What if you could experience everything great about Italy in just one trip? No, you don’t need to block out your schedule for several months or go to every single region in the country. There is one place that has it all: Cinque Terre. A complete Cinque Terre tour will make you feel like you’ve discovered everything Italy has to offer, from delicious food to thrilling adventures.
Your ultimate guide to the perfect Cinque Terre tour
When to go
Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s most famous coastal areas, nestled within the northwestern region of Liguria. Its cliffs overlook the Ligurian Sea, resulting in a comfortable seaside climate.
If you plan to visit Cinque Terre, make sure you know the type of weather you wish to avoid. For instance, the hottest months in the area range from July to August, while the coldest month is January. Meanwhile, October is generally the wettest month of the season.
With all that said, the best time to visit Cinque Terre is from September to October. During these months, most tourists have gone home as the summer has come to a close. Temperatures typically range from the low 50s to the high 70s.
You may also visit Cinque Terre during the summer, but be prepared to deal with large crowds and packed tourist attractions.
How to get there
You can reach Cinque Terre by flying in from the airport in Florence. If you book a package tour, your travel operator may be able to provide full assistance and porterage to and from your hotel.
What to do
- Explore the five towns.
Cinque Terre is named for its five beautiful villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. It’s worth taking some time to visit each town, as they all have something unique to offer.
Cinque Terre’s first and largest village, Monterosso, is a picturesque beach town. You won’t have trouble deciding where to eat or kill time in the area—there are various restaurants and shops along the beach. Moreover, Monterosso is fairly flat, making it perfect for families with kids or people with disabilities.
The neighboring town, Vernazza, is known as one of the most beautiful villages in the entirety of Italy. It certainly has its own personality, which is characterized by steep layers of olive grove terraces and a magnificent view of the sea.
Cinque Terre’s central town, Corniglia, is not one to miss, despite being the smallest village of the five. Corniglia sits 100 meters above the sea, making it slightly harder to reach, but the journey will be worth it—you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the coastal area and surrounded by vineyards and stone terraces.
The last two villages, Manarola and Riomaggiore, are small but romantic. In Manarola, for example, you will find a charming harbor that welcomes colorful rowboats from the sea. Meanwhile, in Riomaggiore, you can walk along Via dell’Amore, a lovely street with majestic views of the village.
- Lounge under the sun
Cinque Terre is one of the most popular summer destinations in Italy, and it’s not hard to see why. Monterosso’s beach attracts visitors from all over the world thanks to its beautiful sandy shore and relaxing atmosphere. Not to mention, it is the only “real” beach in Cinque Terre because the other villages are situated at higher points.
You can lounge around the beach and soak up the sun, renting a prime spot for you and your travel group. If you want to avoid the daytime crowd, you can also visit the beach at night and stroll along the shore.
- Challenge your hiking skills.
Hiking is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Cinque Terre. There are countless hiking trails in the area, but the Blue Trail is a must-see for any avid adventurer.
The Blue Trail is widely visited because of its accessibility. It is the easiest path in Cinque Terre, connecting all five villages with a total length of 7.5 miles. There are four sections from which you may start, but make sure to check their availability beforehand. Some areas may be closed due to inclement weather or maximum capacity.
- Fill your stomach with Italian food.
Be ready to eat to your heart’s content when you’re visiting Italy. The country doesn’t have the world’s best cuisine for nothing—Italian food is fresh, healthy, and undeniably delicious.
Not to mention, different areas in Italy have different variations of local classics. Cinque Terre, for example, is a coastal area that relies heavily on the sea’s bounties. As a result, the local cuisine focuses on seafood, featuring specialties like marinated anchovies, pasta with mussels, and Antipasto ai Frutti di Mare, a dish that contains every seafood you can think of.
Lemons are also a staple of Cinque Terre, so don’t be surprised to find them everywhere, from trees to drinks and dishes. For instance, there’s limoncello, a popular liqueur made of lemons, as well as lemon sorbet and lemon-flavored meals.
- Sip a glass of wine
Your meals would not be complete without a glass of Italian wine. Luckily, Cinque Terre has a rich selection of local bottles, such as Cinque Terre DOC, a dry white wine made with Bosco grapes, and Sciacchetrà DOC, a wine perfectly paired with desserts.
- Buy gifts for friends and family.
Don’t forget to take a piece of Cinque Terre back home with you and introduce the beautiful area to your family and friends. There are numerous shops across the five villages where you can purchase trinkets such as jewelry or fridge magnets. And if you’re looking for more memorable souvenirs, consider buying a bottle of local wine or limoncello, salted anchovies from Monterosso, or extra virgin olive oil.
Don’t wait any longer to plan the trip of your life. You can book a Cinque Terre tour with Italy Luxury Tours, one of the most trusted tour providers in the country.
Italy Luxury Tours specializes in custom-designed excursions for each client, ensuring that you get to visit every destination on your bucket list. Plus, the company offers high-quality travel services, from airport assistance to private transportation.
Book a tour package today and prepare to make unforgettable memories with your loved ones!