Restaurants & Bars In Corniglia
La Scuna | Amazing terrace, top-notch cocktails and decent craft beer. Definitely a great place to head for sunset! We didnt eat here, but apparently its better for drinks than food.
Bar Pan e Vin | Serving up incredible sandwiches, focaccia, and platters, this popular spot is ideal for lunch. They do have limited outside seating, but if you can bag one, wed highly recommend this place!
KM 0 | We only had time for a quick Aperol Spritz from KM 0 , however its super cute flower-lined central garden makes a wonderful setting for lunch or an evening meal during the warmer months. It also serves local craft beer and theres a great little deli opposite it!
La Posada Ristorante | Located a little outside of the village, we were unable to call by this restaurant however we have a friend that spoke very highly of it, so wanted to be sure it was on the list!
A Cantina da Mananan | This little place was highly recommend to us by an Instagram follower and has excellent reviews for its seafood pasta dishes – reservations essential for the evenings.
Youll find some cheap eats in the main piazza too, with yellow chairs of Bar Nunzio offering simply 5 breakfast deals.
Hiking Cinque Terre: What You Need To Know
Hiking in Cinque Terre doesnt require a high level of fitness, but you do need to have comfortable hiking shoes. In fact, there are signs prohibiting hikers to wear slippers/flip flops on the trails. Also dont forget to bring a backpack with at least 1L of water, hat and swim suit.
The trails involve lots of ups and downs and some parts require you to clamber. There are also narrow stretches where youll need to wait for other hikers to pass. Refer to this page for details on hiking trails in Cinque Terre.
The most popular hiking trail in Cinque Terre is Trail #2: the Sentiero Azzurro, or Blue Trail. It is made up of 4 individual paths along the coast that brings you to all 5 villages. You can walk the entire route in about 6 hours although many prefer to spread the route out over a few days. Most people recommend starting from Riomaggiore, where the paths are easier and paved.
Best Time To Travel Cinque Terre
I recommend visiting Cinque Terre in early spring or late autumn . Thats when it is the least crowded and prices are not too high. The weather can be unpredictable though, with some rains and dull skies if youre unlucky.
We visited Cinque Terre at the end of May and it was already pretty crowded. There were long lines at the train stations and restaurants. Even the hiking trails were packed with throngs of tourists.
It is best to avoid summer in Cinque Terre as it gets extremely crowded. It is also really hot and not ideal for hiking if you intend to do that. Winter is cool and uncrowded but heavy rainfall can cause landslides and unsafe hiking conditions. Restaurants and hiking trails close around end of November and open on 1st April.
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Manarola The Best Views In Cinque Terre
Manarola is located right on the cliffs, and the pastel houses will make you want to move in one and spend the rest of your days on the balconies, drinking wine. This is the second train stop from La Spezia, and the journey will last 10 minutes. Youll find some of the best hotels here and most places are located within walking distance.
Tourists who like walking around or hiking will be impressed with all the routes that you can take from Manarola. Although they dont have any beaches, adventure enthusiasts will be pleased to know that you can try cliff-jumping or just tanning if youre not so much into this, but either way, you can spend a lot of your time swimming in the blue water of this vintage village.
If you want to visit other towns and maybe go on a trip somewhere, you can take the train that goes on the coast so the views will be so unique! I just love it when I hop on the train and admire the beautiful panoramic views of the sea just outside my window! This makes up for the fact that you cant drive here, a great idea if you ask me; it just keeps the historical side untouched!;
If you are looking for a place to stay in Cinque Terre and drink delicious Italian wine then Manarola can be a great choice as it is well known for its wine production!
Plus, definitely try the pesto, its the besto!
- Have dinner in delicious Trattoria Dal Billy
- Walk around the old villages across the Italian Riviera coastline on Presepe di Manarola
My Cinque Terre Itinerary
Most of the Cinque Terre towns are tiny, so you can see each of them in 1 day. This is an overview of our Cinque Terre itinerary. Read my detailed Cinque Terre itinerary for more details on what to do each day.
Your starting point depends on where youre staying. This Cinque Terre itinerary is designed for those staying in Riomaggiore or La Spezia .
- Day 1: Riomaggiore
- Day 3: Corniglia and Vernazza
- Day 4: Monterosso al Mare
If you are staying in Monterosso or Levanto , you can just reverse the Cinque Terre itinerary.
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A Tradition: Carrying It Into The Future
All it takes is one, as my Grandfather proved, to save a tradition and push its story into the future. Good Friday cooking of Abietz is still a big event and even includes the adults now, although the kids now grown still do most of the work. Pop-Pop handed down a recipe that has strengthened our family and connected the generations together again. The next wave of children is already learning the art of cooking this special bread in hopes that they too will share it with their children one day.
Growing up in Cinque Terre, children no doubt observed their parents and grandparents making this wine. While this younger generation has chosen to travel different paths in life, they still hold the memories, experiences and knowledge of Sciacchetrà. The day will come when one of these youths will get the desire to taste the wine of their ancestors and begin a new chapter of Sciacchetrà winemaking.
For now, we can still enjoy the sweet taste of Sciacchetrà from the current winemakers who continue to produce it with passion and fortitude. ;Salute!
Sciacchetrà, a local specialty from Cinque Terre, ItalyPhoto courtesy of Erica
Next time you are visiting Cinque Terre, support their sweet tradition and order a glass at the end of your meal. Or, if youre like me, buy a bottle or two and bring it home to share.
Have you ever had Sciacchetrà? What family traditions do you carry forward?
Best Time To Hike The Cinque Terre
The best months for trekking in the Cinque Terre are April, May, September, or October. The temperatures are still mild, and you should also find fewer tourists. In the height of summer, some parts of the trails can get extremely crowded.;
In case your only option is to hike the Cinque Terre in summer, start early in the morning to avoid as much as possible the scorching heat, especially since theres not much shadow. Also, bring a decent amount of water to keep hydrated.;
Winter is cooler and less crowded, but it is not uncommon for heavy rains to cause landslides and hiking conditions that are not entirely safe .
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Cinque Terre are frequently exposed to landslides following strong rainfalls. For this reason, some sections of the Blue Trail are temporarily closed. Before you plan your hike, check the current status on the Parco Nazionale Cinque Terre website.
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What Grapes Make Sciacchetr
The totem wine of the Cinque Terre is Sciacchetrà, a sweet nectar, an overused but in this case due term. It is a singular passito, a portentous, unique in genesis and result, produced primarily with bosco grapes, plus albarola and vermentino, which are left to dry away from the sun, in well-ventilated areas, for over 70 days. After November 1st , the bunches are carefully de-stemmed, sometimes selecting the grapes by hand, which are then pressed and vinified in steel tanks, in contact with the skins. The wine is often aged in small barrels, sometimes in steel or in an amphora, sold in specific tapered 375 ml bottles. The production yield stands at 25%: objectively its worth it, culturally as well, for fans there is no doubt but from a commercial point of view its as difficult a challenge as is the land difficult to farm.
Cinque Terre Wine Picks For 2017: The Best For Drinking Now
The Cinque Terre;, literally the Five Lands that includes the towns of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso, are a string of rustic villages clinging to the rugged Italian Riviera in eastern;Liguria. Over 1 million visitors flood the 5 towns each year to swim in the warm Mediterranean water, hike between the towns and soak up the divine food and wine of the region.
Each year I travel to the Cinque Terre to taste the regions newly released wines, particularly the local;white wine that goes by the name of Cinque Terre Bianco DOC.
If you travel to the area, you know the wine well. Everyone quaffs this distinctive Ligurian wine by the bottle with their fritto;misto, spaghetti al pesto, focaccia, and grilled fish that were swimming in the Med just the night before. Its the perfect pairing for the local cuisine.
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Hotels & Guest Houses
Locanda Il Carugio | The only proper hotel in Corniglia, Cargo has exceptionally well appointed and modern rooms with a great design aesthetic . Guests have access to a fab terrace and breakfast is included. Doubles start at 155 in high season. For further information, see here.
Daa Maduneta | Beautiful modern rooms maintaining some traditional features , the views from this guest house are truly wonderful. Price includes breakfast but do note that this is served at a partner restaurant in the village. Click here to check prices and availability.
For more, see our Cinque Terre Accommodation post.
Where To Stay In Corniglia
As we mentioned in our 23 Things to Know Before Visiting the Cinque Terre post, this small section of the Ligurian coast can make for a particularly expensive Italian holiday. And whilst Corniglia is one of the cheaper and least popular villages in which to base yourself, with Airbnbs starting around £100 per night and decent hotels around double that, its really important that you quickly reassess what good value means.
Its imperative that you book your accommodation as early as possible, especially if you have particular requirements or a stricter budget
Weve put together a comprehensive post on Where to Stay in the Cinque Terre but have included a selection of our top picks for Cornglia below:
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Food & Wine The Typical Cinque Terre Food
Cinque Terre specialties, you don’t have to miss:
Trofie or trenette al Pesto: pasta with the typical famous ligurian sauce “Pesto” .
Pansotti con salsa di noci: pasta filled with ricotta , borage flower and herbs with a sauce made of walnuts, bread, garlic, marjoram, olive oil and cream.
Focaccia: this is something you have to taste, simply go to a “panificio” or “focacceria” and order one slice with “cipolle” or “formaggio” . You’ll love it!
Farinata: a baked flatbread with chickpea flour typically cooked in a wood-burning oven. It’s a perfect afternoon snack.
Acciughe: Anchovies in different styles; salted, fried, marinated, stuffed or tossed – served with vegetables or pasta. Prepared in the Levanto lab are then sold in Monterosso. Monterosso each year has two anchovy festival, salted anchovies festival mid September and fried in mid June.
The salted anchovy festival in mid September and the fried anchovy festival in mid June.
And….what about drinks?
Indicative price: 35,00 Euro / bottle
Cantina Cinque Terre Costa De Campu 2016
Blend: Bosco 70%, Albarola 15%, Vermentino 15%Bottles produced: 4,600Alcohol: 13.5%
The nose on the 2016;Costa de Campu;cru;is quite light and has the scent of underripe fruit, but the palate comes alive with lemon and lime, and a distinct green finish reminiscent of arugula and sage.
The wine is quite pleasing, but it tastes a bit hot, perhaps a tad too much alcohol , and it makes it seem out of balance.
With the green herbal notes on this one, Id pair this wine with pesto dishes, like trofie al pesto;or gnocchi con pesto. One of my favorite dishes is trenette pasta with green beans and potatoes, tossed with pesto that would pair wonderfully with the 2016 Costa de Campu.
There are better Cantina Cinque Terre wines from the 2016 vintage, like the Costa da Posa . Id pass on Costa de Campu this year.
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How Many Days In Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is extremely popular with day trippers there are many day tours to Cinque Terre from Florence, Pisa and La Spezia. However, we definitely dont recommend doing a day trip here as its too much of a rush and Cinque Terre definitely merits more time than that.
We had 4;days in Cinque Terre and still wished we had more time. If you are visiting Cinque Terre with kids , then I suggest spending a week here as kids need to travel at a slower pace.
Staying in one of Cinque Terre villages means you dont have to travel in each day. Plus, you get to experience the villages at their most authentic. In the evenings after the daytrippers leave, the atmosphere completely changes and it becomes so much so laidback.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cinque Terre
Whats the best town to stay in Cinque Terre?
Vernazza is the best village to stay in Cinque Terre, this beautifulpicturesque town has the best views and luxury hotels, not to mention that Italian romantic charm and here youll find the only natural port in the Five Lands and beautiful architecture.;
Where is Cinque Terre?
Located on the western coast of Italy in Liguria, the five little villages situated within a national park are set just above Tuscany.
Where to stay when hiking Cinque Terre?;
The best area to stay in if you want to hike between the villages is either Riomaggiore, the first town, or the last one, which is Monterosso Al Mare.
Which Cinque Terre town has the best beach?
The Monterroso beach is the best one in Cinque Terre, its quite long and great if you want easy access. Families love this beach as the water isnt too deep.
Im so happy I got to tell you all about the famous towns on the Ligurian coast, I hope this article helped you decide where to stay in Cinque Terre Italy and which hotel is ideal for you. Make sure you book in advance as they sell out quickly!
Im sure the hotels on the list are more than enough to help you make up your mind about where to stay in Cinque Terre but here are my top two favorites:
- MADA Charm perfect Vernazza hotel with unique views
- Donna Barbara enjoy the great breakfast in this Vernazza hotel
If you have any questions about the hotels in Cinque Terre or anything else leave a comment below.;
Ciao ragazzi,;
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Cinque Terre Travel Guide
Producers 26, including one cooperativeMain grapes Gamba Rossa, Bonamico, Canaiolo Bosco, Albarola, Vermentino, Piccabon/Pizzamosca
A wild and rocky coastline with improbably steep, terraced vineyards seeming to rise directly from the sea joins the dots of the Cinque Terre, five tiny villages that have remained practically unchanged since medieval times.
Kayak Out To Guvano Beach
If youve been doing any research into the Cinque Terres best beaches, chances are youve come across the infamous nudist-friendly enclave of Guvano Beach, a beautifully unspoiled cove of pebbles, lapped by turquoise water and surrounded by the most typical of the Mediterranean flora.
Once accessible via a 1.5 km tunnel from Corniglia, due to landslides and a variety of safety concerns, all land access has been deemed unsafe and closed off.
Instead, youll need to hire a kayak from the marina area mentioned above, and make your way by sea.
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High On Wine: Cinque Terres Dramatic Vineyards
Text & photographs: Marcella van Alphen & Claire Lessiau
In Cinque Terre, five tiny colourful villages cling to rocky spurs that plunge into the turquoise Ligurian Sea. This rugged landscape has been softened for centuries by hardworking winemakers who painstakingly carved and maintained terraces into the cliff faces to cultivate them. Most terraces were planted with vines. A few areas were devoted to olive trees, citruses and vegetable gardens, and higher up in the mountains, forests provided chestnuts for the flour and leaves that were used to enrich the soil of the vineyards. Today, Cinque Terre remain Italys most dramatic wine area and the most difficult one to cultivate producing some of the most confidential and best wines of the country.
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However, the industrial development of nearby towns and more recently the boom of tourism have led many of these terraces to be abandoned for easier and better paid jobs. The consequent landslides are unforgiving. Thankfully, a few young local winemakers have picked the stones up to rebuild a small part of the 6,700 kilometres of dry-stone walls supporting the vineyards, and have replanted selected vines.
All this hard work pays off. The amber gold liquor wine is simply delicious. So delicious that Heydi Bonaninis Sciacchetrà won the award for best sweet wine of Italy at Vinitaly in June 2020 with a grade of 98%!
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