Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre: The Five Lands of Enchantment

Nestled along some of the world’s most dramatic coastal scenery, the five cleverly constructed fishing towns of Cinque Terre entice and enchant travelers from all walks of life. This 1997 UNESCO World Heritage Site features windy cliffside paths and a 19th-century railway connecting villages, alleviating some of the foot traffic of adventurers who explore each of these unique towns.
Cinque Terre features a string of five villages, hence the name, which translates to Five Lands, located in the Liguria region on Italy’s northwestern coast. Its rugged, terraced landscape and colorful, cascading cliffside architecture encompass the majestic Mediterranean Sea, creating an idyllic and distinctive destination. It is no wonder that the region sees three million tourists a year. May is the perfect time to visit, just before the boom of the peak season, with buttery warmth and wildflowers bursting to life along hiking trails.

An Ancient History

The region of Cinque Terre is abundant in ancient and medieval history. The discovery of human remains and primitive tools indicate the presence of communities in the area dating to the Bronze Age.

The Romans exploited this region to bolster their empire, conquered through brutal conflicts and warfare against Ligurian tribes, from which they gained the land, using the strategic position of the coastline on the Mediterranean. An array of empires and populations, including the Lombards, French, and Spaniards, have tried vanquishing this region, upheaving and rearranging its local villages for their agendas.

Its tactical location meant that people chose to settle on the coast, carving the naturally wild landscape to fit their needs, crafting terraces, and cultivating the land. Eventually, these people assembled in the five villages still there today. By the 15th century, locals began calling the collection of settlements Cinque Terre. The villages have faced several harsh challenges since, such as the pirate attacks of the 16th century and natural disasters of the 17th century, causing a drop in population. However, the villages have withstood adversity through solid defenses and aid from nearby towns such as Genoa.

By 1870, Italy became a unified nation and built railways between towns. Visiting Cinque Terre via the train line from Genoa to Rome further fostered a sense of connection with the rest of the country and elevated its accessibility. An American travel writer in the 1970s recounted his wondrous experience of the five quaint villages. Since becoming a national park in 1999, Cinque Terre has drawn in flocks of explorers for its unique sheer cliffs, pastel hues, and, polignano sparkling waters.

The Five Villages of Cinque Terre and Why You Should Visit

Riomaggiore

With its humble harbor tucked between pastel-clad homes that scale the steep gorge, Riomaggiore emanates a romantic and charming essence. It has a lively atmosphere and various dining options across the hilly landscape. It is considered the region’s most treasured postcard view, with its characteristic stone houses featuring vibrant facades and slate roofs and its idyllic pebble beach nestled near the boat dock. Visit the Church of San Giovanni Battista, the gothic-style structure built in 1340. This is the village from which Via dell’Amore, Lover’s Lane, begins; a romantic, cliffside path leading to Manarola in only twenty minutes. While it has been closed following a landslide, the trail will reopen in 2024. Walk along the path as the sun dips towards the horizon, casting fiery hues across the sky.