Cinque Terre, The Five Lands

Currency: Euro

Language: Italian

Tax Refund: Can be done together on your final departure from European Union

From Train Station to the City

Cinque Terre is a little special because it consists of 5 different villages each used to be connected by hiking paths and trains. But landslide and danger have closed off some of the paths and now only the trains are open across the villages. A 75 minute train ticket is 2.10 Euros while the one day walking only pass cost 7.50 Euros at the toll booths on the trail.

From North to South, the village are as follow, Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

To get to Cinque Terre, you must first take a train to La Speizia then transfer to the train to the villages in Cinque Terre.

Riomaggiore

Attractions

Via Colombo

The main street in the centre of Romaggiore, this is where all the hype and bustling is, the street also links the town to the marina and also the beach. On the left of the marina, past all the boats there is a nice route that run along the sea and offers a great view of the Ligurian Sea. Enjoying the view and life.

L’Ancora

Located on the street of Via Colombo, this outlook boost one of the better views you can get of Romaggiore. A little of the water a little of the colourful houses, this scene makes it perfect for a post card. Enjoy and treat your eyes to something nice here.

Via dell’Amore

Also known as the Lover Lane, this route connects both Riomaggiore and Manarola. It is definitely recommended to make the trip over to Manarola from Riomaggiore since it boost sweeping views of the region. It is also only a short 1km walk at the most. It is located immediately next to the train station.

Restaurants

Bar Centrale

Via Colombo, 144, 19017 Riomaggiore SP, Italy

Bar Centrale is one of the hype place to be while in Riomaggiore. It is the place where people gather to have a drink and have a bite. It is easy to know people here and get some local tips for the region. Enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy the people watching. It is also a great place for breakfast with awesome coffee. Open from 7am to 1am.

Manarola

Restaurants

Nessun Dorma

Localita Punta Bonfiglio, 19017 Manarola, Riomaggiore SP, Italy

Besides the restaurant where the food are really recommended, the nearby areas also provides a really really good spot for nice pictures of Manarola. There is a nearby garden that even has some greens to accompany the sweeping view of the houses. It is a must to order the wine from the local region, they are awesome.

Ristorante Marina Piccola*

Via lo Scalo, 16, 19010 Manarola SP, Italy

Right on the coast of the picturesque Manarola, this restaurant is every person dream. The sea view, of course must be accompanied with the freshest fish that the restaurant serves. It is closed on Mon.

Trattoria dal Billy

Via Rollandi 122, 19017 Manarola (SP) – Italy

A restaurant owned by generation of fisherman, this definitely shows that they serves up only the freshest seafood from the local region. Their pasta is also made freshly in house. Open from 12pm to 3pm and 6 to 10pm. Closed on Thursday.

Aristide Café

Via Discovolo, 290, 19017 Manarola SP, Italy

Famed for its patio café dining overlooking the sea, this place is a charm in Manarola. The location of the place is also extremely accessible. The fried calamari with a dash of lemon is superb. The seafood is the only item on the menu to go for and you will never ever be disappointed.

Corniglia

Attractions

Pietro church

This church was already noted down in 1521, showing it being here almost 500 years ago, dedicated to St Peter. It has a baroque style with some gothic example too. Evidence have shown that it was built on a pre-existing 11th century old structure.

Scalinata Lardarina

Located off the main street of Via Stazione, this place is a great place of capturing the great town of Corniglia which is perch up on a hill. This route also leads to one of the beach.

Restaurants

Enoteca Il Pirun

Via Fieschi, 115, 19018 Vernazza SP, Italy

Peached on the top of the hill, you get even a better view of the whole place of Corniglia. You also had to try a glass of their awesome house wine. They serve up simple food with awesome wine. The tiramisu is also a must try.

Gelateria Artigianle

Via Fieschi, 74, 19018 Corniglia SP, Italy

Located on the top of the town, with a slight work out needed to work for it. But when you reach the top of Via Fieschi, the sight that your eyes are treated to and also a gelato from this store will definitely makes you feel worth it. The honey flavoured one is especially recommended.

Vernazza

Restaurants

Ristorante Belforte

Via G. Guidoni, 42, 19018 Vernazza SP, Italy

A cliff top restaurant that is the best in town, in the popular months, you might even need more than a month for reservation. The Lobster Risotto can be said as the best in the world. Located high up, the views will preoccupied you till the food are cold. The restaurant is open from 12pm to 3pm and from 7pm to 10pm. It is closed on Tuesday. The outdoor seats came highly recommended.

Pizzeria Fratelli Basso

Via Roma, 1, 19018 Vernazza SP, Italy

The place in town for authentic pizzas and furthermore they don’t rip off tourists. The simple ones are even further recommended, classic tomato based sauce top with mozzarella and they lastly thinly sliced fresh tomatoes to finish the pizza with a splash of the freshest olive oil from the region. Perfect.

Ristorante Il Gambero Rosso

Piazza Marconi, 7, 19018 Vernazza SP, Italy

One of the better ones in Vernazza even though it may look touristy. The restaurant uses the freshest ingredients to cook. Even the fish are brought in daily from the local waters. The great food is accompanied by good views also. The restaurant is open from 12pm to 3pm and from 7pm to 10pm. It is closed on Thursday.

Monterosso

Attractions

Church of St John Baptist

This iconic black and white stripe church in the seaside town is expertly striking, making it one of the most popular attraction in town. The white marble façade, the fresco inside and the Gothic character of the place is deem worthy. The construction of this place begin almost 900 years ago.

Restaurants

Il Ciliegio restaurant

Localita’ Beo, 2, 19016 Monterosso al Mare SP, Italy

Known as the best restaurant in Clinque Terre, this restaurant is actually quite a hike up from the town itself. But what you get will be an impeccable view of the nearby vineyards and also the seas as well. Prices are fair. I would recommend getting the free transfer from the town then hike back after lunch. Do take note that it actually take slightly over 2 hours for the walk. Reservation are definitely recommended. Contact the restaurant for more information on the transfer. It is closed on Mon.

Ristorante Ciak

Piazza Don Minzoni 6, Monterosso al Mare 19016

Located in the old town, this restaurant is historical. Its location is great too, just on the way down from the town to the waters. It is only open from March to December and closed on Wed. It serve up lunch from 12pm to 3pm and Dinner from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. A family owned restaurant, the dishes taste straight from an Italian family kitchen. If it is your liking, they serve up authentic anchovies cooked in three ways, the Clinque Terre way.

Fornaio Di Monterosso

Via Fegina, 112, 19016 Monterosso al Mare SP, Italy

Known as the best Italian baker in town, this place serves up the best focaccia in the region. You just got to head down and get one to try. It is open daily from 7.30am to 7.30pm. Their specialty here is the pesto one. Have one of them to go and head to the beach to have it.