Cinque Terre: 15 Unforgettable Things to Do (Hidden Gems + Must-Sees)

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What makes Cinque Terre unforgettable isn’t just the views—it’s the long lunches overlooking the sea, slow hikes between villages, and a glass of local wine while watching the sunset.

This guide gives you what I think are the best things to do in Cinque Terre, including both must-see highlights and hidden gems, plus practical tips to help you plan your trip.

My Experience in Cinque Terre - Why You Shouldn't Do It as a Day Trip

Instead of rushing through Cinque Terre in one day as many do, I decided to spend a week here and I’m so glad I did. My favourite moments were either early in the morning or later in the evening when most of the day-trippers had left.

When I hear people say they didn't like Cinque Terre, my first guess is that they only spent one day there and tried to see all five villages. If you do that, you’ll undoubtly feel rushed and think it’s a bit crowded. You'll miss the version of Cinque Terre I fell in love with.

Yes, it can be busy. Yes, it’s popular. But if you do it right, if you stay overnight, wake up early, and explore beyond the main paths, it becomes something completely different. Something slower, quieter, and honestly… kind of magical.

You don’t have to stay a week like I did, but try to stay at least one night. If that's not possible then choose a couple of villages to explore and do that properly instead of trying to cram all five villages into one stressful day. That’s my first tip, and now I'll go through all the amazing things you can do there.

15 Best Things to Do in Cinque Terre

As mentioned there are five villages that make up the area called Cinque Terre. To make it a bit easier to navigate I will sort this list based on village, with the top things to do in each one.

Top Things to Do in Riomaggiore

Wine tasting at Terra di Bargòn

Wine tasting at Terra di Bargòn is one of those experiences that might become a highlight of your time in Cinque Terre.

Set above the village, surrounded by steep terraced vineyards and sea views, it feels calm and relaxing compared to the more busy village below. As you're tasting the various wines, the hosts will walk you through how these vines are grown on dramatic cliffs, harvested by hand, and turned into small-batch wines that truly reflect the region. They are famous for the sweet Sciacchetrà and you get it paired with simple Ligurian bites. If you spend a couple of days in Cinque Terre this is an absolute must visit, just make sure to book in advance.

Book a wine tasting in Cinque Terre here

Wander the Colourful Streets of Riomaggiore

In my opinion Riomaggiore should be your first introduction to Cinque Terre, because it sets the tone immediately. The village feels like it’s stacked vertically—tall, narrow and colourful houses overlooking the fishing harbour. What I loved most wasn’t just the main street, but getting lost in the small alleyways that branch off from it. You’ll find quiet staircases, churches and pathways overlooking the water.

Follow the main road called Via Colombo to the top of the village and you’ll find yourself almost alone exploring the more quiet side of the city. You'll find the Castello di Riomaggiore, Oratorio de Santa Maria Assunta and the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista. They are nice additions if you have enough time and just want to wander around. If you're very short on time I would prioritise my time down at the harbour.

Riomaggiore beach

Riomaggiore doesn't have a perfect white sandy beach, but it's still perfect for a relaxing day or a morning swim. The area is rocky, but you'll find a nice spot to sit down and take a swim. If you're looking for a full beach day I would rather head to Monterosso and spend the day on the beach there.

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Watch the Sunset in Riomaggiore

Make your way down to the marina just before sunset. This is a pretty popular spot to watch the sunset, but so worth it. Grab a pizza and something to drink and sit down on one of the rocks. Alternatively you can choose to go for an evening swim. If you walk along the water you'll see lots of people standing at the panoramic viewpoint to watch the sunset. Even if it might look crowded, in my opinion it doesn’t feel as crowded once you get there.

Take a Boat Along the Coast

One of the best ways to see Cinque Terre is from the water, it gives you a completely new perspective and you can truly see the colourful villages in all their glory. From the sea, you also really understand how dramatic the cliffs are—and how improbable these villages seem.

You can take a ferry between villages, but if your budget allows it I highly recommend booking a small boat tour. There are so many different boat tours to choose from, either full day or shorter ones, and social boat tours or private tours. It's up to you, but below are some of my favourite options.

Check prices & availability for a shared boat tour here

This is the boat tour from Riomaggiore I recommend

Walk the Via dell amore

One of the best things about Cinque Terre is that you can reach the various villages pretty easy either by hiking or taking the train. From Riomaggiore you can walk what's famously called the Via dell amore to the next village Manarola. It's one of the shortest and easiest walks between the villages and only takes about 20-30 minutes on flat terrain.

This path has been closed for renovation for a long period but it’s finally open again. Due to high demand you now have to prebook a time slot for this path. You can either do that on the site called Viadellamore.info.site or via your Cinque Terre card.

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Top Things to Do in Monterosso

Hike the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail)

Hiking the Blue Trail is one of the most iconic things to do in Cinque Terre—and for good reason. The trail connects all five villages, winding along cliffs with constant views of the sea.

The most beautiful stretch, in my opinion, is between Monterosso and Vernazza. The path climbs through olive groves and vineyards before opening up to sweeping coastal views that honestly don’t feel real.

The walk isn't as easy as the one from Riomaggiore to Manarola—you’ll be dealing with uneven terrain, lots of steps, and heat during the summer months—but that’s part of the experience. If you’re in decent shape you should have no problems. Just bring enough water, wear proper shoes, and take your time.

Important practical info: Sometimes some sections can be closed, so always check updates here before you go.

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Swim at Monterosso Beach

Monterosso is the only village in Cinque Terre with a proper sandy beach, which makes it the best place to slow down and just enjoy the coast. I visited in October and it wasn't really beach weather anymore so I didn’t get to enjoy it. But from what I hear from others it seems like such a dreamy beach.

The beach is split between free public areas and private beach clubs. If you’re planning to stay for a while I would rent a sun bed and umbrella for the day. You can rent one in advance which I absolutely love. That way you don't have to stress about finding one every day.

Book your sun bed in advance here.

Rent a Kayak Along the Monterosso Coast

As I’ve said earlier, one of the best ways to see the area is from the water, and in Monterosso you can choose to rent a kayak for the day and explore on your own.

Kayak rentals are available directly on the beach in Monterosso, typically costing around €10–€20 per hour depending on the season. If you can, go early or later in the afternoon for the best conditions and fewer people.

Check prices & availability for the best guided kayak tour here

Visit the Convent of the Capuchin Friars

Above Monterosso’s old town, the Convent of the Capuchin Friars offers one of the most peaceful and overlooked experiences in Cinque Terre. The walk up is short but steep and you'll reach a quiet hilltop where you'll find a convent.

The convent itself is simple and historic, dating back to the 17th century, with a small church and a few religious artworks inside. You’ll also get panoramic views stretching across the sea and along the coastline.

Explore the Old Town of Monterosso

I have to admit I was a bit surprised when I arrived in Monterosso the first time. At first I honestly didn't understand where the city was and just walked along the beach area. Compared to the other villages, Monterosso feels very big and more like a small city compared to the other places. However, even though many come to Monterosso for the beach, when I found the city I truly enjoyed it.

It's tucked at the end of the beachfront and it’s truly a maze of narrow streets, faded pastel buildings, and small local shops that still feel authentically Italian. Wandering here without a plan is the best way to experience it—you’ll stumble across quiet piazzas, family-run trattorias, and tiny bakeries. Because it’s bigger it has a a slightly slower, more lived-in feel compared to the other villages.

Top Things to Do in Vernazza

Ruins of Dora & Church of St. Margaret of Antioch

Vernazza has a very charming and relaxing harbour front piazza where you can sit and relax while grabbing a drink. By the harbour front you'll also find the Ruins of Dora and the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch. Both worth a visit. You don't need to stay long, but if you’re exploring the town it's worth a look.

You can climb to the top of the Ruins of Dora and get some really nice views over the village. If you're not a hiker this is a great way to see the city from a different angle without getting your hiking shoes on.

Hike from Vernazza to Corniglia and stop at Il Gabbiano

If you're not tired of hiking I highly recommend hiking between these two villages as well. The view of Vernazza from above is absolutely stunning. You can of course choose which way to start and for this hike where you start will actually matter.

Corniglia is located much higher up than Vernazza so if you start in Vernazza be prepared for a steeper hike than if you start in Corniglia. The hike itself will take you about 2 hours, and if you’re starting from Vernazza I recommend starting early so you beat the heat.

On the way you'll be rewarded with some amazing views! No matter which way you start I recommend adding a break at Il Gabbiano. It’s a laidback cliffside bar with amazing views where you can enjoy a lemon granita, cold beer or just some bruschetta to keep you going.

Top Things to Do in Corniglia

Explore the overlooked village

Corniglia is the only village not directly on the water, which is probably why many people skip it—but that’s exactly why you shouldn’t. Even though I had crappy weather on my day in Corniglia I found it quite charming.

If you’re coming with the train you can choose to either walk the 380 steps up to the village (it’s really not that bad), or grab a shuttle. You’ll find it right next to the train station.

Because it’s perched high above the sea, it offers a completely different perspective than the other villages. The views stretch endlessly along the coastline, and the atmosphere feels quieter and more local.

It’s not a huge village, but you can easily spend a couple of hours just wandering the small streets, grabbing a gelato in the piazza and see the views over the ocean.

Eat at Ittiturismo Corniglia

I actually never made it here, but when doing more research I stumbled upon this place and really wish I’d seen it while I was there.

It’s a charming hillside restaurant above Corniglia overloking the water. They have a menu that changes regularly depending on the season and the daily catch, so you know the food is going to be great. The reviews are really good, so even though I personally never made it here I’m adding it because it seems like a fun experience.

Top Things to Do in Manarola

Visit Nessun Dorma

You can choose to either come here and join a pesto making class or just come by for lunch and something to drink. If you have enough time in Cinque Terre I highly recommend adding the pesto making class to your itinerary. If not, this place is still a must visit in my book.

It's gotten pretty famous so spots are limited and you can't reserve a table in advance. They have their own app where they open a waiting list daily at 12PM. This might change so check before you go.

Even if you open the app at 12PM you might have to wait a bit depending on season and how lucky you are, so plan accordingly. Many people just show up at the restaurant hoping to get a table, but if you do that you probably have to wait for a very long time.

If you want to make sure to grab a spot here join a cooking class where you’ll learn how to make traditional pesto using a mortar and pestle, while drinking some wine and enjoying the view.

You can book with them directly or find some other pesto making classes and cooking classes here.

Catch Sunset in Manarola

Manarola is another amazing spot to watch the sunset. The village is filled with colours and they all become extra vibrant around sunset.

The best viewpoint is along the walking path leading out of the village toward Corniglia. From here, you get that classic view of the colorful houses perched above the sea.

Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is one of those places that somehow manages to live up to the hype. Yes, the villages are beautiful, the sunsets are unreal, and the coastline looks like something straight out of a postcard — but what really makes this place special is the feeling you get while you’re there.

It’s slow mornings wandering through nearly empty streets. Long lunches overlooking the sea. Last-minute swims after hiking for hours in the heat. It’s sitting on the rocks in Riomaggiore with a pizza in hand while the sky turns pink around you.

And honestly, that’s the biggest tip I can give you: don’t try to rush through Cinque Terre.

I hope this helps you plan your upcoming adventure to Cinque Terre and Italy. If you have any questions about travel in Italy, or just want to follow along as I travel the world full time, don‘t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid

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