A Picture-Perfect Itinerary
If you’re dreaming of colorful seaside villages, cliffside pasta dinners, spontaneous cliff jumps, and coastal hikes through vineyards — this three-day Cinque Terre itinerary is for you. We packed as much adventure (and pesto) as possible into 72 hours, and it became one of our favorite stops in Italy.
Bulleted Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Milan & Off to Cinque Terre
- 7:00 AM – Arrive in Milan (MXP)
- 8:00 AM – Clear customs
- 9:00 AM – Train from Milan Airport to Milano Centrale
- 12:10 PM – Train to Monterosso al Mare (Cinque Terre)
- 3:00 PM – Arrive in Monterosso + Quick train to Manarola
- 4:00 PM – Check into BnB and drop bags
- 4:30 PM – Explore Manarola + Swiming
- 7:00 PM – Dinner at Trattoria dal Billy – A must for sunset lovers – don’t forget to *BOOK IN ADVANCE*!
Day 2: Beaches & Villages of Cinque Terre
- 8:00 AM – Wake up to ocean views
- 9:00 AM – Train to Monterosso
- 10:00 AM – Breakfast at Bar Gelateria
- 10:30 AM – Beach time at Monterosso al Mare
- 12:00 PM – Lunch at Il Fornaio di Monterosso
- 1:00 PM – Stroll through Monterosso
- 2:00 PM – Train to Vernazza, explore harbor and town
- 4:00 PM – Head back to Manarola to freshen up
- 6:00 PM – Train to Vernazza to explore
- 7:00 PM – Dinner at Ristorante Belforte *BOOK IN ADVANCE*
Day 3: Hiking & Pesto in Cinque Terre
- 8:00 AM – Wake up and get ready for a hike
- 9:00 AM – Breakfast at Da Aristide
- 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Scenic hike to Corniglia
- 12:00 PM – Explore Corniglia, grab a snack
- 1:00 PM – Train back to Manarola
- 1:30 PM – Pesto-Making Class at Nessun Dorma *BOOK IN ADVANCE*
- 4:00 PM – Cliff jumping in Manarola, rinse & refresh
- 7:00 PM – Head to Riomaggiore for sunset & take-away dinner on the rocks
📍 Day 1: Arrival in Milan & Off to Cinque Terre
Our journey kicked off in Milan, where we landed bright and early. After a smooth trip through customs, we caught a train from Malpensa Airport to Milano Centrale, grabbed some espresso to shake off the jet lag, and hopped on our second train heading straight to the coast.
By mid-afternoon, we rolled into Monterosso al Mare, the northernmost of the Cinque Terre villages. From there, it was a quick 10-minute train ride to Manarola, which we chose as our home base for the next few days — and let us tell you, we loved this town.
If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Cinque Terre, let us save you some time: Manarola is it. This colorful cliffside village strikes the perfect balance — it’s peaceful without being sleepy, scenic without the crowds of Vernazza, and central enough to easily hop between all five towns. You’ll wake up to panoramic sea views, be steps away from iconic cliff-jumping spots, and enjoy some of the best sunset dinners in all of Liguria (hello, Trattoria dal Billy). Plus, the vibe here is just… right. Friendly locals, charming alleys, and fewer tour groups mean you get to experience Cinque Terre at a slower, more magical pace. Trust us — base yourself in Manarola, and you’ll never want to leave.
We checked into our BnB, dropped our bags, and within minutes were pulled outside by the sound of laughter echoing off the harbor. Looking out our window, we saw groups of people cliff jumping into the sparkling sea — so of course, we had to join them. Instant core memory.
That evening, we headed up the hill for a sunset dinner at Trattoria dal Billy, a must if you’re staying in or near Manarola. The views were jaw-dropping, and the seafood pasta was easily in the top five of the trip. Reservations here are essential, so call a week or two in advance!
🏖️ Day 2: Beaches, Gelato & Dancing in the Streets
We woke up to ocean views and salty air — does it get better than that? After a lazy morning, we took a short train ride back to Monterosso, the only village with a proper sandy beach.
Monterosso al Mare is the largest — and sunniest — of the five Cinque Terre villages. It’s where colorful umbrellas line the shore, gelato shops stay open late, and lazy afternoons are best spent with your feet in the sand and a focaccia in hand. While it may be a bit more developed than its neighbors, Monterosso still oozes charm with its pastel buildings, cliffside views, and relaxed seaside vibe. Whether you’re sunbathing, shopping for local ceramics, or wandering its old town alleyways, Monterosso is the perfect spot to slow down and soak up la dolce vita.
We grabbed breakfast at Bar Gelateria, a low-key local spot with great cappuccinos and pastries, and spent the rest of the morning relaxing on the beach, soaking up the Ligurian sunshine. We wanted a refreshing drink while sunbathing, so we stopped by Stella Marina Beach Bar for an Aperol Spritz Bucket (which was more than enough for the two of us)!
For lunch, we grabbed a slice (or two) from Il Fornaio di Monterosso. Their focaccia has a reputation, so naturally, we had to taste that too — spoiler: it lived up to the hype. After lunch, we wandered through Monterosso’s charming alleyways, popping into a few shops and snapping photos of every bougainvillea-covered building we passed.
That afternoon, we trained over to Vernazza — maybe the most iconic of the five villages — and spent a couple of hours exploring the harbor, trying some local gelato, and taking in the views from the lookout tower.
Vernazza is the kind of place that feels straight out of a storybook — and in a way, it is. With its tiny harbor, pastel houses stacked against the cliffs, and boats bobbing in turquoise water, it’s no wonder this iconic village helped inspire Pixar’s Luca. Vernazza has a timeless charm, where kids dive off rocks, fishermen mend their nets, and sunsets turn the whole town gold. Climb to the lookout tower for sweeping views, grab gelato by the sea, or dine cliffside — every corner here feels like a movie scene come to life.
Dinner was at Ristorante Belforte, perched dramatically above the sea in what feels like an old fortress. The food was phenomenal, but the setting? Absolutely unforgettable. The restaurant is known for its incredible location inside a centuries-old stone tower, where every table has a front-row seat to the sea. But the true star? The iconic waiter who’s become a fan favorite on their Instagram — he changes hats every time he visits your table, adding a touch of humor and charm to an already magical meal. Come for the pasta, stay for the theatrics. As we left the restaurant, we stumbled into a live music performance in the town square and ended the night dancing barefoot with other travelers and locals under the stars.
🥾 Day 3: Hiking, Pesto-Making & Pizza on the Rocks
On our final day, we woke up early for a bit of adventure. After coffee and pastries at Da Aristide, we set off on a scenic hike from Manarola to Corniglia. The trail winds through vineyards and offers some of the best panoramic views of the coastline — bring water and your camera, because it’s stunning the whole way.
On our hike, we passed through the quiet hilltop village of Volastra. Tucked among terraced vineyards and olive groves, this tiny local town felt like a peaceful pause from the more touristy villages below. We stopped to refill our water bottles at a public fountain and caught our breath while soaking in panoramic views of the coastline. It’s the kind of place you’d miss if you weren’t on foot — and precisely the hidden gem that makes hiking through Cinque Terre so special.
Once we reached Corniglia, we set off to explore the tiny, hilltop town. Perched high above the sea on a cliffside, Corniglia is the only Cinque Terre village without direct beach access — and that’s exactly what makes it so peaceful. Quieter and less crowded than its coastal neighbors, Corniglia feels like a step back in time, with winding alleyways, sun-drenched terraces, and locals chatting over espresso in tiny piazzas. After the hike, we had worked up an appetite, so we grabbed a quick snack before catching the train back to Manarola.
That afternoon, we had one of the trip’s highlights: a pesto-making class at Nessun Dorma. Not only did we learn how to make authentic Ligurian pesto, but the class felt more like a fun dinner party. The staff was full of energy, the views were incredible, and we even made a couple of new friends with whom we ended up cliff jumping after the class!
For our last evening, we trained over to Riomaggiore, the final of the five towns we had yet to explore. Riomaggiore is the southernmost village of Cinque Terre — and one of the most photogenic. Colorful houses cascade down the hillside toward a rocky harbor where boats bob and travelers gather each evening to watch the sun melt into the sea. The village has a young, lively energy, with casual pizzerias, cozy wine bars, and narrow streets made for wandering. We grabbed pizza from Pizzeria Kepris (easily the best pizza of the trip) and a couple of cold Cokes, then found a flat rock overlooking the sea to enjoy our meal and watch the sun dip below the horizon. No fancy reservations needed — just pizza, great views, and the perfect ending to our Cinque Terre adventure.
🧳 What to Pack for 3 Days in Cinque Terre
A curated list for travelers who want to swim, hike, dine, and dance their way through Italy’s most stunning coastline.
🎒 Essentials
- Passport + Copies
- Credit/Debit Cards (Notify your bank in advance!)
- Train Tickets / Itinerary Printouts
- Travel Insurance Info
- Daypack for hikes and exploring villages
- Travel Adaptor – This is a must for charging all your devices throughout Italy!
👕 Clothing
- 2–3 lightweight outfits for day exploring
- 1-2 dressier outfit for sunset dinners (think linen, not heels)
- 2–3 bathing suits (for cliff jumping & beach lounging)
- Light jacket or wrap (evenings can get breezy)
- Athletic wear for hiking (breathable, moisture-wicking)
- Undergarments & sleepwear
- Sunglasses + sunhat or cap
- Comfortable walking shoes (for cobblestone streets)
- Waterproof sandals or water shoes (for cliff jumping/swimming)
🧼 Toiletries
- Sunscreen (reef-safe, please!)
- Bug spray (for sunset strolls)
- Toothbrush + toothpaste
- Travel-size shampoo/conditioner
- Deodorant
- Makeup / grooming basics
- Hairbrush / hair ties
- Mini first aid kit (blister pads, pain relief, motion sickness tablets)
📸 Tech + Travel Gear
- Phone + charger
- Portable power bank
- Camera or GoPro (especially for cliff jumping + hikes)
- Waterproof phone case or dry bag
- Reusable water bottle (refill along trails!)
- Travel towel (quick-dry, for spontaneous swims)
- Packing cubes (to stay organized)
🍋 Just-In-Case Items
- Small umbrella or light rain jacket
- Snacks for train rides and hikes (trail mix, granola bars)
- Motion sickness bands/pills (some train rides are curvy!)
- Notebook or travel journal (to jot down those core memories)
💡 Final Thoughts
Three days, five villages, countless memories. The Cinque Terre gave us the perfect balance of relaxation, adventure, and pure Italian charm. Whether you’re hiking through vineyards, learning how to make pesto, or just lounging with pizza on the rocks, this magical stretch of coastline has a way of stealing your heart.
Planning a trip to the Cinque Terre? Reach out! We’re always happy to help fellow travelers find the best views and the best bites.
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