The Cinque Terre are five clifftop fishing villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore) joined by footpaths, trains and boats within a UNESCO-listed national park.
The Cinque Terre lie about 100 km from Genoa along the Genoa-La Spezia railway, with Levanto and Monterosso at the western end and Riomaggiore at the eastern end. Trains from Genoa Brignole and Principe to La Spezia Centrale take about 1 hour to 1 hour 50 minutes and cost EUR 9.80 (~$11) under the Tariffa 39/9/Liguria; from La Spezia, regional trains stop at each village. For 2026 Trenitalia sells a Cinque Terre single ticket at EUR 5 in zone A, EUR 8 in zone B and EUR 10 in zone C (~$6 / ~$9 / ~$12), with the zone depending on the day. Golfo Paradiso also runs a seasonal Genoa-Monterosso boat at EUR 35 one way and EUR 50 return (~$40 / ~$58). Because of the distance, an overnight stay is often better.
| Distance | About 100 km southeast of Genoa |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes by train |
| Getting there | Train (Trenitalia Regionale from Genova Brignole or Piazza Principe to La Spezia Centrale or Levanto, about 1 hour to 1 hour 50 minutes, EUR 9.80 to La Spezia Centrale (~$11)), then regional train to the villages |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Address | Stazione di Monterosso al Mare, Via Fegina, 19016 Monterosso al Mare SP, Italy |
How to get there
- Mode
- Train
- Duration
- About 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes
- Cost
- EUR 9.80 Genoa to La Spezia Centrale (~$11) plus a Cinque Terre ticket or card
- Notes
- Around 30 trains per day to La Spezia; the Cinque Terre Treno MS Card (unlimited second-class travel between Levanto and La Spezia) is sold at Brignole and Principe ticket offices; single tickets are EUR 5 / 8 / 10 by zone A / B / C (~$6 / ~$9 / ~$12)
- Mode
- Boat
- Duration
- About 2 hours 30 minutes
- Cost
- EUR 35 one way / EUR 50 return (~$40 / ~$58)
- Notes
- Golfo Paradiso from Genoa to Monterosso in the season; golfoparadiso.it, +39 0185 772091
- Mode
- Car
- Duration
- About 1 hour 30 minutes to La Spezia or Levanto
- Notes
- Parking at the villages is very limited; use park-and-ride at La Spezia or Levanto
Suggested itinerary
- Take an early regional train from Genoa to La Spezia, then the Cinque Terre train to Riomaggiore and work toward Monterosso, walking the open sections of the path and riding the train between villages; return from Monterosso or Levanto in the evening.
Location
Stazione di Monterosso al Mare, Via Fegina, 19016 Monterosso al Mare SP, Italy
44.1353, 9.6840 View on map
Highlights
- Vernazza harbour and its castle
- Sentiero Azzurro coastal path (check which sections are open)
- Manarola vineyards and sunset viewpoint
- Monterosso beach
- Boat links between the villages
Tips for visiting
- Check the Cinque Terre National Park site for trail closures and the daily zone calendar before buying tickets
- The trip is long for a day return from Genoa; an early start is necessary
- The Cinque Terre Treno MS Card is for second-class regional trains only and not for Intercity trains
When to visit
April to June and September to October; midsummer is hot and crowded.
Accessibility
The train stations are mostly accessible, but the villages have steep stairs and cobbled lanes; the walking trails are steep and rocky.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do the Cinque Terre as a day trip from Genoa?
Yes, but it is a long day: allow about 2 hours each way by regional train and leave early.
What ticket do I need?
A regional ticket to La Spezia or Levanto plus a Cinque Terre ticket or the Cinque Terre Treno MS Card sold at Genoa ticket offices; check the daily zone calendar on trenitalia.com.