Renowned for some of the best coastal hiking trails in the world, the Cinque Terre region of the Italian Riviera is a place of magnificently rugged coastline, cliffside terraces overlooking the sea, the perfume of olive trees, Mediterranean herbs and the rustic charm of its five villages which are dying to be explored. Cinque Terre, or “The Five Lands”, is made up of five villages; Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. All are well connected by train and trail, but travel by road is very challenging, time consuming and parking is scarce. Leave the car at home, and don’t forget your walking shoes. The villages, coastline and nearby mountainside are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Renting holiday accommodation in Cinque Terre
The towns of Cinque Terre perfectly fit with the coastline (part of what makes the area so pretty), and there are no major developments in Cinque Terre. This makes a holiday rental your best option for accommodation. Whether you prefer a cliffside villa overlooking the clear blue Mediterranean, a beachfront apartment next to golden sands or a home perched atop the nearby hills, surrounded by lush vineyards, take your pick from HouseTrip’s wide range of villas in the Italian Riviera. And after an active and challenging day of hiking along one of the paved or unpaved footpaths next to the sea, nothing beats taking your shoes off and relaxing in the lounge, with a cold drink from the fridge and a rustic meal prepared from your fully equipped kitchen of fresh anchovies and focaccia with pesto, three foods the region is famous for.
Where to stay in Cinque Terre
The five towns possess many endearing characteristics. Riomaggiore has its ancient stone castle; Manarola is freckled with colourful covered boats lining its streets; Corniglia on its hilltop (the only town not directly on the coast) is filled with lemon trees, olive groves, lilies and beautiful flora; Vernazza has its labyrinth of tiny streets and two looming towers; and Monterosso al Mare is actually two towns connected by a short tunnel – with “New Monterosso” resembling a beach resort with its sandy shores and beachside cafes. Choosing a holiday home for your trip to Cinque Terre will largely depend on what you would like to see at the end of the day. But what all of these towns have in common is natural beauty, delicious local cuisine, and the comfort of modern amenities in a rural and enviable corner of the world.
Cinque Terre with the family
As mentioned earlier, Cinque Terre is all about the walking. An easy saunter down a paved path next to the sea, a more challenging off-road trek up the nearby hills or a beachside walk from Corniglia to Manarola; the five towns are incredibly well connected with a range of trails and pathways for those exploring the area’s beauty and architecture. The pathways are well-maintained, justifying the small fee asked to walk along them. And if the kids are tired of walking and you’d rather enjoy the scenic beauty from a sitting position, the train network is top class or you can take a scenic boat trip up or down the coast.
