Regional Guide - Cinque Terre

An area where land and sea come together to form a unique and evocative area. Eighteen miles of rocky coastline full of coves, beaches and deep water, topped by a chain of mountains that run parallel to the coast. Terraces planted with vines and olive trees, whose content is provided by ancient dry stone walls. A natural heritage of great variety, the Cinque Terre have been declared by UNESCO "World Heritage" since 1997.

As the name implies - there are five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, which overlook the sea. The villages can be reached by boat in spring and summer time. There are daily connections by boat from La Spezia, Lerici, Portovenere and Portofino, with terminus in Monterosso. You can reach them also by train, thanks to the numerous departure options on the Pisa - Genoa connection. Train service allows you to reach all 5 villages or you may also walk through the many trails and mule tracks offering breathtaking views.

An environment in which the secular work of generations has transformed an inaccessible area in a landscape of extraordinary beauty. The Marine Protected Area and the National park are protecting the absolute uniqueness of this landscape.