Le Cinque Terre (La Spezia, Italy)

By JC - April 21, 2019

Commuting

Train from La Spezia or Levanto

Local Train around the 5 towns

One way in the local train is 4 euros.

When you hike you pay 7.50 to hike thru the UNESCO trail or you can pay 16 Euros to include the hike + day train ticket. I suggest taking this since they don't have a separate day ticket. We were planning to go to various towns and we ended up paying more since 4 trips already cost as much as the Hike + Day trip ticket.
Recommendation: Take the Hike + Day Trip Ticket

Vernazza

Definitely the most picturesque among the three towns and is the most vibrant and most shops/stores/restaurants I think, though not the largest. This is what you think Cinque Terre is. This has a small place for you to go to beach.

Monterosso al Mare

The biggest town but the LEAST "Cinque Terre"-feels among the five. Seems to be relatively flat. Though people come here to go for the beach. I did go last time but the beach didn't really look that amazing.

But if you are here for visiting, do go and eat at Restaurant Belvedere and eat their House Speciality. The Seafood bowl cooked in their special claypot.

Manarola

Another picturesque place. I think this is 2nd to Vernazza for me.

Riomaggiore

Nice town as well, I really think these towns are pretty small and for me.

Corniglia

I would probably avoid staying here as you take the train and then have to take the bus (or hike up for 20 minutes). Don't miss the bus, once you get off the train, make sure you go straight to the bus stop, otherwise, you have to wait for the next train arrival time since they are timed accordingly.

This place is quite nice too but not really the coastal town that you think of. It's high up the mountain.