Cinque Terre Italy, In 1 Day

Cinque Terre Italy in one day – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. You can visit all five villages in a day however, to truly enjoy them you need at least two days. Each village has stunning and unique views, you need to spend time in each one. The easiest and best way to get here from Genoa or La Spezia is by train, we came from Genoa. Riomaggiore, the furtherest village is 62 miles/100 kms from Genoa, a little under 2-hours train ride. Check train schedules as trains do not run all night. There is RV/motorhome parking in Monterosso.

Cinque Terre Italy In One Day

1. Riomaggiore – Rock/pebble beach and boat dock for swimming
2. Manarola – No beach, boat dock for swimming
3. Corniglia – No beach, no dock
4. Vernazza – Very small sand beach and rock/pebble beach
5. Monterosso – Magnificent sandy beaches

1. Riomaggiore

Just to keep you informed right at the start, the rush for trains are challenging at all five villages. This picture was taken in the morning during the middle of August. If you are traveling with kids, have a plan for boarding and alighting.

The “Road of Love” cliffside hiking trail begins near the station itself and is an easy walk to Manarola. 0.6 mile/1 km/30 minutes however, the trail is not always open due to construction. You can still walk part of the way and the views are awesome.

Walk through the village, there are lovely pastry, pizza and ice-cream shops. You can sit down along the way and relax in this beautiful setting.

The Castle of Riomaggiore is open to the public. Behind it there is a terrace with benches and views of the cliffside trail and seaside. It can be reached by the road from the train station or from the courtyard of the church of Saint John the Baptist.

The church of St. John the Baptist was built at the wish of bishop Antonio Fieschi in 1340. After a minor collapse, the church was completely renovated in 1870-1871. You will find it in the upper part of the historical centre of Riomaggiore.

There is a superb art collection in the church. A preserved painting “Preaching of John the Baptist” by artist Domenico Fiasella, and a wooden crucifixion of Antonio Maria Maragliano. A marble pulpit from 1663, masterpieces from the XVII – XVIII centuries include a mechanical organ from 1851.

There is a pebble/rocky beach in Riomaggiore although, a lot of people swim at the village dock. It is partly sheltered but you still have rough waves.

2. Manarola

A small town with no beach just the village dock which is used for swimming and diving. Tourist sunbathe on the boat jetty.

The cliffside trail “Road of Love” is pretty and you will find hundreds of “Love-locks” on the railing. Don’t forget to take a good pad-lock with your names painted on it to last for eternity.

The view below is the street from the train station leading to the dock. It is very charming and there are bars, restaurants and souvenir shops along the way.

3. Corniglia

Corniglia is not directly adjacent to the sea, it is on the top of a promontory about 100 meters high.

To reach Corniglia, you have to climb the “Lardarina”, a long brick flight of steps (33 flights with 382 steps). You could also follow a road from the station that leads to the village. Sometimes a small bus services this route.

Corniglia is known for its vineyards and you find them everywhere. There is one just besides the staircase leading to the village.

There are nice family-run restaurants in the village and you can eat a delicious local meal here.

4. Vernazza

One of the most beautiful of the five villages. You get stunning views of the village from the trails leading to Monterosso and Corniglia. You also get pretty views from the tower of Doria castle and the end of the pier.

There is a small sandy beach in front of the main square, Piazza Marconi. On the other side of Doria Castle through a tunnel from Main Street, there is a rocky beach. The Piazza has restaurants, bars, souvenir and gift shops.

The Church of Saint Margaret is in the town’s main square, right at the seaside. It has a nave and two aisles, with an octagonal bell tower rising from the apse area.

Doria Castle is on a steep outcrop overtopped by an impressive tower. The tower is in the center of the castle’s esplanade and offers stunning views of the village and its colorful harbor. The tower is called the Belforte.

This picture above, is taken from the pier.

5. Monterosso

Of all the villages, Monterosso gets visited the most because of its beaches. The beach at Fegina is just outside the railway station. You can hire boats, catamarans, stand-up-paddle boards etc..

There is another beach a 10-minute walk left of the railway station, in the old centre of the village. Between the two beaches, is the Aurora Tower.

Monterosso was guarded by thirteen towers but as of today, only three are left. One of them is the Aurora Tower built in the XVI century. It is currently a private house and gourmet restaurant.

On the outskirts of the new town at the end of Fegina beach, there is a huge statue of Neptune carrying a giant seashell. The statue weighs about 1700 tons and is 14 meters high.