Cinque Terre, on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline, is home to five historic towns (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore). Its coastline villages with pastel colored home perched on cliffs overlooking the sea, and the surrounding historic terraced vineyards on hillsides, are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park (established in October 1999) which, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site two years later. During our Mediterranean cruise last spring I took a one day tour of Cinque Terre. The tour included visiting three of those villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, and Riomaggiore). Ideally you need more time however, even on a tight time line, it was a good intro to Monterosso, Vernazza, and Riomaggiore.
Cinque Terre, Italy © Spaswinefood
Cinque Terre a top tourist attraction is one of Italy’s oldest winemaking regions. This region produces wine following a painstaking process, which has not changed much since Roman times. I loved the fact that the tour included a wine tasting, and some time on your own to enjoy some of the local cuisine.
Off to Visit Cinque Terre's Villages
We traveled from Livorno's port to La Spezia where we continued onto Monterosso, the western most village in Cinque Terre. Since vehicles can not travel beyond Monterosso visitors to Cinque Terre villages they must visit by train or boat to reach destinations beyond this point. For those with more time to explore Cinque Terre there are cliffside hiking trail links the villages, and offers sweeping sea vistas. For sure visitors delight in seeing its seaside villages with colorful houses and vineyards clinging to steep terraces. The harbors of Cinque Terra villages are filled with fishing boats. Its trattorias offer seafood specialties, and pastas with Liguria region’s famous sauce, pesto.
Since Monterosso al Mare was the first village that we toured I will begin there, followed by Vernazza, and Riomaggiore.
Monterosso al Mare
As soon as we arrived we were off the bus, and walking down the cliffside to our first village stopover.
Monterosso is the largest of the five villages.
Arriving at Monterosso © Spaswinefood
As our local guide who took us on a tour of the village, she explained details along the way. Our first encounter was with a retired professor, a friend of the guide, who lives in the village.
Meeting a Friend, Monterosso © Spaswinefood
We were introduced to how the local vineyards are managed in a steep terrace environment. The village is known for its white wines, grapes, and olives. Many lemon trees can be seen throughout Monterosso.
While touring Old Town we stopped by a tower.
Monterosso Old Town Tower © Spaswinefood
In the same plaza there was a church. 
Church, Monterosso © Spaswinefood
After a very brief introduction we continued onto the harbor to take in views of Old Town and the ocean.
Touring Monterosso © Spaswinefood
During our walk we visited an overlook point where I enjoyed taking in views Old Town and the ocean.
Sea View: Monterosso © Spaswinefood
Old Town, Monterosso © Spaswinefood
Street View, Monterosso © Spaswinefood
I had time to enjoy coffee and a snack at a local cafe.
Time for Coffee: Monterosso © Spaswinefood
Experiences offered in Monterosso © Spaswinefood
Tunnel Entrance to Monterosso Train Station © Spaswinefood
Monterosso Train Station © Spaswinefood
Vernazza
Not long after boarding the train we arrived in Vernazza, an historical fishing village. Vernazza's colorful houses surround its small marina.
Welcome to Vernazza © Spaswinefood
After a brief introduction by our guide off we went on our own to explore. Even on an early spring time morning there were plenty of tourists out and about.
Exploring Vernazza © Spaswinefood
Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, Vernazza © Spaswinefood
The historic Santa Margherita di Antiochia Church (shown in the center of above photo), stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Ligurian Sea, just off the main square, Piazza Guglielmo Marconi. The church was built in 1318 in Gothic-Ligurian style. Its distinctive 40-meter-high octagonal bell tower is topped with an elegant cupola. The church is dedicated to Saint Margaret of Antioch, the patron saint of Vernazza.
Side Street, Vernazza © Spaswinefood
During my walkout about I spotted plenty of souvenir type shops. Of course there was a wine shop, Enoteca La Cantina Del Molo.
Enoteca, Vernazza © Spaswinefood
It was recommended to try the gelato and I did.
Gelateria Vernazza © Spaswinefood
All too soon it was time to head to the pick up point.
Marina, Vernazza © Spaswinefood
After further explorations, I went to the marine to take a boat to our next village.
Waiting for a Boat: Vernazza © Spaswinefood
Soon we were off to our next stop Riomaggiore.
Traveling from Vernazza to Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood
Riomaggiore al Mare
It was not long before we were arriving in Riomaggiore, the most southern village in Cinque Terre.
Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre © Spaswinefood
The town climbs up along the ridges overlooking the sea.
Colorful Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood
It is captivating as Riomaggiore's stone houses with colored façades and slate-roofs come into full view.
Arriving in Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood
Upon arrival we disembark, and are off to discover some of the village's delights.
Off to Explore Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood
We begin with a stroll through the historic center.
Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood
Upon arrival at our third village we had a wine tasting at Enoteca Internazionale. It was my opportunity to sample the local juice, Enoteca Internazionale in Monterosso’s old town, and opt for a flight of five Cinque Terre red or white wines–one from each town. 
Enoteca Internazionale, Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood
For our tasting there were two white wines available for tasting.
Wine Tasting at Enoteca Internazionale © Spaswinefood
Enoteca Internazionale, Monterosso © Spaswinefood
I took a closer look at one of the wines poured.Sassarini, Vendemmia Cinque Terre DOC 2024
Sassarini, Vendemmia Cinque Terre DOC 2024 © Spaswinefood
It was a delight into to Cinque Terre wines. Besides the wines there were some local food samples to try, including its famous pesto sauce. Cinque Terre is the bithplace of pesto.
Tasting Local Food & Wines © Spaswinefood
I did take notice of wine tasting options offered at Enoteca Internazionale. Perhaps you might prefer to opt for a flight of five Cinque Terre red or white wines (one from each town).
Wine Tasting Offering at Enoteca Internazionale © Spaswinefood
After the wine tasting I explored the village a little before lunch.
Exploring Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood
Part of the charm of exploring Riomaggiore was discovering the best option for lunch. Given I had met up with a few new friends on the tour I joined for lunch at a local restaurant. We ordered a pasta for lunch.
Pasta with Pesto Sauce, Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood
Pasta, Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood
After an awesome lunch I still had a little time to explore the village some more.
One of my stops included a church, Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista (Church of St John the Baptist) located on Piazza don Giovanni Minzoni. Its construction began in the 1200s, and was completed in 1307. While there are a number of churches in Riomaggiore, this two colored stone (striking façade of horizontal dark green and white marble stripes) church is well worth visiting.
Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista
Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista, Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood
All too soon, it was time to return to our pickup point.
Seaside at Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood
As I left for the meetup point near the train station, I took another look at those stunning cliffside terraces and ocean views.
Remembering Riomaggiore © Spaswinefood
Soon we were on the train, and heading back to La Spezia where the bus was waiting to take us to our cruise ship in Livorno's port. I was so exited that I managed to make it to Cinque Terre during our stops in the Mediterranean Sea. For a more in-depth introduction to Cinque Terre I would recommend at least a 2-3 day visit. This would allow for a more in-depth exploration of this historic region, walking the hiking trails, exploration of its gastronomic delights and more. I invite you to join me in my Mediterranean Sea travels and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Bluesky and Facebook. I am so looking forward to sharing more on my vine-filled explorations.
CHEERS!
Sharon
March, 2026
Cinque Terre, Italy
Cruising Meditteranean
© Spaswinefood
Ligurian Sea, Cinque Terre © Spaswinefood
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