The Cinque Terre in one day

1. Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore will be a starting point of your journey. It is the first village of the Cinque Terre when coming from La Spezia. Train is the best mode of transport to reach this place.
To reach the village centre from the station, take a right turn from the exit. Then going through a long tunnel you reach a Y-junction. Left road goes towards the main street of the town, and straight - there is a descent to tunnel leading to fishermen’s wharf. Though the village is small, there are some interesting attractions; you can read about them on the page dedicated to the village itself.
Additional information: more details about Riomaggiore.
Time needed: at least 30 minutes.

2. The Way of Love
This path being less than 1 km/0.6 miles long connects Riomaggiore and Manarola. It is much faster to reach Manarola by it than waiting for a train. Besides, on the way you come across a beautiful landscape!
Additional information: more details about the Way of Love.
Time needed: 15-30 minutes.
The main part of the trail is closed (approximately till: 05/2024). Reason: Only small part is open from Manarola to small bar in the middle of the trail. The second part will not be open up to 2024.
Alternative: if the Way of Love is closed, you can reach Manarola by train or via "Beccara’s road". It passes through a hill at an altitude of about 200 m/650 ft, and the travel takes maximum one hour.

3. Manarola
A small village like Riomaggiore. The station is separated from the village centre by a tunnel. There is not much to see here as in other villages (except for Presepe (biggest bright crib in the world) only in winter). The most beautiful sight here is the seafront as shown in the photo.
Additional information: more details about Manarola.
Time needed: about 40 minutes.

4. Manarola - Corniglia (railway station)
4a. Train crosses this section approximately in 2 minutes. The station is indicated on the map, you will need to come back here via a tunnel following the signs.
4b. It is second by length section of the famous Blue Path. It is 1.5 km/1 mile long, and the path held fairly low altitude over sea level, from where you get a very beautiful view of rocky coastal relief.
Additional information: more details about the Blue Path.
Time needed: waiting for train or 40-60 minutes on foot.
The trail is closed for a long period (approximately till: 2025). Reason: see photo (2016).
Alternative: if the Blue Path is closed, you can reach Volastra (a hamlet nearby, bus service is available) via path #6, and from there - by path #6d to Corniglia. Total length: 4.5 km/2.8 miles. More details on the page: "All trails".

5. Corniglia (station) - Corniglia (village)
As the village of Corniglia stands on a rock, one needs to make his own way. There are two options: a bus plies from the station whose fare is included in the Cinque Terre Card; the bus will quickly take you to the town centre, or you can climb up a “Huge Staircase” of 382 steps.
Advice: choice of route depends upon your further plans: if you plan to go to Vernazza by train, it would be better to climb down the stairs on your way back, if on foot - you can walk upstairs, though it may be a bit tiring.
Time needed: 10-20 minutes.

6. Corniglia
The smallest and the highest of the Cinque Terre villages. Situated at an altitude of 100-meters/300 ft. above sea level, it has a very beautiful panoramic view overlooking the entire coastal line.
Additional information: more details about Corniglia.
Time needed: about 30 minutes.

7. Corniglia - Vernazza
7a. The train crosses this section approximately in 3 minutes. The station is indicated on the map; you will need to climb down via huge staircase or take a bus from the town centre.
7b. It is the first section of the Blue Path not passing near the sea level. This path is laid through a dense forest; from here you get a very beautiful view overlooking Corniglia, and even more magnificent is the view of a small hamlet of San Bernardino situated on the top of a rock. Route length - about 3 km/2 miles.
Additional information: more details about the Blue Path.
Time needed: waiting for train or 70-100 minutes on foot.

8. Vernazza
Most of the tourists visiting the region consider it to be the most beautiful village in the Cinque Terre. There are many tourist attractions, beautiful mooring and plenty of restaurants on the main square of the town located just by the seaside.
During October 2011 floods, Vernazza suffered the most from among other towns; first floors of almost all the houses were completely destroyed, including that of all the restaurants and shops. Everything has been restored in two years.
Additional information: more details about Vernazza.
Time needed: about 40 minutes.

9. Vernazza - Monterosso
9a. Train crosses this section approximately in 3 minutes. The station in Monterosso is located in a new neighbourhood situated roughly 600 meters / 650 yd. from the old village centre.
9b. Length of this route is a little more than 3 km / 2 miles (like the previous part it is also laid in mountains, its altitude above sea level is much higher than that of the first parts of the Blue Path). A beautiful panoramic view opens up from here, over the harbour of Vernazza and the entire town of Monterosso.
If you have to return via this route, starting from Monterosso, we would recommend you take more stops in the beginning of the route, as the slope becomes sharper during the first 15 minutes.
Additional information: more details about the Blue Path.
Time needed: waiting for train or 70-100 minutes on foot.

10. Monterosso
It is the biggest town in the Cinque Terre. In contrast to other towns, here you will find the longest seafront with a big choice of beaches including sandy ones; a nice big parking lot and a lot of attractions.
Additional information: more details about Monterosso.
Time needed: about one hour.