Enchanting Cinque Terre

Saachi Dhillon

The enchanting Cinque Terre (or Five Lands) lies along the beautifully isolated coast of North West Italy, in the region of Liguria. Perched high up on cliffs, five picturesque fishing villages make up the Cinque Terre. These hamlets offer a relaxed environment, away from the hustle and bustle of Italy’s more popular destinations. In 1999, this area was established as the Cinque Terre National Park to preserve its unique, natural environment. It is also the smallest national park in Italy.

Prior to the 19th century, the five fishing villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso were connected only by a footpath. Today, these towns are conveniently connected by a train passing through every few minutes, buses and a ferry service every hour. The easiest way to get in is by train from Pisa to La Spezia, after which you can take the regional train service every half hour.

We took a train from La Spezia to Monterosso, northernmost village of Cinque Terre. Seven minutes into the journey, craggy cliff sides with medieval towers, pastel-coloured houses hung close together on the mountainside. A glittering Mediterranean Sea welcomed us. This was our first view of Riomaggiore, as it came alive from all guidebooks and travel websites. After passing each of the towns, we finally reached Monterosso al Mare. This is the only village with a sandy beach and a perfect base to explore this Unesco World Heritage site.

Unlike fleeting views from the train, the ferry offers undisputed scenery and sun-soaked sea views. Buy a Cinque Terre ferry day pass for 25 Euro per person, if you plan to hop between towns at a leisurely pace. For those on a budget and a tight schedule, the Cinque Terre train pass will be a more economical option, at 13 Euro per person for a day.

The ferry is hourly; get a seat on the upper deck for uninterrupted panoramic views. As the ferry sets sail, expect glittering cobalt blue waters under clear blue skies (weather permitting) and the Mediterranean sun. Sweeping views of terraced vineyards, olive groves and medieval towers on lush green mountains against the deep blue sea are plentiful. You can also spot citrus orchards as you gaze at the scenery unfolding in front of you. Drinks are available on board; you can try a crisp local wine to soak in the atmosphere.

It is possible to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of all five towns from the last village, Monterosso or Riomaggiore, on either side as the villages are located close together on the Italian Riviera. Hop on and off at any of these towns to explore more.

Riomaggiore is the most charming. Sprinkled with colourful houses and a maze of steep, cobblestone streets, the second town, Manarola, is less crowded than its immediate neighbour. It has a tiny harbour with colourful boats. A steep uphill climb will take you to its church and bell tower, which in ancient times served as a post to watch out for pirate raids. The third town, Corniglia, is only accessible by foot or by train. Wear comfortable walking shoes to climb up around 400 steps from the train station to this quiet, hilltop town. Vernazza is a lively town, resplendent with cafes, shops as sea views pop at every turn. Monterosso al Mare, the fifth town, is the only one with a sandy beach. Sip a Bellini under one of the colourful umbrellas and watch the ships go by.

The sound of the bell tower every hour not only reminds you of the time but also brings alive the old world charm. Wander around with a gelato in hand or try the region’s specialties’, focaccia, pesto, fresh seafood in a cono d’asporto (a handy take-away cone). Head back to the harbour for a ride to the next town when you are ready. As you sail away into the sunset, savour every moment.