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Le Cinque Terre (the five villages) is beautifully located on the eastern side of the Italian Riviera, on the Tuscan border. The villages balance on the top of coastal cliffs and afford a fantastic sea view. The five villages are: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
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These five villages constitute a Unesco World Heritage site, which is home to some of the most spectacular landscapes in Italy. Earlier generations have shaped and worked the mountainsides into terraces, which today flourish with olive groves and vineyards. It’s only a few decades ago that the five villages became accessible by road. They have thus retained much of their original charm with old fishing communities and Genoan churches. From Levanto or Punta Mesco there are ancient paths to Monterosso, which is an interesting place for art- and nature lovers alike. We recommend a visit to the old Aurora Tower, which divides the old village from the new, and also a trip to the church of Saint Francis.
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The area is world-famous for the wonderful walks you can take from one village to another. Some paths are wide enough for mountain biking and horse-riding, but if you want to go all the way from Monterosso to Riomaggiore, there’s only one way to do it – put put your best foot forward. The trip takes about four hours.
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Corniglia marks the halfway spot on the walk to Riomaggiore. There is a perfect beach here for those who feel in need of a rest. From Corniglia, you continue along the bay to Manarola. Beyond Manarola, you should head for the path ’Via dell’Amore’ (Lovers’ Lane). It is carved out of the cliffs and surrounded by rugged scenery and a magnificent view of the sea.
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Don’t worry if you are exhausted when you get to Riomaggiore as you can take the train back to Levanto from here. The train stops at all the villages in Cinque Terre, so you can always jump on if your legs get too tired.
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