Cinque Terre! Just hearing that name already brings about images of coastal towns, the rustic charms of the Italian countryside, and an unparallelled paradise that seems so far from your everyday life. When it comes to this place, you can't help but want to escape to it and luxuriate in its natural wonders and provincial lifestyle. But when you do get here, what do you do? What if you get a chance to spend an entire day in Cinque Terre? What are you going to do? Well, here are some suggestions you might like to consider!
Take A Scenic Train Ride
One of the common ways to
get to and around Cinque Terre is by train. In fact, the place has its own railway system, the <Cinque Terre Express, that travels to
all the towns in the area. And you know what? That's not a bad idea to spend your day there. From Monterosso to Riomaggiore and back, a scenic train ride throughout Cinque Terre is something out of a dream. You'll see such amazing sights that you'd probably miss if you're too focused on getting to the next town. In the air-conditioned Cinque Terre Express, you get to marvel at Cinque Terre in comfort!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Hike Up The Liguria Mountains
Another way to see the natural wonders of Cinque Terre is to go hiking! It's no secret that this string of cites are mostly perched atop the mountainous region of Liguria. And among other things, this allows you to go on a hike to see the breathtaking views this place offers. Fortunately, Cinque Terre has a series of hiking trails, many of which connect one town to the next. There are two that start from Monterosso to Vernazza, one low and one high route. There's one that includes three towns: Manarola, Volastra, and Corniglia. And a famously romantic trail, Via dell'Amore, that connects Manarola all the way to Riomaggiore.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Explore The Towns On Foot
Since you're already hiking in Cinque Terre, why not explore each town on foot as well? Of course, you can't explore more than one town in a day; in fact, you're better off spending at least three days in each town in Cinque Terre. That's how exciting each of these beautiful villages are. Though beautiful, it's easy to think that once you've seen one, you've seen them all but that's not necessarily the case here. For instance, only in Riomaggiore will you find exceptional rocky coasts along the Italian Riviera. Meanwhile, Corniglia boasts a stunning array of tiered vineyards that are perfect for an Instagram post!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Shop Away
You won't find designer brands or popular grocery chain stores here in Cinque Terre. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Because in terms of shopping, what you will find are fascinating finds that you won't see anywhere else. Think delicious local food, each offering a different flavor of the region. Charming paintings made by local artists, made from unique perspectives. Knick-knacks and other trinkets would work well in adding more of a Cinque Terre twist to your home. And if you happen to stumble upon a local boutique, the Mediterranean styles you'll find here are second to none!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Indulge in Fine Seafood
Speaking of seafood, if you fancy yourself as a foodie traveler, know that Cinque Terre has some of the finest in the country. After all, many of their local delicacies already come from the sea, or rather, the Italian Riviera. It makes sense that many of the best dishes they whip up here are seafood options. Choose any of the must-try hotspots in the area and you'll find that most of what their menus offer contain the best in Italian seafood. Think anchovy spaghetti, scampi pasta, and tender crustaceans cooked to perfection! Your mouth is probably already watering just thinking about it!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Go Sailing on The Italian Riviera
Cinque Terre is best known for its many beautiful coasts. For a lot of travelers, these coasts are the very reasons they took the trouble to come all the way here. And apart from going to the beach and sunbathing on the shorelines, why not sail on the Italian Riviera instead? It'll be easy to rent a boat in this place, via in-person or even through a
transportation app. And when you get going, you'll be blown away by just how beautiful Cinque Terre really is. If you thought the views from these cities were stellar, wait until you see the place from your boat sailing along the Italian Riviera!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Relax on The Beach
Call it basic if you must, but you can't deny that, when you go to Cinque Terre, one of, if not the best way to pass the time here is to go to the beach. It helps that the place has a lot of excellent ones, ranging from the crowded and heavily commercialized to the more remote and untouched escapes. And yes, although they're all located within one specific area, each is as different as night and day. Based on what type of beach day you prefer, you'd do well in choosing a beach where you'll truly get to relax and have fun!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
While it's easy to think that, despite its astounding beauty, Cinque Terre is a boring place, don't come to that conclusion just yet! When you've spent an entire day here, you might be surprised at how much fun you've had even for just a couple of hours!
