The Cinque Terre UNESCO World Heritage site has become one of Italy’s most famous and most visited tourist attractions. The growth in tourism to the colorful villages has grown exponentially. Like with all of Italy’s most desirable destinations, the crowds can be suffocating.
But all is not lost. For visitors who want more than just a few quick photos for Instagram, there are plenty of ways to still have a beautiful cultural experience that you can cherish for many years.
In this article, I’ll share some of the lesser-known activities and must-do things in Cinque Terre.
By seeking out a slower travel experience, you’ll see a better version of Cinque Terre, AND you’ll also be rewarding those businesses and people who encourage a more sustainable approach to tourism in the area.
A Little About Us
Hi! We are Justin and Lu and we moved to Italy from Australia. Our new home in La Spezia near Cinque Terre, has woken us to this little corner of Italy.
La Spezia Guide is our way of embracing our new home and sharing the best it has to offer with visitors coming to the area.
Buon Viaggio!
Cinque Terre Things To Do: Visit An Agriturismo
Agriturismi are like farm stays. If you’ve never visited or stayed at an agriturismo, then you can expect rustic accommodation and home-style cooking. There is also often produce for sale, and you can enjoy farm experiences and tours.
The farms in the area have ancient origins and are deeply rooted in the Cinque Terre culture. So, a farm visit is a must-do for a truly authentic Cinque Terre experience.
Local Information: Many people come to Cinque Terre because of the iconic colorful fishing villages. But the UNESCO area of Cinque Terre also includes the hills and farming territory around the five towns. And in fact, the original inhabitants of the area were not fishing families, but farmers.
Here is a list of some of the lesser-known Agriturismi in Cinque Terre.
1. Cian du Giorgi Winery Tours
At 500m above sea level in the steep and fragile landscape, the wines grown at Cian du Giorgi Winery are managed by hand in what is called heroic winegrowing.
For over 5 years, the farmers of this land (Riccardo Giorgi and Adeline Maillard) have been recovering the terraces to breathe new life into the ancient vines. This has been painstaking work. Only when you walk these steep, terraced farms for yourself can you appreciate the kind of backbreaking effort that it demands.
Their approach to growing grapes is primarily traditional, using old vines and natural fermentation (no added yeast) that produce wines of a unique taste.
At Cian du Giorgi, you can visit the wine cellar, which is found in a small space of just 30 square meters, in the inner valley of Vernazza. The cellar offers a wine tasting experience with views of the Ligurian Sea.
For a deeper discovery of heroic viticulture in the Cinque Terre, you can also choose a tour and tasting in the vineyard.
2. BarCa Winery
A young man from Vernazza is breathing new life into his family legacy. Beyond the busy villages, discover the authentic heart of the region at the beloved BarCa Winery. Their must-do pesto class with wine tasting experience comes with unrivaled panoramic views and welcoming hosts.
3. Buranco Winery Picnic
In the hills, just a short 200 meters from Monterosso al Mare town, you can find yourself immersed amongst the grapes, olives, and lemons of Buranco Winery.
At Agriturismo Buranco there are several experiences that connect visitors with the land and produce of the territory.
The most recent addition is the Wine-Trekking route which includes an audio guide. The self-guided walking tour is an opportunity to enjoy the winery at your own pace. The idea of walking around a winery with an audio guide might seem a bit crass, but it serves a higher purpose. The idea is to overcome the language barrier so more tourists can learn about the history of the vineyard and the traditions of the area.
Along the way, you can enjoy a picnic (prepared for you) and enjoy a glass of wine.
4. Wild Farm Cürnigia Aperitivo
Not too far from Cian du Giorgi, you can find another Cinque Terre recovery project underway at Wild Farm Cürnigia.
Since 2020, The Wild Farm Cürnigia has been restoring abandoned land and growing produce using natural techniques.
At the farm shop you can buy oils, sauces, syrups, and jams.
On some days they also have educational tours of the farm and afternoons with aperitivo, conversation, and music. This is a casual affair, and experiences are ad hoc, but well worth it if the timing works in your favor.
Cinque Terre Things To Do: Along The Coastline
The Cinque Terre villages are dotted along the eastern Ligurian coastline. This stretch of coast has dramatic scenery that is both beautiful and evocative.
If you choose to explore the coastline you have several types of adventure available to you.
1. Boat Trips Along The Coast
The easiest way to explore the coastline is by boat. There is a local ferry service, but there are also several operators with tours that include stops at some of the villages and a chance to visit a local grotto and swim in isolated coves.
Here’s my pick of some of the best and most unique boat tours:
2. Hiking The Trails
We are a hiking family, and the network of trails along the Ligurian coast and in the nearby Alps keeps us busy year-round!
There are so many wonderful (actually, I should say spectacular) hikes that I consider this one of the most memorable things to do in Cinque Terre. And the best thing is that you don’t need to venture too far outside of the villages to start exploring.
One of the most dramatic (and lesser-known to tourists) walks takes you to the Punta di Monesteroli. The trail is narrow with some steep slopes and is best tackled by experienced hikers. There are sweeping views of the hills and coast, and the path concludes in a 1200-stair descent (known locally as “la scalinata grande” – the grand staircase) to the sea.
In warmer weather, the joy of a swim at the bottom is heavenly, but short-lived because there is no escalator or elevator back to the top! But isn’t the thigh burn, pumping heart, and exploding lungs at least partly the reason we love hiking so much?!
3. Kayaking to Hidden Coves
Around the coastline, there are many caves and grottos that can only be explored from the water. This reduces the overall number of people at these spots and is a great way to avoid the Cinque Terre crowds.
The boat tours are a good way to see the coastline and visit 1 or 2 towns, but the best way to get closer to the grottos is by kayak.
There are several good kayak tours and places that rent kayaks.
In my opinion, the better tours also include a guide with local knowledge so you can learn about the marine environment and culture of the area.
A great example of this is Davide Rossi and his team at Cinque Terre Adventures. Their Shark Cave Tour is an immersive experience where you paddle out to some hidden spots and they share what they love about this fragile and beautiful area.
The tours usually also include a stop for a swim at one of the secluded beaches.
Other well-organized kayak adventures that don’t require any prior experience include:
Carnassa Tour – Kayak Tour from Monterosso: A 2-hour paddle, starting from Monterosso and heading out towards Vernazza. This fun tour takes groups out to explore caves, waterfalls, and experience the exhilaration of the breathtaking coastline.
Cinque Terre dal Mare – Kayak Tour from Riomaggiore: This team of sea lovers and paddlers takes small groups out on an eco-adventure to a local cave. Taking time to admire the views and soak up the picturesque scenery. An additional perk is a stop at a natural pool where you can swim and snorkel.
If you prefer to paddle out and set your own course, then it’s also possible to rent a kayak at a few locations.
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4. Horse Riding In The Hills
For my birthday this year Justin booked a horse riding experience with D-Ranch stables which are close to Monterosso.
The tours are given by Denise who is an experienced rider and leads groups of up to 4 riders in the hills of Cinque Terre. Some of the ride is along a country lane, but a section of the excursion is on the Alta Via Trail (AVT) in woodland with glimpses of the sea.
The horses are well-trained, but the terrain is challenging with steep drop-offs along sections of the road. We had a fun couple of hours, and we’re looking forward to going back to the AVT, but next time it will be on our mountain bikes!
We have our own e-bikes, but if you’re here on holiday, then you can rent bikes or join a guided tour with an experienced cyclist.
Cinque Terre Things To Do: Food & Wine Experiences
Aside from visiting the Agriturismi there are also other types of Cinque Terre food and wine experiences so you can enjoy the local cuisine with greater appreciation and understanding.
Food For Thought: Ligurian food is a reflection of its coastal position. The pastas and main dishes often celebrate the locally caught fish and seafood from oyster and mussel farms that have been present around the Gulf of La Spezia for over 100 years. But the land is also an important producer of food and fresh and aromatic ingredients are a feature of Ligurian cooking.
Here is a list of some interesting food experiences in Cinque Terre.
1. Wine Tasting at Cinque Sensi
Cinque Sensi is close to the train station in Vernazza, but upon visiting here, you’ll feel transported to a calm haven.
They offer a tasting of local Cinque Terre wines that are paired with cheeses, olive oil, and cured meats. The idea is to sit back, relax, and appreciate the local flavors of Liguria and Italy.
They also do a pesto-making class, teaching a traditional pestle-and-mortar method rather than a modern-day blender.
Food For Thought: Pesto recipes can include sundried tomatoes and capsicum. But in eastern Liguria, the recipe is fresh and aromatic and always starts with crushed garlic, basil, and pine nuts (or sometimes walnuts, but never cashews)! This base is then combined with Parmesan cheese (perhaps a dash of Pecorino) and a generous amount of good quality Italian EVO.
Cinque Sensi also has a standard menu of drinks and share plates (tapas) style foods. The menu isn’t extensive, but on a hot summer evening, the small plates with a glass of local wine might be a perfect end to a busy day of sightseeing.
2. Hike to Ittiturismo Corniglia Sp4488
This delightful agriturismo is a place where you can feel a closeness to nature and a calmness that isn’t often present in today’s busy life.
Ittiturismo Corniglia Sp4488 is so named because it can be found on the SP4488 road. But the best way to get here is to hike in. Using the SVA hiking trail (famous blue trail), Ittiturismo is about 30 minutes from Corniglia and 1.5 hours from Vernazza.
Local Information: The SVA trail is a paid trail (using a Cinque Terre Card). But if you tell the attendant at the entry point that you are eating at Ittiturismo then you should get entry for free.
Also, lobster sometimes makes an appearance on their menu, so it’s worth asking about this at the time of booking. Due to limited seating and demand, you MUST RESERVE a table!!!
The main reason for visiting is to experience the exquisite locally caught seafood and fresh produce from their garden. The sea views, tranquility, and authentic hospitality aren’t too bad either!
3. Home Cooking Class in Riomaggiore
Italy is famous for pasta and it’s almost impossible to come here and not eat pasta! But even though it is so widely eaten, many people have never made it fresh for themselves. And where else but in Italy should you learn to make pasta!
This pasta making class will teach you how to make 2 types of pasta and a classic Tiramisu dessert. The class is held in the hills of Riomaggiore, so you also experience views of Cinque Terre.
Food For Thought: Tiramisu directly translated into English means “pull me up”. If you consider that Tiramisu is a coffee and alcohol-based dessert, then I think you’ll agree that the name is just perfect! For anyone that isn’t familiar with this dish, it’s also worth noting that the traditional recipe contains raw eggs!
If you’ve never been to a cooking class, then I can highly recommend it. I’ve done numerous cooking classes with friends back in Australia and it was always an enriching experience.
Not only do you learn new culinary skills, but cooking together gives you a chance to interact and enjoy the company of your host and other guests. And of course, the cherry on the cake (excuse the pun) is that you get to eat what you make!
Cinque Terre Things To Do: Other Nearby Activities
One of the purposes of this blog is to encourage visitors coming to the area to explore beyond Cinque Terre.
If you’re visiting Cinque Terre for a few days, then you can easily reach other nearby towns like Porto Venere, Levanto, and La Spezia (by train or boat) to continue your adventure.
From antique markets to cocktail festivals, to cycling along coastal paths to dining at the water’s edge; there’s so much more to do outside of the 5 famous villages.
Further Reading
Wrap Up
Whether you’re here for the day or visiting for a few days, you can find lots of fun things to do in Cinque Terre and the local surroundings. In this post, I’ve shared some ideas and included a variety of activities with something for everyone!
So many people come flying through Cinque Terre to check it off the list. It’s a place that really draws the crowds. And not everyone has the luxury to do slow travel. But if you can, I really recommend extending your stay and hitting the pause button.
You won’t regret setting aside a little time to engage in an activity where you can meet passionate local people sharing the beauty of their home.
FAQ
Do I need to book the activities in Cinque Terre?
Cinque Terre gets very busy and if you have your heart set on doing something, then it’s always best to make a booking (especially during the high season). This is true for restaurants as well as tours and activities.
How do I get to the activities in Cinque Terre?
Due to the hilly terrain, it’s difficult to transport people by car or bus and it is unusual for Cinque Terre tours to do hotel pickups. If you make arrangements through a reputable tour operator or booking site then you’ll be given instructions on where to meet.
What is there to do in Cinque Terre when it rains?
Due to the coastal location rain is typical, especially in Autumn and Spring. In light rain, just grab a poncho or umbrella, because it will still be fine to do sightseeing.
But in heavy rain, the villages aren’t much fun and it’s best to avoid the hiking trails. There are some alternative indoor activities such as visiting Riomaggiore castle, taking a cooking class, or doing a wine tasting.
Otherwise, you can catch the train and visit the art galleries and civic museums in La Spezia.
