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.
Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Cinque Terre
This 6-night break includes all you need for a self-guided walking tour of the Ligurian coast, including the Cinque Terre, with half board accommodation at small hotels and guesthouses along the route and luggage transfers from one hotel to the next. The tour starts from Sestri Levante to the north west of the Cinque Terre, and ends in La Spezia. Enjoy stunning views of the Ligurian coastline along the route. Prices start from € 976 pp in a double room, contact us for availability
Highlights
- Discover the hiking trails along this stunning stretch of coastline.
- Enjoy the mouthwatering local cuisine
- Travel light thanks to daily luggage transfers
Included
- 6 nights' accommodation at 2-3* hotels and guesthouses along the route
- Half board basis (breakfast and dinner) with dinner at the hotel or a nearby restaurant
- Luggage transfer every day
- Boat ride Portovenere - La Spezia
- Cinque Terre National Park entry fee
- Maps, roadbook and description of hikes
- 24 hour emergency hotline
Excluded
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Meals and drinks unless specified above
- Local taxes where applicable
- Anything else not specified above
Itinerary
Day One
Arrival at Hotel La Pergola dei Paggi or similar in Sestri Levante. At check in you will be provided with all maps and information. Settle in and enjoy a dinner of local specialities at the hotel restaurant.
Day Two
Sestri Levante - Moneglia
This is the shortest stretch along the route, along quiet trails immersed in lush Mediterranean vegetation, with some fantastic viewpoints over the coast.
Around 3 hours hiking time - 10 km - approx 400 m height difference
Overnight in Moneglia on the coast at 3* Hotel Villa or similiar
Day Three
Moneglia - Deiva Marina - Framura - Bonassola
A longer, more strenuous hike today from village to village, you can always get the train from one stop to the next if you feel you can't complete the route on foot.
Around 6 hours hiking time - 21 km - approx 1300 m height difference
Overnight in the coastal village of Bonassola at Pensione Moderna or similiar
Day Four
Bonassola - Levanto - Monterosso
Take a wonderfully scenic hike in the morning to Levanto, where you can stop for lunch and maybe enjoy the beach for an hour or two, before heading on to Monterosso, the first of the Cinque Terre.
Around 5 hours hiking time - 20 km - approx 700 m height difference
Overnight in a hotel situated just above Monterosso, surrounded by quiet Ligurian countryside. The town centre is a short shuttle bus ride away.
Day Five
Monterosso - Vernazza - Corniglia - Volastra
A tough but scenic hike takes you to a sanctuary overlooking Vernazza (the second of the Cinque Terre), then you head down into the village and from there continue on to Corniglia (the third village), before cutting through the vineyards to the inland hamlet of Volastra.
Around 6 hours hiking time - 19 km - approx 900 m height difference
Overnight in Volastra
Day Six
Volastra - Portovenere - La Spezia
Make sure you get an early start to enjoy the trail to the ancient sanctuary of Montenero, with wonderful views over Manarola and Riomaggiore, the fourth and fifth villages. Continue on your way through vineyards and woodland to the village of Campiglia. From here take the steep descent down to Portovenere, from where you can catch the ferry to La Spezia where you will stay for your last night. Dinner is at a traditional restaurant in the town centre.
Around 6 hours hiking time - 20 km - approx 300 m height difference
Overnight in La Spezia at Hotel Genova or similar.
Day Seven
Check out and departure
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.
Extras/Upgrades
Extra night(s) available on request.
Stay at small 2-3* hotels and guesthouses along the route.
Room with private bathroom, breakfast each morning, evening meal either at hotel or a nearby restaurant.
See itinerary for details.
Nearest Airport: Genoa – 60 km / 50 mins by car (closest to Sestri Levante where the tour starts)
Other Airports: Pisa - 83 km / 1 hour by car (closest to La Spezia where the tour ends)
By Car
Not recommended for this break due to start and end of tour at different points.
By Public Transport
Take the bus from the airport to Genoa train station, then take the train to either Sestri Levante or Riva Trigoso, depending on where you will be staying that night. At the end of the tour if you are not staying on in Italy you can take the train to either Genoa or Pisa airport.
By Private Transfer
Taxi available outside airport. Private transfer available on request after main booking.
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