If you're planning a trip to Cinque Terre, there's no shortage of incredible things to do. Here's a list of my favourite things to do which I hope you'll find helpful too.
Swimming in the Sea
Swimming here is a must, but don’t expect long stretches of soft sand. Most beaches in Cinque Terre are small harbors or rocky coves — part of the charm, really. Monterosso al Mare is the exception. It's the only village with a true sandy beach, known as Fegina Beach. A portion of the beach is free, though it fills up quickly in peak season. The rest is lined with beach clubs and colorful parasols — including the iconic orange and green umbrellas you've probably seen on Instagram. If you're looking for that perfect postcard photo, head to Bagni Eden. It’s the most photogenic lido on Fegina, but if you want a front-row seat by the large rock (the best spot), you’ll need to reserve in advance by calling the lido directly.
You'll come across small rocky beach spots in each of the other towns, but unless you're set on visiting every beach in all five villages, I recommend focusing on Manarola Marina — my top pick for a rocky beach in Cinque Terre. From early morning, this charming little harbour transforms into a laid-back, sun-drenched swimming haven. You'll find plenty of flat rocks perfect for spreading out a towel, cracking open a cold drink, and diving into the deep, crystal-clear water. And if you're up for a bit of adventure, you can even jump off the rocks — just like we (& lots of others) did.
Taste (and Make!) the Famous Pesto
Pesto was born in this region, and you haven’t truly been to Cinque Terre until you’ve tasted it fresh. Better yet, take a pesto-making class to learn the traditional method with a mortar and pestle. We did ours at Nessun Dorma in Manarola, which was lots of fun and some of the best food we had whilst in Cinque Terre— though the price has recently gone up from €50 to €85. For a more affordable experience, I recommend this pesto making class in Volastra. It includes wine tasting and incredible panoramic views, making it one of the best-value activities in the area.
Watch the Sunset
If your budget allows, a sunset boat tour is an unforgettable way to see the villages from the water and soak in the golden glow of dusk on the cliffs. It’s romantic, peaceful, and offers views you simply can’t get from land. The next best spot is Manarola. Head to the Punta Bonfiglio's viewpoint near Nessun Dorma or find a spot on the rocks below to catch the sunset light wash over the pastel buildings.
Hike the Famous Sentiero Azzurro aka Blue Trail
No visit to Cinque Terre is complete without exploring the Blue Trail, or Sentiero Azzurro. This iconic coastal hiking route connects the five villages and offers breathtaking views of terraced vineyards, the Mediterranean Sea, and the colourful cliffside towns. The full trail is around 12 km, but the most scenic stretch is often said to be the route between Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. This 3.5 km section takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete and is considered moderately challenging — but the spectacular views make it more than worth the effort.
Tip: Hike from Monterosso toward Vernazza for the most dramatic vistas. To access the Blue Trail, you’ll need the Cinque Terre Card, which also covers train travel between the villages. For more on where to get it and what it includes, check out my blog post: Ultimate Cinque Terre Travel Guide: When to Go, What to See & How to Get There
Looking for an easier walk? Try the Via dell’Amore, recently reopened after a 12-year closure due to a landslide. This short, scenic path connects Riomaggiore and Manarola and offers a leisurely stroll (1 km) with sea views. To access it, you’ll need the Cinque Terre Card plus a €10 supplement, which can be purchased at the Riomaggiore station ticket booth or any Cinque Terre Info Point. You can also reserve a time slot in advance at viadellamore.
If you’re an avid hiker and up for tackling the entire trail — which I personally think is absolutely worth it — be sure to check out the full blog post A Guide to Hike the Sentiero Azzurro in Cinque Terre here. I’ve also included details on the alternative Via Beccara trail between Riomaggiore and Manarola, in case you’d rather skip the newly reopened (and often very crowded) Via dell’Amore.
Taste Cinque Terre Wine
Wine making here is defined as a somewhat heroic viticulture because of how difficult it is work with the steep and rocky terrain, meaning that everything from general maintenance to harvesting needs to be done by hand. If you plan on completing the blue trail from Monterosso you’ll come across plenty of vineyards, however even those not so keen on hiking should head out along at least the first kilometre to see first hand quite how rugged the landscape is, and what an achievement it has been to cultivate the natural landscape.
There are two main local varieties: the Cinque Terre DOC (a dry white wine) and the Sciacchetrà DOC (a sweet dessert wine), and I encourage you to try both during your time in the region.
There are numerous enotecas - or wine bars - across the five villages, but if you’re basing yourself in Monterosso or fancy an afternoon’s wine tasting, we’d recommend checking out Enoteca Internazionale (by booking only).
Where to Eat in Cinque Terre
For unbeatable views and delicious food, Nessun Dorma in Manarola is a must-visit. Famous for its charcuterie boards, bruschetta, and refreshing Aperol spritzes, it also offers one of Italy’s most iconic photo backdrops. While they don’t take reservations, you can download the Nessun Dorma app to join their virtual queue—they’ll alert you when your turn is near, which is super convenient! The queue starts at 4:15 pm and they open at 4:45 pm, as their mornings and afternoons are now dedicated to pesto-making classes.
In Vernazza, make your way uphill to Trattoria dal Billy, a local favorite known for its seafood pasta and housemade pesto, served alongside stunning terrace views. Also in Vernazza, we had the best breakfast from Il Pirata delle 5 Terre, it opens early at 7am and is very local. For breakfast, I highly recommend Il Pirata delle 5 Terre — a local gem that opens early at 7 am and serves some of the best cornetti in town.
No matter where you dine, be sure to try regional specialties like pesto trofie pasta, Monterosso anchovies, and fresh focaccia — simple dishes packed with authentic Ligurian flavors.
Happy Travels! x
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