16 Fabulous Things to Do in Cinque Terre (for First-Timers!)

Are you searching for the best things to do in Cinque Terre, Italy? This guide covers the top Cinque Terre attractions, tours, and more!

The Cinque Terre is a bucket list destination for so many people! And, rightfully so! This guide will detail the top Cinque Terre landmarks – from popular beaches to trails that can’t be missed.

Do you have any suggestions for what to do in Cinque Terre? Let me know in the comments!

Best Things to Do in Cinque Terre

1. Take a cruise to Porto Venere, Monterosso, and Vernazza (My Top Pick).

Duration: 8 hours
Meeting Point: Molo Italia Harbor in La Spezia
Language: English, Italian
⛵ CLICK HERE TO BOOK

The most booked cruise and boat trip around the Cinque Terre is an 8-hour excursion from La Spezia that takes you to Porto Venere, Monterosso, and Vernazza.

This 8-hour adventure will allow you to check out Cinque Terre’s beauty while getting to explore some of the towns that make up this coastal area.

In Porto Venere, you will have a chance to explore (or pass) the Church of San Pietro, the Church of San Lorenzo, and Doria’s Fortress. 

In Monterosso, you can check out the Medieval town and its landscapes from Torre Aurora.

And finally, in Vernazza, you can peruse the village and see its renowned fortification system. Vernazza is colorful and one of Cinque Terre’s icons!

Food and drinks are not included, nor is hotel drop-off and pickup. But, this tour is one of the best-sellers and such a great value for money! Click here to check Cinque Terre boat trip rates and availability.

2. Check out the Blue Path (Sentierro Azzuro).

One of the main ways to take advantage of the Cinque Terre’s incredible landscapes is by hiking. The longest trail stretches 12 km (7.5 miles) and is known as the Blue Path.

To access this trail, all you need is a Cinque Terre card, which can be purchased online or at centers along the trail.

The cost of the card is €7.50/day (about $8.75) and is well worth it. Do note that on high-peak days, the card doubles in price. You can find out more on their website here.

Several parts of the trail are worth highlighting that correspond to different villages encountered along the way.

1️⃣ The first section of the trail connecting Riomaggiore and Manarola is about 0.8 kilometers (0.5 miles). It takes you through an old railway tunnel that passes through the foot of the mountains with a beautiful view.

2️⃣ The second trail along the path is the trail connecting Manarola and Corniglia, which spans about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles). It takes around 45 minutes and guides you to the Corniglia railway station. This path, similar to the previous route, includes scenic views of the lower mountainside.

3️⃣ The third trail connects Corniglia to Vernazza and is approximately 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) long. You’ll go through a hilltop forest to view the panoramic views overlooking the Riviera.

4️⃣ The final trail connects Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare, and is a 3.2-kilometer (2-mile) walk. 

3. Go on a Riomaggiore vineyard and wine cellar tour.

Duration: 2 hours
Meeting Point: Cinque Terre Point in Riomaggiore
Language: English, Italian
🍷 CLICK HERE TO BOOK

If you are interested in seeing a Cinque Terre winery, then this Riomaggiore wine tour is the way to go. This is a guided tour of the beautiful cliffs of Riomaggiore, overlooking the Italian Riviera.

On this 2-hour tour, you will visit the vineyards that overlook the sea and enjoy some Triple A wines in Riomaggiore.

You will learn more about winemaking in Cinque Terre, including its challenges and what makes it special. In total, you will get to try 5 organic wines as you check out a hillside that descends in the sea on a 250m cliff.

This tour does not include hotel pick-up and drop-off, and you will need to get to the meeting point in Riomaggiore yourself. It is also not a good tour for those with mobility impairments. It is a small-group wine tour and only accepts a group of 8 or fewer. Click here to check Cinque Terre wine tour rates and availability.

4. Explore Monterosso al Mare Beach.

This beach is a must for every Cinque Terre bucket list! With one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, there are several options to choose from, and one of my favorites is Monterosso al Mare Beach.

Monterosso al Mare is an attractive destination with rolling hills, restaurants, and a booming nightlife. It is also home to one of the most romantic hotels in the Cinque Terre, Porto Roca.

The famous beach in Monterosso al Mare is not free, on the other hand. You are going to pay for parking and for sunbed rental (and other amenities if you choose to have them). Parking is around €25 for 24 hours currently.

Monterosso al Mare is worth exploring away from the beach, too! One spot to check out is Il Fornaio, a bakery known for its focaccia. It is open daily, but its doors are shut on Fridays.

5. Take a pasta and tiramisu class in Riomaggiore.

Duration: 3 hours
Meeting Point: Riomaggiore
Language: English, Italian
🍝 CLICK HERE TO BOOK

One of my favorite things to do anywhere I go is to take a cooking class because even though I’m usually subpar with my skills, it’s kind of like a souvenir that you can use over and over again! This 3-hour pasta and tiramisu cooking class in Riomaggiore is one of the best options within the Cinque Terre and it will give you some new skills to head home with.

This small-group class has a maximum of 12 people, and you’ll get to do it all inside the private home of a local chef. Sparking wine aperitivo and soft drinks are included and you’ll also get to taste your creations (which can be a good or bad thing).

This cooking class is not for wheelchair users. Click here to check Riomaggiore cooking class rates and availability.

6. Discover Portovenere.

Overlooking the Gulf of La Spezia, the seaside setting of Portovenere, characterized by Ligurian cuisine and historic landmarks, is often called the 6th village in the Cinque Terre.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a castle from the Middle Ages overlooking the rocky cliffs.

Portovenere’s jagged coastline creates unique landforms such as Byron’s Cave, which is a popular spot for photos and swimming.

The village is also known for its handful of delicious restaurants. One of which is Palmaria Restaurant, a spot to experience authentic cuisine with fresh seafood made by experienced chefs. It is the perfect place to dine as you sit back and watch the sun set over the horizon.

7. Eat Dinner at Fuori Rotta Restaurant.

Another can’t-miss dining opportunity in Riomaggiore is Fuori Rotta. This restaurant offers a seasonal menu and a tasting menu that is made of organically sourced ingredients from around the region.

Fuori Rotta offers a personable dining experience with a rooftop terrace view of the coast. They also offer artisanal, organic, and natural wines sourced right from Riomaggiore’s own vineyards!

Fuori Rotta Restaurant also caters to any dietary restrictions or choices you may have (celiacs, vegans, etc). They are open from 7pm until 9:30pm daily except on Wednesdays. Reservations are required and can be made via their website, which I linked above.

8. Tour the Doria Castle.

In the heart of Vernazza lies the Doria Castle. The Doria Castle is dedicated to Obertenghi, a German noble family from the 1500s, and is situated at the highest point in Vernazza.

Once used as a fortress to protect the village from pirates in the 1800s, it’s now a popular attraction in Vernazza.

Doria Castle affords spectacular panoramic views over San Pietro Church and the Gulf. The entrance is €2 per person, and there is a steep staircase that leads up to it. The entrance fee needs to be paid in cash.

9. Enjoy lunch at Nessun Dorma.

Off the cliffs of Manarola is the popular eatery Nessun Dorma, founded in 2014 with the idea of putting passion and hard work into creating food.

The menu includes delicious cheese and meat platters made from fresh products collected daily. They take pride in offering NO pasta or pizza on their menu!

While Nessun Dorma is famous for its food, they also offer a few rooms you can stay overnight in, as well as boat tours of Manarolo. There are also pesto workshops happening in their very own kitchen at 10:30am and 1:30pm. This will include lunch. This lunch includes (burrata, parma ham, melon, their fresh bruschetta, focaccia, and wine).

Nessun Dorma is an interactive dining experience that is one of my favorite things to do in Cinque Terre for first-time visitors.

10. Explore the city of Vernazza.

Vernazza is one of the most beautiful spots in Cinque Terre, known for being a spot along the Blue Trail (along the coast to Monterosso) and its colorful homes. The area around Vernazza is said to produce some of the best olive oil in Italy!

The town was founded in 1000 AD and has been ruled by the Republic of Genoa since 1276. Vernazza is also home to the Doria castle (mentioned above) and the historic Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia.

If you are looking for delicious food, popular restaurants in Vernazza include Restaurante Belforte (known for its sea views) and Pippo a Vernazza (known for its street food). If you are looking for a fine dining experience, Ristorante La Torre is a popular option.

11. Travel back in time to the Santuario di Nostra Signora Di Montenero.

Located in Riomaggiore, 340 meters (1115 feet) above sea level, stands the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montenero, a historical and religious destination.

The sanctuary can be accessed by trail and is home to a sacred image of the Assumption of the Virgin, which hangs above the altar. The image was brought there at the dawn of the Middle Ages by Greek refugees fleeing iconoclastic persecution.

According to a legend passed down by locals of Riomaggiore for generations, the image is sacred because the man who first encountered it had a limp, but after coming across the image, he was able to walk normal again.

12. Try some seafood at Osteria A Cantina de Mananan.

Osteria A Cantina de Mananan is an eatery centrally located in Corniglia. Renowned for its fresh and flavorful seafood, A Cantina de Mananan offers seafood and meat platters, as well as a daily catch, sourced directly from the sea below Corniglia.

Preparations are simple but packed with flavor; you can find grilled and rolled veggies stuffed with mozzarella, fresh anchovies stuffed with herbs, or the house specialty of coniglio (rabbit) roasted in a white sauce.

Both the locals and tourists love A Cantina de Mananan because it offers a home-like atmosphere where the food is made with passion and care. Definitely a spot for your Cinque Terre itinerary! 

13. Learn how to make pesto at a class in Levanto.

Duration: 1 hour
Meeting Point: Il laboratorio del Pesto
Language: English, Italian
🍴 CLICK HERE TO BOOK

Levanto is home to several cool things to do, but one of the best is to take a pesto-making class there! This excursion takes you to the ‘Laboratory of Pesto’, where you can make, taste (better hope you do a good job!), and enjoy your homemade pesto accompanied by a glass of local wine.

The workshop is 1.5 hours long and is limited to 8 participants. You will also learn about the history of pesto in Levanto and what local traditions surrounding the delicious condiment.

This is a very affordable activity, but it does not include hotel pick-up or drop-off. You will need to make your way to Levanto for it. Click here to check rates and availability for a pesto-making class.

14. Try an authentic dessert at Alberto Gelateria.

A minute’s walk from Corniglia’s train station is Alberto Gelateria. You will easily find it because of the colorfully decorated door with lemon ornaments.

It has been a popular destination since 1999 and is known for its gelato flavors and crepes, as well as specialty fresh drinks. Be sure to try their lemon offerings or Ligurian basil sorbet! They pick the basil right from their own garden.

Alberto Gelateria also offers lemon juice if you’re up for testing your sour tolerance! They are open daily from 9am until 10pm.

15. Get fried seafood at Tutti Fritti.

With the coast a stone’s throw away, you can’t come to the famous fishing village of Riomaggiore without trying the seafood.

Tutti Fritti, a restaurant in the center of Riomaggiore, serves fried seafood. They offer an assortment of seafood dishes that you can mix and match to make fried combos. Popular combos include shrimp, calamari, fried anchovies, and octopus.

They are open daily from 10:30am until 7pm.

16. Visit the oldest wine shop in Monterosso al Mare.

Taste and buy wine at the oldest wine shop in Monterosso al Mare, Enoteca Internazionale. Enoteca Internazionale sells local, Italian, and international wine assortments and liquors.

They also sell extra virgin olive oil sourced from the famous olive groves of Vernazza. The wine shop offers wine tastings and hors d’oeuvres for their customers to enjoy!

Enoteca has a selection of more than 500 wines that span from all over the world, in places such as South Africa to Australia. You have the opportunity to taste some of the world’s rarest wines picked by their in-house sommeliers.

They are open daily from 8am until 11pm.

Things to Do in Cinque Terre (On a Map!)

Where to Stay in Cinque Terre

If you are looking for the best places to stay in Cinque Terre, here are some of the top options!

• MADA Charm Apartments (luxury hotel with fantastic view!)
• Miramare Apartments & Suites (has a private outdoor pool)
• Real Rooms (affordable hotel in La Spezia)

Did I miss any of the best things to do in Cinque Terre? Let me know your top picks in the comments!

More Cinque Terre Travel Guides

• Cinque Terre boat trips
• Cinque Terre travel tips

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