When travelers visit Italy, the first things that come to mind are big cities like Florence, Venice, and Rome. But this boot-shaped country is actually surrounded by water, with a sprawl of picturesque seaside towns overlooking the Mediterranean, Ionian and Adriatic seas.
The Italian Riviera in the northwest is one of the most beautiful coastlines, offering breathtaking views, cascading cliffs, and vibrantly colored homes. One of the most beautiful places on the Riviera is Cinque Terre, which means ‘five lands’ in Italian.
Reasons to visit Cinque Terre with children
The five regions here in the Liguria region are made up of five different villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. Located along the sea and surrounded by mountainous terrain, these villages can be tricky to visit in some areas, and car access is often limited, making the area even more attractive and sought after by tourists.
That said, each village is rather small, with many narrow, winding streets and stairs, not suitable for strollers, and accommodation options are limited.
During the summer months, the area can get a little stuffy due to the influx of visitors, and the hiking trails are also heavily trafficked.
Visiting during the off-season, including spring break, is recommended for a more immersive experience and to truly enjoy the area, even if you don't have to take a dip in the ocean.
Explore 5 villages in Cinque Terre
Monterosso al Mare
Start your trip in Monterosso al Mare, the largest and most accessible city in the Cinque Terre and a great base for exploring the Italian Riviera and surrounding nature. This village is also the only one of the five villages with a large sandy beach where you can relax, swim and rent paddleboards.
It is also the most frequently visited of the five villages due to its accessibility, and the beach, which has lounger and umbrella rentals, can be crowded.
The village is divided into the old town and the new town, Fezina. The old town is full of medieval streets and charming squares, while the new town has a train station and beach hotels.
Visit the striped Church of San Giovanni Battista, a Ligurian Gothic building with a white and black marble façade, and the black-and-white striped marble Church of San Francesco, which houses works by Van Dyck. of Van Dyck.
You'll also want to visit the Monterosso Giant, known for its statue of Neptune that was carved directly into a rock cliff overlooking the sea in 1910. Severely damaged by erosion and world wars, the statue stands 46 feet tall and still looks impressive. The condition can be seen from the beach and some hiking trails.
Vernazza
The prettiest of the five villages and home to the liveliest piazza, Vernazza's roots date back to 1000 AD, and its location has made it an important part of maritime culture.
When you are here, visit the beautiful church of Santa Margherita D'Antiochia with its octagonal bell tower. Like the other village attractions, there is a steep climb to reach the Doria Castle, which was built to protect the village from pirates and offers fantastic views.
Near the castle ruins, there is a long-time regular of Vernazza. Belforte, serves delicious seafood and offers the best views of the town and sea from the cliffside tables. (Or go indoors, where there is cavernous interior seating.)
After lunch, you can also enjoy kayak rentals and tours at Cinque Terre Adventure.
cornilia
Corniglia, located atop a 100m high cliff, is the most difficult village to visit. To reach the village, visitors must climb the Lardarina, a long brick staircase consisting of 383 steps and 33 steps. This is a difficult place to stay for anyone taking the train as the stairs can be difficult with luggage and children. However, its elevated location away from the sea makes it a quiet village with panoramic views.
Corniglia has excellent hiking trails, including one that takes you to secluded Guvano Beach. Be forewarned that this was once a nudist beach and there may still be some who prefer the buff.
Additionally, the steep hike can be somewhat dangerous, and there are no facilities at this beach, so you should skip this spot if you are traveling with young children.
Manarola
While visiting Manarola, there is a scenic lookout point that you must visit to see one of the most iconic views of the Cinque Terre. It is located just above the village and can be accessed via a short and well-maintained, although somewhat steep, walk along the Belvedere.
Meanwhile, in the city center, pay a quick visit to the Gothic-style San Lorenza Church, built in the early 1300s. Dedicated to St. Lawrence, the church celebrates his feast day every August 10 with special events and a local festival that includes a procession to bless the sea in the village.
Mom and Dad, try the sweet Ciacachetra dessert wine made here. Especially while trying traditional Ligurian dishes such as trophy al pesto pasta, anchovies with lemon, focaccia bread and cheese. BrandakujunThis dish is made with dried cod, potatoes, pine nuts, and olives.
The village is connected to Riomaggiore by the Via dell'Amore, the Way of Love, and families can enjoy an easy half-mile paved walk that follows the cliffs to Riomaggiore. (This road can get very crowded in the summer heat!)
Manarola's houses are also colorful, and the narrow village streets on the hillside add to the village's charm.
Riomaggiore
One of the easiest villages to reach is Riomaggiore, the southernmost of the five villages. Visitors can arrive by train and then take a short walk into the main part of town, reaching the picturesque port and Via Colombo, a bustling main street lined with restaurants and large hotels.
Visitors will notice the brightly painted buildings that are one of the hallmarks of the Cinque Terre. However, you may not realize that this was done so that fishermen could recognize their homes at sea.
Spend the day walking around the historic center and hiking the trails up the terraced hills for some of the most incredible views of the Mediterranean, then end the day with an afternoon visit to the 13th-century Castello di Riomaggiore. Once used to look out for pirates, the castle offers stunning views and hosts local exhibitions and events.
The town has a rocky beach, similar to those found in Cannes, France, rather than a sandy beach. If you want to go into the water, be sure to wear water shoes.
Or visit Cinque Terre seen from the sea Experience boat tours available in the morning, afternoon, and sunset. You can also rent a kayak for a private excursion or join a kayak tour through: Cinque Terre Adventure.
How to Get to Cinque Terre
The best way to visit Cinque Terre is by train. It stops at each village every few minutes. The town is very small with many pedestrian areas, so avoid driving if possible.
Designated parking areas are usually located on the outskirts of the city, but are small and fill up quickly. Additionally, parking can be quite expensive.
purchase Cinque Terre Card Enjoy unlimited travel with Wi-Fi and skip the lines during peak season.
Where to stay in Cinque Terre
Hotel La Spiaggia in Monterosso
Hotel La Spiaggia in Monterosso is located right on the beach, with easy access to the sea and many rooms with great views. This hotel is a great base for exploring the whole of Cinque Terre and is close to the train station, making traveling between towns easy.
Hotel La Spiaggia, like many hotels in the Cinque Terre, is slightly smaller with only 23 rooms. You might have to book two rooms and stay away from the kids, or you might have to cram into a deluxe space, which is still pretty cramped.
Palace of Excelsior in Rapallo
Considering the small size and difficult terrain of the Cinque Terre, consider making Rapallo your home base. Located an hour from Cinque Terre, this lively coastal town is easier to navigate with young children and is located on the train line to Cinque Terre.
Stay here and enjoy the cultural scene, lively palm tree-lined promenade, Lido and Beach Club, which offer loungers, parasols, changing rooms and small restaurants, while relaxing on the sand or rocky beaches. When you're ready to explore the towns of Cinque Terre, hop on a train and enjoy the scenery.
Stay in a 5-star hotel while you're in Rapallo. excelsior palace, overlooking the sea from a vantage point on a cliff. The resort offers suites with separate living and sleeping areas and children's bathtubs.
From June to September, this property features a Beach Club, which offers 2 outdoor infinity pools, cabana rentals, and lunch and dinner.