What can I combine with Cinque Terre?

TIP: Due to its proximity, a visit to Cinque Terre can easily be combined with that of Tuscany. Here you can read more about the most beautiful towns of Tuscany.



For a 2026 Italian itinerary, the best way to combine Cinque Terre is with the Portofino Peninsula and Pisa. Since you usually arrive via Pisa Airport, spending a morning at the Leaning Tower before taking the 1-hour train to La Spezia is a high-value "two-for-one." Just north of the five villages lies Santa Margherita Ligure and the iconic Portofino; these spots offer a more glamorous "Jet Set" vibe compared to the rustic charm of Cinque Terre. You can also easily add a day trip to Lucca, a stunning walled city in Tuscany, or explore the "Gulf of Poets" and the town of Portovenere, which is often called the "sixth village" of Cinque Terre but is much less crowded. Combining these areas allows you to experience the rugged Ligurian cliffs, the high-fashion Italian Riviera, and the historic heart of Tuscany all within a single, manageable 7-to-10-day loop using Italy's efficient regional rail network.

People Also Ask

Shopping and prices The Cinque Terre is not cheap. As everywhere in the world, tourism has raised prices. I often go to the market of La Spezia to shop for food, it's much cheaper than the stores of the villages. In restaurants, you have to expect Western European prices.

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Cost. Visiting Cinque Terre should be cheaper than the Amalfi Coast. Of course, so much depends on your choices – how you travel around, where and how long you stay, which restaurants you dine at, etc. But in general, the Amalfi Coast is a much more expensive destination than Cinque Terre.

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September-October The shoulder season of September to October is the best time to visit Cinque Terre.

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You can walk the entire route in about six hours, if you take short breaks—although many hikers prefer to spread the route out over a few days at a strolling pace, stopping to enjoy the towns along the way. You can start from either direction (Monterosso, heading south, or Riomaggiore, heading north).

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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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Both are wonderful places to stop and spend time and are beautiful. The hiking in Cinque Terre is amazing but it will likely have larger crowds. Lake Como will be probably be more peaceful and relaxing.

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The key staple here is anchovies (acciughe; ah-CHOO-gay) — ideally served the day they're caught. There's nothing cool about being an anchovy virgin. If you've always hated anchovies (the harsh, cured-in-salt American kind), try them fresh here.

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A classic aperitif here in the Cinque Terre is a nice plate of anchovies presented filleted, arranged on a plate in an orderly 'petal' shape. A simple condiment, a drizzle of Ligurian olive oil and a small piece of garlic, they match very well with the white wine of the Cinque Terre and its salinity.

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