Cinque Terre

On the seafront and surrounded by lush vineyard-covered hills, Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are postcard-perfect Italian villages that offer visitors a dreamy atmosphere thanks to its precipitous cliffs, its delicious cuisine and lively locals.

Five villages

Cinque Terre is made up of five pretty villages, hence its name “Cinque Terre”, meaning Five Lands in English:

• Monterosso: Situated in the centre of a small natural gulf, it is the furthest west of the quintet and is also the most populated village of the Cinque Terre. It is the only village to have its proper beach.
• Vernazza: Located to the north of the Cinque Terre, Vernazza is probably the most beautiful and picturesque fishing village of Cinque Terre, where its colourful houses hang above the sea level on rugged cliffs. It has a charming natural port and an old castle, built to protect the area from pirates. The church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia is also worthwhile visiting.
• Corniglia: Located on top of a 100-meter promontory, Corniglia is the highest of the five villages and is surrounded by a sea of olive trees and vineyards.
• Manarola: Manarola is the oldest of the five towns. Its colourful houses contrast with the vivid green of the hillside it is perched on and the grey coloured rocks of the cliffs. The village’s main industries are tourism, fishing and wine-making.  
• Riomaggiore: Riomaggiore is a peaceful, picturesque fisherman’s village where visitors will love exploring its steep cheerful streets.

An unforgettable visit

Cinque Terre is one of the best-kept treasures of Italy. The five hamlets are set amongst a rocky coastline, which are sure to leave visitors breathless. The area still maintains its former charm and farmers continue to work on their steep plots of land like they did centuries ago.

The Cinque Terre are located approximately 99 miles (160 km) from Florence, which make them a great destination for a one-day excursion from Florence.

Getting to Cinque Terre

There are various options to get to Cinque Terre from Florence:

• Book an English-speaking tour: The best way to visit the Cinque Terre is to book a one-day day trip from Florence. For € 56 (US$ 59) per person, the tour includes hotel pick-up and travel to all five beautiful villages.
• Rent a car: If you prefer to visit the Cinque Terre on your own accord, hiring a car is the best option. Nevertheless, you will have to park the car on the outskirts and will need to catch a train to move from one village to another. Click here if you would like to rent a car.