Cinque Terre without the crowds: How to escape mass tourism in summer

Colorful houses, seemingly cast onto the steep cliffs, with the turquoise sea below: It's obvious why the small villages in the Liguria region are among Italy's most popular tourist destinations. Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore—better known as Cinque Terre (translated: five territories)—are literally overrun in the summer months. Tourists clog the narrow streets, everyone eager to capture the perfect souvenir photo.

But there is another way: With our tips, you have the chance to explore the Cinque Terre without the crowds of tourists and experience authentic life in the charming villages.

The five villages are lined up along a steep, twelve-kilometer-long stretch of coast. Because they are so close to each other, you can visit them all in one day—which is what most tourists do. Many of these visitors come from cities like Florence, Milan, Bologna, and Parma, which are a two- to three-hour drive away.

From 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. at the latest, the streets and shops, trains, and hiking trails fill up. Therefore, it's advisable to overcome your laziness and get up early. This gives you the chance to explore the villages outside of rush hour. It's also a good idea to set off early for hikes: not only are the trails deserted in the morning, but the temperatures are also more pleasant in the summer months.

To stroll undisturbed through the streets of Riomaggiore, you have to get up early.

Source: IMAGO/Dreamstime

The colorful Cinque Terre are now known worldwide and are therefore on the itinerary of many cruise ships. These ocean-going ships dock at the port of La Spezia, which is only about two kilometers from Riomaggiore, the southernmost of the five villages. The magic of these places is lost when 6,000 passengers disembark at once and stream through the narrow streets.

A large cruise ship docks in the port of La Spezia.

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Therefore, our tip: Check the La Spezia Port Authority calendar . There you'll find an overview of the days ships dock. If you want to experience the Cinque Terre without the crowds, it's best to choose a day without a cruise ship.

While it's possible to visit the villages in one day, consider staying longer. Two or three nights are ideal. This will not only give you the quiet mornings before the daytrippers arrive, but also the evenings. Most Cinque Terre visitors head back around 5 p.m.

Riomaggiore in the evening light.

Source: IMAGO/Panthermedia

If your accommodation is located in one of the towns, you can enjoy a leisurely dinner in the evening and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. When booking, pay attention to how to get to your accommodation: The villages and the national park are largely car-free, so you'll usually have to park your vehicle outside. However, there is a good train connection between the towns. A day ticket costs €19.50, although it is more expensive on weekends and during peak season.

The Via dell'Amore coastal path is by far the most popular – you'll hardly be able to avoid crowds here during the day. But this 1.5-kilometer stretch between Riomaggiore and Manarola is just a small section of the Sentiero Azzurro, which continues from Manarola via Corniglia and Vernazza to Monterosso, connecting all five villages. Most day trippers don't have the time or stamina to hike the full 12 kilometers – you'll need about six hours and the right footwear.

A beautiful hike leads to the bay of Levanto.

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Things get even quieter on paths leading inland. One of these is the 22-kilometer Via dei Santuari: This challenging trail leads to the region's sanctuaries and churches. Shorter, but less well-known routes lead from Monterosso to the village of Levanto, six kilometers away. If you start from Riomaggiore, you can instead take a 13-kilometer hike to the village of Portovenere.

If the crowds in the streets become too much for you during the day, the only way to escape is to head out onto the water. We recommend a boat trip along the picturesque cliffs, where you'll see the picturesque, colorful villages of the Cinque Terre from a new perspective.

New perspective: Riomaggiore from the water.

Source: IMAGO/Dreamstime

The boats depart several times a day and stop in Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Riomaggiore, and Portovenere. With a day or round-trip ticket, you can hop on and off as you wish to visit the villages. Alternatively, there are also tours from Portovenere to the islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto. Prices start at 15 euros per person.

The last tip is obvious but effective: Most visitors come to the famous villages on the Italian Riviera during the months of June, July, and August. Therefore, the best time to visit the Cinque Terre to avoid the crowds is during the off-season, from late April to early June and from mid-September to mid-October.

During this time, there are significantly fewer people walking through the narrow streets, and the weather is more pleasant than in midsummer. Temperatures range between 20 and 26 degrees Celsius – ideal for extended sightseeing tours and hiking. The region boasts one of Italy's most beautiful hiking trails, the aforementioned Via dell'Amore , which connects the villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola.

The coastal hiking trail Via dell'Amore.

Source: IMAGO/Pond5 Images

The bonus: Accommodation and activities are also cheaper in the off-season – so you not only save your nerves but also your travel budget.

Looking for more inspiration? You can find tips for all the top travel destinations at reisereporter, and the best travel deals on our deals page .