A Little Splendor… The Cinque Terre Hike’s Best Views of the Sparkling Mediterranean

Last updated on August 2, 2025 by Shannon

Colorful houses drip from cliffs and hang over the sea. Sunlight sparkles in the ocean and across the gentle curve of sandy beaches. The five towns comprising Cinque Terre are among the most photogenic of Italy’s coastal cities.

Even more, Cinque Terre is one of the most popular and iconic of Italy’s towns.

While Rome and Venice are known the world over for ancient history and modern culture, Cinque Terre is among the next most popular destinations with travelers visiting Italy. And for good reason—the region is stunning. It’s worthy of the acclaim. Years ago, I intended to visit while living and studying in Italy.

Life got in the way during that last visit, so I was determined to see this region for myself. I’ve visited Cinque Terre multiple times since my first hike back in 2009, and I’ve now done the hike in both directions, stopping in various spots via train, and with an eight-month-old baby in tow in summer 2022!

Here’s how to plan your Cinque Terre hike, which towns are best, which direction to hike, and how to hike Cinque Terre with a baby.

What’s it Like Hiking Cinque Terre?

When my best friend Jenn decided to join my round the world trip, we planned to meet in Italy and then cross into Croatia. She arrived in Milan and we plotted a route across Italy that would take in Pisa, Cinque Terre, Florence, and Assisi. From there we took the ferry to Croatia to switch our exploration mode from Renaissance history to gorgeous national parks and waterfalls.

The signature activity in Cinque Terre is a six-hour hike that hugs the coastline along the Sentiero Azzurro Trail (Trail #2, Blue Trail). It starts at the water’s edge, scales the side of mountains to reach cliffs hanging over the sea, and then drops back to sea level multiple times as you visit the five cities.

Throughout the hike, you pass through five small towns—hence the name, which translates to five lands. Cinque Terre is unapologetically spectacular and well worth the work it takes to battle tourists and find accommodation during high season.

While the natural beauty is one reason to hike Cinque Terre, each of the five towns are also beyond charming—and each has its own vibes.

When you’re hiking, suddenly the hiking paths veer from the trees and coastline and weaves into one of the five towns. We would emerge from the path panting, and suddenly the trees cleared and we found a tightly-packed Italian town filled with colorful, stacked houses.

Since we were hiking along the coast, the towns also had tiny harbors and inlets for sunbathing and for docking small boats that bobbed gently in the sea current.

Italian architecture is deeply compelling aesthetically—it’s not so much the style of the houses, but rather the colors. It’s exactly what you imagine the Mediterranean looks like from the photos!

And while cookie-cutter suburbs in the U.S. attempt to replicate the aesthetic, there is no contest when seeing Italian architecture and culture woven into the Mediterrean landscape. Without the sparkling blue sea, the rolling grape fields, and the lilt of the Italian language, it loses that je ne sais quoi.

Is the Cinque Terre hike hard?

Yes, sections of the hike are difficult and require proper shoes, and adequate preparations such as sufficient water, sun protection, and stamina. That said, other sections are paved and flat.

If you want to hike the entire trail between the five towns, prepare for a difficult hike, at times. If you’re hoping to see some views but want a less serious situation, there are two very family-friendly and unchallenging portions of the hike.

The entire hike takes about six hours and some travelers choose to split the hike into two or more days, mostly because of the difficulty of the trail between Monterosso al Mare and Vernazza. I’ve done it both ways.

I hiked it in one long day, starting early in the morning so it was cooler and hiking from Riomaggiore north to Monterosso (in hindsight, we should have hiked in the reverse direction so that we were doing the hardest bit during the cooler morning hours).

Then, when traveling with an eight-month-old, I hiked the two hard portions in one day (Monterosso—Vernazza—Cornilgia), then took the train back to Monterosso for the night, which is where we were staying. That left the easy bits for the next day.

Which Direction Should You Hike Cinque Terre?

There are many ways to hike through the five towns, and no way is inherently better—all of this coastline is gorgeous, and the train is so easy to use that even if you stay in a middle town, you can train to the start of the hike in the morning.

My friends and I found budget accommodation in Riomaggiore on my first trip to Cinque Terre, so we started there. But on a trip in 2022 with my infant son, we found a fantastic mid-range hotel in Monterosso, so we started the hike in the opposite direction.

The plus of hiking toward Monterosso means you can spend time on the beach cooling off as soon as you finish your hike—the benefits of that on a hot day cannot be overstated!

You also don’t have to hike through all five towns! Some sections of the hike are harder than others, so consider hiking through the prettier sections, and then training between the towns after that.

That said, keep in mind the difficulty of the trail between Monterosso, Vernazza, and Cornilgia. If you’re hiking in the summer or shoulder season (it can still feel scorching hot), start your hike in Monterosso so that you’re hiking the hardest part in the cooler part of the day. Then it’s an easy stroll into Riomaggiore when the sun reaches peak heat.

Corniglia and Vernazza are the best places to stop for lunch or a snack to fuel your hike.

Which Parts of the Cinque Terre Should You Hike?

No matter which section you choose to hike, there just isn’t a truly poor choice—the entire hike is stunning if you’re opting for roughly 11 km Sentiero Azzurro (Trail #2 “Blue Trail”)—this is the most popular trail through the five towns. The path snakes along the edge of the cliffs. Each time you round a bend, a new vista awaits, with views that leave your mouth agape.

That said, some sections of the Cinque Terre hike are easier than others, and a few views from up high are breathtaking. Here’s my hot take on which section you should hike if you’re only going to hike a couple parts of it, or if you’re hiking Cinque Terre with kids.

Hike Between Monterosso and Vernazza

If you’re hiking from Riomaggiore to Monterosso, then this section is the hardest part of the hike. There’s a basically vertical hike connecting Vernazza to Monterosso. This section is by far the hardest part of the hike. Jenn is fit and even she was huffing and puffing along the route. About 40 minutes into the steep climb, I nearly lost the will to continue (it was hot!). Then, a fellow hiker from the other direction noticed my delightfully attractive splotchy red face and gave me the best news of the day—it was all downhill from there!

If you have bad knees, then note that hiking this section from Monterosso to Vernazza means a lot of rough downhill steps that could make it equally challenging. I hiked this part with a baby strapped in a carrier on my back and it was doable, but tough. I didn’t have trekking poles, but there were certainly times I wished I had them to help balance the load of a wiggly baby on my back.

Hiking Cinque Terre with kids?

Consider skipping this part of the hike in either direction unless the kids are older and/or experienced hikers. You can just take the train instead. If you’re keen on some pretty views, consider hiking up to the overlook of the harbor, and then back down—most active kids could handle this bit.

What are the Views Like?

The views above Vernazza are stunning. This section of the hike has a view of Vernazza’s harbor that is postcard perfect and among the most iconic shots you’ve ever seen of Cinque Terre. But that more famous view of the town is not actually far up the trail.

If you’re not keen to actually hike between Vernazza and Monterosso, then take the train and just hike a bit uphill along the trail and looking out at the sweeping coastal views. Although the entire hike has pretty parts, travelers really enjoy most the hikes into and leaving the cities, so you can experience that without the two-to-three hours of hiking.

Hiking Facts:

• Time: It takes between two and three hours to hike this section.
• Distance: 3.5 km (1.8 miles)
• Difficulty: Challenging. It’s steep ups and downs, with many steps, narrow paths, and only moderate shade. Consider using trekking poles.

Hike Between Vernazza and Corniglia

If you have bad knees, then note that hiking this section from Monterosso to Vernazza means a lot of rough downhill steps that could make it equally challenging. I hiked this part with a baby strapped in a carrier on my back and it was doable, but tough. I had to hang on tight to the railing, or side-step down the stairs to feel secure.

Hiking Cinque Terre with kids?

This section is a bit easier than Monterosso to Vernazza, but it’s seriously lacking in shade, which can really wipe you out if you’re hiking in the heat of summer (which we were!).

Like the other section, it’s probably best to skip this part of the hike in either direction unless your kids are older and/or experienced hikers. You can just take the train instead. That said, I hiked this section with a baby, which is doable if you’re carrying them and they have a shady hate, adequate sun protection, and lots of water/baby rehydration salts.

What are the Views Like?

The hiking into and out of Vernazza is gorgeous and most hikers count this town as their favorite, including the bit along the Vernazza to Corniglia trail. If you take the train, hike a bit up and out of Vernazza toward Monterosso—although the route to Corniglia also has pretty bits, the views most people seek are along the trail toward Monterosso.

Hiking Facts:

• Time: It takes roughly two hours to hike this section.
• Distance: 4 km (2 miles)
• Difficulty: Moderately challenging. There are a lot of steep steps, many of which are uneven, at times. There’s only moderate shade. Consider using trekking poles.

Hike Between Corniglia and Manarola

Travelers of most abilities can do this stretch of hiking trail (and then onward to Riomaggiore). It’s a pretty easy hike in either direction, and Corniglia is a pretty little town tucked up and away from the water, with twisted streets and a classic Italian charm.

Because of landslides, an alternate, harder route is also available between Corniglia and Manarola. This slightly modified route takes you through Volastra—this “high route” is a harder hike (though there is a bus to Volastra), and longer at 5 km. It’s rated “difficult” and should be approached with the same preparation as the hike between Monterosso and Vernazza. More on that route here.

Hiking Cinque Terre with kids?

Kids of most abilities can hike this part, though there are many stairs between the train station and Corniliga, so be warned.

What are the Views Like?

You’re hiking along the Mediterrean, so it’s pretty. That said, Corniglia isn’t located right on the water, so you’re not going to get that picture-perfect postcard view into or out of the city.

Hiking Facts:

• Time: Just over an hour.
• Distance: 2.5 km (1.2 miles)
• Difficulty: Moderate to easy

Hike Between Manarola and Riomaggiore

Travelers of all abilities can do this stretch of hiking trail given that it’s flat and paved. That means it’s accessible with strollers and wheelchairs. It’s an easy and pretty hike in either direction. After extensive renovations over the past decade, the Via dell’Amore reopened on February 14, 2025. Access requires a reservation and the purchase of a Cinque Terre Card with an additional fee of €10.

Because of the landslides, a harder but fun route for the adventurous became de rigeur for experienced hikers. This hike is a moderately difficult 1.5 km hike between the cities via Beccara, detailed here.

Hiking Cinque Terre with kids?

This is the most classically family-friendly portion of the Cinque Terre hike. Mostly because it’s not really a hike, but more of a gentle walk. The trail from Manarola to Monterosso requires actual hiking, so don’t get lulled into complacency after this easy bit that it’s like that the entire way.

What are the Views Like?

Riomaggiore is a sweet town and probably second to Vernazza as the most photographed harbor in Cinque Terre. If you’re traveling as a family and not keen on a hard hike, consider doing the easy bits of the hike from Riomaggiore to Corniglia, and then a boat tour or some other family-friendly activity on the water. This is easily organized in Riomaggiore or Monterosso.

Hiking Facts:

• Time: 45 minutes
• Distance: 2 km (1.2 miles)
• Difficulty: An easy stroll

What’s the Best Gelato in Cinque Terre?

Let’s talk about something very serious: gelato.

You’ll find a lot of gelato shops—several in each town. But save room for gelato in Vernazza.

Although I have a love/hate relationship with hiking in general, Cinque Terre is so beautiful and compelling throughout the hike that I easily forgot that some sections were a bit strenuous. Once we made it through to the fourth town, we had the last and hardest part of the hike ahead of us. It would take an hour and fifteen minutes to hike between Vernazza and Monterosso. To fortify ourselves for the hike—and even though it was only 10:30am—we stopped for gelato in Vernazza.

It was the best gelato of my life.

And what’s funny is that it wasn’t even one of my favorite flavors! The day already scorching hot, so I opted for an icy gelato rather than a creamy one.

The limone gelato was divine.

In fact, let’s take a moment of silence in my memory of that exquisite flavor. If you’re planning your own hike through Cinque Terre, hunt down the gelato shop in Vernazza. It’s unmissable when you first step into town. It’s directly in front of you when you leave the the south trail and enter town. It’s called, and located here on Google Maps. Mark it down, stop there, enjoy. I’ve made a point of having the lemon gelato on subsequent trips to Vernazza, and it’s just as good as I remember.

We nearly skipped the rest of the rest of the hike. And when walking into Monterosso Bay, with its white sandy beach, we sent up squeals of glee. We stripped down to our bathing suits and jumped into the icy cold waters of the Ligurian Sea. After a hike like, that we rewarded ourselves with another gelato (nocciola, hazelnut, this time!)

With our Cinque Terre hike finished—and having relaxed and recuperated on the beach—we used the train to return to Riomaggiore.

Thinking back on the beauty, I can’t help but just smile at the happy memories. In the years since I visited, Cinque Terre has seen untenable tourism surges. For that reason, the government plans to cut tourist numbers by more than a million annually.

Research the current restrictions ahead of time, and be prepared for serious crowds, especially if there is a group tour coming through. You can buy a ticket for the hiking trail, the Cinque Terre Card, from the National Parks Service for just €‎7.50.

How to Plan a Trip to Cinque Terre, Italy

How to Use the Trains to Navigate Cinque Terre

In each of the five towns, the train station is super close. These are tiny cities and the trains stop essentially in the middle of town. In Corniglia, you have to hike up to the town when coming from Manarola, but this is part of the hiking route, actually. This is why the Cinque Terre Card (€‎7.50)‎ is so handy, and why it’s not essential that you hike the bits that you’d rather not—you can zip between towns in 5-10 minutes (each town is max 10 minutes from the next town via train). Then you land either in or adjacent to the heart of the city.

How to Get to & Around Cinque Terre

You can’t bring a car into the five towns of Cinque Terre, so most travelers with a car stay in La Spezia. Wondering if you need a rental car to get there? You don’t! Cinque Terre is well connected to other locations in Italy via train. I live in Barcelona, so I found a crazy-cheap flight into Genoa, trained to Monterosso in about three hours, and then we headed onward by train to Florence, and I flew home from there.

That’s how you should think about Cinque Terre—as a sandwich into your train trip around the region. It would be a cinch to get to Cinque Terre traveling to or from Pisa, Florence, or Genoa (or even Bologna) in a single day. And while you can make it from Milan and further afield, those would make for long train rides, and you’d miss a lot of amazing places in Italy along the way.

I always use Trainline to easily book European train travel in English.

Once you’re in Cinque Terre, the five towns are made for walking—be prepared! There are buses too, and the Cinque Terre Express train easily connects the towns in about 5-10 minutes between towns, with trains running multiple times an hour in both directions.

These towns are built into cliffs and seaside, so expect that you will be hauling your own luggage to your accommodation! If you’re hopping towns across several days, it’s a lot of work to navigate the towns with your luggage while dodging crowds of tourists. But between the bus and train and the easily walkable streets, it’s dead simple to navigate anywhere in Cinque Terre once you’ve stowed your luggage.

How to Visit

The government wants to limit the number of people hiking and visiting at any given time and new restrictions could come at any point. This is a fast-changing situation, so research ahead of time to see if the government has yet implemented the tourism restrictions—when that happens you will have to apply months in advance for entrance to the towns.

Then check the Cinque Terre tourism website for updates on landslides and rockslides that may impact your planned hiking route.

What to Pack for the Cinque Terre Hike

You must wear closed toed shoes on the hike; it’s mandatory and you could be fined for wearing even hiking sandals. Besides that, prepare for a lot of sun and heat if it’s summer or even shoulder season.

Pack these essentials when hiking Cinque Terre:

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses and hat (and baby hat)
• Refillable water bottle (and rehydration salts for kids)
• Small snack
• Hiking shoes or sneakers with grip (skip the Chucks)

What to Do

The hike is gorgeous and some sections are very gentle inclines, others are steep. Plan on hiking, but match the sections to your fitness level. The coastal trail requires the Cinque Terre Card, and it offers free WiFi too, which is good because data is not guaranteed and internet can be pricey!

The Cinque Terre Trekking Card grants access to the paid hiking trails between Monterosso and Corniglia. It costs €7.50 per day during regular periods and €15.00 on high peak days for adults.

There is also snorkeling and other water activities on offer, I highly recommend the kayaking as it would be my choice when/if I return! And if you aren’t up for the walk physically, there is a minibus tour with pretty views too, and allows you to still see the magical five towns.

Where to Stay in Cinque Terre

I found my great place on Booking.com when I visited in summer 2022. Riomaggiore has a ton of tiny Airbnb-like apartments and is a great budget option for those who want a bit of privacy at the same price as a hotel in Monterosso.

Monterosso is the bigger of the towns (but still small!), and offers a larger range of restaurants than the other, smaller towns. I stayed here when traveling with my baby and a friend as we were tight on time and wanted an easy-in and easy-out location that was also stroller friendly.

When picking a place, note that accommodation offering a free breakfast is an easy way to start the morning if you plan to hike—a sit-down breakfast would get you out the door later, and if it’s hot, you want to be out by 9 am.

• Hotel Souvenir: A mid-range hotel in Monterosso offering family rooms and rooms with terrace, ocean views. They serve a hearty breakfast buffet and the kind staff helped me haul my son’s travel cot up to the attic family room. It’s well located in Monterosso for a peaceful night’s sleep.
• Rita’s House: A bit more of a splurge in Monterosso, this is a gorgeous two-bedroom private apartment that would work fabulously for larger families, or groups of friends splitting a place.
• Albergo Barbara: A hotel in Vernazza that’s mid-range to budget and fabulously located. Vernazza is the prettiest of the towns, so you could have a great time staying here—the harbor is shallow and perfect for kids.
• PRIA de Mar: This private apartment in Riomaggiore is my top budget-to-mid-range pick. On my first time through Cinque Terre, I stayed in Riomaggiore and loved the sweet, quaint vibes.
• Elite 19: Pick this spot if you’re keen to stay in La Spezia. It’s a good price, well located, and you can pay to park nearby, if you’ve arrived via rental car (otherwise … why are you staying in La Spezia vs one of the vibey towns of Cinque Terre?)

Tips for Families Visiting Cinque Terre

I’ve spread my tips for hiking Cinque Terre with kids (or a baby) throughout the post, but here’s a condensed version of what families should know about visiting Cinque Terre with kids. A lot of how much they enjoy it will depend on their ages, but in general there’s a lot to keep kids busy! And the gelato shops in every town make a nice carrot for those kids that need a bit more motivation to explore the towns via walking and/or hiking.

Families would be best served staying in Monterosso al Mare—it’s the larger of the five towns and keeps you right in the thick of things, with a shallow beach located just minutes from any accommodation in town. I stayed at Hotel Souvenir with my infant son and loved it as a mid-range accommodation option. They had a hearty breakfast buffet and their staff helped me haul his travel cot up to the attic family room.

But if you need more space, or a more budget-conscious location, consider staying in La Spezia—then it’s just a short train ride into town.

Pack a lot of water if you’re hiking during summer, and consider packing an electrolyte drink if your kids are dicey on drinking water. My son was a bit sick in the days leading up to our August hike, and given the heat I wanted to be sure he stayed hydrated. I used powdered baby rehydration salts (basically the European version of powdered Pedialyte) for him throughout the day. As the temps climbed above 90°F by noon, I was happy to know he was hydrated. I packed the rehydration salts before I arrived and could not find any others at the towns in Cinque Terre.

As you can see from the photos, I also used a massively wide-brimmed hat on him, an SPF bathing suit, and high-factor sunscreen. And my Ergobaby Omni 360 was the cooler mesh version. There are large swaths of the trail with no shade, or dappled shade—prepare accordingly. We reapplied sunscreen to his exposed limbs twice and he didn’t get an ounce of color on him from the hike.

Best Guidebook for Italy

Although I usually use the Lonely Planet guides all over the world (and the Lonely Planet Italy could work if you prefer it), in Europe I find that the Rick Steves guides have a great mix of suggested routes and detailed culture and history sections to accompany them. For that reason, consider using the Rick Steves Italy to plan your route around Italy.