What to do
The best way to experience the Cinque Terre is on foot, but for those who
are unable to hike or want to see the landscape from lots of different vantage
points, there are trains that make frequent stops in all the villages and
boats that make stops at 4 of the five towns (all except Corniglia.) Most
people find that it's fun and convenient to mix up the three modes of travel.
Footpaths
The five villages are all connected by hiking trails that offer breathtaking
views of the sea, vineyards and the towns themselves. It is said that starting
on one end, one could walk through all the villages and reach the other end
in five hours. This statement is misleading, because although a fast walker
could accomplish the five-hour hike, it would leave no time to stop along the
trail to take in the views and in each of the villages to absorb the local beauty
and culture. Starting from Riomaggiore, on the half hour Lover's lane walk,
the paths between the towns become progressively longer with the last one taking
approximately an hour and a half to two hours. For those who want more of a
challenge, there are trails that wind their way up higher into the mountains
and pass through other towns such as Bernardino and Madonna Della Salute before
winding their way back down to the Cinque Terre. If after a hike you find that
you are too tired to walk back or continue on, a short train, or ferry ride
will take you back and forth from one town to the next.
Swimming
It may seem challenging at first, but there are actually several wonderful places
to swim in the Cinque Terre region.
Monterosso
Across from the train station you will find a beautiful, long beach equipped
with lounging chairs, beach umbrellas, changing rooms and a lifeguard. There
are a few spots on either side of the beach where you will not have to pay to
swim, but you better bring your own towels etc. The view is beautiful and if
you choose to spend some time here make sure you check out the statue of Neptune
that is carved into the side of the cliff on one end of the beach.
Corniglia
There are two beaches below Corniglia.
Guvano beach is not easy to find, and the locals don't promote it to the tourists
so it is usually very quiet and peaceful. It is also known to be a nudist beach,
so you are likely to find half the people on the beach completely naked. Don't
let that stop you from going, nudity is optional.
How to find the allusive beach
Find the bottom of the long stairway that leads from the Corniglia train station
up to the village. (Don't go up the stairs)
Walk down along the ramps that are just above the seashore and continue to the
right. The path turns and will take you behind some small houses and you will
find yourself in front of a gate at the entrance to an abandoned train tunnel.
(If you see a sign that said private property…ignore it!)
Ring the bell that is located to the left of the tunnel gate and the gate will
automatically open and then close behind you. (You may feel like you are doing
something wrong, but don't worry about it. Just walk on)
Walk through the tunnel for about 15 minutes until you reach the end. Don't
be alarmed if you hear trains passing in the tunnel that is adjacent to the
one you are walking in.
When you come out of the tunnel you will find a beautiful beach awaits you.
Someone will be waiting near the exit of the tunnel and will expect a fee for
the use of the tunnel and beach (usually 5 Euro).
The main Corniglia beach is opposite the Corniglia train station there is a
long beach, but it is mostly rocky and becomes very small with the high tide.
Cuisine
Pesto was invented in this area, and you will be amazed by it's fragrant and
delicate taste. Wine is also a local tradition, as you will guess by the vineyards
that envelop the entire region. We found that the most effective way to find
the best local products is to chat with the locals and ask for recommendations.
If you are staying in an apartment and enjoy cooking, you will have a lot of
fun poking around in the small grocery shops where you can find fresh pesto,
honey, jams and many other delicious local products.
Some of the restaurants with good reputations are:
Rio Maggiore: Ca' de Cian Retreat
Manarola: Ha Trattoria Dal Billy and Marina Piccola.
Corniglia: La Posada
Vernazza: Ristorante Gambero Rosso, Restaurant Cecio
Monterosso: Il Pirata
