Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is a national park and UNESCO World Heritage site located on the rugged Ligurian coast. The name Cinque Terre literally translates to "Five Lands." It is known for its 5 villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Each town offers its own unique charm and atmosphere.
The main town is Monterosso al Mare split into two halves: the old town and the new town. The old town is the part of Monterosso al Mare where you can find all the historical buildings, churches and important locations. The new town is much more modern with lots of shops and restaurants. These two areas are divided by a single tunnel that caters to pedestrians and bikers only.
Vernazza has a lovely harbor and is considered one of Italy's most beautiful villages. It is the fourth town heading north, has no car traffic, and remains one of the truest "fishing villages" on the Italian Riviera. The town has the only natural port of Cinque Terre and is famous for its elegant houses with flowered balconies and the narrow lanes that lead down to the sea.
Manarola is the second smallest of the five villages in Cinque Terre, with a population of 353. It is one more quaint village with colorful houses packed on top of each other. Manarola's primary industries have traditionally been fishing and wine-making. The local wine, called Sciacchetrà, is especially renowned, and this confirms references from Roman writings mention the high quality of the wine produced in the region.
Corniglia is the only one of the Cinque Terre villages without a direct sea link and must be reached by train and foot. The village is situated on a cliff above the sea, providing the best view of the sea and vineyards. It is the quietest and smallest of the five towns and was once isolated from the other four. The main attraction in Corniglia is its pedestrian walkway, which takes you through a charming maze of narrow streets and stairs to the main square.
Riomaggiore is the most southern village of the Cinque Terre. The name "Riomaggiore" comes from the Latin "Rivus Major", which means bigger creek. A walk through the narrow lanes of Riomaggiore leads to ravishing scenic views. The town is a perfect destination for hiking and exploring.
The colorful houses, picturesque beaches, vineyards and steeply terraced hillsides are interconnected by a network of treks. Over the centuries, people have carefully built terraces on the rugged, steep landscape right up to the cliffs that overlook the sea.
