We first came to Cinque Terre in 2019. It was part of our honeymoon and we treated ourselves to four days here to enjoy the national park trails and to explore the villages. We wanted to immerse ourselves in the national park and did multiple hikes in the hills and hamlets around Cinque Terre.
A Little About Us
Hi! We are Justin and Lu. We live in Italy, and the area around Cinque Terre and the Gulf of Poets is our local playground.
Our blog is full of ideas, travel information, and tips to help you create a trip full of lasting memories. Take the time to discover the rich history, unique culture, and delicious food that abounds in the area.
Buon Viaggio!
Still, four days weren’t enough for us, and we missed out on visiting the wider Gulf of Poets and seeing incredible and interesting places like Portovenere, Lerici, and Tellaro.
But I get that not everyone likes hiking or wants an immersive experience. And sometimes you just don’t have the luxury of a longer holiday.
So, let’s take a look at how many days you need to visit Cinque Terre and what you can realistically see and do in one, two, three, or more days.
One Day in Cinque Terre
With only a day in Cinque Terre, you can feasibly see 3 villages, including a stop for lunch. You won’t have time to soak it in or appreciate the culture. But you will be able to do some quick sightseeing and take the obligatory photos.
In warm, sunny weather I recommend you take the ferry. It’s a much more relaxing way to spend the day and the approach by sea is by far the best view of the villages.
One day in Cinque Terre is never enough!
One day isn’t something I recommend, but you might not have a choice (like cruise ship passengers). If you do only have one day, then you might find our readymade itineraries helpful. The one-day itineraries cover 3 villages, the must-do sightseeing, places to eat, and the best spots for iconic photos. Plus, you get directions and guidance notes so that you can move around the villages with ease.
Visit Cinque Terre with local insights.
We include a visit to 3 towns, suggestions for lunch, aperitivo & dinner. Also includes wine and cultural tour options, self-guided sightseeing routes, cultural and historic notes, and where to take iconic photos.
My top tips for enjoying one day in Cinque Terre:
- Don’t try to see all 5 villages. You’ll be rushing too much, and everything will just be a blur.
- In summer, book a table for lunch, to avoid wasting time in a queue. Monterosso has a choice of restaurants along the seafront that offer good value for money.
- If it’s hot, consider taking swimwear and a towel.
- Meander around at least one of the towns. Riomaggiore, Vernazza, and Manarola all have enjoyable walks that trail around the villages and nearby hills.
- In high season, you can avoid the crowds of tourists, by heading to Corniglia for a quieter and more authentic, local feel.
- If you really want to make the most of your day, then jump on a tour. The experienced guides will show you all the best bits and share interesting cultural knowledge, without you having to do any planning or research!
Further reading to help you plan your day:
Two Days in Cinque Terre
With two days here you’ll have time to include a hike between 2 or 3 of the towns. The national park visitor centers (in each village) have maps, and the routes are all well-signposted.
The most popular route is the Sentiero Verde Azzurro (SVA) trail also known as the Blue Trail. It’s not an easy trail but you will be treated to stunning sea views along the hilly coastal path.
As you hike along the trails, you will also get a chance to see the traditional terraced farms where olives, grapes and lemons have been grown for centuries.
These coastal towns are well situated and serviced by boat and kayak tours. These are a fun (and easier) alternative to hiking and are very popular with tourists. In warmer weather, the boat tours usually also make a stop for a swim or snorkel. If you get a chance, I recommend this as a memorable activity!
It’s possible to see all 5 villages in 2 days using a combination of boat tours, hiking, or catching the train or ferry. Each of the five villages is different in character and vibe and if you enjoy sightseeing or photography, you’ll be overwhelmed with beautiful vistas and interesting architecture.
Enjoy two thoughtfully planned days and see all 5 villages.
This complete Cinque Terre itinerary covers all the must-see and do things to create unforgettable memories.
Three Days in Cinque Terre
With 3 days in Cinque Terre, you have the luxury to pump the breaks. You can do everything above (Two Days in Cinque Terre) and meander around the 5 villages, explore the alleyways and stop at your leisure for coffee, gelato or a lazy afternoon aperitivo.
The best way to engage with the culture and history is also to spend time with the locals. 3 days is enough time to include a pesto class, wine tasting, or vineyard tour. Many of these tours have 3rd or 4th generation local guides, who were born in Cinque Terre and are proud and eager to share their rich heritage.
Four Days or More in Cinque Terre
After spending 3 days in Cinque Terre (using the above suggestions), you may wish to expand your horizons:
- Visit the other close by towns of Portovenere, Sarzana, Tellaro, or Lerici. We always enjoy a day in Portovenere, and there are some particularly good restaurants, including Portivene, Il Timone, and Casamare to name a few!
- In summer, you can spend a lazy day at the beach in Monterosso. Or skip over to the seaside towns of Levanto, Bonasolla, and Framura to experience a slower pace of life. For a fun activity, consider renting bikes or joining a cycle tour.
- La Spezia is only a few minutes by train and has museums, galleries, a marina, Liberty architecture and shops, markets, restaurants, and piazzas. La Spezia is also a great base for visiting Cinque Terre and the surrounding area because it has excellent transport links.
- Or if you’re feeling adventurous you can spread your wings, set out early in the day, and visit Portofino, Pisa, or Florence! If you’re comfortable using public transport or driving, then these places are all accessible for a one-day trip.
You can expect to cover all five Cinque Terre villages, but equally breathtaking town of Portovenere, in the beautiful Gulf of Poets.
Included are all the must-see sights, things to do, where to eat, cultural and historical notes, AND options to match your pace and mood.
Further reading to help inspire you:
Summary
In this post, I’ve shared my thoughts on how many days you need to visit Cinque Terre.
A vacation to Cinque Terre might be a once-in-a-lifetime trip. If that’s the case, I would recommend at least 3 days to indulge in the history, rich culture, spectacular scenery, and delicious Italian food.
However, not everyone has the luxury of time or money, so I’ve also shared ideas on how to also make a 1, 2, and 3-day trip work. So with a bit of planning, even if you only have one day, you can still make it a memorable and enjoyable experience!
Visit Cinque Terre with local insights.
We include a visit to 3 towns, suggestions for lunch, aperitivo & dinner. Also includes wine and cultural tour options, self-guided sightseeing routes, cultural and historic notes, and where to take iconic photos.
