Appreciate any thoughts on the best way to approach a visit to the Cinque Terre this May during a cruise (docked in La Spezia 9am-8pm).
a) Tackle Riomaggiore first, then train it to the other 4? Or...
b) Visit Monterosso al Mare first, then work our way back to Riomaggiore?
Perhaps there is one of the five you consider optional/skippable?
Thanks!
You do have plenty of time and maybe you can squeeze it in, but maybe consider joining a tour from the ship that will guarantee you return in time.
On your own, first you must get from LaSpezia to Riomaggiore, which btw is lovely and does have the best, shortest & easiest hike to the next village. You shouldn’t miss that hike…the views are stupendous, right on the ocean. Then sightsee the 2nd village and determine how much time you still have. The remaining 3 villages, I would do the train to get to each one. But beware, the train is slow and very undependable. We once got stuck for 2 hrs waiting for the next train because the workers went on strike…they do this randomly.
All the villages are different and enchanting in their own right. It’s fun to stroll along their main drag and just soak in the beauty of where you’re at. There’s also a ferry that takes you from one end to the next and stops at each village, but I would only do this as a return back to where you started, as seeing the villages from the water doesn’t give you a real feel of them (slow also because of stops).
The hikes are great but they get harder (going in the direction of north) to each village you approach. The first, as I said, is easy and a must do. If you can’t get all the villages in, enjoy each one without rushing through the ones you do get to. Keep track of your time and you might be fine on your own. You certainly will get to experience the Cinque Terre more on your own. Oh and you will need to purchase a pass to hike.
Do you have any plans for beaches or hiking while on land? Just the towns themselves? Meals besides lunch?
On two trips, we stayed in Riomaggiore both times, and it’s my favorite of the five - although the enormous crowds in the general area in September 2022 have made me doubt I’ll ever go back. I suggest you go with Plan B - go directly to Monterosso, then afterwards, head south from there. Save Riomaggiore (the best) for last.
Vernazza is Rick Steves’ favorite, but the main street was packed literally shoulder-to-shoulder with pedestrians on our last visit. You’d likely center around lunchtime, and would have some dining options, unless you stick around bigger Monterosso.
Tiny Corniglia is actually worthwhile, especially for the Alberto Gelateria gelato shop, but it’s inland, and requires climbing LOTS of steps above the station, so with just a day for the region, could be skippable. There’s a shuttle between the station and the town, but catching it, and not finding it completely full, was hit-and-miss.
Manarola has a bit of hiking through vineyards available from right in town - free, and no pass required. Not super-long if you’re not looking for a big trek, but they’re steep, and definitely harder than a simple stroll in the park.
Riomaggiore has some hikes, too, and a secluded beach with stones, not sand. Several good dining options, but if you’re having dinner on your ship, or need to be back on it by 8:00 pm, you’d need to plan accordingly.
