Can you walk between Cinque Terre villages?

The towns can be visited by bus, boat, train, or by hiking trail. We chose the hiking option. There is a 11 km trail (called the Blue Trail) connecting Riomaggiore to Monterosso al Mare.



Yes, you can walk between all five villages of the Cinque Terre in Italy, but it is rarely a single, continuous stroll due to the rugged terrain and frequent trail closures. The most famous route is the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path), which connects Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. In 2026, the iconic Via dell'Amore (the stretch between Riomaggiore and Manarola) has finally fully reopened after years of extensive reconstruction following a landslide. However, other sections, such as the path from Manarola to Corniglia, may still require using higher, more strenuous "inland" trails if the coastal route is closed for maintenance. A full hike of all five villages covers about 12 kilometers and can be done in one long day, but most visitors prefer to spread it over two or three days. You must purchase a "Cinque Terre Card" to access the main coastal trails, and it is highly recommended to wear sturdy hiking shoes, as the paths are often steep, narrow, and made of uneven stone.

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There are basically three ways to move from one village to another; you either walk, take the train or the boat. The walking trail is 12 kilometers and runs along the coast through all five villages from Riomaggiore in the south to Monterosso in the north.

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Visit some of the villages Choose to visit two or three of the villages, for example Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore. You have to skip Corniglia situated on top of a cliff 100 metres above sea level. If you are limited on time, take the train between the villages.

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Corniglia is the only one of the five Cinque Terre towns that isn't a fishing town and you need to walk up around 365 steps to get there. That puts most people off and means that Corniglia is the Cinque Terre town with the fewest tourists.

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Head out on this 2.3-mile point-to-point trail near Vernazza, Liguria. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 22 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

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You definately DO NOT need a guide. If you only have one day, Monterosso is the largest town and this is where you should go. If you plan a full day, I would recommend to hike to the next town (Vernazza). It's about an hour and a half, and sooooo beautiful!

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You will often hear that the Cinque Terre is car-free, you cannot enter the villages, you should not come by car, etc. Well, actually, it is only partly true. Most of the villages are really for walking only but you can enter in some areas.

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Some portions of the trail are very easy to walk, such as the paved section connecting Riomaggiore to Manarola, and other sections climb up and over hillsides with spectacular views along the coast. It takes about 5 hours to hike the entire distance, not counting the time to explore and linger in each town.

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Is one day long enough in the Cinque Terre? The Cinque Terre is Italy's smallest National Park and frequent train services along the coast mean it's easy to get around. So although a day trip to the Cinque Terre isn't long enough to thoroughly explore the area, it will give you a taste of each village.

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Manarola is often the first village that comes to mind when people talk about the Cinque Terre. Along with Vernazza, it is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque and charming villages of the five.

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Most of the research I have done suggests Monterosso is the biggest town and has a more laid back/ resort style to it whereas Vernazza is more romantic and picturesque.

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In Vernazza, there is a small sandy beach (good for kids as well), and you can also swim at the end of the pier, among the boats. (The water is deep here, so this area is for good swimmers only.)

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