Explore the Cinque Terre between sea-view hiking, kayaking and snorkeling in the marine protected area.
Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore: five jewels set between sea and mountains which leave you breathless for their beauty.
If you’re wondering what to do in the Cinque Terre, here you can discover scenic trails, hiking routes with ocean views, and outdoor excursions through nature, historic villages, and a marine protected area.
The Cinque Terre is perfect for those who love hiking, coastal walks, and water activities away from the crowds, allowing them to experience the area in an active and sustainable way.
The Cinque Terre, erected on a thin strip of land between mountains and sea and far from the roads of great communication, have remained a little apart from the great historical developments. The true history of this area is through the chronicles and stories written by the few travelers who arrived here over the past centuries. The testimony of the daily life of these remote seaside villages, recount a life of misery and hard work, but also of celebration and communication.
Monterosso probably rose, like the nearby Vernazza, as a military port for the defense of the territory against the Saracens. In the 13th century for a short time it belonged to the Maritime Republic of Pisa before passing in 1276 to the Republic of Genoa, along with all the territory of the Cinque Terre.
Vernazza, which owes its name probably to the local wine “Vernaccia”, is the only natural harbor of the Cinque Terre. Here are some remains of medieval fortifications and on the west side the parish church of Santa Margherita D’Antiochia, built in the 11th century and enlarged in 1318.
Continuing south, on a cliff about 80 meters high, you reach Corniglia, village that was also part of the Genoese Republic. Manarola and Riomaggiore share the incredible interlocking architecture, made necessary because of the position of the two villages in very narrow valleys towards the sea. In past centuries, in the valley around the town, it was common to extract the cellulose from the leaves of the poplars, then used for the Genoese paper industry.
Thanks to its raised position, the bell tower of the church of San Lorenzo in the past served as a watchtower and defense tower.
The last of the Cinque Terre is Riomaggiore: legend tells that is was founded 1200 years ago by Greek refugees. In fact, the first mention of the village in a historical document dates back to 1259. The name of Riomaggiore comes from the stream that ran between the houses.
The Cinque Terre remained under the dominion of the Republic of Genoa until 1797; after which they passed under the control of the French first and then of the Savoy Kingdom. After the Unification of Italy in 1861, Liguria and the Cinque Terre became part of the new Kingdom of Italy.
The National Park of the Cinque Terre with its 3,868 hectares is the National Park among the smallest in Italy and at the same time the most densely populated, with about 4,000 inhabitants divided into five villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso.
Here, in more than a thousand years, humans have “modified” the natural environment by cutting the steep slopes of the hills to obtain strips of cultivable land, the so-called “ciàn”, supported by miles of dry stone walls. This is the true identity of Cinque Terre, with an atypical and strongly anthropized landscape: that’s why it is the Park of Man, a territory that has become a World Heritage Site.
The Marine Protected Area of Cinque Terre includes two A areas of integral reserve and two B areas of general reserve in Punta Mesco and Capo Montenero and boasts an extraordinary richness and variety of animal and plant species. The purpose of the Protected Marine Area is to protect and enhance the natural, chemical and physical characteristics, together with the marine and coastal biodiversity features, also and above all through environmental recovery interventions, making use of the collaboration of the academic and scientific world.
For these reasons, study programs, monitoring and scientific research are constantly carried out in the fields of natural sciences and environmental protection, with the aim of ensuring the systematic knowledge of the area, but also promoting sustainable development of the environment, with particular regard to the enhancement of traditional activities, local cultures and eco-friendly tourism.
The trails of the Cinque Terre connect the five villages, winding through terraced vineyards, cliffs overlooking the sea, and Mediterranean scrub.
Hiking in the Cinque Terre is one of the best ways to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to trails suitable for hikers of all skill levels. If you’d like to join a guided hike through the Portofino National Park and the Cinque Terre, check out our dedicated offerings.
Among the most famous are the scenic stretches connecting Monterosso to Vernazza and the famous Via dell’Amore between Manarola and Riomaggiore.
Walking along these trails allows you to discover unique views and enjoy an authentic experience between the sea and the mountains.
The dry stone walls, which support the terraces, have also been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since November 2018. This rugged and steep terrain is known for producing wines such as “Sciacchetrà” and “Cinque Terre.”
The Cinque Terre stretches from Punta Mesco to Capo di Monte Negro, beyond which miles of cliffs lead directly to the entrance of Portovenere, recognizable by the imposing silhouette of the Church of San Pietro.
Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore were built around the 11th century. Until the 18th century, Liguria was subject to pirate attacks: the construction of towers and narrow alleyways, ideal for defending the territory, are now characteristic features of all the villages. Examples include the Aurora Tower in Monterosso and the Castle of Vernazza, both of which are still in excellent condition.
The shape of the Cinque Terre coastline does not allow for the development of proper harbors. The gozzo is the traditional fishing boat, and even today, just as in the past, it is launched and brought ashore every day using the traditional slipways. On windy days or during storm surges, the sight of the boats sheltered in the narrow alleys and small squares is spectacular.
Another common feature is the color palette, with facades in soft yellows, oranges, and deep reds; light or dark gray cliffs; and blue and turquoise water.
You can travel between the villages using the park’s trails, by train, or by sea, allowing you to admire them from different angles. The beauty of this stretch of coastline is now carefully preserved and protected from uncontrolled development.
In addition to hiking, the Cinque Terre can also be explored from the sea.
Kayaking trips along the coast offer a unique vantage point from which to admire the colorful villages, while snorkeling excursions in the Cinque Terre provide an opportunity to get a close-up view of the seabed and the biodiversity of the marine protected area.
Visitare le Cinque Terre attraverso esperienze guidate consente di evitare le zone più affollate e scoprire angoli nascosti tra grotte, calette e fondali ricchi di biodiversità.
The starting point for our Cinque Terre activities is Monterosso at Bagni Fegina, via Fegina 11.
The activities take place in the Cinque Terre National Park and in the neighboring areas of Portovenere and the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto. A different way to visit all the Cinque Terre – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore – is to explore them from the sea: with our kayak and sup tours, you can admire an evocative landscape far from the tourist crowds and have glimpses of breathtaking panoramas from unusual perspectives.
Live as a local, visit the most authentic spots and learn the local traditions coming into contact with nature and sport.
