WHY CINQUE TERRE?

For me Cinque seemed like the perfect hidden gem, for a girls trip! With the beautiful pastel buildings, sparkling sea views and Italian cuisine. Everyone talks about the Cinque Terre like it’s one place, but it’s actually the name of a stretch of Italian Riveira coastline made up of five little villages – the ‘Five Lands’. Running from north to south the villages are Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. The Cinque Terre is located just south of Genoa in north-west Italy. 

GETTING THERE?

It’s within easy reach of the airports at Genoa, Pisa, Rome, Florence and Nice. From Genoa airport we took a taxi to Genova Piazza Principe railway station - we purchased a ticket for £5 to La Spezia Central. You can also buy it online on Trenitalia.com. The train is by the far the cheapest and easiest method for getting from town to town. Tickets are sold at the station for a couple of Euros, running from La Spezia to Levanto and stopping at the five towns along the way.

WHERE TO STAY?

Cinque Terre on a budget doesn’t allow for staying in the towns themselves. The hotels are mostly 1-3 stars and are overpriced. However, if you’re dead set on staying in the national park your best options are Riomaggiore (good starting point for the hike) or Corniglia (cheaper because of the location).

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Aside from that, the cheapest accommodation will be in Levanto or La Spezia. We stayed in a beautiful Villa in La Spezia, the host Carolina was absolutely welcoming and hands-on . She provided us with the best local guide to exploring the towns. The accommodation was so clean, spacious and the VIEW BY THE BALCONY IS INCREDIBLE. 

THINGS TO DO?

Aside of eating ice-cream, gnocchi, ravioli, drinking wine, soaking up sunsets and listening to street music, hiking from one village to another is a great way to spend your days at Cinque Terre! The best way to start the Cinque Terre hike is to take the train to Monterosso (if not already based there) and then to hike from there in the direction of Vernazza and Corniglia.ou can buy a multi-service train ticket for €16. The €7.50 fee for hiking the trails is included in this. If you want to just do the hike with no train service, you’ll pay just €7.50 . Check the website for more & Cinque Terre insider.

• Boat Tour - Fish & Chill 

• Wine tours, local guide available at station 

• Water Sports: Scuba diving and snorkeling in Riomaggiore, paragliding in Monterosso, and kayaking in Vernazza.

TO EAT?

• The best spot for seafood in Riomaggiore is Il Pescato Cucinato (via Colombo, 199). The owner Edo was the area’s fishmonger, peddling his morning catch on via Colombo every Monday, so his stuff is the freshest.

• Trattoria Da Billy in Manarola is one of those places you can only find if you know where to look. Way up at the top of town and hidden on a little laneway, it’s considered one of the best restaurants in the Cinque Terre. The view there is breathtaking.

• Nessun Dorma, Manarola for the most stunning views, cheese plates, and the best bruschetta,

• Alberto Gelateria (via Fieschi, 74) in Corniglia’s has the best gelato in Cinque Terre. 

• The best breakfast spot in Vernazza is Il Pirata delle Cinque Terre, hidden at the back way past the train station. They serve it up Italian-style, meaning delicious fresh pastries and coffee. And you must try their famous cannoli.

•  Da Eraldo, Monterosso for the best antipasti. 

• Trattoria Da Oscar (via Vittorio Emanuele, 67), is where the locals go when they want to eat anchovies. 

• Lunch Box, Vernazza has a great selection of vegetarian dishes and huge fresh smoothies.