Looking for ideas or inspiration on the best things to do in Cinque Terre? We’ve got you covered!

The clifftop church bells of Corniglia struck eleven and, as they've done for centuries, echoed across the vineyards by the sea.

They reached us in the distance, hiking a dusty narrow path with the taste of bitter lemons still lingering on our dry salty lips. The sun was finally beginning to emerge from the unseasonal morning grey, and it felt like summer was with us in mid-September. As time moved forward and the bells chimed twelve, one, and two, there would be a spontaneous swim in the sea, a spritz, a slow lunch in the shade, and a sprint to catch the four-minute train toward Vernazza.

We walked home in the golden hour, with the stretched out water our constant companion on the left; on the right, hand-built stone walls which preserve the treasures of this corner of north-west Italy were hot to the touch of our tracing fingertips.

There were four more days left in Cinque Terre, and each would rival this near perfect one.

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This article is all about sharing the quintessential Cinque Terre moments and experiences to seek out when you visit the most famous part of the Ligurian Coast. A UNESCO World Heritage site of famous colourful coastal village clusters which tumble toward the waves in a perfect pastel patchwork, this isn't a place full of museums, ruins, or attractions, but rather one to savour for its natural and man-made treasures.

It's about salty sea swims and the taste of just-fried local anchovies from a greasy paper cone, hiking trails by handpicked ancient vines, stolen sunsets at postcard-pretty viewpoints, and imbuing every sense with that feeling of joy which only comes with an Italian sunshine escape.

The beauty of visiting Cinque Terre - which does unfortunately suffer from some of the worst overtourism in Europe - is that the better part of its classic experiences can be found across all the five villages, rather than everyone having to shuffle toward one or two single points on the map. There are exceptions of course, but it's important to keep that in mind when planning your own itinerary - slower, considerate, and curious travel goes a lot longer here than simply trying to tick off a list of photo spots.

These are 13 wonderful things to do in Cinque Terre.

#1 A Day At Monterosso Beach

Those iconic, hypnotic orange and green parasols are enough to draw one in, but a day spent sprawled out at the beach in Monterosso al Mare is always going to be good for the soul. Given it’s a beach in Italy, paid-for lido businesses outnumber free areas, and it’s incredibly popular with local day-trippers as well as tourists.

If you plan ahead though, you can stake out or rent a prime spot from which you can drink, eat, swim, and relax the day away at this excellent sandy stretch - which is actually the only ‘proper’ beach in Cinque Terre (more on that later though…)

Read Later | An Essential Guide to Monterosso al Mare

Orang and Green parasols on Monterosso beach

#2 Drinking Cinque Terre Wine

Any trip to Italy should involve imbibing regional wines by the glass or bottle. It’s a cultural activity in and of itself, and it’s always a boost to be able to pass off getting a little tipsy as actually showcasing your curiosity for the local palette and produce.

Wine is also much more meaningful to the Cinque Terre’s past and present than most people realise.

Used to seeing highly cultivated vineyards elsewhere in the world, to us, the terraced vineyards of Cinque Terre have a much more organic, earthy feel. Indeed, winemaking here is defined as a somewhat heroic viticulture because of how difficult it is to work with the improbably steep and rocky terrain, meaning that everything from general maintenance to harvesting needs to be done by hand.

It’s no mean feat, and it’s only performed and preserved by a diminishing number of local vintners.

There are two main local wines: the Cinque Terre DOC (a dry white made with the native Bosco grape, together with Albarola and Vermentino) and the Sciacchetrà DOC (a sweet dessert wine) - and we encourage you to try both during your time in the region at restaurants or the various enotecas (wine shops/bars) within each village.

Read Later | 23 Things To Know Before You Visit Cinque Terre

Things to do in Cinque Terre - Try the wine

#3 Slowly exploring the Five Villages

Often called the 'Cinque Terre towns', these are actually small villages nestled in or atop the coastal cliffs. Numbering only a couple of thousand permanent residents in total, they’re the superstars of Cinque Terre, and probably the primary source of inspiration for many of you reading this post and planning to visit.

They are all, quite simply, beautiful.

Their shared colourful pastel palette belies the hardiness which has underpinned the creation and existence of each - with isolation, community, and survival based around fruits of land and sea the norm for centuries before the world and her mother found out about them, transforming the Cinque Terre into the tourist hotspot it’s better known as today.

Though all sharing broad similarities in look, charm, and film-set alleyways, all of the villages have their own distinct personality and defining features - whether it’s the natural harbour of Vernazza, the rocks of Riomaggiore, of the clifftop setting of Corniglia.

Depending on how long you’re visiting, the best way to experience them is to spend a little longer in each, rather than simply popping in and out for a photo opportunity; if you do that, then you run the risk of them all blurring into one. Also, whichever you choose as your base will shape your overall Cinque Terre experience.

Read our specific guides to each Cinque Terre village to get a flavour, dream, or plan your time:

Monterosso al Mare // Vernazza // Corniglia // Manarola // Riomaggiore

Note that this is summer holiday destination, but not a destination of big hotels and fancy resorts.

close up of colourful houses in Riomaggiore

#4 Walking the Blue Trail...

A narrow dusty coastal path through terraced vineyards on the steep hills overlooking the Ligurian Sea, the popular Blue Trail hike (Sentiero Azzuro) showcases the unique, challenging, and beautiful topography of the Cinque Terre, as well as bringing you to three of its five photogenic villages nestled atop or within the cliffs.

It certainly isn’t off the beaten path (the path is indeed beaten daily by many, many others), but it remains a classic Cinque Terre experience.

You can start in Monterosso or Corniglia, and access requires the Cinque Terre Card (€7.50 per person). It’s imperative that you prepare and appreciate the steep, uneven conditions and your own fitness level, as well understand the various rules for hiking the Blue Trail, before adding this to your personal list of ‘things to do in Cinque Terre’.

Note that the Via dell’Amore from Riomaggiore to Manarola has been closed for a number of years, but is scheduled to reopen in 2023.

Read Later | Our Blue Trail Hiking Guide

#5...or any other Hiking Trail

Although the Blue Trail takes the lion’s share of visitors and publicity, the Cinque Terre National Park is actually a fantastic destination for those who like to hike whilst on holiday; hiking boots are just as common a sight as bikinis.

The myriad of dusty narrow trails, walked by farmers and locals for centuries, connect the cliffs and communities from Monterosso to Riomaggiore. There are around 48 in total, which range from serious 20km+ routes to pleasant short, steep walks to breathtaking viewpoints or storied sanctuaries.

We’ve included more information on these trails, and how to find the best ones for your own visit, as well as advice for safe, responsible hiking in this post: A Beginner's Guide to Hiking Cinque Terre.

#6 Sunset on the Rocks of Riomaggiore

Now, we aren’t ones for choosing any destination or experience based on its Instagrammability (however, feel free to follow us over @alongdustyroads), but there was one cliché Cinque Terre experience we had to seek out and savour for ourselves.

Sunset from the rocks of Riomaggiore.

The village, the southernmost of the five, was a great choice of base for our last three days in the national park area. If you’re ever on Instagram, you’ll likely have seen two classic pictures from there, with the red and yellow facades forming the perfect backdrop for anyone trying to strike the perfect pose.

After an afternoon of sunbathing and swimming in a great spot a little further along the water, we grabbed our last two warm beers and clambered over to the wave breakers which frame Riomaggiore’s photogenic harbour. It’s a popular spot, and there will be people here solely to get ‘that’ shot, however there’s plenty of space from which to authentically appreciate the setting sun casting everything in golden light.

We think it’s the perfect moment and place to round off your time in the Cinque Terre.

Read Later | Our Guide to Riomaggiore

view of Riomaggiore at during golden hour

#7 Being All At Sea

With the Ligurian Sea, an arm of the Mediterranean, literally only a few steps away from every village, a nautical adventure or two is great activity in Cinque Terre. Aside from an opportunity to escape the crowds during the day, it offers wonderful viewpoints back onto the villages and the vineyards, as well as the opportunity to venture to secret little nooks and coves, or swim and snorkel in blissful isolation.

Seafarers can opt to go from village to village (save for Corniglia) and further afield via the Cinque Terre Express ferry service, rent a kayak and head out over the blue, or join a private boat swimming, sightseeing and sunset tour.

If you’ve got the legs and the necessary skills, you can even hire a boat for the day.

Did You Know? | The Cinque Terre National Park also encompasses several protected marine areas. Segemented into three zones, there is one area where boaters are not permitted at all, so be aware of this before heading out.

#8 Eating Fresh, Locally Caught Seafood

We’re vegetarian most of the time, but we become occasional pescatarians when we’re travelling by the coast.

Fishing has, understandably, long been a key industry across the Cinque Terre villages. Although the tourism industry has displaced it as the largest employer, it has thankfully not died off or become an unviable trade for locals. Indeed, Monterosso anchovies are highly regarded all over Italy. Every menu will include various seafood options so, although you can get pizza and pasta and other generic Italian fare, you should certainly try to base a few of your meal choices around the local catch (not octopus though please, ain’t no reason for anyone to be eating them).

It’s the anchovies (acciughe) which steal the show though. If, like us, grew up with only negative impressions of them, then it’ll only take a few meals by the waves of Monterosso or high up in Manarola to permanently change your mind.

Served in a variety of ways - mostly all delicious as far as we could tell, save for one distinctly underwhelming dish - we became slightly besotted by lightly fried Monterosso anchovies. They are absolutely WONDERFUL! We’d share a big €10 plate for lunch in Monterosso with a few glasses of local white wine, as well as get them as a take away snack piled high in a paper cone. Don’t skimp on the salt and go heavy on the lemon, and you’re in for an absolute treat. There’s a few places to get the takeaway cones or boxes, but our favourite was Tutti Fritti in Riomaggiore, run by a local fisherman.

Also try out trofie, the regional pasta type, and pesto genovese. And, whilst we’re on the topic of unmissable food, get the gelato from Alberto’s in Corniglia and thank us later.

Note, if you’re vegetarian or vegan, every menu in Cinque Terre will have a pasta dish or two without meat or fish.

We’ve included specific restaurant recommendations in each of our village guides.

#9 Sunbathing & Swimming

Now, when we mentioned earlier that Monterosso’s was the only traditional ‘sandy’ beach of note in Cinque Terre, we weren’t really exaggerating.

That's no reason to despair though if you have your heart set on summer fun in the sun, as the Cinque Terre is tailor-made for days by the sea and is in fact home to some of our favourite spots from that two month trip in Italy - and a previous summer spent in Sicily.

You just need to realise that things are done a little differently.

Indeed, once you adapt and accept that old stone harbours, smooth rocks or boulders, pebbly coves, and marinas are actually MUCH more fun for sunbathing and swimming, you'll learn to love the sense of freedom that hanging out by the sea in the Cinque Terre offers.

The sea swimming on offer here is also absolutely divine. So, by all means pack that extra swimsuit and the suncream - you’ll need it.

Read Later | These Are The Best Cinque Terre Beaches

#10 The Manarola Mandate

Spoiler alert: the village of Manarola is home to one of our favourite sunbathing and swimming spots in Cinque Terre.

However, it also has a stellar viewpoint to make a point of visiting.

This hilltop viewpoint (Google Maps) is no hidden gem however, and it will become incredibly crowded as the day goes on and sunset nears. You don’t have to save it for golden hour or sunset, but the changing hue of the buildings in the light is extra special around that time.

Nessun Dorma, the bar/restaurant by the viewpoint is very popular, but we couldn’t be bothered to queue for 30 minutes to find out if it was worth it or not. Let us know in the comments if you make it!

Read Later | Our Manarola Guide

Things to do in Cinque Terre - Manarola viewpoint

#11 Train Hopping

The five villages of Cinque Terre are connected by a quick and regular train service, the Cinque Terre Express, with some stations only a couple of minutes journey from each other.

For everyone visiting, the train is going to be the principal mode of transport to go between from place to place (although the trails do also link them up), but for day-trippers or those here for only a couple of days, it’s going to be absolutely fundamental to your experience.

It can be cramped, hot, and unenjoyable at peak times, but it’s a fun and convenient way to get about (except those stairs at Corniglia station, there’s no fun involved there). So, if you’re planning a stay of a few days, you should pick your base town and start planning a loose itinerary based on how you’re going to match up visiting the various villages, the viewpoints, the beaches, and the trails, with the regularity of the Cinque Terre train a big help in allowing you to fit in a few more experiences into a shorter space of time.

Just don’t try to pack in too much though.

A single one-way ride, anywhere within the train network is expensive at €4 per person if you’re literally in it for one stop. However, if you know you’re going to be using the train a lot in a short space of time, then it’s absolutely worth investing the in Cinque Terre Treno card, which includes unlimited train travel within the network for a fixed period of time.

We’ve shared more on how the transport system and the card works in 23 Things To Know Before You Visit Cinque Terre.

#12 The Vernazza Viewpoints

Ok, this is the final viewpoint, we promise.

But hopefully it’s clear by now that a big reason to come to Cinque Terre is to gaze upon the pastel coloured homes by the sea in person, and appreciate how man and nature worked in harmony to shape something so aesthetically pleasing.

Vernazza, though not our personal favourite of the five, is absolutely our pick for the prettiest village here. There are two vantage points which underpin this conclusion, with both actually being included on the Blue Trail. If you’re not able to walk the full Blue Trail, then you can still take the short, steep walk to one or both from the village itself!

Read Later | An Essential Guide to Vernazza

#13 Staying Longer to Savour It

If time and budget don’t permit it, that’s fine; however, the absolute best thing to do in Cinque Terre is to stay within it and to stay longer.

Arriving here with only time for a quick day trip will result in rushing on and off the train a dozen or so times, Google Map walking from viewpoint to viewpoint, wolfing down a quick lunch, and never escaping the crowds or the quiet charms once they all depart around 6 pm.

Though Cinque Terre in peak summer season is never going to feel empty or off the beaten track, the only way to get closer to that feeling is to be able to linger over a sunset view, stretch out on those warm rocks for the whole afternoon, get dusty on lesser-known trails, eat and drink at a few restaurants to find your personal flavours, or have the opportunity to get lost amongst the steep streets of particular village over a slow morning rather than a matter of minutely scheduled minutes.

It’s a more sustainable option overall, and allows more of your spend to actually go toward the local economy.

We were fortunate enough to have a week in the region last summer, and we’re incredibly thankful that it gave us the opportunity to view the Cinque Terre as a place which is more than just a few isolated Instagram shots of colourful villages - but rather a little slice of Italy where the land meets the sea, and there is much more to it than meets the eye.

If you have the chance to stay for a little longer, then snatch at it.

Travel Tip | Choosing the right base from which to explore the Cinque Terre is essential, and accommodation is in limited supply versus the significant demand. If you know your visit dates, start seriously looking at booking something now. We've published a personally curated list of the best pick of hotels, guesthouses, and Airbnbs in Cinque Terre to help you out: Where To Stay in Cinque Terre.