World Traveller 73 
Exploring Cinque Terre’s 5 Villages
The Cinque Terre region offered separate and distinct villages, each with a unique personality to discover. We spent our time in this area by discovering each region and area. Through hiking trails, exploring sunsets at each location, or by enjoying the local restaurants, we aimed to get the most out of our Cinque Terre experience. Join us on our travels through each of the Cinque Terre’s villages.
This post is one chapter on a trip to the South of France and Cinque Terre, Italy. This trip was enhanced through Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. For information on how this trip was booked, please see our introduction. For parts of the trip, please see this index.
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✈️ Read more from this trip:
- Introduction: Côte d’Azur, France & Cinque Terre, Italy via British Airways Club Suites Business Class
- Plaza Premium “Pop Up” – Vancouver International Airport
- British Airways Club Suites Business Class Vancouver – London Heathrow
- Plaza Premium London Heathrow Terminal Five
- British Airways Galleries South Lounge – London Heathrow Terminal Five
- British Airways Club Europe: London Heathrow – Nice
- Le Meridien Nice, France
- Walking the Streets of Vieux Nice, France
- Rouge Restaurant, Nice, France
- Day Trip to Monaco by Train
- Day Trip to Cannes by Train
- Renaissance Aix – En – Provence, France
- Touring the Streets of Aix – En – Provence, France
- La Petite Ferme, Aix – En – Provence, France
- Climbing the Castle at Les Beaux en Provence, France
- Novotel Grenoble Centre, France
- La Ferme de Didi, Grenoble, France
- A Fall Visit – Returning to Grenoble, France
- Sheraton Nice Airport Hotel, France
- From Nice to Cinqueterre by Train
- La Toretta Lodge, Manarola (Cinque Terre), Italy
- Cinque Terre Trekking: Monterosso – Vernazza al mare Trail, Italy
- Cinque Terre Trekking: Manarola Volastra – Corniglia Trail, Italy
- Exploring Cinque Terre’s Five Villages, Italy
- The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
- The Canopy VIP Lounge, Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport, France
- British Airways Club Europe: Nice – London Heathrow
- American Express Centurion Lounge – London Heathrow Terminal Three
- British Airways Galleries Lounge – London Heathrow Terminal Three
- British Airways Club Suites Business Class: London Heathrow – Vancouver
Exploring Cinque Terre’s 5 Villages, Italy
During our stay in Cinque Terre – Italy, we ended up staying for five days and four nights. We pretty much captured everything that we wanted to see during this time period, including day treks on the Cinque Terre Monterosso – Vernazza Coastal Trail, and the Cinque Terre Manarola / Volstara – Corniglia Vineyard trail and even a day trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy.
About Cinque Terre, Italy:
The Cinque Terre region consists of five towns located in North Western Italy. The towns are known for their unique car free charm, along with an attractive sea side location. Most of the towns have the Cinque Terre villages sloping upwards towards hills that contain local apartments.
It’s easiest to navigate between the villages on the Tren-Italia train which runs through each of the villages.
Starting at Monterosso, Italy:
We departed from our accommodation at La Toretta Lodge Manarola. Starting at the top and most norternly of the five cities was the city of Monterosso.
Monterosso had a large sea side orientation, with the largest number of sea side beach chairs among the five Cinque Terre towns.
Monterosso also had a number of restaurants and cafés that were oriented off the ocean side. Monterosso took a little time to explore, as each portion of the waterfront had it’s own and distinct shopping areas.
Monterosso was also the start of the hiking trail Monterosso – Vernazza Coastal Trail, which stretched along the coast line.
The Harbour of Vernazza, Italy:
The Cinque Terre Town of Vernazza, Italy has one of the most picturesque harbours of the five Cinque Terre cities.
We initially approached the town of Vernazza from the Monterosso – Vernazza Coastal Trail. It is truly a spectacular view from the trail
After completing the trail, we descended to the water front. The water looked appealing enough that I wished I’d had my bathing suit in order to take advantage of the attractive waters.
The town of Vernazza has views from the top of it’s Citadelle. After paying an admission fee, you can take in some coastal views of the harbour and the coastline.
We enjoyed Vernazza so much that we ended up staying for a sunset. The sunset from here was pretty pleasant for a non island destination.
There certainly isn’t anything wrong with enjoying this type of view.
Corniglia and it’s Steps:
The Cinque Terre town of Corniglia, Italy is the only town that is not completely set on the water. Instead, it finds itself a top of a small bluff. The town’s walkways are oriented in an east – west configuration, with a thin water view at the end.
Given it’s elevated position, Corniglia also has a number of steps up from the Tren – Italia train station. If you arrive by train, you can expect to be treated to the joy of climbing (or descending) 382 steps or the equivalent of 33 stories.
We arrived on the Cinque Terre Monterosso – Vernazza Coastal Trail. As a result, we had the opportunity to descend down to the train station. There is a local paid shuttle that is available from the train station, in the event climbing is not your thing.
Making Manarola, Italy a home:
During our five day visit, we made Manarola our home. We based ourselves out of the La Toretta Lodge, Manarola during our stay, which was a very enjoyable experience.
On the day of our arrival, we had the sun setting from our hotel. We ended up wandering down to the waterfront, where we were able to take in some harbour views.
During our stay, we had the opportunity to walk a few of Manarola’s hiking trails. The trail heads were found on the hill out of town. The trails were cut into the terraced hillsides that meandered around the slopes of Manarola. The trails offered excellent views of the town
I was really happy to have selected Manarola as the Cinque Terre town to stay in. It’s small town charm, coupled with excellent hiking trails and a smaller feel than the other Cinque Terre villages.
Sunsets at Riomaggiore, Italy:
Lastly, we spent several sunsets at Riomaggiore, Italy. The town of Riomaggiore was the last and mostly southerly town in the Cinque Terre group. Riomagiorre would end up being my second most favourite Cinque Terre down behind Manarola, Italy.
We climbed the slopes at the waterfront end of the Riomaggiore town towards a spectacular viewpoint.
The sunsets in Riomaggiore offered a great view of Cinque Terre’s traditional apartment homes, set atop of Cinque Terre coastline.
The five villages of Cinque Terre offered something for everyone. With a multitude of areas to explore, there was enough in Cinque Terre to keep us entertained for days.
My Thoughts on Visiting Cinque Terre’s Villages:
The five villages of Cinque Terre were an area that had eluded us for quite some time. Despite this, I was happy to get the opportunity to further explore each of the five villages.
Each of the five Cinque Terre villages offers a unique sort of charm. From it’s walking trails, to their sea side orientation, there is something to be discovered amongst each distinct village.
Make Cinque Terre, Italy a destination to visit on your next trip through the region.
World Traveller 73 
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