Guide of Cinque Terre

What and where is the Cinque Terre?

Many people think the Cinque Terre like one place, but it’s actually a stretch of Ligurian Riviera coastline made up of five villages, the Five Lands or Cinque Terre in Italian. Running from north to south the villages are Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Every village have some beautiful hamlet, like Prevo, the magical place where we are, right in halfway between Corniglia and Vernazza along the famous Blue Path (Sentiero Azzurro in italian).

Each one of the five villages is a beauty and different from others, with pastel buildings and amazing sea views.
The Cinque Terre is located just south of Genoa in north-west Italy. It’s within easy reach of the airports at Genoa, Pisa, Rome, Florence and Nice, and there’s a train connection between La Spezia and Levanto which stops at each of the villages.

When’s the best time to visit the Cinque Terre?

Best time to visit Cinque Terre is all the year, each season has its strengths and weaknesses. The high season is from Easter until October.

May and September are two good months for visiting the Cinque Terre, with warm days and less people than in peak season. Or if you want to risk the off-season you can get a bargain and have the paths to yourself, but it can rain, especially around November, and in that case hiking trails will be closed.

How hard are the Cinque Terre hikes?

For centuries, until 1960, the only way you could get between the Cinque Terre villages was on foot, and it’s still the best way to get around, with hundreds of gorgeous sea views. There are coastal and hillside paths to choose.
You don’t need to be Superman to hiking but do need to be in healthy comfortable walking uphill and have good walking shoes. The distances aren’t huge, but it can take longer than you’d guess from the distance as it’s so hilly. It is better start early or late if you don't want to meet many walkers.

The Blue Path (Sentiero Azzurro or Blue Trail in italian) starts from Monterosso and takes around two hours to reach Vernazza and another two to carry on to Corniglia. From Corniglia to Manarola you have to take the high route via Volastra – it takes around three hours and involves some serious climbs but the views at the top through the vineyards are well worth it.

Then from Manarola you can walk on to Riomagiorre in around 90 minutes, though there’s another big climb to start.
As well as the main walks there are quieter hill paths, like from Portvenere to Levanto. There are also shorter sanctuary walks run steeply uphill from the villages. And even if you’re not hiking there are lots of hills and steps in the villages.

Cinque Terre by Drone

Feel the exhilaration of flight as you take in panoramic vistas showcasing the harmonious blend of land and sea, with the sun casting a golden glow over the scenery.
Each frame tells a story of the region's rich history and culture, from ancient fishing traditions to vibrant local life.
Whether planning a visit or dreaming of this enchanting destination, drone imagery allows you to appreciate the true essence of Cinque Terre in an inspiring and unforgettable way. Experience the magic of this coastal paradise and let the stunning visuals transport you to a world of natural beauty and cultural richness.

The recent history

Since the territory of the Cinque Terre became a possession of Genoa, it has followed the historical trajectory of the Republic and, by extension, the entire Ligurian region. From the 15th century onward, the Cinque Terre, like other coastal areas along the Tyrrhenian Sea, faced a persistent threat from Turkish pirate raids that terrorized coastal populations for three centuries. This peril is evidenced by the numerous watchtowers constructed for surveillance and defense. Warning signals were transmitted optically from specific vantage points along the coast, ranging from the summit of the Mesco promontory in Monterosso to the Montenero point in Riomaggiore. At night, fire served as the medium for these alerts. A fire that burned continuously at regular intervals indicated the absence of danger; however, if the fire was quickly extinguished or obscured, or if multiple fires appeared simultaneously, it signaled an imminent threat from the infidels, who were believed to be approaching with as many boats as there were fires. During daylight hours, smoke was used to convey these signals. In July 1545, the pirate Dragut attacked and enslaved individuals from Monterosso and Corniglia, but he was repelled at Manarola, thanks to the assistance of the residents of Riomaggiore. The last Islamic assault, which involved the capture of fishermen, occurred during the night of June 24-25, 1815, off the coast near Punta Mesco.

Flora of the territory

The region was covered by oak forests until the early Middle Ages. Human activities, including terrace farming, timber deforestation, chestnut use in construction, conifer reforestation, settlement establishment, and pathway creation, have transformed plant communities. This led to high landscape diversity with Mediterranean scrub flora. Typical trees include Pinus pinaster (maritime pine), Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine), Quercus suber (cork oak), and Castanea sativa (chestnut). Rocky and coastal areas host many Mediterranean shrubs like Crithmum maritimum (sea fennel) and Cineraria marina, along with abundant shrubs such as Laurus nobilis (bay laurel), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), Thymus (thyme), Helichrysum (everlasting), Capparis spinosa (caper), and Lavandula (lavender). Various trees and succulents are also visible along coastal paths, and ornamental plants like Pittosporum are commonly found near residences. The Cinque Terre National Park has a detailed plant species list (Angiospermae, Gymnospermae, and Pteridophyta), totaling 618 species, representing about one-tenth of national flora and one-fifth of regional flora. This richness is due to varied environments shaped by different geological substrates and a mix of cultivated and natural areas. The Park's key species fall into three groups: endemic or sub-endemic species, aesthetically valuable species, and rare species at their distribution range limits.

Wildlife

Information regarding the fauna of the Cinque Terre is less comprehensive compared to the knowledge of its flora, primarily due to the greater complexity involved in faunistic surveys and the diversity and abundance of taxonomic groups. The fauna within the Cinque Terre National Park is currently highly diverse, with a variety of habitats ranging from cliffs to scrubland, forests to streams, which supports a wide array of species, some of which hold significant ecological value. The presence and diversity of species in the park are also influenced by human-induced environmental changes, agricultural practices, hunting activities, and the repopulation efforts of certain species. Within the park, animals have been introduced for hunting purposes. The wild boar (Sus scrofa), introduced in the 1970s, has likely hybridized with domestic pigs. This species, known for its high reproductive rate, tends to proliferate unchecked in the absence of natural predators, posing a threat to agricultural crops. Additionally, the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) was introduced around the mid-19th century. The environment is conducive to the flourishing of various animal species, including the yellow-legged gull, peregrine falcon, and imperial crow. Among mammals, one can find dormice, weasels, moles, badgers, martens, and foxes. In the rocky habitats, reptiles such as the wall lizard, green lizard, and various snakes, including the grass snake, Aesculapian snake, and viper, thrive, while amphibians like frogs and salamanders inhabit the areas around the streams.

Visit the official website of Cinque Terre National Park to explore a wealth of additional information, resources, and guides regarding this stunning destination.
You will find many other officially recognized details about the park, including its history, unique ecosystem, hiking trails, and local culture.