Side-Trips from Cinque Terre

Hi Abi - Both Linda and Ellen have offered the best side trips from Cinque Terre , although I personally would spend the days exploring the villages. Lucca and Santa Margherita are wonderful - Portofino is Beautiful BUT - Very expensive so please don't waste money there!!
Have a Great time in Liguria!

Ciao, Greg

Santa Margherita Ligure is about an hour away by train and from there you can take a boat to Portofino which is very near SML.

Lucca is doable as a day trip. Train ride is about 1.45 hours. Leave early and take the last train back.

The train station is directly across the street from the old walled town. Lucca is very pretty, has some nice churches to see, and the piazza is unique as well.

Do climb to the top of the one tower (has a tree growing on the top) for great views of the town and surrounding hills.

We did this trip when we were in the CT, it was a fun day.

Thank you all for your replies. I just have a couple of questions.
What would you suggest I do in SML and Portofino?
How about Lucca?
And Greg I will definitely spend some time in CT, Iactually plan to hike the five villages one of the days I am there. What was your favorite thing to do in CT?

"What was your favorite thing to do in CT?"

Eat. Pesto. Frutta di Mare.

Evening stroll.

Get into conversations with locals at the laundromat in Vernazza.

Jim, sounds wonderful!

And going over to Portovenere for a few hours can be fun, we thought the ferry from La Spezia to Monerooso was great, a bit exciting when getting on and off the ferry when they water got a little high, but definitely fun.

I wanted to take a boat to Portovenere & Camogli but didn't have enough time. I underestimated the amount of time I would spend wandering around each the CT towns. I have heard that Portovenere & Camogli are both very nice. You might look into them.

Thanks Sheron and Nadine. Will look into both. I was thinking about side-tripping somewhere off of the coast, like Parma. Has anyone visited that area?

Thanks Sheron and Nadine. Will look into both. I was thinking about side-tripping somewhere that's not on the coast also, like Parma. Has anyone visited that area?

Thanks Sheron and Nadine. Will look into both. I was thinking about side-tripping somewhere that's not on the coast also, like Parma. Has anyone visited that area?

Thanks Sheron and Nadine. Will look into both. I was thinking about side-tripping somewhere that's not on the coast also, like Parma. Has anyone visited that area?

Why would you want to leave there!
Spend the time exploring this beautiful place.
But if you must take the train to Genova, it takes about 90 minutes.

Just spent 4 nights in Vernazza last July on 3rd visit here. One day we took the boat to Portovenere which we enjoyed very much. The weather was stunning the entire time we were in the C.T. Were here when they celebrated their patron saint day and it was loads of fun with fireworks one evening and another night there was a stage set up in the square with a concert and program. It was a wonderful time to be here! The Italy 2009 book had a list of celebrations with dates. Have a wonderful time!