People are often asking: ‘Can you drive to Cinque Terre?’ The simple answer is Yes! But driving and parking in Cinque Terre requires some forward planning!
In this article, you can find comprehensive information to help you plan your trip including:
- Driving to Cinque Terre Villages
- Best Parking in Cinque Terre
- Cost of Parking
- Other Useful Tips
- FAQ
Our Experience of Driving to Cinque Terre
The first time we visited La Spezia and Cinque Terre, we had a hire car. A friend had told me about the difficulty of getting parking in Cinque Terre, so when I booked our accommodation, I arranged for parking to be included.
This seemed like a clever plan until we arrived in Riomaggiore and found our pre-arranged parking spot up a steep hill on the outskirts of the village. We are fit and healthy, so it was only a minor issue. But for some people, this could be a major problem.
Important Advice: So, my thoughts on this topic are that driving to Cinque Terre should only be an option if you’re game enough to walk up (very) steep hills. Pre-arranged parking is a must and if you have accommodation in Cinque Terre, you need to be fit enough to carry your luggage up and down stairs or steep hills!
How to Get to Cinque Terre by Car
La Spezia to Cinque Terre by Car
When driving to Cinque Terre from La Spezia, the car journey to the nearest town (Riomaggiore) is only around 25 minutes using the SP370 out of La Spezia and then the SP32 into Riomaggiore.
Important Advice: The SP370 is a windy road. Some of the bends are almost 180o, but if you take it easy you can still enjoy the drive. If you have time, use the areas where you can pull over to check out the panoramas and take photos.
There are also 3 or 4 cafés along this road close to Riomaggiore and Manarola where you can grab a coffee and admire the view.
One of our favorite places to stop for a drink is Borgo di Campi. There is also accommodation and a restaurant here.
The furthest town (Monterosso al Mare) is about 45 minutes from La Spezia via the SS1 and then taking the SP38 down the long hill into town. You can also use the SP370 via Riomaggiore. This is the more scenic coastal road, but it takes about 20 minutes longer.
Google Maps is always a good tool to have handy and there is good signage to Cinque Terre from La Spezia. The main challenge is knowing where to head in terms of parking in Cinque Terre.
Savvy Travel Tips: If you’re driving in Italy, then I recommend you download the EasyPark app. It’s used widely and you can adjust the time and pay for your parking directly from the app.
Of course, the app charges a commission for the service, but we find it super convenient.
Parking in Cinque Terre
Parking spots and parking lots in Cinque Terre are usually at least a few hundred meters from the towns.
Walking: Bear in mind that the terrain is VERY steep and hilly. You might enjoy the walk down into town, but the hike back up will require some physical fitness. In the heat of summer, this can be too much for some people.
Savvy Travel Tips: We use Waymarked Trails to find sentieri (paths and trails). This can be useful when you’re parking in the hills and trying to find a quick stairway or path into town that avoids the winding roads.
Shuttle Bus: For some of the parking options below, you can catch a shuttle bus into town. Sometimes this is free with your parking ticket and other times it will cost you a couple of Euros.
The National Parks shuttle buses are also free with a Cinque Terre Card. But be warned, shuttle schedules are not particularly frequent, and the buses can get full. So don’t rely on this service and keep in mind that you may end up walking!
Parking Options in Cinque Terre
- Street parking: This is marked by blue painted lines (paid) or white painted lines (free). Yellow is for residents! Street parking is usually in the hills behind the towns.
- Parking lot or parking garage: These are designated areas and cost more compared to street parking but are usually in a more convenient location. Sometimes these are multi-level garages and sometimes bare dirt.
- Private parking: If you’re staying in Cinque Terre then it’s a good idea to organise parking ahead of time with your hotel or host. Be warned; not all hotels and accommodations have parking, so this should factor into your decision before you book.
Important Advice: Even though there are designated parking areas, the number of spots is nowhere near enough for the volume of tourists visiting the park. To give yourself a better chance of success, arrive early and be prepared to park in the hills.
Resident Zones and Parking
Non-residents can’t drive into the central areas of the five towns. Be alert to signage and barriers that designate restricted zones!
Resident parking is usually painted with yellow lines.
There are hefty fines for non-residents using limited access zones or resident parking spots.
Parking in Riomaggiore
Non-residents can’t enter into Riomaggiore by car. Be alert to signage and barriers that designate restricted zones!
There are a few options for parking at Riomaggiore:
1. Zorza
Zorza is a small open parking area located along the road SP370 between Riomaggiore and Manarola. There are around 50 blue-paid spots and 12 or so white (unpaid) spots.
Paid car parking is 1 Euro per hour.
You can walk into town using the 501 sentiero path stairway (only 15 minutes, but it’s steep), or back along the SP370 and SP38 (which will take almost one hour). Or you can use the shuttle bus to Riomaggiore.
2. Street Parking
You can park along the SP38 that snakes down the hill high above Riomaggiore. There are less than 20 or so free spots (white lines) and from here you can walk 25 minutes down a path or catch the shuttle bus.
3. Rio Park
This parking lot is on Via Santuario (off SP32) and is the closest to Riomaggiore old town that non-residents can get with a car. This is a compact multi-level undercover parking that requires some skilful parking!
The garage costs 3.50 Euros per hour (35 Euros for 24 hours). From here it’s an easy 5-minute walk into town.
Parking in Manarola
From La Spezia, you can get to Manarola by car along the SP370. Manarola is another 5 minutes after the Riomaggiore exit.
Parking options in Manarola are a little easier than in Riomaggiore:
1. Zorza
Zorza (described in detail above) is useful for both Riomaggiore and Manarola.
To reach Manarola from Zorza you can use the 501 sentiero path stairway connecting to Via Gasperi and then pick up the sentiero 531 to Manarola. It’s about a 45-minute walk. Or you can use the shuttle bus from the Zorza parking lot.
2. Parking at Volastra
Volastra is a town in the hills between Corniglia and Manarola. It’s possible to sometimes find free street parking and then catch the shuttle bus into Manarola. Or you can walk from here along the well-marked 506 and 502 sentiero paths. The path to Manarola is downhill and takes around 40 minutes, and you’ll be rewarded with wonderful panoramic views of Manarola.
3. Street Parking
About 100 meters from the SP370 (on the road heading into town) there are 20 or so free street parking spots. Further down this same street there are more free spots on the side of the road. From here it’s a 5-10 minute walk into town.
4. Manarola – Acquarino & Posella Car Park
Close to the village, there are designated parking areas with around 60 paid spaces marked out with blue lines. Don’t Park in the yellow spots for residents!
It costs 3 Euros per hour (20 Euros for the day). You can also park for multiple days.
From here it’s an easy 5-minute walk into town.
Parking in Corniglia
From La Spezia, to get to Corniglia you take the SP370 which turns into the SP51. From here follow the signs to Corniglia down Via Stazione.
Corniglia is a 45-minute trip from La Spezia, but the views along Via Stazione make the effort worth the trip!
Parking options in Corniglia are limited:
1. Parking at Volastra
If you park at Volastra (see details above), then you can walk into Corniglia using the 586 and 587 sentiero paths. The walking path to Corniglia from Volastra is downhill and takes around an hour.
2. Street Parking
Via Stazione weaves down from the SP51 to Corniglia. In some areas, the road opens out a little to allow for some on-street parking. There aren’t many spots so don’t be surprised if you have to turn around and head back up the hill!
Parking in Vernazza
La Spezia to Vernazza is also via the SP370 which turns into the SP51 and then closer to Vernazza this becomes the SP61.
Parking options are very limited:
1. Vernazza (Vernassoa) Parking - Custodito
This is a private lot by the SP51 about 1km from Vernazza.
With this service, you leave your car keys, and they park your car. They also provide a free shuttle into Vernaza (wearing wet bathing suits is not allowed). Reservations are recommended.
We’ve never used this service, but they get 4.5 stars on google reviews.
2. Vernazza (Non-Custodito) Cooperative Parking
This is a basic open parking lot next to the SP61.
It costs 2.50 Euros per hour.
From here it’s a 10-15 minute walk into town or you can catch the shuttle.
Parking in Monterosso al Mare
The furthest town from La Spezia is Monterosso al Mare, but it’s a nice drive through the countryside. From La Spezia take the SS1 and then take the SP38.
Monterosso parking areas are the only truly convenient parking options in Cinque Terre:
1. Loreto Parking Monterosso
This is a small 2-level parking garage at the end of the SP38 road. There are around 100 parking places in a 2-storey garage.
The parking is in the old town very close to shops and restaurants.
The last time we parked at Loreto it cost 2.50 Euro per hour. There were 4 of us, so coming to Monterosso by car was cheaper and more convenient than 4 people traveling by train.
Multi-day options are also available, and the garage is accessible 24/7.
2. Fegina Parking
Fegina parking is in the new part of Monterosso al Mare.
Approximately 4 Km out of town (on the SP38) there is the Hotel il Colle. Here there is a sign to ‘Monterosso Lungomare Fegina’ on Via Padre Semeria. You can follow Via Padre Semeria all the way to Via Fegina Parking!
The parking lot has about 300 parking places and is right by the beach.
Parking costs 2.50 Euros per hour and 25 Euros for the day. Multi-day options are also available, and the lot is accessible 24/7.
3. Monterosso Parking
Before reaching Via Fegina Parking, there is a small private lot on Via Padre Semeria, in the new town a few minutes walk from the beach and promenade.
Campervans in Cinque Terre
There is an ‘Area Sosta’ called “Poggio delle Cinque Terre” about 3 km from Monterosso on SP38.
For anyone coming by campervan (in summer) this is one of your only options to stop overnight inside the park.
Poggio delle Cinque Terre is in a panoramic position, with 14 pitches (dimensions 4x8m) and security cameras. There’s water, an electricity supply, and a drainage pit for gray and black water.
It is open all year round and you can get to Monterosso by shuttle bus. Shuttles run about every 40 minutes and tickets are a couple of Euros.
Some Area Soste in Italy are free or super cheap. But since this is Cinque Terre expect to pay around 25 euros per night. Reservation is highly recommended.
Important Advice About Driving in Cinque Terre
I am always hearing about tourists getting fined in Italy for entering limited access zones or parking in the wrong spots.
Before arriving in Italy take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with some basic road/driving rules to avoid driving fines!
The Automobile Club Italy has some good advice to keep you safe on the roads and helpful information in case you get a fine!
We have other useful articles that may help you with planning your journey to Cinque Terre. Why not check out the following:
Wrap Up
The best thing about driving in Cinque Terre is the views! On a clear day, the winding roads and coastal scenery are well worth it. But the biggest challenge is finding parking.
In this blog post, I’ve given you the best options for parking in each of the Cinque Terre towns, including locations and costs.
Disclaimer: We have no affiliations with any of the parking options or EasyPark app discussed in this article. The article is written from our experience and research, and we share the information as a guide to help visitors. The article is accurate at the time of writing.
FAQ
Where is the best place to stay in Cinque Terre with a car?
If you arrive in Cinque Terre by car and you have luggage, then the best place to stay is Monterosso Al Mare. See above for more information.
In the other villages of Cinque Terre, car parking is very limited.
You can also check with your host or hotel and ask if they have parking or if they can advise about parking options. Also, check associated costs!
Does Cinque Terre have free parking?
Free parking in Cinque Terre is very limited. You can find a few spots in the hills outside of town. The parking is on-street (on the side of the road). This is not to be relied upon and it is more than likely that you’ll have to pay at least 1.50 Euro per hour.
The best free parking options are at La Spezia. From there you can catch the Cinque Terre Express.
Is it easier to park in winter?
Out of season, during the colder months, there are far fewer tourists. Driving to Cinque Terre and finding a parking space is easier.
Can I pay for parking by credit card?
Most ticket machines accept credit cards. But unfortunately, the machines in Italy can be temperamental. It’s best to have a back up payment option such as cash. We use the EasyPark app for convenience.
What is the alternative to driving in Cinque Terre?
Your best alternative to driving is the Cinque Terre express train running between La Spezia and Levanto. This is a reliable and fast way to get to Cinque Terre and to get between the villages.
You can park your vehicle in either La Spezia or Levanto. Both towns have free and paid parking options.
