesto-making class.
This is usually a short but super fun class, paired with wine tasting as well (win-win).
This one has excellent reviews and offers multiple schedules throughout the day, so you can easily choose a time that works best for you. 🙂
Train to Corniglia & explore Corniglia
After exploring Vernazza and learning how to make pesto, hop on a train and get to Corniglia, one of the most underrated Cinque Terre villages.
Corniglia is the only one sitting very proudly on top of a hill (unlike the others), in the middle of all the other villages (3rd in a line!).
It’s less visited than all the other villages in Cinque Terre, as day tours usually skip it, and partially due to the many stairs from the train station (but it’s really not that bad!). However, it’s pretty small, so it can still feel crowded.
Top tip: You can catch a shuttle bus from the train station right up to the village (included in Cinque Terre Card). Otherwise, count 10-15 minutes (depending on your fitness level) to climb almost 400 stairs to the village.
The best thing to do in Corniglia is to stroll around the town and take in the breathtaking views. Check out the Chiesa di San Pietro (church) and the Oratorio dei Disciplinati di Santa Caterina in the city center. There is also a small piazza with cute cafes.
Try: visit Gelateria Corniglia and try their specialty basil ice cream. Cinque Terre is famous for its quality basil, so it’s the perfect place to try it.
And contrary to popular belief, Corniglia also has a beach. Follow the handprinted signs saying ‘Al Mare’, or put the cute Marina di Corniglia bar/restaurant in your navigation.
Corniglia is actually a great starting point for two of our favorite Cinque Terre hikes: the one to Manarola (next on the itinerary) and the one to Vernazza (which you’ll do on day 2).
These hikes are easier from the Corniglia side, especially if you take the shuttle bus from the train station to the village (which we did on one of our visits).
Hike from Corniglia to Manarola
The hike from Corniglia to Manarola was our first in Cinque Terre, and it was the highlight of our trip, so we definitely want it to be the first for you too!
Good to know: The trail from Corniglia to Manarola passes through Volastra (a small village above Manarola). The coastal path between Corniglia and Manarola has been closed for many years due to a landslide, and there is no information on when it will reopen (if it will). Honestly, the Corniglia-Volastra-Manarola hiking trail might even be better since it’s higher, so the views are better too.
It’s not an easy hike, and it’s definitely one of the longer ones in Cinque Terre, but it’s a stunning and enjoyable hike. Much underrated if you ask us.
The Corniglia to Manarola hiking trail is 5.4 kilometers long and usually takes about 2.5 hours to complete. Still, it took us almost 3.5 hours, including the photo and video stops we made.
Just before reaching Manarola, you’ll start seeing a few cool viewpoints and some of our favorite photo spots in Cinque Terre. Take your time and don’t rush through this part. 🙂
We also didn’t see many people on the trail, so we really took our time and enjoyed it.
We recommend starting the hike in the late afternoon, when it’s cooler and less crowded. Plus, you get to arrive in Manarola for sunset, which is absolutely gorgeous.
You’ll pass a cute winery on this trail that also offers wine-tasting and a pesto class. Check more details here.
Sunset in Manarola
From the high viewpoints of Manarola and its vineyards, you can lower yourself directly to the Manarola Overlook Viewpoint, the most beautiful viewpoint in Manarola and one of the best in Cinque Terre.
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From the viewpoint, you can watch the sunset on one side and the colorful houses of Manarola on the other. We much preferred being turned towards Manarola and seeing it in the golden light. Plus, more people were on the side where you watch the sunset, so we liked being in a less crowded spot.
Day 2: Hike from Vernazza to Monterosso, Monterosso exploration & swim, Corniglia to Vernazza hike, sunset in Riomaggiore
On your 2nd day in Cinque Terre, you should complete 2 beautiful hikes, swim and relax on the beach, and watch the sunset at one of the most beautiful sunset spots in Cinque Terre.
Morning: Vernazza viewpoint & hike to Monterosso
The hiking trail from Vernazza to Monterosso (or vice versa) is the most popular in Cinque Terre. To make your hiking experience more enjoyable, we recommend starting your 2nd day in Cinque Terre early in the morning.
Parts of the hiking trail towards Monterosso are very narrow with lots of stairs, so if it’s busy, you’ll need to wait for groups to pass before you can continue. So go early.
The hike from Vernazza to Monterosso is 3.6 kilometers and takes about 2 hours. We recommend starting in Vernazza because it’s easier and offers better views from the start.
Good to know: All hikes starting or finishing in Vernazza are part of the paid hiking trails and require a Hiking Cinque Terre Card (read more here).
The famous Vernazza waterfront viewpoint is conveniently located just after the hiking trail to Monterosso begins. You’ll pass the Cinque Terre Card checkpoint booth, and 5-10 minutes later, you’ll see this viewpoint.
The rest of the hiking trail is also pretty scenic, so don’t forget to turn around and look towards Vernazza here and there. The views are fantastic! The part coming towards Monterosso is also really lovely.
Exploring Monterosso & beach time
Monterosso al Mare, the largest of the villages, is known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant promenade. It is your go-to place in Cinque Terre if you want a proper beach time.
Coming to Monterosso from Vernazza hiking trail, you’ll pass by all the main highlights of the town, before finishing on the beach for some much-needed relaxation. Trust us, it fits perfectly after the hike. 😀
So, before heading to the beach promenade and beaches (the new Monterosso part), stroll through old Monterosso. It’s a small, cute area where you’ll find the main attractions, such as the black-and-white marble church of St John the Baptist and Oratorio dei Neri.
After, continue to the new Monterosso (also called Fegina). But don’t take the tunnel. Go on the coastal path passing by the San Francesco d’Assisi statue for a fantastic view. You can even see other Cinque Terre towns in the distance.
Continue the coastal path, and you’ll soon end up on the Monterosso beach promenade. Here, you should stop for the famous postcard view of the Monterosso coast – a rock popping from the sea and the coast filled with perfectly lined umbrellas and sunbeds.
Want to be more active? Instead of relaxing on the beach, join a kayaking tour.
Along the way, you can stop by Il Massimo della Focaccia for a quick snack. They have good focaccias (also vegetarian versions) for a reasonable price. If you want to eat at a restaurant, expect a bit higher prices. A recommended one is La Cantina di Miky.
Finally, it’s time to hit the beach for some relaxation or swimming.
Good to know: Most of the beaches here are private beach clubs (known as ‘lidos’). You basically have to pay to enter and use the loungers and umbrellas. The prices for two loungers and an umbrella are usually between 30 and 40 EUR.
There is, however, a small free part of the beach where you can freely lay your towel – what we did.
Train to Corniglia to start the Corniglia to Vernazza hike
After you’re done in Monterosso, take the train to Corniglia, where you’ll start your next hike.
The hike from Corniglia to Vernazza is 3.5 kilometers and takes about 1.5 hours. It’s one of the shorter hikes in Cinque Terre, but it still offers beautiful views.
The trails in Cinque Terre are nicely marked, so you shouldn’t have any problems. However, we always have offline maps downloaded just in case, including our AllTrail Plus membership (check it here).
Somewhere mid-way along the hike, you’ll pass a few cute bars with excellent views. These are perfect for a refreshing drink if you feel like it.
Just before entering Vernazza, you end up at one of the most beautiful viewpoints of Vernazza. We call it the Vernazza Peninsula Viewpoint as it offers a dramatic vista of a cliff lined with pastel houses and the Doria Castle tower rising above.
We did this hike in the late afternoon, so we arrived in Vernazza just in time for the golden light before sunset.
Once you reach Vernazza, which you already explored on day 1, we suggest hopping on a train to Riomaggiore for sunset.
Sunset in Riomaggiore or sunset boat cruise
At the end of the day, you should watch the sunset from the best sunset spot in Cinque Terre! 😁
Riomaggiore is one of the most picturesque villages in Cinque Terre! The village is slightly tucked away in the hill, with tall, colorful buildings squeezed together.
Here, you can see the town and the sun setting into the water at the same time! 😍 But be prepared for crowds, especially in summer. It is absolutely gorgeous, though, so it is worth it.
For dinner, order a takeaway pizza at this popular pizzeria to eat while enjoying the sunset.
Sunset from a private terrace
Apartment with the best sunset view in Cinque Terre
There are two main spots to watch the sunset in Riomaggiore: from the rocks in the harbour (when the waves are not too strong) or the small viewpoint area just above the rocks.
We watched it from the viewpoint, but the rocks can be a bit more private spot for watching. Either way, arrive 30-60 minutes early to secure a good spot.
OPTIONAL – join a sunset boat tour. You’ll see all the villages from the sea during the best light of the day. And the best part, you’ll be away from the crowds. Wine and snacks are also included. 😁 Check more details.
Day 3: Extra time in Riomaggiore & Manarola, beach time & activities
Day 3 of your Cinque Terre trip is more about relaxing and visiting places you didn’t have time to explore properly, or that you really liked, so you want to spend more time there.
For us, those were Riomaggiore and Manarola, since we first arrived there for sunset, and didn’t have enough time to explore. And if you follow our itinerary, that might be the case for you too.
You can also take part in fun activities or enjoy some much-deserved beach time.
Exploring Riomaggiore & swimming
If on day 2, just before sunset, you didn’t have time to stroll around Riomaggiore, we suggest starting your day early, right here. That’s what we did.
Riomaggiore is small, so, as you saw during sunset the day before, its central part can feel very crowded. That’s why we decided to come here on a separate morning and spend some time strolling around.
Don’t miss the narrow Via Colombo street, Riomaggiore’s main street, and the beautiful Church of San Giovanni Battista, a perfect spot to soak in the local culture. We really liked the square around the church. The local atmosphere felt so lovely at the time of our visit, plus the views from there are nice as well.
And you can also continue your walk to Riomaggiore’s castle for some extra views. You can also go inside the castle; the fee should be 2 EUR.
After sightseeing, take the coastal path to the beach in Riomaggiore (Spiaggia di Riomaggiore).
We spent a few hours here, and it was really lovely. There are plenty of rocks to hang around on and jump off, plus you can go snorkeling.
Just be careful if you’re on the ‘beach part’, because waves can sometimes be unpredictable, and since the rocks are slippery, the waves can knock you down when you’re walking into/out of the water (it happened to us and most people there).
Exploring Manarola
After exploring Riomaggiore, head to Manarola, one of our favorite towns in Cinque Terre. You already watched the sunset here on day 1 of this Cinque Terre itinerary, but now it’s time to explore this beautiful town a bit deeper.
Beyond the main viewpoint, don’t miss strolling through the Old Town and Manarola’s incredibly picturesque backstreets.
Check out the beautiful Chiesa di San Lorenzo on a small square, where you’ll see a yellow clock tower just opposite the church, offering a great viewpoint of Manarola from a slightly different perspective.
Beautiful vineyards also surround Manarola, so if you’re a wine lover, join this wine tasting experience that also takes you for a walk through a vineyard and an old cellar from the 1800s.
Extra activities
There are a lot of unique things to do in Cinque Terre if you have some extra time to spare, like horseback riding, e-biking, etc. Find a complete list of fun and unique activities here.
Most of these tours are short (1.5-4 hours max), so you can easily choose one and fit it into this itinerary.
Top 3
Activities & Experiences
- 🍋🍷 Lemon tour & wine-tasting with an iconic Vernazza view
- 🚴🏻♀️ Ebike tour through the national park
- 🛶 Kayaking through sea caves and the Cinque Terre coast
Our favorite hotels in Cinque Terre
To make the most out of your time in Cinque Terre, we recommend staying in one of the five villages. This also adds to experiencing the charm of Cinque Terre.
Ai Pesci Hotel Riomaggiore – Overall best Cinque Terre Stay (perfect for couples)
The most famous sunset view in Cinque Terre, but just for you! 😍
Casa Catò – Best hotel in Vernazza
Unbeatable Vernazza views from your private balcony.
Hotel Villa Adriana – Perfect option if you’re coming by car
Hotel with a pool, free parking (very hard to get!), and buffet breakfast included.
If you’re on a tighter budget, Levanto and La Spezia offer somewhat more affordable hotel options.
Check all our recommended hotels in this guide.
How to explore Cinque Terre
The best way to explore all 5 Cinque Terre villages is by train. Trains run frequently, usually on time, and travel distances are short (max 5 min between each village).
We recommend buying the Cinque Terre Card to save money and make the most of your time in Cinque Terre.
To follow this itinerary, you need to buy the Treno MS Cinque Terre Card, which includes the hiking fees and unlimited train rides between La Spezia, all the villages, and Levanto.
To learn more about the card and prices (which vary by season), read this article.
Getting to Cinque Terre
It’s easy to get to Cinque Terre, and the most convenient way is by train, as the region is well connected by rail with frequent lines from major cities like Florence and Pisa.
The nearest airports to Cinque Terre are Pisa International Airport and Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport, both of which offer car rental and shuttle services to the villages.
If you arrive by car, you should leave it in a paid parking lot in La Spezia, Levanto, or Monterosso (or a hotel with free parking like this one – usually hard to find!), as driving between the villages is not particularly effective or, in some cases, even possible. The train is a faster and easier way to get around Cinque Terre.
Tips for optimizing your days
Here are some tips to help you adjust this itinerary as needed. As we said, it’s optimized to fit the best things to see and do in Cinque Terre at the best times, but you can adjust it to your liking with these tips.
- As you can see, you can do all the main highlights of Cinque Terre in 2 full days. The 3rd day is more for relaxing and things you didn’t manage to do for whichever reason. So, if you have extra time before sunset on day 1 and day 2, explore both Manarola and Riomaggiore at that time.
- If you want a bit easier time, you can add a hike from day 2 on day 3. That way, you do only one hike per day. Personally, we preferred hiking on the first 2 days, then relaxing on the last day, and hitting the photo spots we still wanted.
Best time to visit Cinque Terre
You can visit Cinque Terre year-round. However, you’ll have the best experience typically between March and October. This is when most of the things will be open, as some close for the winter.
It’s worth noting that summer months in Cinque Terre can be very hot and humid, plus it’s super crowded. Visiting in spring and autumn is probably better for hiking, exploring, and experiencing the towns with fewer crowds.
Although don’t be fooled, there are day trips to Cinque Terre from many parts of Italy, so it can be super crowded during the peak hours of the day, even in shoulder season.
Frequently Asked Questions
We suggested spending approximately 2 hours in every village. That should be the optimal time to see all the highlights in every village without running around. Ideally, you’d need 3-4 hours per village if you want to take it slow and sit down for a drink or meal.
Honestly, for some villages, you might need a bit less time, especially if you don’t care about seeing them in detail but just want to hit the main photo spots.
2 days is an excellent amount of time to see all the Cinque Terre villages, enjoy the beaches, and do the best hikes. With 3 days in Cinque Terre, you can enjoy a more relaxed itinerary and take part in some fun activities and experiences.
The Love Path between Riomaggiore and Manarola (only in that direction) is paid (10 EUR on top of the Cinque Terre Card fee) and not really worth it in our opinion. It has the least impressive views of all the trails in Cinque Terre. That’s why we didn’t add it to this itinerary.
But if you can’t do any other hikes, you might want to do it. It’s flat and very short (read more about it in our guide with the best hikes).
Is Cinque Terre overhyped?
As the Cinque Terre got huge social media attention, we were scared we might end up disappointed, since it might be overhyped. But we were wrong!
While it can be very busy and crowded, it’s really unique, beautiful, and picturesque. And hikes here are definitely a highlight of the trip. We really enjoyed our time here, and with our tips, we believe you will too! 😊
Feel free to comment below if you have any questions or want to share anything that might help others. 🥰
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