If you are looking for a fun place to vacation with your family, Cinque Terre may just be the answer for you. Cinque Terre is a beautiful area of Italy that offers a variety of fun things to do, amazing places to see, and guarantees that you will not be bored. Whether you want to take your kids there or go with just a loved one, this city has so much to offer. To help you on your trip to Cinque Terre, we have all the information you need to have the best trip possible.
What does Cinque Terre mean?
Cinque means five in Italian, and Terre means lands, so Cinque Terre means “five lands”. In reality, Cinque Terre is a coastal area in Italy comprising five cities. This area is frequently named the most beautiful destination in Europe and often show up on most people’s bucket list of top European destinations to visit.
Where is Cinque Terre?
Before traveling to Cinque Terre, it is important to know where it is and how you can get there. Cinque Terre is located in the North-West region of Italy in an area that is home to five separate Italian villages, all of which are unique and beautiful in their own ways.
If you are traveling from abroad, you have to take a plane to get to Cinque Terre. However, there are no airports located within Cinque Terre itself, so you have to fly into airports at either Pisa, Florence, or Genoa. All of those cities have airports, and they are closest in proximity to Cinque Terre. Once you land in one of those airports, you can look into taking a train into the actual city of Cinque Terre or wherever you are staying while in Italy. There are various ways that you can get to Cinque Terre from wherever you are in Italy.
For example, if you are coming from Rome to Cinque Terre, you can hop on a train that departs from Roma Tiburtine and arrive much closer to Cinque Terre. However, do be warned that there are no direct trains from Rome to Cinque Terre.
Credits: Wikimedia CommonsIf you are coming from Venice to Cinque Terre, you can hop on a direct train. Venice is one of the largest cities in Italy, so the train station is very busy at all times of the year. Because of this, if you are traveling with little ones, the Venice train station may be one that you want to avoid if possible.
If you happen to be coming from Milan to Cinque Terre, there is also a direct train that takes around three hours for a small fee. This is a much better option for young ones than the Venice train station because, while it is still busy, it is much less busy than the one out of Venice.
Finally, if you are going from Florence to Cinque Terre, there is also a direct train. You can take this trip by car, but you are likely to hit traffic on the way there. Rather, the train will get you from Florence to Cinque Terre within three hours.
Whatever city you are coming from, you will probably be able to find a train station there or in a nearby city that can take you straight to Cinque Terre. Trains are the best way to travel around this area of Italy because they are quick, inexpensive, and help you avoid the traffic that surrounds Italy.
Weather in Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre, located on the coastline of Italy, ranges in weather between 45 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are a fan of the cold weather, the coldest months are November, December, January, and February. If you want to go at the peak of heat, you should plan your trip for May, June, July, August and September. However, the best time of the year to visit Cinque Terre is either April or October because the weather will in the seventies.
How to Get Around in Cinque Terre
If you are trying to figure out the best way to get around the villages of Cinque Terre, there are three essential ways that you can travel: on foot, train, or boat. Depending on how many people you have with you and how you want to travel, you can choose between those three.
If you choose to travel around on foot, there is a 12-kilometer-long walking trail that runs along the coast of the villages. This way, if you want to be outdoors and take in all the sights, you can take a stroll with your family down the coastline and see all that there is to see. However, with this, it is important that you keep in mind how sharp the cliffs and hills are on this coastline. Because of this, maneuvering a stroller or walking with little kids may become a struggle because the path has steep inclines and declines along the way.
If you don’t want to walk the coastline, you can also take the train which is both the cheapest and the most convenient of the traveling methods. It runs all throughout the five villages, and you can stop to venture through any of them. However, with the train comes the downside of not being able to see much along the way. Unlike the outdoors hiking trails, the train runs through the various caves and tunnels. Because of this, there will not be many sights to see as you are traveling.
If you want the sights and the convenience of not having to walk, you can take the boat around to the villages. From the boat, you are truly able to take in and admire the bright and colorful architectures, the beautiful coast, and much more. While this method is not as fast as the train, it is suggested that you take the boat at least once while visiting just to get the experience if nothing else.
10 Things to do in Cinque Terre
Once you have mapped out how you are getting to Cinque Terre and how you plan to get around, you then want to start planning out what you are going to do while you are there. There is a lot to do in Cinque Terre, so narrowing it down to the best of the best can become quite the challenge, which is precisely why we decided to do that task for you. Below are the top 12 things that you can do while visiting Cinque Terre:
1) Visit the Five Villages
This is a must-do when traveling to Cinque Terre. The five villages are what make up Cinque Terre in all of its entirety. The five villages of Cinque Terre include Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
2) Take a Hike
Hikes are one of the biggest things to do while in Cinque Terre. There are hikes all over the place because of how hilly this region is. Because it is on a cliff coastline, there are many hikes that can take you to various parts of the region. There is even a hiking trail that can take you through all five of the villages.
3) Visit the National Park
The Cinque Terre National Park is a beautiful place filled with ocean views, wildlife, and flora. You and your kids can take a trip through the national park and take in all the beauty of this area.
4) Go to Santuario do Nostra Signora do Montenero
At the very peak of this region lies Santuario do Nostra Signora do Montenero. This area has an amazing viewpoint that allows you to see all across the region. While this wouldn’t be the best walk to take on a hot day, it is perfect for those in-between months.
5) Venture Around Portovenere
This place is so often overlooked, though it shouldn’t be. It is not considered to be one of the villages of Cinque Terre, but it is a beautiful and cultural little place where you can walk around, see the town center, and walk through the marketplace.
6) Stop to Eat in Nessun Dorma
Good food is a must on any trip, and one of the best places to get good food in Cinque Terre is as Nessun Dorma because of the variety and the traditional and cultural food options.
7) Watch the Sunset
Credits: Wikimedia CommonsWatching the sunset from Cinque Terre is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Because of the coastline and the beautiful colors across the villages, the sunset is brighter and more vibrant than anywhere else.
8) Gorge Out in Fuori Rotta
Another place to get amazing food in Cinque Terre is in Fuori Rotta. There, you can get a traditional Italian meal that will leave you full and happy. You can even sneak some wine while the kids are distracted by the food.
9) Go Swimming at Manarola
The beaches at Manarola are like nowhere else. Here, you can head out to the harbor area and take a dip into the sea. With soft sand and warm waters, you and the kids will enjoy this.
10) Take the Boat Around Cinque Terre
As stated before, taking the boat around Cinque Terre is a must-do because it truly allows you to see all the beautiful villages from a different point of view.
Overall
Overall, if you want a wonderful place to take the kids on vacation, Cinque Terre may be the answer for you. With its multitude of things to do, places to see, and ways of travelling, this area can accommodate the entire family and more. Your kids will never be bored while in Cinque Terre.
