2025 Province of La Spezia Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)

#summervacay Perched on the rugged Ligurian coast, these five car-free fishing villages are a UNESCO dream of pastel houses, vineyard terraces, and turquoise waters. Here’s how to explore them like a savvy traveler: --- ### **🌅 *Morning: Riomaggiore’s Golden Start* (7–10AM)** **• **Sunrise at the Harbor** Arrive early to watch fishermen unload their catch at **Marina di Riomaggiore**. The best light hits the **colorful boat sheds** around 7:30AM. **• **Breakfast with a View** Grab a *focaccia al formaggio* (cheesy flatbread) from **Panificio Rosi** and eat it on the **Castello di Riomaggiore** cliffs. **• **Via dell’Amore Walk** Stroll the **easiest coastal path** (currently partially open) for: - **Lovers’ padlocks** clinging to the cliffs - **Tunnel murals** painted by local artists --- ### **🚤 *Midday: Manarola & Corniglia* (11AM–2PM)** **• **Manarola’s Hidden Cove** Swim at **Marina di Manarola**—a tiny pebble beach with **ladder access** to deep water. **• **Lunch with a Twist** At **Trattoria dal Billy**, try: - *Trofie al pesto* (the local pasta shape) - *Acciughe ripiene* (stuffed anchovies) **• **Corniglia’s Quiet Charm** Climb the **382-step Lardarina staircase** (or take the shuttle) to: - **Vineyard terraces** with sea views - **Gelato at Alberto’s** (try the basil flavor) --- ### **🌿 *Afternoon: Vernazza & Monterosso* (3–7PM)** **• **Vernazza’s Secret Spots** - **Doria Castle** for panoramic views - **Hidden rock jump** near the harbor (ask locals) - **Buranello wine** at Enoteca Sotto l’Arco **• **Monterosso’s Beach Life** End the day at **Fegina Beach**, where you can: - **Rent a striped umbrella** - **Try fried calamari** from a beach shack - **Watch sunset from the giant Neptune statue** --- ### **🌙 *Evening: Dinner & Starlight* (8PM+)** **• **Seafood Feast** Book **Ristorante Miky** in Monterosso for: - *Spaghetti allo scoglio* (loaded with shellfish) - *Limoncino* (local lemon liqueur) **• **Bioluminescent Magic** If visiting May–September, take a **late-night boat tour** to see: - **Glowing plankton** in the waves - **Villages lit up like fairy lights** --- ### **💡 *Cinque Terre Hacks* ** ✔ **Buy the Cinque Terre Card** (covers trains + trails) ✔ **Hike Early/Late** to avoid crowds + heat ✔ **Boats > Trains** for scenic travel between villages **🚆 Getting There:** - Train from La Spezia (5–20min per village) - Avoid driving—**no cars allowed** in villages! **🛏️ Sleep Like a Local:** - **Affittacamere Gianni** (Riomaggiore sea views) - **La Mala** (Vernazza boutique hideaway) - **Monterosso’s beachfront pensions** *"Where vineyards tumble into the sea, and every cobblestone leads to a new adventure."*

#Register for May Hotel Sleep Tester 2025 Go to the five fishing village of Cinque Terre If you have limited time you can visit the village of Riomaggiore first to see the time. However, it is still to be based on the actual weather conditions of the day, the advantage is that it only takes a few minutes by train between the five fishing villages, if you feel that the light is not ideal to shoot at any time you can go to the next point, then come back to shoot. Riomaggiore is actually the most well-done sightseeing of the five fishing villages and the reddest village. After exiting the train station, follow the "RIOMAGGIORE CENTRO" indicator (I remember it is on the right hand side), then you will pass through the tunnel next to the railroad tracks. Because this village is actually the initiating village of the Five Fishing Village National Park, so you can see many beautiful murals, shops are relatively dense, and if you want to climb the terraces to see the cathedral. It's beautiful at sunset and the scene is romantic.

#Sign up for May Hotel Test Sleeper 2025 Cinque Terre is made up of five fishing villages. It is located between Genova and La Spezia, northwest of Florence. It takes about 3 hours by train, and about 2.5 hours from Milan. If you want to stay overnight in Cinque Terre, you can consider visiting Pisa and Florence together. Vernazza was originally a defensive village. I like it because it has preserved the fortified historical buildings, such as the church tower and the defense tower. This village is also very suitable for sitting on the shore to have lunch snacks or gelato, and shopping - most of the Cinque Terre are terraced crops, mainly lemons, olives, and grapes, so when you come to Cinque Terre, you will see many wine and lemon-related products. Vernazza also has classic postcard scenes, but you need to walk down the mountain road a little, or walk to the seaside fortress wall and take pictures of the colorful houses behind. Those who love hiking can climb up the mountain in Vernazza and look at the sea after climbing a distance. It is really comfortable.

#Sign up for May Hotel Test Sleeper 2025 Cinque Terre is a group of five neighbouring villages, namely Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Each village has its own characteristics, but the most popular one is Manarola. You will definitely see its classic postcard scenes when searching for Cinque Terre! Before being developed by tourists, Cinque Terre was known as Italy's paradise because you had to climb over mountains and cross rivers to reach these small villages. Manarola is the most famous of the Cinque Terre villages, because the photos of Cinque Terre that everyone sees on the Internet should all be of this scene, but in fact, there are colorful houses everywhere in Italy, and they are so popular because they are on the coast. Everyone goes to the five villages in a different order. If the focus is on taking photos, just be aware that Manarola is backlit in the morning and you can arrange to go to the last stop close to dusk so that you can take pictures of both daytime and dusk scenes. Shopping may not be as exciting as in other villages, and food is also more expensive. But taking photos alone can occupy all the time

#Sign up for May Hotel Test Sleeper 2025 You might be wondering why you can't just take a train to Cinque Terre from other cities like Milan, Venice and Rome, but instead take a train from La Spezia to Cinque Terre? Since there is no direct train, you will definitely need to transfer. If you want to visit Cinque Terre without rushing, you need to spend a whole day taking a train from other cities and then transferring, which will take more than 2 to 3 hours. This will shorten your time in Cinque Terre and make the day trip very tiring. Florence and Pisa are okay, taking just over an hour and the fares are relatively cheap. Except for Monterosso al Mare, where the road is relatively flat, the other four villages require climbing hills and stairs. Therefore, it is not suitable to live in Cinque Terre with luggage, and the housing prices are also very expensive. If you really want to live there, you can go to Monterosso al Mare, because the town is relatively large and its feature is a large beach. So this is probably the favorite village for European and American travelers, full of people sunbathing. The most famous one should be the "Giant Watching the Sea" stone statue of Poseidon, and this beach view is a classic check-in spot. Although there are not as many colorful stacked houses on the shore as in other villages, it is really fun to stroll around here, and the sea water is cool and comfortable, so you can stay here for a day or two.

#Sign up for May Hotel Test Sleeper 2025 The easiest and most convenient way to get to Cinq Terre is to take a train from La Spezia Centrale, the central station of the city. Buy a ticket at the tourist center before departure. The ticket seller will also give you a train timetable. Then just pay attention to the train times according to the order you planned. Except for Corniglia, one of the five Cinque Terre villages in Italy, which is on a 300-foot cliff, all other villages are on the seaside. What makes it very different from the other four villages is that it is not by the sea, but on the mountain. There are two ways to get to the city of Corniglia. The first is to exit the train station and there is a bus stop next to it. You can take the bus for free with the Cinque Terre Card.

Spend a day on one ticket and visit 5 fishing villages in one go😍 🏠Le Cinque Terre includes Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, among which Manarola is the most famous. 🚄How to get there: Depart from any city to La Spezia station and then take the Cinque Terre train You can reach any of the Cinque Terre villages in around 15 minutes. Village Introduction 🚩 Riomaggiore: The first village of Cinque Terre, it is the starting point of the national park and the famous trail Via dell’ Amore. It takes about 30 minutes to hike directly to the mountain leading to the second village, Manarola. Manarola: The most famous village, where you can walk to a high point and take pictures of the beautiful colorful houses and the sea. Corniglia: a village full of stairs, requires walking/bus ride, and is a great place for a coffee break. Vernazza: The starting point of the famous trail Sentiero Monterosso. The view of the whole town from the trail is super beautiful and it is also a classic angle for postcards. Monterosso al Mare: The largest village, with a large beach. Its style is very different from other villages, more like a resort town by the sea. This is a great place to play from morning to afternoon and take crazy photos. You can jump into the water anytime when you are hot😍 #AprilGoodDestinations2025

The little town of Sarzana is a short train ride from La Spezia Centrale station, and rocks a laid-back but distinguished vibe: A castle with a warren of explorable underground passages and chambers; a city gate made of elegant Carrara marble, and elegant little cafes displaying equally elegant little sweet treats. Skip the crowds and visit Sarzana instead, I say… #travel #italy #undiscoveredgem

Cinque Terre is a gem of Italy! It consists of 5 fishing villages on the coast of Liguria, in the north of Italy. The area is a national park. You can hike between the villages with around 120km of foothpaths that allow you to explore the nature of the place. While hiking you will have a wonderful view of the landscape. Cinque Terre are also famous for vineyards. There are lot of local wine producers. You can enjoy a visit around the vineyards while doing wine tasting. The best periods to visit this amazing place are April and October because it is less crowded and the Weather is still nice. Have you ever been there? 🇮🇹 #aprilblooms #localguides #cinqueterre #italy #italytrip

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 When you come to Italy, how can you miss this dreamy place - Cinque Terre. These five towns, nestled between the sea and the mountains, sit like a charming postcard along Liguria's evocative coastline. From north to south, the five villages are Monterosso al Mare The village is built along the coast and on the mountain, with good views and convenient transportation. It has a very long beach and the color of the sea is fascinating Suitable for lounging on the beach. Hotels, restaurants, shops, etc. are all available. Vernazza Small fishing port between two cliffs The terraced mountains⛰️ are its background, and the clear sea water🌊 is its foreground Climb up the stairs on the left to get a bird's-eye view of the whole village. Appreciate Vernazza from two directions with different feelings Corniglia The only fishing village not near the sea, you need to climb a mountain to reach it Therefore, there are relatively few tourists You can also take the bus from the train station for free. Suitable for hiking, where you can see traces of residents' lives The village is surrounded by colorful houses and vineyards Manarola A well-known postcard village, there will be more tourists The houses are built along the hillside, like living on a cliff. Walk along the winding mountain road to the middle or top of the mountain Can capture the beauty of the village at the best angle🌈 It is recommended to come to the cliff sea view restaurant early, which is a good place to watch the sunset Riomaggiore The only village in the Cinque Terre with a pier The pier leads to Lover's Beach along the path The end of the pier is one of the best viewing spots Remember to try the grilled fish and pasta here Very Mediterranean style, and you can also enjoy the sea view

#outdooradventure The Sentiero Azzurro is the quintessential outdoor experience in Cinque Terre. This scenic coastal trail connects the five colorful villages, offering spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea and terraced vineyards. I hiked from Vernazza to Corniglia, marveling at the vibrant landscapes and charming cliffside towns. The trail is well-marked and accessible, though some sections are steep and require sturdy footwear. Along the way, I stopped for fresh seafood and gelato. The combination of adventure, culture, and natural beauty makes the Blue Trail an unforgettable experience for hikers and photographers alike.

#newyearnewtrip Ristorante il Moretto is a restaurant located in the historic center of the village, near the church of San Giovanni Battista. It has indoor seating and outdoor terrace. The restaurant serves meat, vegan options available. Italian restaurant offering vegan choices such as minestrone soup, spaghetti and salad. There is wide selection of Italian and seafood dishes from which to choose and I have tried their lemon ravioli, taste not bad. Address: Piazza Cristoforo Colombo, 3, 19016 Monterosso al Mare SP, Italy Opening Hours: 12pm - 10pm (closed on Tuesday)

#newyearnewtrip The Vernazza Harbor is one of the most iconic and picturesque spots in Vernazza, offering a blend of natural beauty, vibrant activity, and historic charm. The turquoise waters of the Mediterranean are perfect for dipping your feet, swimming, or simply admiring from the shore. Remember to bring swim wear to soak inside the sea to enjoy the view. There’s a small sandy beach right by the harbor, perfect for relaxing or taking a swim.

#NewYorkFlightEvent A trip to Italy that was truly full of romance! This time, I visited various cities such as Florence, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Rome, etc., but the places I liked the most were Cinque Terre and Florence! The biggest reason I liked it was that the city was really quiet overall!

#NewYorkFlightEvent The sea view from Italy was so incredibly beautiful, and this is also a place I really like, and there is an atmosphere that can only be felt here! And it is also the place I liked the most in Italy. I really recommend Cinque Terre.

I've finally arrived at the other side of the Anywhere Door: Italy's Cinque Terre! ►The most exquisite town among the five fishing villages ‌▪ Vernazza is nestled among the terraced vineyards and lemon groves built into the mountainside, and it is the most delicate and lively town among the five fishing villages of the Liguria region in Italy! ‌▪ The terrain here is quite unique, situated on a cape stretching into the sea, with castles and churches nestled against the azure coast. The equally colorful little houses are scattered on the cliffs, embracing the clear bay ►In Search of the Prototypes from Hayao Miyazaki's Animations ▪ In the town center, the tiny square and the quaint church and bell tower are nearby, and in the shallow sea area, you can directly see the marine life. Isn't that little black ball the walking soot sprite from Miyazaki's 'Spirited Away'? ▪ Climbing to the top of the hill, you can see the whole view of Vernazza, which is also the scenery on postcards. Of course, you can also sunbathe on the beaches of Vernazza, where all your fairy tale fantasies can be fulfilled. ► The World's Most Beautiful Hiking Trail ▪ The mountain path behind the summit leads all the way to Monterosso, which is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world! ▪ The sea here is the bluest I have ever seen (after comparing it with other places like the Mediterranean, the Pacific, and the Atlantic)! Not too deep, not too shallow, just right! The scenery along the way is truly breathtaking, and the fatigue from hiking is instantly relieved ▪ There are also lemons for sale along the way, hey boss, give me a dozen! ► Recommended visit: 3 days

The Cinque Terre is scattered along the long and enchanting coastline of the western Apennine Peninsula, with romantic and dazzling blue waters, pebble-like white sandy beaches, and colorful beautiful houses... This place is the largest sanctuary in the Mediterranean basin. Known as the 'Garden of Eden on the cliffs' for its blue waters on one side and steep cliffs on the other, the Cinque Terre is also renowned for its unique charm! What's wonderful is that there are five different ways to enjoy each of the villages— Manarola, the most beautiful sunset in 'Poet's Bay' The Cinque Terre is located on the western coastal region of the Province of La Spezia in the Liguria region of Italy. The Cinque Terre refers to the collective name for the five cliffside villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The Cinque Terre is most famous for a globally popular photograph—a sunset that lights up the entire cliffside villages with twinkling lights. Because of this photo, known as 'the world's most beautiful sunset,' countless travel enthusiasts travel thousands of miles to take the same picture, and we are no exception. To better choose the shooting angle, we stayed in Manarola. The houses in Manarola are very vibrant: the doors and windows are generally green or blue to harmonize with the sea, sky, and green trees; the houses are usually painted in light yellow or pink, with yellow always paired with dark brown, creating a successful design and treatment of contrasting and analogous colors. It seems that the people of the Cinque Terre are all successful color coordinators. Why do fishermen paint their houses with such bright colors? After asking around, we learned that there is a romantic and warm secret behind it. It turns out that whenever fishermen leave their homes to fish in the vast sea, the color of their homes on the cliffside disappears. In order to see their homes from afar when they return full of catch, local fishermen began to paint their houses with colorful paint, and gradually, the colorful Cinque Terre was formed. These antique and romantic colors were deeply loved by poets such as Shelley, Byron, George Sand, and Lawrence. Many poets and artists have come to the Cinque Terre to find inspiration and sources for their artistic creations, earning it the reputation of 'Poet's Bay'.

I had seen a lot of beautiful legends about the Cinque Terre on the Internet, so when I arrived in Italy, I decided that this was one of the must-see places. Cinque Terre It can be reached by train. Although navigation here is useless, it also gives us more opportunities to interact with local people. You can buy a pass to visit five villages directly, and each village can be reached directly by train. The pass can be bought at La Spezia Central Station. Be sure to get a map by the way. The local signal is not good at basic navigation. Or I can teach you how to save some beautiful pictures of some scenic spots on your phone online. When you ask for directions, just show the map, because You probably don’t understand the pronunciation of the locals, just look at the pictures for directions. Everyone must open their ears and listen carefully when taking the train. They announce in Italian first and then in English. It is easy to pass the station. There is not much to eat in the local area, so prepare some snacks in advance to use when finding the way. Although it is hard to find the way along the way, the scenery is definitely worth it!

#wheretogo Manarola, nestled in the stunning Cinque Terre, is undoubtedly one of the most iconic and cherished villages along this picturesque coastline. The village's beauty is evident at every turn. It boasts a charming small harbor with a quaint boat ramp, and the view of multicolored houses that seem to cascade down the cliffs towards the sea is simply mesmerizing. The entire scene is like a painting brought to life, where every shade of the rainbow adorns the facades of the buildings. The heart of Manarola is its tiny piazza, a delightful spot where you can relish the flavors of the sea in the seafood restaurants that dot the area. It's the ideal place to savor a leisurely meal while soaking in the coastal views. But what sets Manarola apart is its allure for adventure seekers. The cliffs provide a unique opportunity for the daring to take the plunge, quite literally. Watching people gather the courage to jump into the crystal-clear waters is a spectacle in itself. It's a destination where you can either unwind under the warm sun or experience a thrilling dive. In summary, Manarola is a jewel in the Cinque Terre crown. Its iconic beauty, seaside charm, and a sense of adventure make it an irresistible destination for travelers. Whether you're basking in the sun or watching cliff jumpers take the plunge, Manarola leaves an indelible impression on all who visit.