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The year 2024 was a very busy travel year for us. Between road tripping and cruising, we covered some 14 countries and municipalities in Europe. From bustling city centers, quaint villages, museums, beaches, highland trails, remote monasteries and archeological sites, we experienced quite a variety of things last year. One of our highlights was a visit to the picturesque village of Vernazza which is part of the Cinque Terre.

The Cinque Terre, meaning “Five Lands,” is a collection of five villages along the Italian Riviera whose history dates back to the 11th century. Monterosso and Vernazza were the first to be settled, followed by the other villages: Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Known for its picturesque landscapes, colorful houses, and rugged coastline, the Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular destination for travelers seeking natural beauty and authentic Italian culture. The Cinque Terre is renowned for its scenic hiking trails that connect all five villages, offering breathtaking views of the Ligurian coast and making it possible to hike between villages. The entire route is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) long. With its colorful buildings, bustling harbor, charming piazza, narrow winding streets, and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea, we could see why Vernazza (population 700 approximately) is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the Cinque Terre region.

Since road access to the village is restricted to residents only, it’s best to utilize the two public parking lots outside the village if arriving by car. Both lots offer shuttle service to the village but it’s also close enough to walk. You may also opt to take the train from the nearby town of La Spezia which stops at all five villages. Vernazza alone has more than 30 hotels and accommodations that includes a mix of hotels, B&Bs, and guest houses, offering various options for visitors.

We drove in from Menton, France, four hours away and stayed at a quaint farmhouse turned cottage Agriturismo Costa di Campo, nestled in the hills just outside of the village. It was a very quiet, secluded spot and had beautiful views of the Mediterranean. The road in was narrow and winding and the final hairpin turn on the approach to the cottage was very tight and proved to be quite harrowing. Without a high clearance vehicle, it could be very difficult to make that turn. In our little rental, we scraped the bottom a few times, luckily, didn’t break anything. After a lot of back and forth, we somehow made the turn.

Some of the fruit trees on the property included persimmons, olives and lemons.

After a great, well-deserved night of sleep, we set out early the in morning and headed down the narrow, windy road to the parking lot, (parking spaces can fill up quickly, especially during peak tourist season). We took advantage of the free shuttle service which is very convenient and saves you from the hassle of finding a spot closer to the village. On entering the village, you immediately begin to experience the timeless charm that makes you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time to a simpler, more tranquil era. An early arrival meant that the village was just beginning to come alive with shopkeepers and restauranteurs busy preparing for the day. As we strolled along, totally mesmerized by all the colour, beauty and history that surrounded us, we arrived at Vernazza Square, also known as Piazza Marconi. It’s the vibrant heart of the village overlooking the beautiful harbor, it’s also a great place to start your exploration of Vernazza, as it’s close to many of the village’s key attractions. While not crowded yet, we were able to easily stroll the narrow cobblestone streets and alleyways, checking out the pastel-colored buildings, restaurants and specialty shops. You could tell that there’s a strong sense of community there.

Vernazza’s harbour is a picturesque spot filled with colorful fishing boats and small vessels, adding to the village’s vibrant atmosphere, The harbour is also a popular spot for boat tours, allowing visitors to explore the Cinque Terre from the sea and enjoy stunning views of the coastline. Looking across the bay from Vernazza Harbor, you can get a view of Monterosso al Mare, the largest of the five villages. It’s the only village in the Cinque Terre with a long sandy beach, which makes it ideal for swimming.

The village of Monterroso al Mare in the distance. While you’re at the harbor, you can also take a scenic boat ride to Monterosso.

As we wandered through the streets, we encountered locals going about their daily routines, from hanging laundry out to dry to chatting with neighbors. When travelling to these places, we sometimes forget that these are the homes of real people, living real lives, thus a certain degree of decorum is warranted. I imagine in the high season, the throngs of visitors could make it somewhat intrusive for the residents but unlike some other heavily touristed locales that are pushing back against overcrowding, Vernazza seems to be okay with it all.

Since our time was tight, our plan for this visit was to hike part of the coastal trail up to the harbour overlook. To get there, we climbed a series of steep steps and connected to the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail.) This is the trail you would take if going to Monterosso (a 1.5-to-2-hour hike,) but we’re just going to find the lookout spot which offers some of the best views of the harbor.

Another hiking option is the Castello Doria, a medieval castle which sits atop a hill 70 meters above sea level and provides an incredible panoramic view of Vernazza and the surrounding coastline. It’s a bit of a climb to reach the top which we didn’t do unfortunately, but I imagine the views would be breathtaking and worth the effort.

This view of the village can only be described as spectacular. You can see why they say it’s the most picturesque of the villages. While visiting some of the iconic cities of the world has a certain appeal, we’re fast becoming fans of the smaller towns and quaint villages. Vernazza was an unforgettable experience even though it was only for half a day. We’d always had dreams of hiking the five villages but perhaps another time. After hitting the road in the afternoon on our way to Florence, we caught glimpses of three other villages, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. You could say that we’d seen all five villages that day, but it would’ve been something special to hike to them all.

Corniglia.

Manarola

Riomaggiore

1. Vernassoa Car Parking

• Location: On the provincial road number 51, about 1 km before you reach Vernazza.
• Details: This secure parking lot has approximately 90 spaces and is open from 8am to 8pm. There is a free shuttle service that takes you down to Vernazza in about 5 minutes.
• Fees: 2 euros per hour, 15 euros per day. It’s recommended to reserve in advance.
• Contact: +39 333 267 7596

2. Cooperativa Vernazza Car Parking

• Location: Located just after the Vernassoa Parking on the right side of the road.
• Details: This parking lot is unattended and has a daily fee of around 15 euros. It’s open from 10am to 6pm2.
• Shuttle Service: There is also a shuttle service available, running every 15 minutes from 8:30 to 20:00
• Avoid ZTL Area: After the Cooperativa Vernazza Parking, the road becomes a ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) area, which is restricted to residents only. Avoid driving further down to prevent fines.

Train Routes and Schedule

• Cinque Terre Express: This is the best way to travel between the five villages (Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore). The trains run frequently, about every 15 minutes, from March 15 to November 2. Outside this period, trains run once or twice an hour.
• Route: The Cinque Terre Express covers the route from La Spezia Centrale to Levanto, stopping at all five villages along the way.
• Tickets: Prices vary based on the season. For adults, tickets range from €5 to €10, and for children aged 4-11, they range from €2.50 to €5. Tickets can be purchased at the train stations, online, or via the Trenitalia app.

Buying Tickets

• Online: You can buy tickets in advance through the Trenitalia website or app.
• At the Station: Tickets can be purchased at any train station in the Cinque Terre, Levanto, or La Spezia.
• Validation: If you buy a paper ticket, remember to validate it at the green stamp machines located in the waiting rooms or on the platforms. Unvalidated tickets can result in a fine.

Travel Tips

• Best Time to Visit: The high season (March 15 to November 2) offers the most frequent train service.
• Evening Discount: Traveling after 7:30 PM costs €5 for adults.

For more information on visiting the Cinque Terre, click HERE.