Cinque Terre: The Underrated Alternative to the Amalfi Coast 🇮🇹
When people think of the perfect Italian coastline, one place always comes up: the Amalfi Coast.
And yeah… it’s beautiful. But also crowded, expensive, and honestly a bit overhyped.
If you’re looking for that same dreamy Italian vibe — colorful houses, cliffs, sea views — but with a more authentic and adventurous feel…
Cinque Terre might be exactly what you’re looking for.
So… what is Cinque Terre?
First things first.
Cinque Terre literally means “Five Lands”
But here’s where people get it wrong:
- It’s not one town.
- It’s five small coastal villages connected along the Ligurian Sea.
Those five towns are:
- Monterosso al Mare
- Vernazza
- Corniglia
- Manarola
- Riomaggiore
They’re built into cliffs, surrounded by vineyards, and connected by trains, hiking trails, and insane coastal views.
Think: Amalfi vibes… but more raw, more real, and way more adventurous.
Why it’s better than the Amalfi Coast (in my opinion)
Let’s be honest.
The Amalfi Coast feels like:
- Luxury hotels
- Influencers everywhere
- €20 cocktails
Cinque Terre feels like:
- Local life
- Backpacker energy
- Hiking + exploring
- Jumping into the sea after a long walk
It’s still popular (don’t expect it to be empty), but it hasn’t lost its soul.
How to explore Cinque Terre (the smart way)
Here’s where it gets fun — and honestly, this is the best part.
You don’t need a car. Actually, you don’t want one.
The easiest way:
- Start at La Spezia (main base town)
- Take the local train along the coast
- Hop on and off at each village
By Hiking (More adventurous)
Hiking trail info
By Train (Easiest)
These trains run constantly and connect all five towns through tunnels carved into the cliffs.
And the craziest part?
- The ride between towns is often just a few minutes.
It’s basically like a metro… but with sea views.
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Tip: Get a Cinque Terre train pass — unlimited rides, way easier.
- The Cinque Terre Cards can be purchased on the day at every train station in Cinque Terre, Levanto and La Spezia. The cards do not sell out!
To avoid the queues you can buy the Cinque Terre Cards online on the Cinque Terre National Park website.
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The 5 towns of Cinque Terre (and what makes each unique)
1. Monterosso al Mare
The most “resort-like” of the five.
- Biggest beaches (rare in Cinque Terre)
- Perfect if you want to chill
- More space, less stairs
If you want beach + relax → this is your spot
2. Vernazza
Probably the most iconic one.
- Small harbor
- Colorful houses stacked on each other
- That classic postcard view
If you’ve seen Cinque Terre on Instagram… it was probably Vernazza
3. Corniglia
The hidden one.
- Only village NOT directly on the water
- Sits high on a cliff
- You’ll need to climb stairs to get there
Less crowded, more local vibe
4. Manarola
Straight-up magical.
- Famous for sunset views
- Bright colorful houses
- Great for cliff jumping / swimming
This is where you stay for vibes
5. Riomaggiore
The first stop (if you start from La Spezia).
- Dramatic cliffs
- Narrow streets
- Perfect golden hour spot
Feels raw, authentic, slightly chaotic — in a good way
