UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, the 5 Terre is still a destination in the top ten in Italy. So in this post will help you discover how to get to 5 Terre without too much effort. The best time to go is spring summer, for a practical matter, there are more means of transport to reach them.
WHERE ARE LOCATED 5 TERRE?
The 5 Terre is part of the coast of the Ligurian Riviera di Levante, in the province of La Spezia. Where there are five villages, from west to east: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore. Don’t forget this is a mountain area, the beaches are very small, stone type, a lot of people, so don’t pretend to relax here.
HOW TO GET BY PLANE?
The nearest airport, in this case, is Genoa, but unfortunately, there are not many companies operating at this airport. So you have to go to Pisa or Florence, where Vueling, Ryanair, etc fly. And then?
If you come from Milan (Malpensa), you have to reach the city center and then take the train. Trains are direct and not so expensive.
HOW TO GET TO 5 TERRE BY TRAIN?
From Pisa airport, there are many trains that will take you to La Spezia, a port city near our final destination. In spring-summer Trenitalia, the Italian flag carrier company makes many offers with packages that you can combine, in just one or more days to visit the park.
From Saturday 17 March the Cinque Terre Express returns, the train that crosses the Cinque Terre National Park and stops in all locations with frequencies up to 15 minutes.
The train is the most convenient means of transportation to get to the 5 Terre, fast and stops in all the cities, but considering that the journey will not be panoramic, the train passes through the mountain so most of your journey will be passing through tunnels.
HOW TO GET BY BOAT?
All villages are accessible by sea less Corniglia, to take a ferry you have two options:
1 By car to Porto Venere and from there take boats leaving every 30min. I recommend this option because Porto Venere is beautiful, although paying parking can be very expensive.
2 By car to La Spezia, better to park at the port, it is very easy to arrive is indicated quite well.
Ferry rates vary depending on the option you are looking for and vary depending on the season. In the link, you will find all the prices and from any port.
HOW TO GET BY BUS?
Starting from La Spezia, the Explora 5 Terre buses allow you to visit Riomaggiore, Manarola, Volastra, San Bernardino, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso and all the Sanctuaries of the Cinque Terre.
HOW TO GET TO 5 TERRE BY CAR?
Recommended outings: La Spezia (from here directions to La Spezia and the Cinque Terre) and Carrodano (follow signs for Levanto and the Cinque Terre). More or less the travel times are:
From Milan: 3h, 230km.
From Rome: 4h30, 457km.
From Florence: 2h20, 187km
Guys, now you know how to get to 5 Terre, so what are you waiting to visit?
GENOA CITY
The capital of Liguria is Italy’s largest seaport, home of pesto and foccacia. Genoa is also famous for its old town, palaces and lively squares. Located about an hour away from some of Italy’s most beloved tourist hotspots (Cinque Terre and Portofino), you’ll find Genoa, a special little gem of a port city that has miraculously survived the clutches of mass tourism seen elsewhere in Liguria. Cue the angelic harp music. Read more…
