Cinque Terre is a gem of a day trip from Florence, Pisa, or any of the adjoining places. For instance, it immediately brings forward a picture of colorful buildings and turquoise blue water.
The name Cinque Terre signifies ‘Five Lands‘ in Italian, since it portrays the five coastal villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore by the Ligurian coastline.
Best time to visit
I have been to Cinque Terre in the peak summer season and also during the cooler mid-season. Truthfully, the beauty of the place is completely contrasting but also equally enchanting in both seasons. Of course, it is overcrowded in summer but with such wonderful beaches and sights it is not surprising to see so many people flocking the area.
Getting there
Here is an overview of our journey for the day trip. Incidentally, we visited Cinque Terre twice and both times we took a day trip from Pisa. Trenitalia has frequent connections from Pisa to La Spezia, from where you get the train to the five villages. Most importantly, the train connectivity is very good which makes it an easy day trip.
Tip: Sit on the left side of the train and enjoy magnificent views of the Sea.
Tip: The best way to visit Cinque Terre is by train. In addition, it is also possible to drive there. However, you can face a lot of hassle with parking and uneven terrains if you decide to drive.
The train schedule can be found here.
My Day-Trip to Cinque Terre
For me, the trip I made in June was my favorite trip to Cinque Terre because we got to see more than we anticipated. Luckily, the weather was pleasant, so we even got the opportunity to take a dip in the water. On summer days, the places are crowded. In addition, there are no tables at the restaurants, there are queues at the Cocktail bars and all the good beaches are private. Therefore, you must pay a hefty amount to take a dip in the sea. But if you plan ahead I’m sure you can get the best out of it.
We took the train from Pisa to La Spezia which took us about 1 hour and then we took the train to the villages. We decided to go to the last village on our route and make our way back. For instance, each stop takes about 5 minutes to reach. Therefore, the train took around 25 minutes to reach our destination Monterosso al Mare and that gave us the opportunity to enjoy 25 minutes of views from the train that will stay in our memories for a very long time.
There are pictures of all the villages on the internet. I would suggest you choose 3 favorites and include them in your day-trip.
First stop- Monterosso al Mare
Monterosso al Mare is the only village with a wide and long stretch of sandy beach and hence my favorite stop. Truthfully, this village is unmissable. Moreover, the beach is aligned with a strip of Marina with many cocktail bars and seafood restaurants. However, the views can be better expressed in pictures. We took a long walk till the end of the road and through the tunnel.
Keep 1-1:30 hrs here and that should be enough to satisfy you.
Fun fact: We reached Monterosso al Mare at 8 in the morning and I ran to a shop for coffee. I asked for an Americano and got served an Italian Cocktail called Americano with Campari (Italian hard liquor). Of course, I did not complain and had a very wonderful day after.
Second Stop- Vernazza
Third Stop- Riomaggiore
After another 1-1.5 hours, we made our way back to the station. Our last stop was Riomaggiore and you could say its the prettiest of them all. As a matter of fact, we wanted to catch the sunset there. Therefore, we grabbed some Spritz, fried shrimps, and crabs and found one of the viewpoints to enjoy the sunset. Truthfully, the colorful houses against the hills and the turquoise blue is an overwhelmingly beautiful sight and will forever stay etched in your heart.
Tip: Wear comfortable shoes since all the streets in Cinque Terre are elevated and on hilly terrain.
What to eat
Food can be a little on the pricier side. But it is well worth it. If you like fish, there are a few fish restaurants serving delicious crabs, shrimps, and other delicacies. In addition, there are several Pizzerias, Pasta, and Spaghetti restaurants which are inexpensive and always a delight.
However, I usually carry my breakfast with me and have it on the train and have lunch at Vernazza while munching on some occasional fried shrimps or crabs from the many places.
Where to stay
Cinque Terre can be easily visited in a day. However, there are not many activities after sundown. In addition, an overnight stay could be very expensive and not worth it.
Activities and Budget
Must Do
- Firstly, take a walk along the marina by Monterosso al Mare.
- Enjoy an authentic Italian Spritz.
- Take pictures with the beautiful and colourful houses at Riomaggiore.
Unique Experience
- Climb stairs through the hills in Vernazza and enjoy an undisturbed view and take pictures.
- Enjoy a sunset at Riomaggiore.
- Walk along the trail by the sea at Riomaggiore.
Budget
Cinque Terre can be done as a day trip from Pisa for a budget of 50-70 Euros per person excluding souvenirs. However, if you bring your own food, it can be done at half the price.
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