Season guide · Cinque Terre · Italy
Cinque Terre in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
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
Wildflowers and fresh green terraces, good hiking temperatures and Easter crowds; the sea is still cool. Expect highs up to 22°C (72°F) and lows around 7°C (45°F), with about 24 rainy days across March–May. May is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 7°C (45°F) to 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 24
- Sea
- 14°C (57°F) to 18°C (64°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 15°C (59°F) | 7°C (45°F) | 8 | 11.8 h | 2/5 |
| April | 18°C (64°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 9 | 13.4 h | 3/5 |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 13°C (55°F) | 7 | 14.7 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 18°C (64°F) against a yearly 20°C (68°F), and 24 of the year's roughly 85 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- April: Easter holidays (March or April)
- May: Sagra del Limone — lemon festival in Monterosso (usually May)
Make the most of the weather
Waterfront · Vernazza
Vernazza harbour
Vernazza's harbour is the classic Cinque Terre view: a small cove of fishing boats ringed by pastel houses, with the church of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia at the water's edge and the round tower of the Doria castle above.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Free
- Couples
- Views
Viewpoint · Manarola
Manarola and Punta Bonfiglio
Arrive an hour before sunset to find a spot on the path, and stay for dinner once the day-trippers have caught their trains.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Free
Neighbourhood · Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore
The easternmost village rises up a steep valley from a slipway where fishing boats are hauled ashore.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Photo spot
- Free
- Views
- History
Neighbourhood · Monterosso al Mare
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
Neighbourhood · Corniglia
Corniglia and the Lardarina
Corniglia perches on a headland high above the sea, reached from the station by the Lardarina, a brick staircase of 33 flights and almost 400 steps, or by a park shuttle bus.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Free
- Active
- Photo spot
Day trips in spring
- Porto Venere and Palmaria (About 30 minutes by bus from La Spezia) — At the tip of the gulf, Porto Venere's tall harbour-front houses lead to the striped Gothic church of San Pietro on a rocky point and the cliffs of Byron's Grotto, with the Doria castle above.
- Portofino (About 1.5 hours by train and bus) — Portofino's tiny harbour of pastel houses and yachts is one of Italy's most famous views.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Cinque Terre?
Yes: May is among the best months. Wildflowers and fresh green terraces, good hiking temperatures and Easter crowds; the sea is still cool.
+What is the weather like in Cinque Terre in spring?
Highs of up to 22°C (72°F) and lows around 7°C (45°F), with about 24 rainy days over the season.