Liguria · 50 min from Rapallo
Cinque Terre: UNESCO villages between terraced vineyards and turquoise sea.
Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso. Five car-free villages clinging to the Ligurian cliffs, UNESCO World Heritage since 1997. By train from Rapallo in about 50 minutes.
What the Cinque Terre are really like
Five distinct villages sharing the same spectacular trait: colourful houses perched on cliffs above the sea, built on rock faces, with no roads for cars. Each village has its own character.
Riomaggiore is the most southerly and the most accessible — the entry point from La Spezia, with narrow alleys and a pretty harbour. Manarola is the most photographed, especially at sunset when the houses reflect on the water. The Via dell'Amore links Riomaggiore to Manarola along a scenic sea-cliff path (partially reopened after years of closure). Corniglia is the only village set back from the sea, on a headland reached by 382 steps from the station — the quietest of the five. Vernazza has the most picturesque harbour with a small square that faces the sea — many consider it the most beautiful. Monterosso al Mare is the only one with a wide sandy beach, ideal if you also want a proper swim.
The Sentiero Azzurro links all five villages on foot with continuous coastal views. Sections vary in difficulty: the easiest is the Via dell'Amore (Riomaggiore–Manarola), the most demanding is Vernazza–Monterosso. Sturdy footwear and the Cinque Terre Card are required to walk the trails. The train is the quick alternative between stations (included in the Treno Card).
Sciacchetrà DOC is the local passito wine made from grapes dried on these terraces: sweet, amber-coloured, with notes of dried apricot. A gastronomic reason to visit in its own right.
Combine with
- Vernazza — the most picturesque harbour
- Manarola — unmissable at sunset
- Monterosso — the only proper sandy beach in the park
- Levanto — 5 min from Monterosso, less crowded beaches
- Portovenere — UNESCO, 15 min from La Spezia
- La Spezia — Naval Museum, lively city centre
- Events on the Riviera — pair the visit with an event
Recommended itinerary: take the train to Monterosso, walk the Sentiero Azzurro (skipping sections by train if needed) back towards Riomaggiore. Save Vernazza for lunch. Return to Rapallo in the late afternoon.
Logistics
Getting from Rapallo to the Cinque Terre.
The train is the only sensible option. Cars cannot enter the villages, parking is expensive and remote. Leave early to avoid queues at trail entrances.
By train — from Rapallo station, take the Trenitalia regional service towards La Spezia. In about 50 minutes you reach Riomaggiore (first village from the La Spezia side). From there, the Cinque Terre Express connects all the villages. Check timetables at trenitalia.com.
Cinque Terre Card — required to access the National Park trails. The Trekking version (~€7.50/day) covers trail access only. The Treno MS version (~€18/day) also includes unlimited trains between villages — the best choice if you plan to visit more than one. Buy online at card.parconazionale5terre.it or at any station.
When to go — May, June and September–October are ideal: trails open, pleasant temperatures, manageable crowds. July and August are hot and very crowded, with trail access capped in summer; if you go in August, book your card in advance.
Stay in Rapallo
Cinque Terre without staying in the Cinque Terre.
Sleeping inside the Park is expensive and hard to book. From Rapallo you have the same access with different prices — and the flexibility to mix Cinque Terre with Portofino, Camogli and Genoa in one stay.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Cinque Terre.
Practical answers for planning your visit.
How do you get to the Cinque Terre from Rapallo?
By regional Trenitalia train towards La Spezia: about 50 minutes to Riomaggiore (first village). Then the Cinque Terre Express connects all five villages. No cars are allowed in the villages, so the train is the only sensible option.
What is the Cinque Terre Card and how much does it cost?
It is the mandatory pass for the National Park trails. The Trekking version (~€7.50/day) covers trails only. The Treno MS version (~€18/day) also includes unlimited trains between all five villages. Buy it at card.parconazionale5terre.it or at stations.
Which is the most beautiful village?
Vernazza has the most picturesque harbour. Manarola is the most photographed at sunset. Monterosso is the only one with a wide sandy beach. Corniglia is the quietest. Riomaggiore is the most accessible. It depends what you're looking for.
When is the best time to visit?
May–June and September–October: trails open, mild temperature, manageable crowds. July–August: very hot and very crowded, trail access capped, prices high. Avoid weekend days in August if you want to enjoy the trails comfortably.
Why stay in Rapallo rather than the Cinque Terre?
Accommodation inside the Park costs significantly more, and availability is limited. From Rapallo (50 min by train) you get identical access at lower prices — plus you can mix the Cinque Terre with Portofino, Camogli, Genoa and Sestri Levante in the same stay.
Plan the Cinque Terre with LigurIA.
LigurIA builds a tailored itinerary — how many villages, which trail, how to combine the Cinque Terre with the rest of the Riviera. Free, no registration required.