Hi! We will really want to visit Cinque Terre while we are in Florence at the end of May. BUT - we won't have a full day so we need to limit to 2 (maybe 3?) towns. We won't be able to get to Cinque Terre until noon-ish (we have tickets to see David in the morning, as that was the only time slot we could snag!), and would like to be back in Florence not too late. Even with the limited time, we want to see Cinque Terre as the alternative of not seeing it is too sad. Which of the 5 towns should we prioritize? Thank you.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11799 posts
Do you have the Rick Steves guidebook that includes the area? There is a snapshot guide but it is also in the big overall guide for Italy. There he describes each village very well and has a self-guided walk for each and handy info on connections. Rather than a few sentence from various travelers here, maybe read what the guidebook says and see what appeals to you. You could even borrow this book from the library as a starting point.
Posted by
OP
28 posts
Hi Laurel - yes, I have Rick's guide and all 5 appeal to me and going by Rick's suggestion I think I can rule out Cognilia but can't decide between the remaining 4! Good problem to have I guess.
Posted by
Miami
338 posts
I would go with Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore in that order. I stayed in Monterosso but liked those better.
Posted by
Los Angeles
1207 posts
Many say that the CT is best seen from the water. We were there in November after the ferry had stopped running. If you can get on the ferry in La Spezia, you can view several of the lower towns from the water. Then get off - ride the train back to the town that you intend to explore on foot.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2695 posts
I was there off-season too.
I like markcw's idea.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16133 posts
They are pretty much all alike.
Do a Google search and enter each of the 5, then decide.
Vernazza is the most visited. So I guess it must be the prettiest to most people.
Start with that one, then take the train to Manarola, and finally walk the short Strada dell'Amore (love path) from Manarola to Riomaggiore (if open and you can get the admission ticket).
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
795 posts
if you are coming from Florence AFTER seeing the Accademia, when will you get there?
Posted by
New Jersey
80 posts
I would pick Vernazza and Manarola, maybe Riomaggiore if you have time for a 3rd. Finish the day at Manarola for a sunset aperitivo at Nessun Dorma!
We took the ferry from Vernazza to Riomaggiore (for the scenery!) and then took the train from Riomaggiore to Manarola.
Just be sure to carefully check the return train times from La Spezia back to Florence, and allow a buffer! Our train from Manarola to La Spezia was delayed, our only snafu of the whole day. So we missed the Florence train by minutes and it was really frustrating!
Also, another tip: check the trains from Florence Campo di Marte to/from La Spezia. It is faster by about 45 minutes over Florence S.M. Novella, which really makes a difference. But you can take a 2-minute train from Florence SMN to Campo di Marte, booked separately! Easy peasy.