Why is Cinque Terre a must see?

isn’t it just a bunch of gift shops?

No

I did not find that Lake Como was 'just a resort area'. I suppose 'resort area' means different things to different people.

Is it universal that Cinque Terre is a must see?

No

No it is not a bunch of gift shops. I enjoyed my hike from Monterosso to Vernazza and found Cinque Terre in 2016 calmer after 6 when all the day trippers tour groups are gone and romantic after 9pm. There is no such thing as a must see. Go if you can but don't go during the average tourist season late June July or August. May would be ideal, at this point, the first week of May. The longer you wait the more it will be spoiled as years go by.

The CT economy is not ALL based on tourism, although that has grown substantially since it was "discovered" by the masses in the 70s. Traditionally the villages depended on fishing, grapes and olives for their income. Even today, the area is much more than streets lined with gift shops.

However it is no more a universal "must see" than any other place well known to tourists. Much depends on what you find interesting, on the time of year, and the time you have to spend there. If the great outdoors, beautiful scenery, the potential for interesting hikes, and small villages with interesting foods isn't personally appealing, then there is no reason to go there. Find a place that provides you with what interests you more, instead.

IMO, CT has a narrower window for the most enjoyment since it was discovered and inundated by the cruise ship day trippers. We spent several days in Vernazza a few years ago, in mid spring, and it was a lovely break from the city visits we'd had the previous weeks. While a bit busy during the day, the evenings and early mornings were crowd free and wonderfully relaxing. I would not want to be there in the summer, and especially on cruise ship days, when the crowds would completely spoil the experience. Then again, a winter stay would hold no appeal either, since many places would be closed for the season and the hiking trails might be closed due to adverse weather conditions.

CT is astouonding, we enjoyed it. But with so many amazing places in Italy, it's not really a must see, unless it is for you after seeing the pics and researching it. Maybe it could be for you, or maybe you'll find that in prioritizing your places visited it may not rise to the upper levels of your gotta see list.
Rick has promoted it for a long time. But he would say, do your own research and make your own choices.

It isn’t..

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses!!

I doubt that any place is a "must see" but if you haven't been to the Cinque Terre yet, it's a worthwhile place to visit at least once (IMO). The area has an interesting history and the scenery is quite unique in some ways.

The five towns do have gift shops, but also hotels, restaurants and other facilities. Each of the towns is a different size and each has a slightly different "character". After that area was "discovered", not only by RS but also other travel writers, the towns did become very touristy and that became somewhat "extreme" after the cruise ship groups starting descending on the area. However as someone else noted, the atmosphere becomes much quieter and less crowded in the evenings after all the day trippers have departed.

The local residents used to be mostly focused on growing olives, grapes, making wine etc., and they still produce a unique local wine - https://thatsliguria.com/en/sciacchetra-the-amazing-wine-from-cinque-terre/ . Many of the people there transitioned over the years to hosting tourists as it's more lucrative, although I'm sure it's more stressful also.

It's almost impossible to predict what it's going to be like after the pandemic ends and tourism returns to some semblance of normal. It may eventually return to something like it was before, although that will probably take some time. In the meantime (since you have lots of time anyway to plan your visit), you might enjoy having a look at some great photos of the five towns - https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2018/08/04/cinque-terre-italy/904681002/ .

I find that it's a great place to chill for a few days and recover from strenuous travels in other parts of Europe, and I wouldn't hesitate to return as soon as I'm able. If you do decide to visit you'll have to choose which of the five towns you would like to stay in (most of us here have our favourite town). If you decide on a visit, post again and I'm sure the helpful group here will be able to provide lots of good information.

Hi,

I guess it depends on how you define "must see." To me, Florence, Rome, and Venice are must sees. But to get the full experience of Italy one should check out the smaller cities and towns, perhaps not all of them, like Montalcino, Verona, Alba, Sienna, Lucca, Pisa, Pienza, Montepulciano, etc.

To me, the CT fits into the latter categories of Italian vistas as it is so unlike anywhere else in Italy, and possibly the world. It is a gorgeous area, one that is so diverse from the large cities. The beautiful colored buildings built into the sides of the five towns, the vineyards, and the scenery are just wonderful. I was there for five nights during the first week of May 2016 and it was fantastic: not a ton of crowds, great weather (warm enough to swim) and gorgeous scenery. The local wines and restaurants were delicious. Other than hiking on the trail that connects the five villages, I admit there are not a TON of attractions/activities, i.e. museums, cultural events, etc. However, as another poster noted, there aren't too many better places for just relaxing. Five nights might be excessive for you, but if you are close enough to get there, do it. You will not be disappointed. As I've posted numerous times on this blog, if you go there, you should also try to take the boat/ferry south to what I call the "sixth" Cinque Terre village: Porto Venere. It is far less touristy and visited and just as beautiful.

Best of luck

However it is no more a universal "must see" than any other place well
known to tourists. Much depends on what you find interesting, on the
time of year, and the time you have to spend there.

Cjean nailed it. The CT is definitely more than just a "bunch of gift shops" but whether it should or shouldn't end up on your personal "must do" list depends on your interests/abilities. Parco Cinque Terre's extensive trail system is a big draw for hikers, and we enjoyed our exploration of lofty viewpoints, village churches, cemeteries and other landmarks as well. It provides wonderful bits of eye candy for shutterbugs too. That said, I wouldn't personally go during the summer months or do it as a day trip.

It isn’t a must see. I know few people that have been there, but many have been to that region. It all depends on your interests and how many crowds you are prepared to put up with.

I hate the phrase a 'must see' and recommend thinking more along the lines of what would i like to see.

Nope--I don't really know why anyone not looking to hike would go there, as there are hundreds of other pretty coastal villages. I do respect the cultural heritage of the area, but when it got on the day trip circuit, the experience was marred.
Not everyone travels for the same reasons, and I don't really believe in must sees.

For us visiting the Cinque Terre was a refreshing change from all of the art museums and motorcycles of Rome. We took the train from Rome. When we stepped out on our balcony at Hotel La Spiaggia in Monterrosso, we were able to relax and were blown away by the spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea and to see palm trees! It was fun to take the regional train to each of the five villages and explore. Hiking from Vernazza to Monterrosso provided amazing views of vineyards, the sea, rugged natural beauty, and wildflowers in May. If you go to the Cinque Terre be sure to stay overnight for at least 2 nights, otherwise it is not worth going for a day trip. Depending on where you are visiting in Italy, if you are not near the Cinque Terre, I would highly recommend the Amalfi Coast.

Ah, a palette cleanser!

I truly appreciate all the responses I’ve received. And yes, different tastes abound. Perhaps post-pandemic will curtail cruises for awhile, keeping small communities from being overwhelmed. I’m always excited to be immersed in an authentic cultural experience not a tourist trap, which is why I posed the question. These days finding those quiet connections depends upon timing. Thank you, Fellow Travelers! Viaggi felici e securi!!

The last time we visited CT was in September 2006. We were on a culinary tour of Tuscany & Umbria. Our intention was to hike but due to compromised trail conditions we had to take the train to visit other towns. Our favorite memory of the area was having dinner 15 mins. away from CT. We went to Levanto to Antiga Ustaia Zita. One of the best meals that we enjoyed in Italy. It was a “gem in the mountains.” We didn’t consider CT a must see but more of a “been there done that.”

The Rick Steves tour takes you to Levanto, one RR stop farther north. No crowds, just locals and we enjoyed it very much. Cinque Terre is a one short stop. Way too many gift shops and people. Actually the best part of Cinque Terre was the view from the boat. If you go to to CT, use the Chevy Chase version, https://youtu.be/AqNwo2NpmGY?t=8

I’ve asked myself the same question. It would have been nicer to visit before it became so popular and generally overcrowded with tourists. Personally, I could skip it, but my wife still wants to go and do the walk between towns.

“Must see” is in the eye of the beholder. Admittedly, being a Pacific Coast resident I have a high bar for viewing coastal scenery. However, even limiting consideration to Italy, there are other less crowded, more interesting places. I like to gear my trips to seeing things that are completely different from what is available here, like historic/archaeological sights and art in situ. To spend approximately $1000 and 14 hours each way in a plane, to go hiking just isn’t on. The horrendous crowds that now plague the CT are a further reason to avoid that destination.

The Cinque Terre was definitely one of my "must sees", and now it ranks as my second-biggest European disappointment - only surpassed by Rue Cler. It's my fault - I was expecting magic, and it had all the "magic" of the Yosemite Valley in June.

That’s what I was wondering thx

I saw a picture of Vernazza on a calendar 45 years ago and thought -- 'let's go there' and so we did. We saw not a single other American and maybe a dozen German hikers. We walked the trail and the only other people we saw in our leisurely day was a class hike of local 14 year olds and their beleaguered teacher, trying to chivy them along while the girls applied make up and the boys kicked at each other. We stopped in each town for coffee or photos or lunch and spent the whole day at it. It was glorious -- a true hidden treasure. My favorite photo ever was taken in Manarola.

Visited it again after it became a punch on the to do list of American tourists and it was much altered. It is still a lovely location but now has that touristy trappy feel of charming places that are primarily tourist meccas.

I would not view it as a 'must see' on any itinerary. I have also not seen it since the disastrous floods and the conversion of the trail to a toll path.

Roslyn of Berkeley..,my sentiments exactly. (My hometown too BTW) I want to see something I can’t see at home. Having lived in Hawaii for many years, I’m not inclined to go the beach in Italy. So I get your point. I’d rather ride trains, explore piazzas and fountains.

Roslyn of Berkeley..,my sentiments exactly. (My hometown too BTW) I
want to see something I can’t see at home. Having lived in Hawaii for
many years, I’m not inclined to go the beach in Italy. So I get your
point. I’d rather ride trains, explore piazzas and fountains.

I'm wrestling with that conundrum as well, but with mountains, not water. I'm a 45 minute drive from the Rocky Mountains, but Switzerland still intrigues me. I know I'll eventually go, but I need a plan to make sure I'm seeing more than just a bunch of tall rocks.

But to the question; for me, like others have posted, a must-see is in the eye and attitude of the beholder. I haven't been yet, and it's not a must-see for me, but I know it's a place I'll end up someday. When I think of crowded, touristy places I also think of Venice, Santorini and Carcassonne. If you make it a day trip to those places on a summer day, you'll likely be disappointed. But if you do some research and figure out how to avoid the crowds, it can be spectacular. Venice, Santorini and Carcassonne were.

It’s not, but I definitely think Venice, Florence and Rome are. And I think a minimum of 4 nights in each one. We try to do at least a week in Florence and take day trips into Tuscany, Siena, etc.

I can't see how anyone would go to Paris thinking Rue Cler as a must see.
What attracted me to Cinque Terre was the pictures of the houses at Manarola.
There is no esthetic like that anywhere in America. I'm glad I went.

I have also not seen it since the disastrous floods and the conversion
of the trail to a toll path.

Just for clarity, if the OP is a hiker, there are many trails in the park, not just one. "The trail" referenced is more than likely the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path; the four SVA2 sections on a park map) that runs closest to the coast, and which has only been partially open for some years now due to damage not necessarily caused by the 2011 flood. The Corniglia> Manarola leg was closed by a landslide in 2010, and the Manarola>Riomaggiore leg to dangerous rockfall in 2012. The "Blue" route is also the only one, last I knew, which requires a paid daily or multi-day "toll" pass; the others in the park don't (or didn't) have toll gates.

I can't seem to pull up the official Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre website right now but in the meantime, this is a particularly useful site for traveling the region:

https://www.apathtolunch.com/p/area-infolinks.html

And these links will be useful for a look at the trail system within the park, descriptions of the various routes, which of them are open /closed at any given point in time and info about the CT Trekking or combo Trekking/ MS Treno cards.

http://maps.t5t.it/mobile/map2/map.html#12|44.1160|9.7277
http://maps.t5t.it/mobile/index2.html

I would say only if the Cruise ships are not dumping visitors on the towns. I was there and found it unbearably crowded and have no desire to ever go back.

I can't see how anyone would go to Paris thinking Rue Cler as a must see.

Jazz - Agreed. It was never a "must see" for me, but after reading the RS France guidebook and watching the tv show, I definitely felt that Rue Cler was a "must stay".

@harrinanan I've been there for 20 minutes in my Life and i don't Know italians who talk about it, here.
It's one of the tourist mysteries

I'm comparing apples and oranges here, but I would rather visit CT than Santorini, with hordes of people waiting for the 'been there, done that' Instagram sunset picture.

My impression of CT was an Italian Key West. CT is more striking due to the steep slopes, of course. I would have much rather had those 2 days in Orvieto or Siena.

CT has lost a certain part of its charm due to the large volume of tourists (of which you are one). With the trails under repair or closed in many places it loses its hiking appeal. The water taxi between villages is far more comfortable and enjoyable than via train. That can become a scrum. Consider staying in Monterosso al Mare if you are going to visit. To characterize these as gift shop/resorts is unfair. To call them overcrowded during the day is a more accurate assessment.

If you do go, consider day trips to Lucca & Pisa, returning in the late afternoon. By then the crowds will have thinned a bit and visiting each village becomes a bit more enjoyable.

Como is definitely not a resort area. The each coast has a number of wonderful little towns. There is a brilliant greenway hike near Colonno that takes you on the heights along the lake. The drive from Como to Bellagio is sublime, as well as driving through the mountain roads.

Just because someone labels it a "must see" doesn't mean its a must see for you. Its like ratings for movies. You have to read into the descriptions and details to determine if you want to see it. CT would be for me, because I don't live by a coast, sea or the mountains, so this cluster of towns clinging to the mountainside sounds pretty cool to me. Would I feel the same after visiting - I don't know - hope to find out. I did walk down Rue Cler, and I understand why Rick thinks its still worth visiting over yet another museum, but I never take his recommendations as imperatives.

Marc, good suggestion

Marc, good suggestion Staying there in the evening and going to lucca in the day. Love it

It is interesting seeing the different posts. When I went with my family and friends in late May 2018, it was a bucket list items for my friends. I have to say I was a bit skeptical as I am not a fan of crowds. However, this was one of the favorite places we stayed. It is crowded, but the crowds are there in the mid-day and gather in Monterosso and Vernazza. We stayed two nights and we were rewarded by lovely early mornings where we stayed in Monterosso and late evenings that were peaceful. Our college aged girls loved being on the water as we took advantage of a sunset cruise. Our host at the hotel was amazing and we still keep in touch to this day. I would definitely go again.

Sandy

"If you do go, consider day trips to Lucca & Pisa, returning in the late afternoon."

I've found that using the Cinque Terre as a "home base", day trips to many other locations are also possible. A few examples.....

• Take the Ferry to Porto Venere and explore that area for the day. Travel by boat provides some great views of the terraced hillsides, and is the easiest method to get there.
• Take the train to Santa Margherita Ligure and then Ferry to Portofino and explore there for a few hours.
• Take the train to Bonassola and then walk through the old railway tunnels to Levanto, and then train back to the C.T. town you're staying in.

I have no idea what the crowding situation will be like when travel to that area resumes. Crowds may not be a problem initially.

With the trails under repair or closed in many places it loses its
hiking appeal

We don't know if harrinanan is a hiker or not. Harrinanan, what do you think you'd like to do if you visit the region? There are MANY more trails in the CT park system than many people think there are, and most of them are open most of the time when the weather is favorable. Take the most-visited, partially closed "Blue" route out the equation and you could still have a great hiking adventure if that's what you want to do. For starters, see this past thread:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/cinque-terre-hiking-conditions

@Alan of Calgary
There is much of Switzerland that is nothing like The Rockies. Presumably you wouldn’t go there for skiing. There are a number of very European cities. The Francophone area especially is unlike N. America.

I’m always excited to be immersed in an authentic cultural experience not a tourist trap, which is why I posed the question. These days finding those quiet connections depends upon timing.

A few years ago after reading the article https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/travel/20next.html we visited Lerici, just a bit down the coast from CT. I don't know what qualifies as "authentic", perhaps a small fishing town? Lerici has fishing but is also a destination for Italians on vacation. So it might not be the destination some are looking for, but we enjoyed our visit.

CT are a tourists spot nowadays, if you want to enjoy an authentic Italian seaside town on the Costiera Ligure, where locals spend their holidays and nobody speak english, you want to consider Alassio or Portofino imo.