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cinque terra - time to visit

In September 2017 my wife and I are planning a trip to Italy, including the Cinque Terra. Two questions -

  1. We plan to stay in Monterroso to enjoy the beach at times. From online pictures it appears that there are some underwater rocks. Is the beach water sandy that you can be in water in bare feet, or should we plan some type of footwear while in the water?

  2. We probably will spend three nights in Monterroso and travel between villages by walking, local train or ferry. Cinqure Terre is planned to be relaxing for us, with other parts of italy more on the go. Is a 3 night-4 day time in Cinque Tere OK, or too much, too little?

Thank you

Posted by
15900 posts
  1. It looks like sand in the pictures, but it's actually very small pebbles (the size of peppercorns) and small rocks. In the other towns it's rocks and cliffs. You can be barefooted, but in my experience going to Monterosso every year when I was young, I found wearing aqua shoes better. Like most Italians, I'm never walking barefooted, not even inside the house, therefore my feet have never developed the thick bottom below, so even the smallest rocks hurt. Good Aqua shoes would be also good for hiking the trails (and don't take as much room in the suitcase as hiking shoes). Down from the trails there are great spots for swimming, if you want, but those spots have cliffs where Aqua shoes are more appropriate. Be aware that even in Monterosso the water gets very deep within 10 feet or less from the shore, therefore be careful.
  2. Three nights are good.
Posted by
16895 posts

The larger stones have a way of piling up along the tide line, so you have to go through when entering and exiting the water.

Posted by
32331 posts

ted,

On your second question, three nights / four days will be about perfect in the Cinque Terre. Of course you'll only have a few hours on your arrival day, so probably won't be able to do much except familiarize yourself with the town and have a nice dinner.

Getting between villages by "walking" is not quite accurate. The only two Sentiero Azzurro trails that are open are more of a robust hike, at least at the beginning as there's quite a climb from Monterosso. Note that a park pass will be required to hike those.

Posted by
1241 posts

3 nights should be fine. The train between each town is approximately 5 minutes each town. The ferry runs depending on the weather. Cinque Terre is great for hanging out at night when the tourists leave!

Posted by
206 posts

The underwater rocks are not a problem but I found the pebbles on the beach very painful (I'm from Australia and used to lovely soft sand). The water is great once you are in. I think 3 nights is perfect. If you can make sure you do the ferry, it's really nice seeing the towns from the water

Posted by
4637 posts

I was barefooted on the beaches of Monterosso, no problem. Three nights four days is just right.

Posted by
782 posts

I wish that I had water shoes when I was there but only had flip flops,they didn't work.
Mike