Coordinating travel between five Italian villages that notably lack cars can make the process of creating a Cinque Terre itinerary a bit daunting.

Trust me, I’ve literally been there and done that.

Fortunately, I’m spinning my first-hand experience into this easy-to-follow guide so that you can minimize your time planning – and maximize your time exploring!

From travel logistics, to how to divvy up your time, to the best activities in each town, I’ve got you covered in this detailed guide to Italy’s five lands.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

Before we launch into this 3-day Cinque Terre itinerary, let’s go over some logistics of what you can expect here.

The Cinque Terre – which translates to “five lands” in Italian – consists of five vibrant fishing villages perched along the Italian Riviera coastline. From south to north, the towns include Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. Together, they comprise Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Italy’s smallest national park.

Part of the Liguria region of Northern Italy, these picturesque towns are characterized by steep terraces, sprawling vineyards, and colorful harbors.

Once an under-the-radar destination, the Cinque Terre has become an incredibly popular tourist draw.

Key Cinque Terre Attractions & Draws:

• It’s car-free – The five towns are exclusively geared toward pedestrians and cars are not permitted (with the exception of commercial vehicles). This helps create a more peaceful and less hurried experience (when it’s not peak tourist season).
• Great hiking – There are a variety of hiking trails throughout the five villages, from beginner to intermediate.
• Beautiful harbors – The village harbors offer stunning views and are a perfect jumping off point for a refreshing swim.
• Delicious food – The region is known for its pesto and its freshness is unmatched!

As I’ve shared in detail in my 50 key Cinque Terre tips, the ideal time to visit is during the shoulder season when crowds are more moderate.

Although a day trip here is doable, it’s not advisable, particularly if you’re looking to adopt more of a “slow travel” mindset. Plus, spending at least one night here is a great way to “pay your tourism dues” by supporting the villages with your lodging dollars.

In any case, I’ve intentionally allotted three days to this Cinque Terre itinerary, as that’s what I personally believe is the minimum needed to do this region justice.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to shorten your trip to one or two days, you can handpick your favorite suggestions from this guide to best align with your travel schedule.

Personally, I tend to avoid planning a big agenda on the first day that I arrive somewhere new. As you may have experienced, unexpected events often tend to arise on travel days, whether traveling takes longer than you anticipated, public transportation is running behind, etc.

For these reasons, I’m keeping the first day of this Cinque Terre itinerary fairly light, as compared to the next two days.

First things first, you’ll need to figure out how you’re getting to the Cinque Terre. I recommend omitting a car from the equation altogether, as you won’t be able to drive while you’re here anyway.

Instead, you’ll want to take the train into La Spezia Centrale from your connecting city and then catch a local to the town where you’re basing yourself. You can keep up to date with the train schedule here.

As I’ve mentioned in my Cinque Terre suggestions, you’ll probably need to arrange to meet up with your apartment host, so be sure to reference that post before traveling.

Unless you’re arriving to the Cinque Terre super early, it’s wise to spend the first day settling in and exploring the town you’re staying in.

Now for the big question: Where should you stay?

Honestly, this one was a real head-scratcher for me. I’m usually indecisive when it comes to selecting a hotel in one town, so just imagine my FOMO with five!

Fortunately, all of my initial doubt (and the corresponding lack of reliable resources online) led me to create this comprehensive guide to uncovering the best Cinque Terre town for you!

I highly recommend giving it a gander if you’re even just the teeniest bit unsure of where to base yourself.

In it, I’ve given a full (and honest) overview of the towns, including pros and cons to make your decision-making easier and your trip planning more enjoyable.

Good morning and welcome to your first full day in the Cinque Terre! Today, I suggest picking two to three towns to explore.

Visiting three towns is totally doable if you get a reasonably early start. Alternatively, if you have tours planned or you’d simply prefer to take things slow, limiting it to two is probably best. 

However, before we dive in further, you may be wondering why I didn’t suggest visiting the four towns outside of your home base.

While it’s certainly possible to squeeze the remaining four towns into your second day agenda, it’s really not necessary. Since this 3-day Cinque Terre itinerary affords you the luxury of time, you’ll probably find it more enjoyable to divide your time between your final two days.

Honing in on two to three towns means you can enjoy each at a more leisurely pace. In addition, you’ll have more time to experience your chosen towns in depth, whether by doing a fun tour or simply relaxing at one of the beautiful Cinque Terre beaches!

Since I’ve left hiking off the schedule until tomorrow, the best way of getting around on your second day will be by train.

Fortunately, the Cinque Terre has a fantastic and super convenient train system connecting each of the towns (as well as La Spezia).

You can read more about the train system and check out the schedules before you go.

Now that you have a sense of what’s reasonable to do in a day and how to get around, it’s time to select your towns.

Although you can spontaneously hop about to the different villages, I’d suggest at least loosely mapping your journey in advance. This way, you won’t waste time sitting idly at the train station or traveling unnecessarily long distances.

Instead, you’ll make your life so much easier by visiting neighboring towns (or towns near each other).

To help take the guesswork out of your itinerary planning, I’ve put together my suggested town duos and trios for your second day in the Cinque Terre.

• Riomaggiore & Manarola
• Vernazza & Corniglia
• Vernazza & Monterosso

• Riomaggiore, Manarola & Corniglia
• Corniglia, Vernazza & Monterosso

Once you’ve chosen your towns, take it one step further and suss out how you’ll spend your time in them.

Again, I’ve taken the heavy lifting out of the equation by sharing my top activity recommendations for each of the five towns. Mix and match as you see fit; I recommend starting with the activities that interest you most. Then, if time allows, you can add in some others!

I’ve also included some dinner recommendations for each of the villages. This way, you’ll have restaurant options handy regardless of which town you land in come evening.

Riomaggiore has one of the most photogenic harbor areas throughout the five towns, so it’s no wonder it’s one of the top Cinque Terre Instagram spots.

Just keep in mind that this is definitely one of the area hotspots. I suggest arriving in the morning to avoid bumping elbows with other eager travelers!

Something many people recommend – and I will definitely have to try next time – is a fish cone, a local delicacy.

In case you’re wondering what the heck a fish cone is, it’s exactly what it sounds like! If you’ve ever seen those paper cones that are used to hold French fries, it’s just like that but for fish instead.

In particular, Tutti Fritti in Riomaggiore comes highly recommended. This fish-and-chips-takeaway restaurant is great for a quick on-the-go meal.

Tutti Fritti is located at Via Colombo, 161, 19017 Riomaggiore.

• Trattoria La Lampara (Seafood) Via Malborghetto, 10, 19017 Riomaggiore
• Rio Bistrot (Ligurian) 19017 Riomaggiore
• Fuori Rotta (Ligurian) Via Telemaco Signorini, 48, 19017 Riomaggiore

Similar to Riomaggiore, the big draw of Manarola is also its beautiful harbor area, one of the best places to take photos in the Cinque Terre.

Unsurprisingly, this spot is a popular gathering place for photographers, particularly around sunset.

A great way to enjoy a literal taste of Manarola is by trying the Sciacchetrà, the delicious white wine that the area’s known for!

This particular tour includes a tasting of three unique Cinque Terre white wines and a light stroll around one of Manarola’s beautiful vineyards with views to boot. Cheers to that!

If you wish to linger and admire the harbor area, then I highly recommend getting yourself a table at Nessun Dorma.

This fan-favorite restaurant is spectacularly perched above the town, offering visitors a breathtaking vantage point over Manarola.

Although they don’t have the typical pizza/pasta offerings on their menu, they make a mean bruschetta and aperitivo!

Just make sure to reference my best Cinque Terre recommendations before you go so that you’ll know how to get on their waitlist; they don’t accept standard reservations!

• Nessun Dorma (Appetizer platters, salads, sandwiches) Località Punta Bonfiglio, 19017 Manarola
• Trattoria dal Billy (Seafood) Via A. Rollandi, 122, 19017 Manarola
• Ristorante Il Porticciolo (Seafood/Italian) Via Renato Birolli, 98, 19017 Manarola *Temporarily closed

While Corniglia is often overlooked because it’s the one town of the five that’s not adjacent to the sea, it has one of the most special village centers, in my opinion.

Unlike the other villages which are more spread out, the charm of Corniglia’s old town is in its narrow passageways and hidden nooks.

Exploring here is like winding through an intoxicating labyrinth; you never know what treasures you may find hiding around its corners!

Although reaching Corniglia can be a challenge (read my Cinque Terre village guide to see what I mean), its position offers some unique advantages!

One of the perks of such a steep location is that Corngilia has views for days. Truly, they’re remarkable.

So even though swimming is off the table here (since this town doesn’t have a harbor area), you definitely won’t miss out on any seaside views!

• Ristorante La Posada (Ligurian) Via Stazione, 11, 19018 Corniglia
• Bar Pan e Vin (Italian) Via Fieschi, 123, 19018 Corniglia
• KMO (Italian) Via Fieschi, 151, 19018 Corniglia

Of all the town harbors, Vernazza is home to my personal favorite. Not only are the views gorgeous, but it’s such a fun place to relax, people watch, and even enjoy some yummy focaccia from one of the local shops.

Although the harbor area can get pretty busy, it’s a wide enough space where you can spread out at a popular time (more so than in Riomaggiore, for instance).

Just keep in mind that the current can get pretty strong here and certain sections may be roped off if you come on a particularly rough day.

Vernazza’s main village is also my favorite of the five towns.

Although there’s just one central street that runs through the heart of Vernazza, there are some really cute shops here. I just love the overall vibe of the village.

One of my favorite stores is La Bottega Vernazza, located at the start of the village near the train station. It’s such a cozy and charming store with stone ceilings and tons of character.

They sell everything from gourmet pasta, to wine, to jams.

One of Vernazza’s most underrated gems is Doria Castle, the longest standing fortification in the Cinque Terre. 

Although most of the surrounding area is now considered ruins – with the exception of the tower – it’s a stunning place to look down from and enjoy the spectacular view over Vernazza.

Castle Hours: 10AM – 7PM (September to April) & 10AM – 9PM (May to August )
Entrance Fee: 1,50EUR ($1.69USD)

You can access Doria Castle from the narrow staircase next to the harbor.

• Ristorante Belforte (Seafood) Viale Alessandro Guidoni, 19018 Vernazza *Temporarily Closed
• La Torre (Seafood) Preteccia, 1, 19018 Vernazza
• Il Gambero Rosso Vernazza (Seafood) Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, 7, 19017 Vernazza *Temporarily Closed
• Bar Gianni Franzi (Seafood) Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, 1, 19018 Vernazza

The northernmost village along the Cinque Terre, Monterosso is most often sought out for its beautiful beaches.

If you’re at all familiar with the Mediterranean region, then you already know what a rare find a sand beach is, which is why tourists tend to flock to Monterosso.

Although there are four beaches on Monterosso, Spiaggia Fegina is my personal favorite.

The other three beaches include:

• Il Gigante Bathing Resort (Fegina)
• Portiglione Public Beach (Fegina)
• Tragagià Public Beach (Monterosso Vecchio)

Despite being the most “resort-like” of the five villages, Monterosso has a truly underrated old town as well.

I suggest building some time into your schedule to explore, wander the streets, and capture some of the best Cinque Terre photo spots, of course!

From what I’ve heard, exploring the Cinque Terre by boat is one of the most special ways to experience it.

So if you’re open to putting in some elbow grease on a fun, interactive experience, you should consider a kayaking tour from Monterosso.

During this tour, you’ll enjoy commentary from a local guide, discover hidden coves, and enjoy an unrivaled perspective of the five villages.

• Miky (“Inventive” Ligurian) Via Fegina, 104, 19016 Monterosso al Mare
• Enoteca da Eliseo (Wine Bar) Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, 3, 19016 Monterosso al Mare
• Ristorante L’Ancora della Tortuga (Seafood/Pasta) Salita dei Cappuccini, 4, 19016 Monterosso al Mare

For the final day of this Cinque Terre itinerary, it’s time to go out with a bang!

Personally, I can’t think of a better grand finale for your last day than a hike. In addition to getting your blood pumping a bit, hiking is truly the key to unlocking the most incredible views this region has to offer.

Regardless of your experience level, there’s at least a footpath or two you can enjoy while you’re here.

If you’re unsure which path to take, I recommend hiking to your favorite town from day two. This way, you can spend extra time there when you arrive.

Although I’ve already shared my best hiking tips for the Cinque Terre, my main piece of advice is don’t delay your hike for too long! The earlier you get out there and start hiking, the more enjoyable it will be.

I recommend checking out the different hiking trails as you plan so you’ll know what to expect, where to start from, etc.

After a refreshing morning of hiking, you’ll probably be pretty hungry.

So why not satisfy your cravings with a fun food tour?

Whet your appetite with one of these exciting options so that you can learn about the regional cuisine and potentially peek behind the scenes of grocery shopping at a local market!

Since it’s your final day, why not use any extra time you have to visit the town(s) you may have missed on day two?

I’d suggest taking the train, as this really is the most efficient way of getting around.

Also, to ensure you go out with a bang, don’t forget to reference my handy restaurant recommendations for each of the different towns!

I hope this Cinque Terre itinerary will be a helpful resource for you as you plan your adventures to Northern Italy. Plus, you can check out my full 2-week Italy itinerary for even more inspiration!

Have you visited Italy’s five lands yet? Let me know about your experience in the comments below!

Planning a trip to the Cinque Terre? Check out my other area guides:

• Best Cinque Terre Town to Stay in Based on Your Travel Style
• 50 Key Cinque Terre Tips for First-Time Visitors: The Ultimate Guide
• 15 Stunning Cinque Terre Instagram Spots You Can’t Miss