A Travel Guide: Cinque Terre

Alright, so maybe it's been a little awhile since I've been to Cinque Terre, let alone blog about a place I've travelled to.  However, recently I was thinking about my Spring Break trip.  I then remembered I never actually talked about one of my favorite destinations on the trip.  Cinque Terre will forever be one of the coolest places I have ever seen and is a destination for those who want to explore or simply relax.  It is a region of five Italian towns carved into cliffs located on the upper Northwest side of the boot.  Cool right?  Before I visited I decided to do some research, find good restaurants, and scout out the best gelato (and yes I did find the best gelato).  So whether you just want some wanderlust, pretty pictures to look at, or a helpful guide to one of the most beautiful places on earth, I'm so happy I can share my tips and experience!

Riomaggiore

Cinque Terre is compiled of Riomaggiore (pronounced Rio-muh-zsor-aye), Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia, and Monterosso.  After looking at airbnbs and hotels, my friends and I decided to opt for the little "hotel" in Riomaggiore.  It ended up being cheaper and more conveniently located then other places I found.  I love how Riomaggiore is set in the cliff and is so much fun to take pictures of.  Beware you will be using a lot of leg muscle since the town is set in a cliff.  This means that it's all uphill.  With that being said, pack light.

Manarola

Do I really have to say anything?  I mean just look at the photos.  As I was editing my photos, I got major Manarola withdrawals.  Have you ever had one of those "I can't believe this is real life" moments?  I remember having one of those as I watched the sunset and saw the lights slowly turn on one by one.  Pictures just don't do it justice, but I tried my best.  It's just a magical moment.  Before I watched sunset, I ate at the cutest little restaurant called II Porticciolo.  Order the lobster linguine.  Don't substitute anything.  A huge lobster tail comes on top of fresh pasta covered in a tomato compote.  My mouth is watering just thinking about this meal.

My suggestion for this town is to go before sunset and spend time exploring, eating dinner, and taking pictures.  When the sun starts setting, take the sidewalk to the side of the cliff and watch the sunset over the water.  When it's just getting dark, switch sides and admire the sunset hitting Manarola.  You get to watch the lights flicker on and witness something truly magical.

Corniglia

Before I actually went to Corniglia, I read that it was hike to get up to the town.  That was an understatement.  Think 400 steps to even get to the beginning of the town.  Even though I almost passed out before I got to the town, let me just say it was worth every step.  You are literally on top of a cliff and get to admire the beauty of the Italian Riviera.  Lemons and oranges grew everywhere, and I was obsessed.  It was a foggy day when I went, but even then it was gorgeous.

Vernazza

Vernazza is just a beautiful town.  I actually felt like I was walking in a real life paint sample card.  Think corals, yellows, oranges, and reds in every sort of shade.  LOVE.  The best gelato you will ever have is found here.  Gelateria Vernazza is just a little hole in the wall, but it's where I found love called tiramasu gelato.  My friend and I came back to Vernazza simply for the gelato.  This is in my top three picks of the five towns.

Monterosso

Monterosso is the largest of all of the towns!  It is full of textured walls, lemon trees, and well gelato. This town is just fun to get lost in, and is a must to go to!

Things I didn't mention:

Eat as much pesto as possible.  Pesto pizza, pesto pasta, pesto on breadsticks, just eat pesto.

Even if you don't hike, go.  I didn't hike when I went, and I enjoyed it the same as those who did.

Watch the sunset every night (even if it's foggy).

If it's raining, go and enjoy a latte, go explore in the rain, get lost, and get wet.

When to go?  I went in April, and it was a bit nippy.  I would suggest going in the summer for optimum weather.

If I didn't mention something you are interested in learning about, leave a comment below.  Here and here are some other helpful blog posts I found about Cinque Terre.  I could go on and on about my love for Cinque Terre!  I hope you get to enjoy it just as much as I did!