Cinque Terre is such a unique gem, I truly think everyone should go once in a lifetime and be sure to stay! Something so relaxing about waking up to amazing views and getting to see the town before the crowds come in. As a newly engaged couple, our favorite town was Manarola. We loved the slower pace in the evening but just lively enough during the day. Our favorite excursion was kayaking in Riomaggiore, we did not go route to see the cities from the water but along the coast (to the left). Where we found the most unique caves to explore and private beaches. Don’t miss out on a chance to stay in Cinque Terre, you wouldn’t regret it!
Nicole
Cinque terre truly felt like being in a real-life postcard.
We had four days here and it simply wasn’t enough – in Monterosso, we had the eponymous torta monterossina, enjoyed figs from our AirBnB host’s garden, and bought ceramic fish from one of the town’s many artisan shops. Manarola deserved its two visits – once for the incredibly fun photoshoot with David and once for cliff jumping. On David’s recommendation, we popped by Vernazza for some trofie and a fried seafood cone. Finally, Riomaggiore stunned us with an incredible golden hour perched on boulders in the harbor along with all the other sunset lovers. The rugged beauty of the coastline and the cheerful charm of Cinque Terre add up to an unforgettable experience that makes me want to rewatch Luca asap 🙂
Sol
We had a fantastic first time in Manarola and the rest of Cinque Terre! To start off the trip, we hiked to Rio Maggiore and took in the views of the wine grape terraces nestled in next to the colorful houses. With the sun sparkling off the sea, this is truly one of the most beautiful places we’ve been. On this hike, we got engaged, which will forever leave us with fond memories of Cinque Terre. After hiking, swimming, and enjoying all the local focaccia, pasta, wine, and pesto, we met up with David one morning to do a photoshoot! This photoshoot was a surprise for my now fiancé, and it was the perfect way to document the special occasion with her. David does it all. He’s prepared to change lenses, and he does gentle directing to make sure you’re in poses that are natural and look best for the camera. We were able to get a mini tour of a part of the city that we hadn’t seen before as well!
Peter
My boyfriend and I spent three wonderful days experiencing the beauty and charm of Cinque Terre. These five towns and the rugged coastline connecting them have a special magic that leaves you wanting more.Riomaggiore: On our first night, we watched the sunset in Riomaggiore’s harbor, golden rays spilling over its colorful facades and the glittering sea. One could also kayak along the coast from here for a unique vantage point of the villages from the water.Blue Hike & Vernazza/Corniglia: On our second day, we embarked on the Senteiro Azzuro, from Monterroso to Vernazza and then Corniglia. Vernazza was a dream, with a breathtaking vista upon descending the final stretch of trail, and a picturesque harbor where you can lounge on rocks and unwind afterward. We explored its cobblestone streets and refueled with peach and blueberry pastries prior to resuming our hike. We stopped midway for a crisp wine as we looked over the vineyards and finally arrived in Corniglia, the landlocked town. We toasted to the end of our hike with creamy gelato before heading up the hilly streets for local wines and cheese. At night, we finished our food journey at a foccacería, twinkle lights and soft music combining with the gentle sea breeze.Pesto Making & Manarola/Monterroso: On our final day, we walked the Via dell’Amore in the morning on our way to make pesto, one of the foods unique to Liguria, using the pestle to combine fragrant basil, pine nuts, and garlic along with salt, olive oil, and cheese to make a savory spread. We explored Manarola, our second favorite town, which had a quaint feel while still boasting a stunning view and was the perfect spot for an afternoon espresso. We then took a train to our last village, Monterroso, to grab chairs underneath one of its famous colorful umbrellas and soak up the sun on its main beach. We watched sunset from a restaurant with divine homemade pasta and seafood to finish our night, watching families splash around in h the sea and enjoying the sweet life.We loved Cinque Terre, and were grateful to have quiet moments in the mornings and evenings without huge crowds to enjoy it in all its beauty. If able, we recommend a similar approach to see them at their best.
Sarah
As the sun dipped below the horizon in Riomaggiore, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. On our terrace overlooking the ocean, with the gentle waves as our soundtrack, I mustered the courage to make a life-changing moment even more memorable. With the twinkling lights of the pastel colored village as our backdrop, I got down on one knee and proposed to my girlfriend, the love of my life. Her eyes sparkled with tears of joy as she said “yes,” and the waves seemed to applaud our newfound commitment. We met our photographer David, who captured our moment throughout all the serene locations in Riomaggiore as the sun set. He took amazing pictures, while also keeping us laughing with his playful and encouraging personality. The following day, we hopped on the train to Monterosso, the largest of the Cinque Terre villages and renowned for its beautiful beaches. The golden sands stretched out before us, and we spent the day soaking up the sun, swimming in the clear waters, and drinking Negronis. We relished the trophie pasta with pesto, a regional specialty, from a beachfront trattoria, savoring the local flavors as we toasted to our future together. Monterosso’s laid-back atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for us to reflect on the incredible journey we were embarking on as an engaged couple. It was a whirlwind of emotions, from the proposal in Riomaggiore to the sun-soaked day in Monterosso, a beautiful chapter in our love story that we would cherish forever.
Trey
Cinque Terre was everything we dreamed of and more—a perfect blend of sea, sun, and soul. This trip wasn’t just a vacation. It was my *15th birthday celebration*, a special tradition in Latin America, and I couldn’t have imagined a more magical place to mark such an important moment in my life.
Each village felt like a page from a storybook, each with its own colors, rhythms, and charm. *Monterosso al Mare* welcomed us with wide beaches and that breathtaking view of the Mediterranean. We laughed, swam, and let the salty breeze wrap around us. It was relaxing and playful—just what we needed to start our journey.
*Vernazza* felt like stepping into a painting, with narrow streets, a little harbor, and a cozy warmth that made us feel instantly at home. We climbed to the old castle for the view, but what truly won us over was the gelato—creamy, sweet, unforgettable. In *Corniglia, perched high above the sea, time slowed down. We explored quietly, admired the view, and ended the afternoon sipping **aperitivos and spritzes*, surrounded by the golden light of the Italian coast.
*Manarola* surprised us with its charm—the colorful houses, the vibrant streets, and the joy of jumping into those clear aquamarine waters. And *Riomaggiore* felt like the perfect finale: the sea, the cliffs, the people, the harmony. We just sat and took it all in—the colors, the architecture, the calm.
What made this trip truly unforgettable wasn’t just the beauty (though it was unreal). It was *the time with my parents*, walking through picturesque alleys, swimming in the sea, and tasting every moment like it was a gift.
Andrès
My husband and I planned a trip to Italy to celebrate the arrival of our first child. We had both been to cinque terre before about 10 years ago but never together! It was so special to be able to go back and cherish this special moment in our lives together. David was able to capture these moments early in the morning before all of the crowds. He made us feel so comfortable and we could not have asked for a better experience! We also loved being able to hike and walk on some of the paths that were recently redone and had been closed due to mudslides during our previous trip. The Ligurian sea is such a special place and we hope one day to bring our little bambino back!
Stacy
Cinque Terre is a real life postcard – all five towns are absolutely picturesque, charming, and colorful. My boyfriend and I visited for the first time in August and here are some of our tips and recommendations:
Manarola: hike through vineyards and lemon trees
• Impressions: We stayed in this town so we might be a little biased. Personally, we felt that this was the most quaint and beautiful of all the towns we visited. From our hotel (La Trattoria), you can see the hilly vineyards, colorful buildings, and the clear waters.
• Restaurant Recommendation: Cuppun Magru (casual lunch spot for the most delicious seafood sandwiches – try the one with fresh sardines!), La Regina di Manarola (vibrant venue with delicious pastas, pizzas, and cocktails), Trattoria dal Billy (fresh and savory seafood for a reasonable price – must try the mussels!). Highly recommend making reservations for the last two restaurants // get an outdoor seat if you can.
Monterosso: long and sandy beach
• Impressions: Got off the train station and saw rows and rows of bright beach umbrellas. We wanted a relaxing day and spent the day at the beach in Monterosso. Be sure to rent your chairs and umbrellas ahead of time especially during high season.
• Recommendation: Found that Monterosso (compared to the other villages) was the best place for shopping for souvenirs (cheaper and more selection of ceramics). When you get off the train, turn left through the tunnel into the Old Town for lots of shops and restaurants.
Vernazza: cute town with colorful houses
• Impressions: cute town with colorful houses all around you. This was a wonderful location for our memorable photoshoot with David from Lovvia Memories. Will definitely look back at these photos and share the wonderful memories with friends and family.
• Restaurant recommendation: Belforte (try the lobster Tagliatelle & Squid Ink pasta! If you can, call to make a reservation ahead of time to sit outside. The view of the pier and the ocean is spectacular and the seafood was amazing)
Wish we had time to visit the rest of the towns. But we will be back because Cinque Terre was definitely one of our favorite places in Italy!
Philip & Corinna
Our trip to Cinque Terre felt like stepping into a dream painted in pastel hues and framed by the sea. My mom and I wandered through all five towns, each with its own charm, but Monterosso and Riomaggiore became the pieces of our hearts we’ll always carry with us.
In Monterosso, we let time slow down, lounging under colorful umbrellas by the sea, drinking aperol spritz and eating the best pizza we’ve ever had from La Barcaccio. Riomaggiore greeted us with its postcard views—colorful homes clinging to cliffs, golden light stretching across the water, and quiet corners that made us pause and just breathe it all in.
One evening, we set sail with Cinque Terre dal Mare, and it was nothing short of magic. As the sun dipped behind the hills, the sky painted itself in gold and rose, and just when we thought it couldn’t get better—we spotted dolphins swimming alongside the boat. We were in awe and collectively thanked the earth for its beauty.
We also learned the art of making pesto at Nessun Dorma, hands sticky with basil and laughter, surrounded by the scent of garlic, pine nuts, and sea breeze. We ate our way through fresh seafood from Da Eraldo and consumed more gelato than we care to admit, every bite a reminder that joy can be simple.
There were moments on winding paths and hidden stairways where it felt like we had wandered into a film—one where beauty lives in the small things. We even had the joy of taking photos with Lovvia Memories to capture just a small glimpse of our beautiful time here on the Italian coast. We loved our trip and we can’t wait for our next visit to Cinque Terre.
Dana
The reality is that the train ride to Cinque Terre had us in moments of high stress! It’s probably because we arrived during the sunny afternoon peak hour carrying four bags of luggage. As soon as we stepped out into the main street we were in awe with the beautiful, bright mix of pastel green, yellow and red colors that welcomed us into Vernazza. As we walked by Batti Batti Focacceria we knew that we would go back for a pizza…and we did (10/10)! Once we arrived to our Airbnb, when we opened the green panel windows we just couldn’t help but smile. We were transported into the world of “Luca”. The weather was perfectly sunny and still with the ripples of the sea slowly moving towards the coast. We will never forget the luscious green valleys and that special view of the perfectly lined trees along the top of one of the mountains. As the sun was setting the view of our photos session with David was perfect. We got a sneak peak of a few of the pictures and we were again in awe of how beautiful they looked. As the evening went on we celebrated our trip at the Ristorante La Torre. We had the most amazing Mussels and Grilled Octopus there. When we walked back down the pink sky at sunset filled us with happiness for our night stay in Cinque Terre. We cannot wait to come back again!
Juan
Cinque Terre was such a dream! We stayed in Manarola and loved it — it felt a little less touristy but still had so much charm. For dinner one night we went to Trattoria dal Billy and it was amazing, both the food and the views. In Vernazza, we grabbed lunch at Lunch Box and I was so happy they had gluten free gnocchi that was actually delicious. Riomaggiore had this fun little cove to the far left where we went swimming — a good spot to cool off. Every town was unique and just wandering around was honestly the best part. It was a good place to take it easy in the middle of a busy trip.
Kayleen
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