The Cinque Terre Area

A varied region, with countless natural, artistic and cultural treasures: spend time in the whole area to catch the somewhat hidden identity of its colorful villages and its traditions.​

The Cinque Terre area is not only made of the coast, unique and unrepeatable, and of five villages perched on the mountains and overlooking the sea. The area is now famous throughout the world and characterized by an increasingly important flow of tourists. The medieval villages take their origin in the hinterland and its peasant culture, that of the Vara River Valley, and even further up to the culture of the Lunigiana. It is the historical area that in most ancient times was dominated by the Ligurian and Apuan Celts. The most typical features of the five villages can be found throughout the marine area, extending to the Gulf of La Spezia, (the Gulf of the Poets), with the enchanting Lerici and Portovenere, while its small archipelago hides the surprise of pristine and fierce nature and ancient history.

Where Are You?
The Cinque Terre Area

...
CINQUE TERRE VILLAGES

The Cinque Terre villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso.

...
GULF OF THE POETS

The bay of La Spezia, Portovenere and Lerici at its edges.

...
VARA VALLEY

The green lung of the Cinque Terre area, the first organic district in Europe.

...
LUNIGIANA

Antichi castelli e abazie, leggende misteriose in odor di Toscana.

What to Do In
The Cinque Terre Area

1

Visit Colourful and Quaint Fishing Villages

Unique, simple exclusiveness of the “famous” Cinque Terre Villages.

2

Exciting Treks all year round

A unique net of trekking trails, for all tastes and levels. Just check in advance for any planned maintenance.

3

Explore La Spezia and its new beauty

Visit a city with a newly rediscovered identity. La Spezia is a lot more than just a gate to the Cinque Terre.

4

Dive inCrystal Blue Sea

Don’t miss a boat or kayak tour in the Cinque Terre area, for a privileged point of view.

5

Try Genuine and rich flavors

The local cuisine is simple but tasty, with both seafood and inland dishes. Tasting is a must!

6

Explore Historic and organic Valleys

Local culture is to be found in the inland, with the Lunigiana Castles and the biodistrict.

Not to miss in the Cinque Terre area

The Cinque Terre Villages
The last outpost of Lerici
Portovenere and the poets
Vara Valley and the Organic District
Lunigiana: Villages, castles and churches
La Spezia, a surprising city

The Cinque Terre Beaches: just like heaven

THE BEACHES OF LA SPEZIA: A Do In Italy guide for you!

The beaches of the Cinque Terre area offer a lot more to see than just the Cinque Terre villages and their marinas: hidden coves, crystal blue sea, semi-submerged grottos, natural gems to be discovered with respect and patience.

One hundred pages of guide about the beaches of the Cinque Terre and about the Gulf of the Poets near La Spezia, with descriptions, instructions on how to reach the shores, and GPS coordinates for those who travel by boat!

Click here to get a preview

Map and Guide

with information, activities, experiences and a complete guide to the beaches of the entire Cinque Terre area

For only 3€ Buy the e-book
  • ✔ Map, information, experiences and activities to do in the Cinque Terre area
  • ✔ E-book guide of the Cinque Terre, La Spezia and upper Tuscan beaches: how to reach them, information, GPS coordinates and much more.
Buy Now

How to travel around the Cinque Terre

  • Following the arch of the Gulf of Poets coastline, from Portovenere to Lerici, it is possible to travel by car or bus.
  • To visit the villages of the Cinque Terre it is recommended to take the ferry or train.
  • The train is the best way to visit the villages beyond the Cinque Terre.
  • Travelling by bicycle is an option for trained cyclists: there are many hills and climbs can be strenuous, especially in summer.
  • To visit the Val di Vara and the hinterland it is convenient to travel by car.

A bike on the Cinque Terre train

Monesteroli – the breathtaking staircase

Where to get the Cinque Terre train tickets:

  • at the La Spezia central station ticket office;
  • at bars, newsstands (for regional routes);
  • at the ticket office of La Spezia central station and of La Spezia Migliarina Station.
  • Keep in mind that, after having purchased it, the ticket must be stamped at the ticket validation machine.
  • To combine a visit to the Cinque Terre villages by train and Trekking in the Cinque Terre Park, the ideal choice is to buy the Cinque Terre Card.

Where to buy bus tickets:

  • ATC office in Piazza Chiodo;
  • newsstands;
  • using the ATC mobile app.

Where to park your car

To park your car mind the colored lines on the ground:

  • white lines: free parking;
  • blue lines: toll parking, free after 8pm until 8am and on Sundays and public holidays;
  • yellow lines: do not park.

There are three parking lots in La Spezia city centre:

  • covered parking in Piazza Europa;
  • uncovered parking at the Porto Mirabello;
  • Piazza D’Armi outdoor parking lot.

Top Experiences in the Cinque Terre Area

latest Cinque Terre Area stories

#doiners

Is the Cinque Terre Via

26 May 2020
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The biggest nativity in the

13 December 2019
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Is the Via dell’Amore Open?

25 October 2019
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Rick Steves walks in Vernazza

24 May 2019

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