What luggage is best for Cinque Terre?

Best luggage for visiting the Cinque Terre Cinque Terre is a place of narrow alleys and uneven terrain so I always recommend bringing small luggage and opting for a rucksack rather than a large wheelie bag whenever possible. Luggage I like is: Carry on backpack by Osprey, perfect for a short stay.



For a trip to the Cinque Terre in 2026, a sturdy travel backpack or a lightweight carry-on with oversized wheels is the only practical choice. The five villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) are characterized by steep, narrow staircases, uneven cobblestones, and strictly limited vehicle access. Lugging a traditional 50lb "hardside" spinner suitcase up the 382 steps of the Lardarina in Corniglia is a traveler's nightmare. A 40-liter backpack (like those from Osprey or Peak Design) allows you to navigate the train stations and "vertical" hotel entries hands-free. If you must use a suitcase, ensure it has two large, recessed wheels rather than four "spinner" wheels, as the small spinner wheels frequently snap off or get stuck in the deep crevices of Italian cobblestones. Many 2026 travelers also utilize "luggage porter" services at the train stations to have their heavier bags transported to their cliffside accommodations.

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Essential items to hike the Cinque Terre include good, sturdy hiking shoes (I'm very happy with my La Sportiva), sunscreen, bug repellent, and Compeed cushions, in case you get blisters. You won't want to spoil your hike because your feet are hurting!

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Proper footwear. Trainers are just fine so long as they have decent tread on them.

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Bring mosquito spray with you! As throughout Italy and in the Mediterranean sea in the Cinque Terre there are many insects: mosquitoes, bees, wasps, sand flies and much more. There are not particular problems if you use mosquito spray before sunset and during the night (and during the day if you are allergic).

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One large piece of luggage per person is typically allowed on board.

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In Italy, cash is still preferred in most restaurants, cafes and other establishments, although credit and debit cards are becoming more widely used throughout Italy and are an increasingly convenient way to pay for things. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, although American Express is not.

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There's no fee to bring luggage on the train, nor do you need a special ticket to carry luggage on board. The limit on bags each passenger may carry on board is technically three pieces of luggage - but the limit is rarely if ever enforced.

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It's always wise to carry a small amount of cash for smaller cafes and restaurants, some public transport options, and taxis who may not accept credit card payments. We once visited the same restaurant 5 years in a row, only to discover each time that their card machine was out of order!

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And they mean business.

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Here's the deal: We don't tip in Italy. Wait, I take that back. We tip only if we've had what we consider excellent service. In that case, we round the bill (unlike other areas of the world, it's not based on a percentage).

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Cinque Terre is a collection of five seaside villages on a 2-mile (3 km) stretch of Italy's northwest coast. Known as the Italian Riviera due to its dramatic setting, it takes a mere day to visit each of these gems. Two to three days would allow you to enjoy its beaches and discover the culture via a cooking class.

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For going out in the evening, you will be fine in nice pants and top (with scarf if you like), but if you would rather wear a skirt that is nice too. Or a simple travel dress (short) with cardigan. Clothes are more tailored there so I wouldn't take a maxi-dress.

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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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