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Brightly colored houses and flowers decorate Cinque Terre’s scenery. Photo courtesy of Maddie Harris.

Explore Cinque Terre

Maddie Harris is a senior neuroscience major at College of William and Mary. While I was abroad in Madrid, Maddie studied in Florence, Italy. I spoke with Maddie about her two-day adventure in Cinque Terre with a few of her roommates abroad. She has lots to share about activities and food in the beautiful city.

POSTCARDS: How did you pack for your trip?

MADDIE: I brought a backpack with a swimsuit, a change of clothes for the next day, pajamas and my toiletries.

POSTCARDS: How did you choose to go to Cinque Terre?

MADDIE: I had heard so many great things about it, and I loved the movie Luca, which was based on this region!

POSTCARDS: What was the itinerary of your day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre?

MADDIE: We departed Florence with our study abroad program, taking a bus at 6:45 am and reaching La Spezia around 9 am. We then boarded a ferry to Porto Venere, explored the area and later took another ferry to Vernazza for shopping and relaxation by the water. We then traveled to Monterosso, had a late lunch and returned to La Spezia by ferry. We ended the night playing games and chatting.

POSTCARDS: What excursions did you do in Cinque Terre?

MADDIE: We took a train from La Spezia to Corniglia, grabbing breakfast before purchasing hiking trail tickets. Initially, we had trouble finding the hike entrance in Corniglia. Once we found it, we went on a challenging hike through narrow cliff paths and steep sections, ending up in Monterosso. Our non-hiking friends waited for us at the beach, where we enjoyed the ocean, met a girl from Germany and had lunch. Following a gelato stop, we took a train back to La Spezia and then to Florence.

POSTCARDS: What was a moment on your trip that made you laugh?

MADDIE: Seeing our sweat stains on our butts when we put down our backpacks in the middle of the hike.

POSTCARDS: What do you wish you would have known going into your trip?

MADDIE: I didn’t realize how close Cinque Terre was to Genoa (the birthplace of pesto) so I wish I got more pesto pasta! The seafood there was also great, I’ve heard (but I’m a vegetarian, so I didn’t try any).

POSTCARDS: Where did you stay?

MADDIE: I stayed in an airbnb in La Spezia, Italy (not technically part of Cinque Terre but very close to it and accessible to travel to Cinque Terre by train/bus!)

POSTCARDS: Why is this a good place for college students to travel?

MADDIE: Gets you active with pretty views! While there were older people doing the hike too, I think it’s probably easier to do when you’re younger! Also to just do the hike and go to the beach was pretty inexpensive (the pass for the hike was just 7.50 euros with our European visa as students there for the semester, but it might be 18.20 euros without one), the food was also pretty well priced, and of course window shopping (my favorite past time) is free if you don’t buy anything. So there was a lot to do for free/cheap! There also were a lot of people of all ages there, from young kids, to college students to older adults.

Recommendations

Public transportation

  • You can use the train, boat or hiking to explore the five villages. The train is the fastest and most convenient way to travel between them and runs frequently along the coast. You can buy a single ticket or a Cinque Terre Card, which includes unlimited train rides and access to hiking trails and museums. The boat service is seasonal and scenic, but more expensive and dependent on weather conditions. The hiking trails are challenging but rewarding, offering stunning views of the sea and the villages.

Hostels

  • Corvara Hostel: Just outside the Cinque Terre National Park, this hostel offers free breakfast, free dinner, free shuttle service to the train station and the hiking trails, free Wi-Fi, free lockers, free towels and free linens. It also has a terrace with views of the valley.
  • Ostello Tramonti: A budget and clean hostel in the village of Biassa, near Riomaggiore. It offers free breakfast, free shuttle service to Riomaggiore and La Spezia, free Wi-Fi, free lockers and free linens. It also has a restaurant and a bar.
  • Grand Hostel Manin: A chic and comfortable hostel in the city of La Spezia, near the train station that connects to the Cinque Terre villages. It offers free Wi-Fi, free lockers, free towels and free linens. It also has a garden, a lounge and a kitchen.

Restaurants

  • Belforte Restaurant: A romantic and scenic restaurant in Vernazza that serves seafood and Ligurian cuisine with a twist. It is located on a cliff overlooking the sea and has a breathtaking view of the village.
  • Ristorante Miky: A family-owned and popular restaurant in Monterosso al Mare that serves seafood and Italian cuisine with an emphasis on quality and freshness. It is located near the beach and has a cozy and rustic design.
  • Trattoria dal Billy: A charming and rustic restaurant in Manarola that serves seafood and Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on local ingredients and flavors. It offers a variety of dishes such as grilled sardines, homemade pasta with pesto, mixed seafood platter and lemon cake. It is located on a hill overlooking the sea and has a view of the village.

Nightlife

  • Blue Marlin Cafe: A cozy and friendly wine bar in Vernazza that offers live music, karaoke and DJ sets. You can enjoy a variety of wines, cocktails, and snacks while listening to some tunes or singing along. The cafe is open until 2 a.m. on weekends and 1 a.m. on weekdays.
  • Burgus Bar: A stylish and modern wine bar in Vernazza that features a selection of local and international wines, beers and spirits. You can also taste some delicious cheese, salami, and other appetizers while admiring the view of the harbor. The bar is open until midnight every day.
  • Nusesa Pizzeria Cocktail Bar: A casual and fun spot in Riomaggiore that serves pizza, cocktails and desserts. You can sit outside on the terrace or inside the colorful and quirky interior. The bar is open until 11 p.m. every day.

Excursions

  • At Sea: Take a boat tour or kayak rental with Cinque Terre dal Mare and enjoy the stunning views of the coastline and the villages. You can choose between private and group tours, with professional skippers and English or Italian speaking guides. This is a great way to experience the beauty and charm of Cinque Terre from the sea.
  • Cooking Classes: Learn how to make pesto, a traditional Ligurian sauce, with Cinque Terre Tours. You will use fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, cheese and olive oil to create your own delicious pesto, which you can then enjoy with pasta and wine. You will also learn about the history and culture of Cinque Terre and taste local products such as cheese olive oil, and wine.
  • Blue Trail Hiking: If you want to hike along the famous Blue Trail that connects the five villages of Cinque Terre, you can start from Monterosso al Mare and end in Riomaggiore. This hike is about 11 km long and takes about 5 hours to complete. You will need to buy a hiking card for €7.50 to access this trail. Along the way, you will see stunning views of the coast, the colorful houses and the terraced vineyards. You will also pass through Vernazza, Corniglia and Manarola, where you can stop for a break or explore the towns.

Safety

  • Be prepared for the hiking trails that connect the five villages. They can be steep, narrow, slippery, and crowded. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water and snacks and check the weather conditions before you go.
  • Beware of the mosquitoes that can be annoying and carry diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.