I added that she better have water. If you look well you will see a tiny arrow Vernazza pointing in the direction of a narrow path going up the hill. Vernazza is one of the most picturesque villages of Cinque Terre. When you are in Manarola, order some take-out deep fried calamari from Mama Mia for 5 . No, but conditions apply when returning to France from Italy. You then most likely will then need to take the train to Santa Margherita-Ligure Portofino and pick up the Golfo Paradiso ferry from Portofino to the CT. Definitely not fast or easy. For more information, please visit this page, Cinque Terre Square 2 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms, Nice to Roussillon Provence Alpes Cte d Azur France, Hotels and accommodation near Cinque Terre, Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Cinque Terre, Dallas Ft Worth Airport DFW to Cinque Terre, Best Western Hotel Moderno Verdi Genoa to Cinque Terre, Appartamenti Ponte Vecchio Florence Tuscany Italy to Cinque Terre, Entry is fully open for citizens and permanent residents of France, There is a social distancing requirement of 1.5 metres, FFP2 masks are required on all public transport. What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms when I arrive in Cinque Terre? As I said, there are many ways to explore this beautiful coastal area. Safe travels. There are 510+ hotels available in Cinque Terre. Most people visit Cinque Terre for a day, some others spend a week Hello, we are planning to visit Cinque Terre next week, we're staying in La Spezia. Not really sure I understood the last sentence. The best way to discover this lovely Unesco site! If you decide to do all this then start very early and try to switch your accommodation and stay in Santa Margherita Ligure (instead ofGenoa). I have been reading more and it seems that Florence is a good location to tour from. This will save you lots of time (and money). The small town square has that typical laid-back feel of the villages along the Mediterranean. Equipped with a train station and parking facilities,the port town is commonly used as a mid-point for those wanting to explore the beaches in the surrounding areas. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Be sure to bring a hat, wear sunscreen and carry lots of water. Go beyond Paris, the Alps, the Loire chateaux and the French Riviera. La via dell'Amore or The Way of Love (Via de l'Amu in the Ligurian language) is a pedestrian street overlooking the sea, with a run of just over one kilometer, linking the villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola, Cinque Terre, in Liguria (Italy). Save this link to stay updated on COVID-19 restrictions, The official advice is to avoid non-essential international travel to high risk countries. Its a great deal and the calamari is fresh. more. Hope this helps you out. We start from Riomaggiore, the nearest village from La Spezia and from here we embark to Manarola, Vernazza and Monterosso. Trenitalia Intercity operates a train from Ventimiglia to La Spezia Centrale once daily. In Genoa I bought a 2nd class return ticket for 15 . I took the shuttle that is at the base of the town up to my hotel (at the top of the town). From A12 Motorway exit of "Carrodano - Levanto", follow signs towards Levanto and Monterosso. When you are in the south of France, Italy is just around the corner. At the end of my hike to Monterosso, I was asked by an American at the end how long the hike was. We will be travelling from Nice to CT in August. Thanks so much for your great blog post. The five Cinque Terre villages are situated in northern Italy on the Mediterranean Sea, only two hours by train from Florence. So you would take a boat from La Spezia to Monterosso, then hike to Vernazza or Corniglia, and then take a train to Monterosso and Riomaggiore. When our hike was over, I was dripping. Originally published in May 2015 and updated April 3, 2019. Veronica made our visit to the Cinque Terra a dream. The only issue is that boats start running later than trains and so you'll start your hike much later. At times I was scared of slipping; however, the views were worth it. What a beautiful place to be. Plus, you can stay longer too and do some amazing trips like this Tuscany day tour or this tour that visits Pisa and some other amazing towns nearby. Maximum travelers: 8, German (conversational), French (basic), English (fluent). Torre Del Lago, LU, Italy, Ciao! Headed back by train to Riomaggiore. They generate a small income to me if you choose to use them, at no cost to you. I wasnt. If you come in spring or in summer you will have much more time, so you can certainly make this exact same trip in one day (and have some time left for a swim). Do you need to be in shape to hike the Cinque Terre? Really bad service. After a long wait (due to two canceled trains), we finally got on the train and in just a few minutes we arrived in Riomaggiore. She was mad we had messed up her napkins and were leaving. Learn how your comment data is processed. Fore more information and timetable: boat excursions. If youre lucky, you may even see dolphins. In my previous posts, I talked about visiting Portovenere and shared practical tips for visiting Cinque Terre. Ill be so content with the fresh fish and seafood everyday. Those phrases, worth it and breathtaking were used by fellow hikers and me constantly. Be sure to take the ferries. Visit our FAQ page. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Cinque Terre is mandatory. You can, of course, continue further and have lunch in Corniglia. By the time we reached the village it was around 11 AM and really hot. I want to continue to Florence for at least a day and Pisa another day. The hiking paths are at the top of the towns, so you are looking down at them and getting picture-perfect views. The Cinque Terre National Park is a protected area inducted as Italy's first national park in 1999. It visits all the villages, foresees time to hike between two villages for those who want to, and also includes a boat ride and lunch at a local restaurant. You can, of course, also opt to stay at one of the Cinque Terre villages or at the nearby town Levanto which is also on the same train route. There is no boat going the long distance between Nice and the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Please check your service as options vary. The main course (sea bass and vegetables), wine (1/2 a bottle of Chianti), and dessert (Tiramisu) were excellentfor a reasonable 36 Euros. Also, make sure to walk a part of the famous Via dellAmore coastal trail. ToursByLocals 2008, 2022. They know just the right places and the best way to see it all, and especially in the high season when its very busy going with a local might save you a lot of frustrations. There are three ways to visit Cinque Terre: by boat, by train, or a combination of boat and/or train and hiking. There's always one change at Ventimiglia and perhaps another at Genova (or other locations in Italy). The boats are running from 1st of April until 1st of November. The hike from Monterosso to Vernazza took us 2 hours. You can find theCinque Terre train schedule here. This town is the gateway to Portofino and easier to reach, park, and find somewhat affordable accommodation. Youll find some restaurants and little shops here, as well as a little playground. Frecciarossa trains offer four classes of service, all with free Wi-Fi: Standard, Premium, Business and Executive. Its a double-edged sword. Sure, you could drive but youd end up just leaving your car in a town and taking the ferry or train to the other towns. Once on the trail, you cannot really go wrong there is just one path. And remember, we visited Cinque Terre in late October the beginning of November, when it gets dark at around 5 PM (for more info, please check our guide to Italy in November). They were breathtaking. Tickets cost $15-$22 and the journey takes 3h 28m. They dont take reservations and there was a queue waiting to be seated, but we only had to wait a few minutes. I really think it's way too much. Before you reach the start of the hiking trail, you pass the old town center of Monterosso. Is it worth having a driver take you from Nice to Cinqueterre? The boat takes much longer, but gives you a different perspective. The primary train operator in Italy, Trenitalia was created in the year 2000. No, there is no direct train from Nice to Cinque Terre. Lunch was at the highly rated Trattoria da Billy that another guest at my hotel had recommended. Hi Jurga! Took ferry back to Riomaggiore. 5 1/2 weeks, however, is a long time and I was very happy to head home. Yes, at times the narrow trail becomes crowded and yes, technically you could fall off the cliff. After a lot of research, we decided to spend two days in Cinque Terre area: one day visiting and hiking Cinque Terre itself and the second day exploring the nearby hidden gem, a beautiful little town Portovenere. Meeting Point Options: Cruise Ship Port, Hotel, Address or Intersection. If you found this post useful, dont forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. The owner then had me try 4 different liqueurs to sample. I have hiked but I would not call myself a hiker. We went in the low season and drove all the way to it, but parking was crowded and the road - narrow and busy. She said there was a train right there heading for Riomaggiore, so it all worked out. Maybe this owner was simply fed up with all the tourists. This depends a bit on where you start/end. There are just so many options. An obligatory statue (in this case of Italian hero Giuseppe Garibaldi) stands in the middle of the square. Google and the Google logo are registered trademarks of Google LLC, used with permission. What do you think? Business, Premium and First Class tickets include a complimentary drink and snack. Vernazza itself is a colorful little village bustling with life. From Nice I was supposed to go to Genoa but they cancelled my train so I had to take a different one from Nice to Ventimiglia. All Ouibus stations are located close to town centres for easy access to public transport. A trip from France to Cinque Terre will present you with jaw-dropping sites so it is definitely worth the visit. I bought the 1 day Cinque Terre Trail Pass for 12 and took the train from Riomaggiore to Vernazza to begin my hike. Thats when the owner (?) Where is the best spot to stay over night? And be prepared for a long train journey - the time and distance are often underestimated by people who have not done their research The journey takes a minimum of nearly six hours, allowing (as is wise) at least 30 minutes to change trains at Ventimiglia, and usually longer. We plan to get the 16 EUR pass for Cinque Terre, visit Genoa/Pisa/Lucca by train, so we're good there, my only question is about the transfer. We would like to take a train from Nice to Cinque Terre. ', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' The Cinque Terre Train Card includes unlimited train travel on the La Spezia - Levanto line, free use of the eco buses and free access to all walking paths. Visit of 4 villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza and Monterosso.This is really a wonderful chance to get the best of the Cinque Terre by boat and train! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-59973121', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Cinque Terre. Or vice versa? The easiest way to get to the Cinque Terre is by train. There are still lots of ups and downs and not as many tourists go in this direction. But when we finally decided to make a last-minute trip to the Italian Riviera, we had no idea how much time you actually need to visit all five little villages of Cinque Terre. Exceptions may apply, for full details: European Union. However, some of the best views of Cinque Terre are found on land and not from the water. Are there restrictions returning to France from Italy? Thank you! Or is that too long of a day and better to do two days - one boat trip and another for hiking? Just enough time to walk through the village and get to the scenic viewpoint the best place to be at sunset in Cinque Terre. But with just a day in Cinque Terre and a hike ahead, dont linger here for too long. about me, my family, and our trips all over the world this highly-rated tour from the cruise terminal in La Spezia, Best tour for those visiting by cruise ship, Most Beautiful small towns of the Italian Riviera, Northern Norway Travel Itinerary (+Map & Info): Lofoten, Vesteralen, Senja, Troms, Visiting Amalfi Coast (Italy): 17 Travel Tips & Tricks for a Better Experience, How to Visit Mt Vesuvius Volcano, Italy: by Car, Bus & Best Tours, Where to Stay in Bangkok, Thailand: 7 Best Neighborhoods (+Insider Tips), 17+ BEST Places to See & Things to Do in Salzburg, Austria (+Map & Tips), Yellowstone South Loop: 27 Places to See & Things to Do (+Map & Tips), In the morning, take a train to Monterosso al Mare, Visit Monterosso and hike to Vernazza (count about 2 hours for the hike), Visit Vernazza (in summer, go for a swim and get some ice cream), Hike from Vernazza to Corniglia (count about 1.5 hours for the hike), For all the practical tips in regards to visiting Cinque Terre please refer to our, If you decide to stay at least a few nights in Cinque Terre area, please check our guide to. Friendly: No. Good to know: In the past, you could hike the whole Cinque Terre trail between Monterosso and Riomaggiore. READ ALSO: Best Places to Visit in Italy & Italy Itinerary. After dinner, we took a train back to La Spezia. Am I allowed to travel from France to Italy? I took a liking to sardines and anchovies but certainly loved the sea bass and calamari. It wasnt a cheap meal but it was excellent (cost: 50 ). The distance between Nice and Cinque Terre is 126 miles. Thanks to my studies in languages I started, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "af256315441a224f2c833160d4b03446" );document.getElementById("hf949ee0a1").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); How To Travel To France During A Pandemic: Know The Rules. The train is the fastest way to get around with lots of trains connecting the five villages at regular intervals throughout the day. But adding Portofino to it would just leave you running from one place to another without seeing much The hike from Vernazza to Corniglia takes about 90 minutes. Genoa was the closest airport to Cinqueterre and is actually quite a nice town to visit. Nice to Cinque Terre train services, operated by Trenitalia Intercity, arrive at La Spezia Centrale station. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. The national COVID-19 helpline number in Cinque Terre is 1500. Each day I would take a bus, train or boat to a town and hike from that town to another town. Its here that you can find the famous postcard-view that you have probably seen in the travel brochures. In addition to the territory of the towns of Cinque Terre (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare), the Cinque Terre National Park encompasses parts of the communes of Levanto (Punta Mesco) and La Spezia (Campiglia Sunsets). Its a great place to go swimming, sunbathing, or kayaking, so if you are visiting in summer and have more time in Cinque Terre than just a day, you could definitely plan a day at the beach here. Then comes the drive to Portofino which is also not easy to reach by car. From La Spezia, take the local train, Cinque Terre Express, in direction Levanto. There are excursion boats running frequently during the summer from La Spezia and Levanto to the Cinque Terre villages. I walked around Corniglia and of course, had to get some gelato. I love your blog. In mid-May I drove to Nice and dropped off my rental car. Yes - Frecce services include a power socket for each seat. Vineyards are replaced by olive trees, and then vineyards again Its a beautiful hike! It was about 27 degrees C. and afterward, I realized I got a sunburn. Petrol stations near the Cinque Terre can be found in La Spezia, Brugnato and Levanto. If you have more time, you can explore the old town with busy shopping streets. It was the perfect end to a beautiful day in Cinque Terre. When I arrived in Riomaggiore, I took a town van from the train station (lower level) to the hotel (high up on a hill). From the famed TGVs to no-frills Ouigo, we explain which SNCF train to choose and how to book. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. All Rights Reserved. Services require either a mobile phone number or credit card for verification purposes and allow access for 24 hours. Veronica F. I was advised that the best way to go is in the direction FROM Vernazza TO Monterosso. This tour is not Wheelchair Friendly - Please be aware that due to recent vehicle restrictions around the Cliff area of Cinque Terre it will not be possible to drive by vehicle to see this area. Is one day enough for Cinque Terre? What is the national COVID-19 helpline number in Cinque Terre? Anyway, I'd plan at least 2 full days in Florence city itself if you can. I'm assuming you weren't planning to just make a day trip there, but will be staying in the C.T. Of course things didnt work out that way. Bought this in advance: NiceVentimiglia; VentimigliaGenoa It is the only natural port of Cinque Terre and is famous for its elegant houses. There is a train station, but its located down by the sea. It visits all the best villages and includes some hiking as well. It is one of the five towns that make up the Cinque Terre region. One does NOT drive from town to town. You also need hiking, trail or running shoes. After lunch, I walked up the hillside to get good views of Manarola. Rome2rio makes travelling from Nice to Cinque Terre easy. Hi There, So I will be departing Nice via train and hiking cinqueterrre over three days and two nights. I considered renting a car just for Bologna - La Spezia and then back again when we finish the holiday. When we visited, on a late-October morning, the beach was completely deserted. Youve likely seen pictures of one of the five towns (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) and yes, the towns are STUNNING!! The folks at the hotel I was staying at recommended the route from Volastra to Corniglia; however, they should have asked if I hiked. Please contact me to discuss how this tour will be conducted.". Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $22-$35 and takes 6h 35m. Trenitalia tickets are available online, in stations across the country or from many travel agents that offer bookings. Bought this return ticket in Genoa (was 15 Euros return): GenoaRiomaggiore. No need to actually stay in Pisa. One of the most beautiful villages in the world! Please contact me to discuss how this tour will be conducted." Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. It takes approximately 5h 56m to get from Nice to Cinque Terre, including transfers. It had gotten great reviews and it was good. InterCity trains that run at night are called InterCity Notte (ICN). Getting on one of the 130 daily journeys is easy - electronic travel documents include your ticket and a personalised mini-guide with handy information. From Genoa (Genova), take the local train towards La Spezia and get off at your destination. Thinking of visiting Italys Cinque Terre and wondering if one day is enough and how to best plan your time if you only have 1 day in Cinque Terre? Our last stop of the day in Cinque Terre was Manarola.