The Italian Riviera is famous for its unparalleled beauty, and nowhere is this more undeniable than the Cinque Terre National Park. With its unique candy-coloured villages, its postcard-perfect hiking trails, and some of the most stunning sunsets in Italy, Cinque Terre is an unmissable destination. But did you know you can see it all in a day trip from Pisa?
If you’re planning on a visit to Pisa, you must set aside some time to head north of Tuscany to Liguria, and visit the Cinque Terre National Park. Literally translated to ‘Five Lands’, Cinque Terre is world-famous for its five picturesque villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Riomaggiore, and Manarola. They all share those iconic pastel-painted houses and incredible coastal vistas, yet each village has its own unique character and is well worth exploring.
Beyond the villages, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is also renowned for its rolling hillsides scored with steep tiered farms. The area is filled with incredible hikes, and a main coastal trail – the Azure Trail – connects each of the villages, wending through vineyards and lemon groves. With its regular local trainline and breath-taking hiking trails, you can get everywhere in Cinque Terre without needing a car.
And the best part? With some proper planning, some advanced knowledge, and a great itinerary, you can see all of Cinque Terre from Pisa in a single day! Read to the end for the perfect Cinque Terre day trip itinerary.
- Getting to Cinque Terre
- Everything you need to know before visiting Cinque Terre
- The towns of Cinque Terre
- Full itinerary for Cinque Terre
Getting to Cinque Terre
The easiest way of getting to Cinque Terre from Pisa is by train. Head to Pisa Centrale and take an early morning train to La Spezia Centrale. The journey times vary quite drastically, so aim for the fastest train, which will get you there in about an hour (noting it’s slightly more expensive). I’d recommend downloading the Trenitalia app to book your tickets in advance. Book onto a specific train for your morning journey to guarantee a spot, and remember you’ll need to check-in via the app, or risk a potential fine.
Cinque Terre operates on a separate trainline, which is accessed via La Spezia Centrale station. Here you’ll change onto the different route, and you’ll be pulling into the first village, Riomaggiore, in under ten minutes.
It’s possible to drive, which can take an hour to an hour and a half from Pisa depending on traffic, however as a car is the worst way to explore Cinque Terre, you’d need to find somewhere to park for the day in La Spezia anyway. That’s because you’re not allowed to drive into the villages themselves, so if you wanted to take a car into Cinque Terre, you’d need to park in the outskirts at one of the small designated car parks, or in some cases the already-crowded, winding roads.
Everything you need to know before visiting Cinque Terre
The most important thing to know before visiting Cinque Terre is that you will need to purchase a separate Cinque Terre card in order to access the separate train system and the hikes in this beautiful national park. Always book this in advance – the queues for the Cinque Terre ticket office at La Spezia are huge. The Cinque Terre card can be bought from the national park site here. A one-day train and hike card costs €19.50 to €32.50 depending on which day you visit. They operate a traffic light system of peak dates, further information as well as the seasonal pricing table (Table B) can be found here.
The trains in Cinque Terre run every twenty minutes and the villages are each about 5 minutes apart, so it’s easy to hop on and off as best suits you. I recommend taking the train all the way to Monterosso first, the furthest village, beginning your day there and working your way back. It only takes about 25 minutes, and not only does it make the journey home a lot easier, it also means that you’ll get to experience the best sunset spot in Cinque Terre by ending your trip at Manarola (more on that below).
You should avoid getting the last train back from La Spezia. It is usually the busiest, and if something happens and you miss this train, you won’t make it back to Pisa. Be warned, the trains (outside the national park) aren’t always the most reliable. We had a nightmare with train delays and cancellations, and were fortunate to get on the last train out of La Spezia.
If you’re aiming to see all of Cinque Terre in one day, I’d recommend only doing one hike, and using trains for the rest of your trip. This will maximise your time in each village, while also getting a taste of the stunning trails that wend this national park. The best hike is Vernazza to Corniglia, which is around 3.5km and takes 1.30/1.45 hours, depending on your pace.
Most of the hikes are exposed coastal paths with very little shelter, and even in spring the sun can be relentless – as we found out. Dress accordingly and bring plenty of water as you’ll be exposed for most of the hike. The terrain on the Vernazza to Corniglia hike was varied, with some steeper inclines, but overall it was fairly moderate, so walking boots aren’t necessary – it was easy to complete in comfortable trainers.
Unsurprisingly, Cinque Terre is extremely popular, and it can get flooded with fellow travellers. The busiest months to visit are May, June, and September, with July and August close behind (though considerably hotter). We went right at the end of March and it was the perfect time to visit Cinque Terre. The towns were lively but not overcrowded and we got lucky with a lot of sun and clear skies, before the sweltering summer heat. Overall, April would be the best month to visit Cinque Terre.
The towns of Cinque Terre
Monterosso al Mare
Monterosso is the largest of the five, and the furthest from La Spezia. It sprawls down hills terraced with Cinque Terre’s iconic tiered farms, where they grow vines, olives, and lemons so famous that the town hosts an annual Lemon Festival. Beneath this beautiful backdrop, Monterosso boasts the only sandy beaches in Cinque Terre, and it’s teeming with charming restaurants and cafes. Make sure you wander down to Bagni Fegina, the furthest beach, which features the Il Gigante statue: the remains of a 14 metre tall Neptune towering over the ocean spray.
Tucked away high above the old village, the Convent of the Capuchin Friars and the cemetery peering over it are well worth the steps. Head towards the Aurora Tower and keep climbing beyond the Statue of San Francesco, until you reach the Convent complex and the Chiesa di San Francesco with its iconic black-and-white striped façade. Climb higher, and you’ll soon be wandering the narrow cemetery paths beneath towering columbariums, bedecked with flowers and the portraits of those interred here. Find your way to the very top and you’ll be rewarded with an open crypt whose windows offer the most incredible aerial views of Monterosso al Mare.
Vernazza
While all villages in Cinque Terre are stunning in their own way, I found Vernazza to be the prettiest, and certainly the liveliest during the day. Rainbow-coloured buildings stripe a sheltered harbour, waves crash right against the walls of the Church of St Margaret of Antioch, and the vias are teeming with fresh seafood stalls and ice cream shops. When we visited, this was by far the busiest village, so it’s worth getting here as early as possible after you’ve explored Monterosso.
Spend your morning wandering the narrow streets peppered with little artisanal shops, or, if you’re hungry, I’d recommend grabbing some delicious fresh focaccia from Batti Batti Foccaceria and sitting by the harbour to eat, watching the spray crash over the sea wall. There’s also many places to try fritto misto – a mixture of fried seafoods such as calamari, anchovies, prawns, and cod, served in a paper cone. On your way back up the hill, keep an eye out for the hidden sea cave.
Corniglia
Corniglia is the smallest of the five villages, so if you’re aiming to see all of Cinque Terre in one day, I’d recommend only having a brief look around to save more time for Manarola and Riomaggiore. Standing 100 metres above the sea, Corniglia is a pretty village with a quaint atmosphere and sloping streets, its outskirts guarded by vineyards. You’ll get the best views of Corniglia from the trail, on your journey from Vernazza.
The Chiesa di San Pietro hosts a pretty interior and a brief respite from the sun, especially after a long hike, and here you’ll get another nice view of the village. The Bar La Terza Terra also has lovely views and is a good spot for some food or drink. To get to the station, you’ll need to climb down roughly 400 steps at the Scalinata Lardarina, a zigzagging red brick staircase – this takes longer than you think, so leave plenty of time to make your train!
Manarola
Manarola is unequivocally the best place to watch the sunset in Cinque Terre, and it’s the perfect end to an incredible day exploring these five villages – this is why I recommend heading to Riomaggiore first, and then doubling back to Manarola for the sunset (it’s worth it, trust me). For the perfect sunset view, head towards the restaurant Nessun Dorma, and follow the path up and round to where the Manarola Overlook Viewpoint sits. Watch as the last of the light sweeps across the marina, enflaming the tumble of pastel buildings that crowd the cliff across from you. This view is truly the definition of golden hour.
If you’re here early and fancy a dip, head down to the marina where you’ll find local residents swimming and cliff diving from the rocky shores. If you’re hungry, visit Nessun Dorma or Trattoria dal Billy for incredible food and views – though make sure to book in advance, as they’re extremely popular. For something less upmarket (but equally delicious), climb the winding Via Antonio Discovolo towards the Torre Campanaria. Before you reach the tower, you’ll find a small, unassuming spot that offers highly-regarded takeaway pasta, aptly named Take-Away Pasta.
Riomaggiore
The southernmost village in Cinque Terre, and one of the largest, Riomaggiore also shares the iconic candyfloss coloured buildings and winding alleys. Although bested by Manarola, it’s another great sunset spot – just follow the main street Via Colombo to the marina, and settle down atop the rocks for some incredible sunset views. There’s plenty to do and see in Riomaggiore, such as the Castello and the Church of San Giovanni Battista (a popular name here), great shopping boutiques, and even snorkelling and scuba diving.
Although currently closed due to a landslide, the Via dell’Amore (Lovers’ Lane), is due to reopen in July 2024, and the twenty minute walk connecting Riomaggiore to Manarola is considered one of the best ‘hikes’ in Cinque Terre. Finally, if you’re after some nightlife in Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore is the place to be, with multiple bars and restaurants open late, such as Bar O’Netto. If you have any energy left after your full day of sightseeing, stop off here for a drink once you’ve watched the sunset in Manarola, before you head back to La Spezia, and onwards to Pisa.
Full itinerary for Cinque Terre
I’ve compiled my itinerary for visiting all of Cinque Terre from Pisa in a single day. This is based on a trip in March/April, so ensure you check what time the sun sets during your visit – this is the one thing you mustn’t miss!
Travel to Cinque Terre: Head to Pisa Centrale station for your pre-booked early train to La Spezia, remembering to check in on the Trenitalia app. Aim to get a train around 7 or 8am, so that you’re in the Park before 9am. Change at La Spezia and jump on the local train, riding it all the way to Monterosso al Mare.
Monterosso al Mare: Allow yourself up to an hour and a half exploring all Monterosso has to offer – if the weather permits, make the most of Cinque Terre’s only sandy beaches with a swim and an early sunbathe.
Vernazza: Get the train to Vernazza (which takes around 5 minutes) so you can get here before the midday rush – ideally by 11am at the latest. The trains run every 20 minutes, so keep an eye on the schedule and time it accordingly. Here’s a great place to explore, grab some food, and stock up for your hike. I’d recommend allowing around an hour and a half to see all Vernazza has to offer.
Hike from Vernazza to Corniglia: The best hike in Cinque Terre, though one of the longest. Allow 1.45 hours to complete this, slightly longer if you want to make a pit stop at the charming Bar Gabbiano for a fresh lemon slushie midway through – which I definitely recommend.
Corniglia: A pretty village, but the smallest and in my opinion the least impressive. Bank more time at the other villages by giving this a whirlwind tour (30/40 minutes) and climbing down the 400 steps to the station – don’t miss your train, it takes longer than it seems.
Riomaggiore: Although not the next village down the coast, explore Riomaggiore next so that you can experience it during the day. You should have enough time to spend at least an hour here – and you can always come back after Manarola on your way home, and experience some of the nightlife.
Manarola: Head back to Manarola (which takes only a few minutes on the train), with plenty of time for sunset. We made sure we were here around 6pm so that we could spend some time sightseeing before heading over to the viewpoint by Nessun Dorma to secure a prime spot to watch the sunset from 7 until 8pm, turning the whole village golden.
Travel back to Pisa: Make sure you’ve checked the train timetable in advance so you don’t get caught out. It’ll take about 15 minutes from Manarola to La Spezia. I’d recommend getting the 9.23pm fast train from La Spezia back to Pisa, so that if you miss this one or it’s cancelled you can still catch the 10.23pm (the last fast train) – the train times may have changed since our trip so have a look before you plan your visit.
Check out my videos on Cinque Terre over on Instagram and TikTok!
@gossamertraveller
The Gossamer Traveller 