Words & Photos by Joanna Fuller

Explore Picturesque Cinque Terre

When royal blue waters begin dancing with vibrant colors of city walls, all harmoniously crashing into the cliffs, you have arrived in Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre consists of five towns that are woven together by footpaths overlooking the vast Mediterranean Sea. Each village (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) brings its own style, personality, and unique history. While I loved them all, my favorites were Vernazza, Corniglia, and Manarola. Come with me as we dip our “brush” into each one.

Monterosso al Mare

The largest and most toured town of the five cities in Cinque Terre is Monterosso al Mare. Monterosso boasts the only extensive beach in Cinque Terre which lends itself to a gorgeous reef. The strand of white sandy beach is accompanied by ice cream shops, cantinas, and unique stores. If staying in Cinque Terre, most of the towns only offer guesthouses, small hotels, or apartments, but Monterosso has a variety of options: adding 5-star hotels and farmhouses for rent. This village is a fun-filled must see and can be a little crowded during summer holiday. 

Vernazza

This small fishing village is wrapped with olive groves and colorful boats that line the harbor. It’s filled with pastel walls and tasteful bars and cafés, making it one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Soaking up this charming town, we found ourselves on the rocky cliffside enjoying the sun, and like most thrill-seekers, eventually indulging in the infamous cliff jumping! While this town may be small, it’s not lacking in charm and character. 

Corniglia

Compared to the other five villages, Corniglia has the uniqueness of being the only town that does not have access to the sea. While this may sound like a downfall, it’s quite the contrary. Because of the elevation, the scenic view from the top of this city is one-of-a-kind. Originally, Corniglia was a Roman village known for its wine, which you can still sample to this day. It is the smallest and least visited, but if you opt to journey through, I highly recommend Bar La Terza for some of the best views, amazing wine, and incredible food. 

Manarola 

Arriving in Manarola, travelers are welcomed by the captivating streets, freshly-caught seafood wafting through local kitchens, and some of the best swimming holes Cinque Terre has to offer. While we strolled the bustling alleys in Manarola, all leading to the sea, crowds of people gathered watching a woman as she was preparing to jump off the giant boulder in the middle of the marina. The fear in her was steadily rising as she looked over the edge. More people began to take notice, pausing to look up from their meals. Then suddenly, she leaps! The crowds erupted in cheer as she braved her fears, taking the plunge. As we joined the celebration, you could feel the energy and excitement this town brings to each visitor. Manarola is one of the most picturesque of the five towns. In fact, it’s the most photographed city of the five, and is likely the town you envision when you think of Cinque Terre. It’s also considered to be the most romantic and has a little bit of all the villages rolled into one.

Riomaggiore

This village is the farthest south and one of the easier towns to reach. It is quaint and peaceful with less commotion than its sister-cities. Once known for producing wine and olive oil, it is now one of the most popular villages as the starting point for tourists when visiting Cinque Terre. It also marks the trailhead of Via dell’Amore (Lover’s Lane), a famous scenic path from Riomaggiore to Manarola with breathtaking views known for making its visitors fall in love.