The Cinque Terre is a collection of five famously picturesque coastal villages along the Italian Riviera in the Liguria region of North Western Italy, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The villages are linked by footpaths, trains and boats and cars are not allowed into the villages themselves.
There are a number of fairly challenging hiking trails between the villages that offer splendid views over the Mediterranean. Walking from one town to the next you can stop off to eat and/or sunbathe at each one. If you don’t want to hike all the way back to where you are staying you can take the train that runs regularly between all five villages, a two day train card is included in the package. Bear in mind that some of the paths have been closed since the flash floods of 2011, but most are still accessible.
Other popular activities in the area include mountain biking, horse riding and scuba diving, while paragliding is popular in the winter around Monterosso.
There are a number of cafes and restaurant dotted around each of the villages, some of which are fairly touristy, while others offer wonderful fresh local seafood specialties, accompanied by the excellent dry white wine produced locally on the terraced vineyards you will pass through on your walks.
Cinque Terre Self guided walking holiday in Italy with wine tasting
This 3 -night break includes all you need for a short, self-guided walking holiday around the Cinque Terre, with self-catering accommodation in the centre of Manarola, one of the five villages that make up the Cinque Terre (literally ‘five lands’) on the scenic Italian Riviera. Explore the hiking trails that link the villages along the coast and inland, and enjoy a wine tasting and a seafood dinner as part of the package
PDF Download: Cinque Terre Hiking MapHighlights
- Discover the numerous trails and paths that link the five villages that make up the picturesque Cinque Terre
- Enjoy a wonderful meal of local seafood dishes
- Try the excellent local wines at a wine tasting included in the price
Included
- 3 nights' accommodation in a self-catering apartment in Manarola
- Information with description of suggested itineraries, map of the Cinque Terre National Park
- 1 tasting of local wines in a wine bar in Manarola
- 1 three course dinner of fish specialities, drinks not included
- 1 book “Cinque Terre - vineyards with sea view” written by C. Unger. (1 book per 2 people)
- Cinque Terre Train Card valid for 2 consecutive days, including unlimited train rides on local trains between Levanto and La Spezia, entrance fee to the Cinque Terre National Park and trails. The card includes further services of the National Park, such as the use of the public buses and free wifi at the National Park's hotspots.
Excluded
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Meals and drinks unless specified above
- Local taxes where applicable
- Anything else not specified above
Itinerary
Day 1:
Check in at your hotel or apartment. Upon arrival, you will receive a welcome package containing information about the area and inspiration for what to do during your stay in the Cinque Terre. The package also includes the Cinque Terre Train Card and the dinner and wine tasting vouchers.
Specialty fish dinner at a characteristic restaurant in Manarola or Corniglia.
Day 2:
Hike one of the most beautiful trails of the Cinque Terre, the panoramic trail from Corniglia via Volastra to Manarola. It leads through picturesque terraced vineyards built and maintained by local winegrowers. In the afternoon you have an appointment at a wine bar and ancient wine cellar in Manarola, where you will try of 3 local wines and appetisers.
Dinner at leisure.
Day 3:
Hike an ancient pilgrimage path from the picturesque Village of Vernazza up to the sanctuary of Madonna di Reggio. From there the path continues offering wonderful views over the sea through Mediterranean scrubland until you reach the sanctuary of Madonna di Soviore. The trail ends in Monterosso, the largest of the Cinque Terre villages which has a beautiful beach.
Dinner at leisure.
Day 4:
Check-out and departure.
Itinerary suggestions for an extended stay:
• Hike the spectacular trail from Riomaggiore to Portovenere which lasts about 5 hours. Enjoy a varied path and an incomparable panorama over the steep coast of the southern part of the Cinque Terre coast. Return by public ferry boat.
• Go for a wander around the Palmaria island with beautiful views to Portovenere and over the Gulf of Poets
• Walk the Levanto Valley, crossing olive groves and ancient hamlets.
Corniglia - Volastra – Manarola
From the train station in Corniglia you can walk up the 382 steps to the village centre or take the green bus included in your Cinque Terre Card.
Once arrived at the village head to the church of San Pietro. Behind the church you will find the beginning of footpath no. 587 (ex 7a) which starts with a steep climb. Please be careful not to miss the footpath no. 586 (ex 6d) which will be on your right after about 20 minutes of climbing. From there on, the path flattens out and the famous vineyards of the Cinque Terre are very close by.
Follow the path until the little village of Volastra and enjoy a well-deserved rest in the shady piazza in front of the church. Then you can head down the footpath that crosses ancient olive groves until you reach Manarola, footpath no. 506 (ex 6).
Difference in height: 400m / 2,5 hours of hiking
Monterosso - Madonna di Soviore - Madonna di Reggio - Vernazza
Turn left outside Monterosso station and walk along the road with the sea to your right, which takes you to the historical centre of the biggest of the Cinque Terre villages.
On the right of the church is the main street in Monterosso: it goes uphill and becomes wider after some hundred metres. Follow the street for another 50 mt after the car park and look for the signs “Casa dei Limoni” and “Santuario di Soviore” which will lead you to the footpath no 509 (ex 9). This is a very old pilgrimage route that will take you up to an ancient church, hidden in the woods at more than 450 mt above sea level.
Take the footpath no. 591 (ex 1), located to the right of the church, then reach the main road and follow it for about 1 km. On your right (Be careful, it’s about 100 metres before the crossroads going to Pignone and Vernazza!) take the footpath no. 582 (ex 8b) offering beautiful views over the coast until you reach the sanctuary of Reggio, above Vernazza. Follow the pilgrimage route no. 508 (ex 8) to get down to Vernazza.
Difference in height: 450m / 3 hours of hiking
Please Note
• This tour can be booked all year long, but the best period for hiking is from March to June and from September to October. In summertime, due to high temperatures, the central hours of the day are not recommended for walking. • The Cinque Terre footpaths are narrow and often very steep. You need to be fit and to bring suitable clothes and shoes for hiking. • The “Via dell’Amore”, the promenade between Manarola and Riomaggiore is currently closed. There is a wide variety of alternative panoramic walks and trails, as described in the book.
Extras/Upgrades
Additional activities can be arranged on request, such as a guided tour of a vineyard, a cookery class, a sunset boat tour, or a pesto making lesson; contact customer services for details. Bed & Breakfast accommodation at a 3* hotel is available on request. Extra night(s) available on request.
Self-catering apartment in Manarola
Comfortable studio apartments located in the centre of Manarola, complete with fully equipped kitchen, double bed and bathroom.
Alternatively, the following bed & breakfast accommodation is available on request:
Hotel Marina Piccola***, Manarola
The hotel is located near the picturesque harbour of Manarola. Its 2 buildings, once fisherman’s houses, were converted into a hotel in the 1970’s and fully renovated in 2014. The hotel is easy to reach from the train station (5 minutes walking distance) as well as from the town car park (10 – 15 minutes walking distance).
The 13 rooms are well lit and elegantly furnished; some have a fantastic sea view.
All rooms come complete with air conditioning, telephone, free wi-fi access and safe as well as an ensuite bathroom with hairdryer and courtesy set.
A buffet breakfast is served at the hotel, while the adjacent Marina Piccola restaurant has a beautiful veranda with sea view and serves fish and sea food specialties.
Nearest Airport: Pisa – 100km / 1 hour 20 mins
Other airports: Genova - 130km / 1 hour 40 mins
By Car
From Pisa take the A12/E80 to La Spezia, from there take Via delle Cinque Terre/SS370 and follow signs to Manarola.
Please note that there is a car park just outside the village as the village itself does not allow motorized traffic. Many people prefer to park in La Spezia and take the train.
By Public Transport
Take the train from Pisa central station to La Spezia (approx 1 hour 15 mins), from there change and take the local train to Manarola which takes just 10 minutes.
By Private Transfer
Taxi available outside airport. Private transfer available on request after main booking.
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