We will be in Florence for a the lastweek in April and I wanted to Have day trip to Cinque Terre. I know this is going to be crazy long day, and will be too rushed, but I really want to visit and get to see the scenery. I was looking at train to La Spezia and then maybe use the ferry system, if weather allows to get the beautiful scenery and visit. Couple of the towns. What would you guys recommend for must do and which towns would you recommend? Also, any tips and tricks for transportation would be appreciated thank you.
Posted by
11805 posts
Cinque Terre, 5 Lands, encompasses several towns. The largest is Monterosso but there are four more villages. I would visit Monterosso and
Vernazza as they are the most distinctive.
Note spelling: Cinque Terre. Not Terra.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1275 posts
The ferry is running in April and it looks like schedule picks up about April 18th so that's an option. The ferry is at the harbor front (obviously) and will need to make your way to the ferry from the train. It's about a mile and not an unpleasant walk through the city, there's also a bus or a cab to get down there. Buses and cabs leave from in front of the train station as you would expect.
I think the CT towns are shown off best from the sea so a ferry isn't a bad idea but getting back by train may be a more sensible option rather than working with the ferry schedule to get back to La Spezia and then get back to the train station as well. I know during season the lines to get on the ferry can get very long. The train is also faster and easier if switching between towns.
I made the connection to the train headed to La Spezia last September and the train was packed. I don't know if everyone on the train were day trippers to CT but all the ones in the area I was standing seemed to be. Fortunately I got off after a couple of stops and they went on their way.
Hopefully April will be early enough to limit the crowds, enjoy,
=Tod
Posted by
OP
16 posts
Would it be best to take train to farthest point, Monterossa and then make our way to Ferry system back towards La Spezia or get on ferry in La Spezia and go up?
Posted by
Franklin, TN
223 posts
I think taking the ferry from La Spezia is a great idea - keeping the train as a back up in case the waters are too rough for the ferries to run. If you begin your day early enough, consider Porto Vénère as your first stop. It’s not one of the Cinque Terre, but it is a lovely town with a waterfront promenade and a Main Street. At the end of the promenade is the Church of San Pietro with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. Some of my favorite pictures were taken through the ruin windows as a frame for the water below.
Maybe not as visited is Manarola, but we loved it too. Follow Rick Steves’ for the stroll through the town to the vineyards and cemetery views of the town and the sea.
We have stayed in Vernazza twice, so it is a favorite. Make sure you hike up to the Castello Doria and also up behind the town to get that iconic picture of the town.
The train is easy to catch. I think it may be a little further walk in Monterosso, but it goes right through the middle of town in Vernazza. You can’t go wrong whichever you choose, just remember you always have the train as a back up if something happens to the ferry.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1275 posts
Note: This is based on reports from friends having gone not personal experience.
Several people have reported that the line back for later ferries in the towns got very long and because of the limited pier space got quickly disorganized. I have seen the picture of large numbers of people just hanging out on the seawall rocks waiting for the ferry.
My hesitation in taking the ferry back is you can't control the crowds or the timing. On the way there you leave at the dock with a ticket for a specific time and you know you're going on that ferry. So you will get the view from the sea regardless of what happens. And then when it's late and you're tired you take the train to La Spezia train station without worrying about get from the dock to the train station and head home on the next Florence train. I would hate for you to take the train all the way to Monterosso and then get shut out of the ferry due to time, hassle or weather and never get the sea view. I realize this is a somewhat negative "what if" scenario and way of thinking about it but back stopping the experience you really want can prevent disappointment.
Another tip is make sure you have the Trenitalia app on your phone to check schedules and plan your trip segments. I had the app but never thought I would use it to buy tickets, but arriving at the La Spezia train station there was a line 20 people deep at each machine. I jumped on the app and bought tickets for a train leaving in 10 minutes while we moved two places in the line and ran for the platform. Get the app, make an online account and enter your name and your travelling companions and buying regionale tickets takes under a minute. Just make sure you're buying them about 10 minutes before the departure time because there's a cut off time. It's my only real complaint with the app is now you can physically catch a train that is sitting at the station, but can't buy a ticket for it even though you're sitting on it. But no more validating local tickets so that's something, I guess.
Hopefully April crowds will be manageable enough that this worrying will have been overkill,
=Tod