The Most Efficient And Scenic Way To Visit The Famous Fishing Villages Of Cinque Terre

Like something out of a dream, a UNESCO World Heritage Site perched along the coastline of Northern Italy offers its visitors the opportunity to experience the best parts of the Italian Riveria. Cinque Terre (which translates to five lands) is a collection of pastel-colored medieval fishing villages spanning 14.9 square miles.  Although housing around 4,000 residents, the region hosts an estimated 3 million tourists annually. Is Cinque Terre a secret travel destination? Absolutely not. Should that deter you from adding this scenic destination to your bucket list? Not if you plan accordingly. 

While there are five towns that can be visited — Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso — this shouldn't overwhelm you, because navigating your way through Cinque Terre is much easier than you think. An area filled to the brim with fantastic sites, smells, and colors, this coastal area is a must-add to any Italy vacation bucket list. With that being said, what is the most scenic and efficient way to plan your trip? Traveling by train might just be the best way to explore this gorgeous part of the country.

For centuries, this part of the Italian Riveria was only accessible by boat. However, after the construction of the railway in 1870, the towns soon opened up to tourism, and the most effective and scenic way to visit this beautiful region is still by good old-fashioned train. Trenitalia — Italy's main train operator — has direct connections to La Spezia from popular cities like Florence, Rome, and Pisa. While access to the surrounding areas of the villages is possible by car, it is not the most advisable travel method, as parking is limited, and the towns themselves are car-free. Hiking options are also available between villages and offer a slower but equally beautiful view of the coastline. 

Those with baggage have the option to use the luggage storage available at the largest train station in Cinque Terre — Monterosso al Mare. During peak season (March to November), the Cinque Terre Express trains run every 20 minutes between the Cinque Terre villages, making stops in Levanto, Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore, and La Spezia. During low season, the train runs only twice an hour. Spanning a distance of about 11 miles, a train ride from La Spezia to Levanto (and between villages) is quick and undeniably gorgeous.

There are a few different ticket options for those looking to travel between towns. A regular ticket, which can be purchased at a station or online, can cost anywhere from 5 to 10 euros per adult, depending on the season. If you purchase your train ticket at the train station, you will receive a paper ticket, which you need to validate at one of the green machines at the base of the platform. Visitors who purchase tickets online can modify their travel date and time an unlimited amount before 11:59 p.m. the day before travel. If you are planning to spend your day hopping between cities, the Cinque Terre Card is most likely your best option. The cards can be purchased at every train station or online at the Trenitalia or Cinque Terre National Park websites. 

Visitors do not need to validate their cards, as they come time-stamped. The card is great for those looking to visit multiple cities in a day, as it includes unlimited rides from La Spezia to Levanto. The card also enables users access to the two paid hiking trails between Monterosso and Corniglia (other hiking trails are free to access.) The Cinque Terre Treno MS Card prices vary depending on the travel period. Green during the low season, yellow during the medium, and red during peak travel season. Visitors can check the Cinque Terre Card seasonal pricing table for more information. No matter the option you decide on, train travel remains the best and most affordable method to get around these picturesque villages.