Cinque Terre National Park, Italy
Name: Cinque Terre National Park
Location: Italy
Date Established: 1999
Size: 15 square miles (39 square kilometers)
Did You Know?
• Seaside Charm Even in Italy, a land of many wonders, Cinque Terre National Park is unique. The park includes a group of five picturesque seaside villages perched high atop the rocky Mediterranean coastline. Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, the towering hills behind them, and the breathtaking Ligurian coastline itself are all included in this special national park.
• Timeless Attractions History is alive in the villages, which are replete with ancient churches, castles, and homes that line narrow streets and squares. Roman villas, Benedictine monasteries, and Romanesque architecture bear witness to the steady march of time here.
• Pedestrian Paradise The rocky, rugged coastal cliffs keep Cinque Terre in scenic isolation. Most visitors arrive by train or boat, or even on foot, because it’s extremely difficult to reach the villages by road. That makes the park, villages and all, a pedestrian paradise linked by footpaths that traverse seaside promontories, terraced vineyards, and olive groves.
• Water Park While most visitors focus on the charming villages and breathtaking views found on terra firma, Cinque Terre is a seaside park and its bays, coves, and offshore waters are part of a protected marine area.
• Local Tastes Like most places in Italy, Cinque Terre boasts local specialties of fine food and drink. A crisp white wine called Sciacchetrà is the prized product of local vineyards and good for washing down pesto made with locally grown basil. Freshly caught fish, garnished with local lemons, is another must-have.
How to Get There
The park is designed as a pedestrian space and the best ways to arrive are by rail or by boat. Trains arrive from La Spezia, which is serviced by all long-distance routes on the Pisa-Genoa line. Ferries embark from La Spezia, Lerici, and Porto Venere; connecting boats serve each of the five villages with the exception of Corniglia.
When to Visit
During the summer season, villages are packed to the point that some are suggesting a daily limit on the number of visitors from June to August. Off season is far more relaxed, though many restaurants and most of the few hotels may close from November until March or April.
How to Visit
Consider the purchase of a Cinque Terre tourist card, for one to seven days, which allows an unlimited number of rides along the La Spezia-Levanto rail line, access to all trails (some charge fees) and centers managed by the park, and use of available public transport, such as ecologically friendly minibuses.
Go Further
Animals
- What rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for wildlifeWhat rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for wildlife
- He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why?He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why?
- Behind the scenes at America’s biggest birding festivalBehind the scenes at America’s biggest birding festival
- How scientists are piecing together a sperm whale ‘alphabet’How scientists are piecing together a sperm whale ‘alphabet’
Environment
- What rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for wildlifeWhat rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for wildlife
- He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why?He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why?
- The northernmost flower living at the top of the worldThe northernmost flower living at the top of the world
- This beautiful floating flower is wreaking havoc on NigeriaThis beautiful floating flower is wreaking havoc on Nigeria
- What the Aral Sea might teach us about life after disasterWhat the Aral Sea might teach us about life after disaster
History & Culture
- This thriving society vanished into thin air. What happened?This thriving society vanished into thin air. What happened?
- These were the real rules of courtship in the ‘Bridgerton’ eraThese were the real rules of courtship in the ‘Bridgerton’ era
Science
- Why dopamine drives you to do hard things—even without a rewardWhy dopamine drives you to do hard things—even without a reward
- What will astronauts use to drive across the Moon?What will astronauts use to drive across the Moon?
- Oral contraceptives may help lower the risk of sports injuriesOral contraceptives may help lower the risk of sports injuries
- How stressed are you? Answer these 10 questions to find out.
- Science
How stressed are you? Answer these 10 questions to find out. - Does meditation actually work? Here’s what the science says.Does meditation actually work? Here’s what the science says.
Travel
- How to get front-row seats to an active volcano in GuatemalaHow to get front-row seats to an active volcano in Guatemala
- Urban wine is making a comeback in Paris. Here's how to try itUrban wine is making a comeback in Paris. Here's how to try it
- Discover the sordid history behind these English country homesDiscover the sordid history behind these English country homes
- The 'original' High Line is in Paris — here's how to walk itThe 'original' High Line is in Paris — here's how to walk it
- These rollerskaters take over Paris every Friday nightThese rollerskaters take over Paris every Friday night