Is Cinque Terre Worth Visiting? Honest Review: Pros & Cons

Cinque Terre is one of the most popular destinations in Italy, and for good reason. It is made up of five small fishing villages located on the coast of the Ligurian Sea, along the picturesque Italian Riviera.

Every year, millions of tourists arrive here by train, boat, or bus to explore the colorful houses, steep cliffs, and stunning seaside views. The authentic Italian atmosphere and local cuisine make it truly special.

I have written many articles about Cinque Terre because it is also one of my personal favorite destinations in Italy.

In this travel guide, you will find a list of 10 points about whether it is worth visiting Cinque Terre. I will explain 5 reasons why it is worth it and 5 reasons why it might not be the best choice. This way, you can easily see the advantages and disadvantages and decide if this beautiful Italian region is right for you.

In this article, you’ll first get a quick overview of the pros and cons of Cinque Terre. After that, I’ll explain in detail why you might want to visit, or why you might not. And at the end, I’ll answer some common questions you might have about traveling to Cinque Terre.

Overview: Is Cinque Terre really worth visiting? Or is Cinque Terre overrated?

In my opinion, Cinque Terre is definitely worth visiting.

It’s a unique place on the Italian coast with beautiful landscapes and experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Its colorful villages, steep cliffs, and sea views make it one of the most stunning and photogenic spots in Italy.

Overall, it’s truly a special destination.

But it might not be the best choice for everyone.

Pros of a trip to Cinque Terre

There are many reasons to visit Cinque Terre, these are the most important ones:

1. Stunning and one-of-a-kind views

It might sound like a cliché, but once you see photos of Cinque Terre, you’ll understand just how special this place really is.

Without a doubt, Cinque Terre is one of the most unique and picturesque spots not just in Italy, but in the whole world. You simply won’t find another place quite like it. There are similar little towns nearby, like Portofino, but outside of the Italian Riviera, it’s really rare to see villages with such colorful houses and such a charming, romantic vibe.

That’s the number one thing that makes Cinque Terre so amazing: it’s truly one of a kind. With its breathtaking views and postcard-perfect scenery around every corner, it’s a place that’s hard to forget.

2. Many activities to choose from

The Cinque Terre National Park and the area around it are full of things to do, especially from spring through autumn.

There’s a wide range of activities to choose from, whether you feel like exploring the old towns, going for a hike, or spending time on or in the water. You can check out the villages’ famous sights, like beautiful churches, statues, little town squares, harbors, and even a castle in Vernazza.

One of the most popular things to do is hike the famous Blue Trail, a scenic path that links all five villages and offers incredible views. You can also book a boat tour to see the colorful villages from the sea, rent a kayak or a small boat, or even try diving.

For food lovers, there’s the chance to join a pesto-making class: one of the most popular ones is at the Nessun Dorma restaurant, where you can learn how to make the region’s most famous sauce. And if you enjoy wine, you can also take part in a local wine tasting and try some of the area’s best.

So, you definitely won’t get bored in Cinque Terre. This place is full of experiences, especially for those who love Italian culture, stunning landscapes, and delicious food.

3. Great hiking opportunities

As I mentioned earlier, Cinque Terre National Park is also famous for its hiking opportunities.

The most well-known trail is the Blue Trail, which connects all five villages. It’s incredibly popular, and for good reason. Some of the best views in the area can be found along this route.

Even if you don’t plan to hike the whole thing from village to village, it’s still worth checking out certain sections. The stretch between Manarola and Corniglia, or the paths from Vernazza toward either Corniglia or Monterosso, offer some of the most breathtaking views.

To access the Blue Trail, you’ll need a Cinque Terre Card, which is required for entry. That said, based on my experience, the card is often not checked in the evenings or outside the high season (but it’s still best to have it, just in case).

One more thing to keep in mind: always check the trail conditions before you go. Certain parts of the trail can be closed for repairs or may even become one-way during busy times.

4. Authentic Italian atmosphere

Cinque Terre is easily one of the most authentic places in Italy. It is a spot where you can truly experience the best of Italian landscapes, architecture, food, and atmosphere. This region captures that classic Italian charm that many travelers dream of.

Just look at a few photos and you will understand why. Colorful houses sit on the hillsides along the coast, beautiful little coves with crystal blue water, and historic buildings full of character. Plus, you can enjoy delicious local food and wine in a lively and welcoming environment.

This is the perfect example of the real Italy. Few places make you feel Italy the way Cinque Terre does.

5. Delicious local food and wine

One more reason to visit Cinque Terre is for the food and wine experiences.

The most famous dish from Liguria is pesto alla genovese, the classic green pesto. In Cinque Terre, you will find great restaurants serving authentic local pesto and you can also join pesto-making classes.

One of the most popular and Instagram famous spots to try local specialties is Nessun Dorma in Manarola. If you get the chance, book a table there. The food is amazing and the views are stunning, especially around sunset.

Other great choices are Ristorante La Torre in Vernazza which offers beautiful views alongside delicious local dishes and Ristorante L’Ancora della Tortuga in Monterosso.

If you want to book a wine tour you can find many options on GetYourGuide. Personally, for wine tasting, I recommend Terra Rossa Winebar in Corniglia and Enoteca Internazionale in Monterosso.

So whether you are a fan of Italian food or wine Cinque Terre is definitely a great choice.

Cons of a trip to Cinque Terre

After looking at the good things about visiting Cinque Terre, I will explain why and for whom Cinque Terre might not be the best choice.

The downsides of Cinque Terre are:

1. Overly touristy and crowded in peak season

The biggest downside of Cinque Terre is that it has become very popular in the last few decades. Of course, there is a good reason for this, but as a tourist, it can still be annoying.

Especially from June to September, the area is crowded with many visitors. It is hard to find places to stay and good restaurant tables. Parking is difficult, and even the trains and train stations are very busy. The villages can get so crowded that moving from one place to another becomes hard.

The only way to avoid this is to visit outside the peak season. I suggest traveling in spring or autumn if you can, to avoid the biggest crowds.

2. Quite expensive

Yes, Cinque Terre is considered expensive compared to other places in Italy. Accommodation, restaurants, and transportation like trains and parking all cost more.

Luckily, you don’t need a long time to explore the area, so your whole trip might not be too expensive. But if you look at the cost per day, visiting Cinque Terre can be quite pricey.

You can save money by traveling outside the busy season and by choosing cheaper places to stay and eat.

3. Difficult for people with limited mobility

Since these are small, old villages with narrow streets and lots of stairs, the towns of Cinque Terre can be hard to get around for people with mobility problems. This includes families with small children, as it can be difficult to use a stroller in the villages, and also people with physical disabilities.

Of course, it can still be worth visiting for these groups, but the trip will need more planning, and getting around may be more challenging in some places.

4. Poor quality beaches

If your main goal is to go to the beach, I would say Cinque Terre is not really worth the trip just for that.

Cinque Terre isn’t really known for its beaches. There are only a few beaches in Cinque Terre, mostly in Monterosso al Mare, and they’re slightly pebbly.

If you are looking for a better beach experience, you will find much nicer places further south, around Massa.

5. Difficult to get around by car

I have mentioned this in other Cinque Terre travel guides too that getting around by car is not easy at all.

We have tried it ourselves. The roads between the villages are old and winding mountain roads, and the distances between them are longer than you might expect. Parking is also a regular problem and can be very expensive.

Because of this, I do not recommend traveling between the villages by car.

If you are looking for the best way to explore Cinque Terre, I will share better options below.

So this was a detailed look at the 5 main pros and 5 main cons of visiting Cinque Terre. You now know why it might be a good idea to visit, and also what reasons might make it less ideal, and what to prepare for in advance.

If you still have questions about traveling to Cinque Terre, keep reading!

Tips and information for a trip to Cinque Terre

At the end of the article, let’s take a look at some common questions you might have about traveling to Cinque Terre:

How to get around Cinque Terre

There are basically three ways you can get around Cinque Terre:

• By car
• By train
• By boat

As I mentioned earlier, driving is not the best choice here because the villages are connected by winding mountain roads that are hard to drive on, and parking can be a big problem.

The train is the best option of all. There are regular trains from both La Spezia and Levanto, and it only takes a few minutes to travel between the villages.

You can also buy a Cinque Terre Card, which comes in two types:

• Cinque Terre Trekking Card: gives you access to the hiking trails only
• Cinque Terre Treno MS Card: covers both the hiking trails and unlimited train travel between La Spezia and Levanto, so you can travel freely between the villages by train.

If you buy the Cinque Terre Treno MS Card and explore the villages by train, I think this is the best choice.

If you arrive by car, it’s best to leave your car in La Spezia, Levanto, or maybe Monterosso, and take the train to get to the villages.

The boat is also a nice option because seeing the villages from the water is a unique experience and great for photos. But it’s more expensive and less convenient than the train, so I wouldn’t recommend it as much.

Best things to do in Cinque Terre

I already mentioned this above, but let me quickly sum up all the things you can do in Cinque Terre:

• Walk around the five villages
• Hike the Blue Trail between the villages
• Go on boat trips
• Try water sports
• Join wine tasting tours
• Take a pesto-making class

Best time to visit Cinque Terre

The best time to visit Cinque Terre for good weather is spring and autumn.

I especially recommend April, May, and September. During these months, the weather is usually nice, and there are fewer crowds than in the high season.

In summer, it gets very crowded and walking around the villages can be uncomfortable because of the heat. So, only visit in summer if you want to go to the beach or if Cinque Terre is part of a bigger Italian vacation on your bucket list.

I don’t recommend traveling in winter either, because it’s quite rainy and many places are closed during the winter months.

How many days do you need in Cinque Terre?

You can explore Cinque Terre in just one day if you’re ready for a full and somewhat tiring day. In that case, one day is enough to see all five villages.

If you want a more detailed visit with more activities, I recommend spending 2 or 3 days in Cinque Terre. With 2–3 days, you can explore the villages more thoroughly, have time for different activities, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings without rushing.

I only suggest spending even more time in the area if you plan day trips to places like La Spezia, Portofino, Levanto, or Pisa.

Which Cinque Terre village is the best?

Which village is the best in Cinque Terre depends on what you’re looking for.

• If you want to take photos or create any kind of content, I think Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Vernazza are the best choices.
• If you want to go to the beach, Monterosso al Mare has the best beaches among the five villages.
• If you’re traveling by car, Monterosso or maybe Corniglia are the easiest places to find parking.
• For a special dining experience, go to Nessun Dorma in Manarola.
• For wine, Manarola or Corniglia are good picks.

So, it really depends on what matters most to you which village is the best.

Overall, if I had to choose, I’d say Manarola offers the best experience, but that’s just my personal opinion.

Which Cinque Terre village can you skip if you have little time?

In my opinion, Corniglia and Monterosso are a bit less picturesque. So if you cannot visit all five villages, I would skip these two. Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Vernazza show the most beautiful views and charm, so these three are must-see places.

What to visit near Cinque Terre

If you have extra time in the area, or if you’re looking for alternative destinations instead of Cinque Terre, here are some great nearby places you can explore:

• Portovenere: Often called the “sixth village” of Cinque Terre, Portovenere offers colorful houses, dramatic cliffs, and a peaceful, less crowded atmosphere.
• La Spezia: This nearby city is a practical base with great restaurants, museums, and easy train access to the villages.
• Levanto: A charming seaside town just outside Cinque Terre with a long beach, great surf, and fewer crowds.
• Camogli: A beautiful town known for its pastel buildings, quiet vibe, and delicious seafood, perfect for a peaceful day trip.
• Portofino: A world-famous, upscale coastal town with a luxury marina, scenic walking trails, and stunning sea views.
• Pisa: Famous for its Leaning Tower, Pisa is a must-see for architecture and history lovers and can be visited in just a half-day.

So, this was the presentation of the pros and cons of traveling to Cinque Terre. You’ve learned about the advantages and disadvantages that are worth considering before traveling there.

Although the area has its own characteristics, including both good and bad qualities, overall, I think Cinque Terre is a great choice for those looking for a unique Italian destination. It’s worth planning your trip well, and if you do, you’ll have a fantastic experience when you choose Cinque Terre.

So, if you’re feeling inspired to travel to Cinque Terre, check out my other articles, and I wish you a great trip!