Cinque Terre...doable as a day trip from Lucca?

Hi Scott. While technically it's doable, I would suggest spending at least 1-2 nights there. I am in the "love Cinque Terre" camp so I would even spend more days in the CT but I think 1-2 nights (2-3 days) would be best to really soak in the CT.

CT doesn't have major sites. It's major draws are seaviews, a nice walking trail between the towns and relaxing..........................If you aren't committed to Lucca, why not skip it and stay in CT instead. Lucca is, IMO, very missable. It's flat and ordinary other than a nice brick wall turned into a park. I would only recommend Lucca for people with disabilities or possibly in the high season when it may be less crowded than the many nicer places in the area.

I agree with Brad. We overnighted in Lucca on our way to the CT & while I enjoyed it, it's not high on my list of favorite places in Italy. I was a bit disappointed by it yet a lot of other people really like Lucca so I guess it's just a matter of preference but I wish I'd skipped Lucca & added a night to the CT. I'm sure others will disagree. I liked the CT so much that I'm planning to return there on our next trip to Italy. Maybe you could spend half a day in Lucca & then move on to the CT & spend the night there. A few hours in Lucca were enough for me. Have a great trip.

I really enjoyed Lucca, and I really enjoyed the CT. I think at least one night should be spent in the CT. What time of year is your trip? I wouldn't bother with the CT in the winter.

I have "done" the CT as a day trip from Lucca (Have been to the CT before). It was a long there and back by train. Could only spend time in two towns, really. I'd try to spend a night. And Lucca is great!

CT is not worth doing unless you spend a couple of nights. The whole point of CT is to enjoy the slow pace of life there, rushing it will only take away from the experience.

If there is something specific you want to see or do in the CT, a daytrip could be reasonable. It probably takes a couple of hours to get there from Lucca. You could get to Riomaggiore, walk down the main street, hike the short trail to Manarola or the longer trail to Corniglia, have lunch, then take the train back to La Spezia and Lucca. You might even have time for short stops in Vernazza and Monterosso. Be sure to check train schedules in advance; some of the trains run hourly and you can spend a lot of time waiting if you arrive at the train station just after a train leaves. I prefer train trips that pass thru Pisa, but some connect in another town (I forget its name). As the others said, CT deserves 1-2 overnight stays, especially if you want to hike the trails and enjoy the restaurants, the ambience.....Sea views are outstanding, even if you don't hike.