Outdoors · Cinque Terre · Italy
6 best outdoor things to do in Cinque Terre
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves . Feel free to use my photos, but please ment, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path), Ferry along the Cinque Terre coast and Monterosso old town and Fegina. Together the 6 picks below take roughly 13–20 hours across 5 areas; 4 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 6
- Free entry
- 4
- Time to see them all
- 13–20 hours
- Areas
- Monterosso al Mare, Levanto to Porto Venere and Manarola
Outdoors in Cinque Terre
Nature · Monterosso al Mare
1.Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path)
Walk Monterosso to Vernazza early in the morning in that direction, so you finish with the view down onto Vernazza's harbour.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours per stretch
- Cost
- Low cost
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Iconic
Experience · Levanto to Porto Venere
2.Ferry along the Cinque Terre coast
Heading north, sit on the right-hand side for the best views, and expect cancellations when the sea is rough.
- Time needed
- 2–5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Views
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Iconic
Neighbourhood · Monterosso al Mare
3.Monterosso old town and Fegina
The tunnel and seafront path between the old town and Fegina take five minutes; base yourself here if you want proper beach time.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
- History
Nature · Manarola
4.Vineyard trail via Volastra
Do the steep climb in the morning shade, and pause in Volastra's tiny square before the level stretch.
- Time needed
- 2.5–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Active
- Nature
- Views
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
- Free
Religious site · Riomaggiore
5.Madonna di Montenero sanctuary
Walk up in the cool of the morning and come back down to Riomaggiore for lunch.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours round trip
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Off the beaten path
- Free
- Nature
Experience · Levanto
6.Levanto–Bonassola–Framura cycle path
Pack swimwear: side paths lead down to small beaches between the tunnels.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Active
- Outdoors
- Free
- Off the beaten path
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Monterosso al Mare | Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path) and Monterosso old town and Fegina | 1.5–2 hours per stretch + Half a day |
| Levanto to Porto Venere | Ferry along the Cinque Terre coast | 2–5 hours |
| Manarola | Vineyard trail via Volastra | 2.5–3 hours |
| Riomaggiore | Madonna di Montenero sanctuary | 2–3 hours round trip |
| Levanto | Levanto–Bonassola–Framura cycle path | 2–3 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 6, 4 free, 1 low cost, 1 mid-priced. Book ahead for Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path). The longest visit is Ferry along the Cinque Terre coast; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path): Buy a Cinque Terre Card (Trekking or Treno) online or at park offices before walking; staff check cards at the trailheads.
How to fit them into 6 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Monterosso al Mare): Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path), at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Monterosso al Mare): Monterosso old town and Fegina, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Levanto to Porto Venere): Ferry along the Cinque Terre coast, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Manarola): Vineyard trail via Volastra, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 5 (Riomaggiore): Madonna di Montenero sanctuary, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 6 (Levanto): Levanto–Bonassola–Framura cycle path, at least 2 hours.
The best months to be outside
- July: highs of 29°C (84°F), about 3 rainy days, very busy crowds. Hot and crowded, with trains and trails at capacity around midday; start early and spend afternoons swimming.
- June: highs of 26°C (79°F), about 5 rainy days, busy crowds. Swimming season starts and the villages fill up; book accommodation well ahead.
- August: highs of 29°C (84°F), about 4 rainy days, very busy crowds. Peak season: very busy, hot and expensive; summer storms can briefly close trails.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Monterosso al Mare — The largest village, with sandy beaches, the most hotels and the flattest streets
- Manarola — Vineyard-framed village tumbling down to a rocky harbour
- Riomaggiore — Easternmost village of steep lanes and a slipway of fishing boats
- Levanto — Relaxed beach town at the northern end of the line
More of Cinque Terre
All things to do in Cinque Terre · Where to stay · When to go.
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Cinque Terre?
Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path). The classic coastal path links the villages through cliffs, olive groves and vineyards.
+Which of these are free in Cinque Terre?
Monterosso old town and Fegina, Vineyard trail via Volastra, Madonna di Montenero sanctuary and Levanto–Bonassola–Framura cycle path.