We will have a day trip to Cinque Terre in early July (staying in Monterosso al Mare). I’m torn between which village/s to see that will most interest a 6th grader. Also interested in scenic views, good food, and some window shopping. Not so much interested in hiking trails or sitting on the beach.
Spend the day where we are in Monterosso, or see at least one other village. Suggestions? (Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore).
Thanks!
I would visit Vernazza--as I think it has to most to do--especially with a 12 year old. Avoid Corniglia (my favorite town actually) as I have found it to be the least active/touristy spot.
I cannot suggest a town, but a couple of activities. Take the ferry to Riomaggiore so you can see the coast. Hike a portion of the trails. Pick a town, Vernazza is nice to wander as it has a nice harbour and beach area, then take the train back home.
Any town will do as they all have different things to see.
Why limit yourself to just one village? They are very small, and close together. Buy a day pass and train from one to the next, treating the train like a hop on hop off (without a taped commentary). Or for something different, buy a day pass for the ferry, and do the same (except Corniglia, since it isn't on the water). Then take the train back to Monterosso. To me that sounds more appealing to a preteen than just seeing one little village.
When you see how small they are and how near they are to each other, you will understand that you should visit 5! I can’t imagine not seeing all of them. Corniglia is up the hill from the water, the others are on the water.
If you have a full day, there's no reason you can't do all 5 or at least 4 or them; they really are VERY small but all of them offer a little something different. You can climb up to some very nice scenic views from points above the villages, and tiny Corniglia offers a nice little piazzetta for kicking back with a beverage. It also has my two favorite churches of the five villages.
You might consider taking the ferry from Monterosso to Riomaggiore, and training back via Manarola>Corniglia>Vernazza> Monterosso. Getting to Corniglia involves a short ride up the hill from the train station on a little bus. Coming back to the station, walk down the 377-step "“Lardarina” switchback stairway, or take the bus again.
Take the train to Each village (except Corniglia) and take the ferry back or vice versa. It’s easy to do in a day while stopping for lunch, moseying around, etc.
If you decide to village-hop using the local trains, consider buying a 1-day Cinque Terre Treno MS Card. It costs 18.20€ per adult (ages 12 and up) and will cover your journeys on 2nd class regional trains from the time you validate its first use until midnight of that same day. As individual train tickets within the CT are running 5€ a pop, you can make good on the card in 4 trips. It also covers the bus between Corniglia train station and the village but doesn't cover the ferries.
http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/page.php?id=158
There are also 2 and 3-day cards, although I don't think you're planning to be there long enough to make good on them.
Fam of 5 did day trip from Luca. We left early to arrive and park in La Spezia, then took the train to Monterosso where we hiked to Vernazza. Took train to the rest of the villages although we skipped Corniglia and then nearly 400 steps from the train station to see it. It was a great day.
Thank you all for the great advice/info. I didn’t realize the villages were so close together. I’ll plan accordingly. Thanks!
Monterosso has gotten the most touristy, but it has the "Church of the Skeletons" which he might enjoy.
Do the train one direction and return on the ferry. We visited the four coastal villages, enjoyed lunch with a view, and took in the villages from the water. If you get a relatively early start (9:30 or so) you’ll have a bit of time before the hordes arrive in full force. We were back at our hotel mid to late afternoon as I recall.
