A territory where the sea and the land join to create a unique and fascinating scenario. Eighteen kilometers of rocky cliffs, beaches and deep seabeds, dominated by a mountain chain running parallel to the coast. Vineyards and olive groves terraces whose dry walls allow containment, confinement of the same terraces. A thoroughly natural heritage of great biodiversity. Paths and muleteers with breathtaking views. 5 villages: Monterosso al mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola e Riomaggiore, all of them overlooking the sea. This is a land where centuries of hard work, generations after generations, have transformed a totally hostile environment into a landscape of extraordinary beauty. These are, in short, the 5 Terre, declared to be Humanity’s Worldly Heritage by UNESCO dating from 1997.
How to reach Cinque Terre:
• by ferry boats: during spring and summer there are daily trips from La Spezia, Lerici, Porto Venere and Portofino piers, with the last stop in Monterosso al mare;
• by train: plenty of trains available on the Pisa - Genova railway line which allows to reach every single village of the 5 Terre not to mention several intercity trains which stop in Riomaggiore and Monterosso al mare too. Regular running of regional trains leaving La Spezia central train station and stopping in all 5 villages.
• by foot: much of the success of the 5 lands depends on the dense network of paths which, like a spider's web, cover all the coastline. For many centuries they have represented the one and only connecting line not just linking the 5 villages but also reaching up to La Spezia and the inland area. Nowadays these paths are one of the best ways to get to know and appreciate the 5 Terre. The three main paths, all easily accessible with a little training and the right outfit, are well marked with a white and red trail marker by CAI department of La Spezia. The first path is number 1 path which runs along the ridge separating the coastline from Vara's valley. The second path is the so called sanctuaries path which connects, half of the coastline, the places of worship inside each village. The third path is number 2 path, widely known as the Light Blue Path, which joins the 5 villages to one another.
We advise to purchase the unique "Cinque Terre Card" which gives access to 5 Terre by train, ferry boat and allows to use the 5 Terre paths, all this at a super convenient deal!