The Cinque Terre, in Liguria region, are among the most beautiful places in the Italian peninsula. They consist of five different villages along the coast of the Gulf of Genoa on the Ligurian Sea, offering a unique spectacle: colorful houses stacked on top of each other, pristine sea, culinary traditions, and sports activities. The Sentiero Azzurro is a trail that connects the five lands, which hikers from around the world walk to fully enjoy the beauty of the area.
 
But Italy has many beautiful places, and... maybe you only have one day to visit the Cinque Terre? 
 
No need to worry, with Play Italy your one-day trip to the Cinque Terre is no stress. 

As you may already know, Cinque Terre consists of five small villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The whole area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stretches along approximately 15 kilometers (about 9 miles) of coastline in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy, and each of the five villages has its own peculiarities and beauty.

Monterosso is the farthest village from La Spezia, the main town from which you’re most likely to reach the Cinque Terre. It’s the most populous of the five Cinque Terre villages and can be reached in a 25 minutes train trip from La Spezia.

In Monterosso, in addition to a relaxing walk along the seaside, you can’t miss the Statue of Neptune and the Eugenio Montale Literary Park. Monterosso is the village that inspired Montale’s poetry collection Ossi di Seppia, which, along with other works, earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature. 

Vernazza is the closest village to Monterosso. Here, besides the village's beauty and the beaches, noteworthy sites include the Church of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia, which dominates the sea-facing square, and the Doria Castle, where you can climb the ancient tower.

Continuing coast to coast, we reach Corniglia. This is a small village and yet there is so much to see and experience:
●     Chiesa di San Pietro: a beautiful church, built in the Gothic-Ligurian style, and dating back to the 14th century. 
●     Lardarina Staircase: a long staircase with 377 steps that connects the Corniglia train station to the village. Climbing these steps offers breathtaking views of the coastline and the surrounding area (even though there is also a bus available that would bring from the train station to the main square of the village).
●     Piazza Largo Taragio: the main square of Corniglia.
Belvedere di Santa Maria: a scenic viewpoint that offers stunning panoramic views of the Gulf of Poets and the surrounding cliffs

In Manarola, a walk through its winding and narrow streets would allow you to admire the Church of San Lorenzo (another Gothic-style church from 14th century) with its Bell Tower, a small and yet charming harbour with its buzzing activities, and panoramical viewpoints. Manarola also hosts the famous Via dell’Amore (Lovers’ Lane) a walking path that connects this village to Riomaggiore, a couples’ favorite!

In Riomaggiore, make sure you don’t miss the Castle (located high above the village, it offers panoramic views of the coastline and the colorful houses below) and Church of San Giovanni Battista. Like the other churches in the Cinque Terre, this was also built in 14th and features Gothic-style architecture. 

The beauty of the Cinque Terre is not confined to the individual villages that comprise it. The entire area creates a unique and breathtaking landscape, where even the journey from one village to another is part of the experience and offers its own surprises.

Traveling through the Cinque Terre allows you to fully appreciate the harmonious blend of land and sea that defines this extraordinary destination. You can move from one village to the next by foot, train, or boat.

●     Sentiero Azzurro: moving from one village to the next on foot is possible and special thanks to the Sentiero Azzuro that connects the entire area of the CInque Terre. Visiting the Cinque Terre on foot is probably the best way to fully appreciate every detail and connect with the local culture, but it your one-day trip to the Cinque Terre with Play Italy, you’ll mix that up with the other available means of transportation.
●     Moving by train: there is a small train station in every village with trains coming and going at every hour. The railway is also the best way to reach the Cinque Terre from the closest big city (La Spezia).
●     Traveling by boat: the Cinque Terre face the sea, so moving from one to another by boat is possible and easy. The view of the Cinque Terre from the sea is even more beautiful and unique.
●     Play Italy: if you book our “Under the Tuscan Sun”, a day-trip to the Cinque Terre is comprehended and the tour is handled from transfers to guides. You can also customize your trip to include Cinque Terre in your own itinerary, just contact our Booking Agents!

A day-trip to the Cinque Terre offers a glimpse into one of Italy's most stunning landscapes. Each of the five villages perched along the Gulf of Genoa on the Ligurian Sea provides a unique spectacle. 

Here at Play Italy, we are dedicated to transforming your exploration of Italy's natural wonders into a seamless and unforgettable experience. Whether you're marveling at the majestic peaks of the Dolomites, relaxing by the serene waters of Lake Como, savoring the rolling hills of Tuscany, or soaking in the stunning coastal views of the Amalfi Coast, our Booking Agent service is here to tailor your adventure to your tastes. We ensure that each moment is not just seen but truly experienced.
 
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