Cinque Terre: Stunning Italian Villages, Countless Carbs, and Zero Regrets

Aaah, Cinque Terre! Where the coastline is so stunning, even my chronic exhaustion took a backseat. This area, a stunning stretch of coastline in Italy, is made up of five colorful villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

Perched on rugged cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean, these charming towns are connected by scenic trails and boat or train rides. Visitors flock to Cinque Terre for its postcard-worthy views, crystal-clear waters, and delicious local cuisine (hello, seafood and pesto!). Whether you’re here for the breathtaking hikes, the sunsets, or simply to enjoy the laid-back vibe with a glass of wine in hand, Cinque Terre offers the perfect escape.

🤷‍♂️ So… What Brought Me Here This Time? The purpose of this trip was to reunite with friends from various parts of the world in Pisa for a few days before embarking on our journey through Italy, which included an exploration of Cinque Terre. This beautiful trip was less of a "drag myself through the day" kind of adventure and more of a "wow, I could actually enjoy this" experience. Maybe it was my lovely friends, maybe it was the wine and the aperol spritz, maybe it was the views…or maybe it was that I didn’t have to hike up any absurdly steep hills. Either way, here’s how it all went down.

Touching Down in Italy and Discovering Pisa

After touching down in Pisa, the adventure began by checking into our 15-bedroom villa; yes, you read that right, 15 rooms of sheer Italian luxury. Old friends, new friends, and a whole lot of "how have you been?" and "nice to meet you!" filled the air. We kicked things off with food and drinks at the villa. Italian antipasti, bottles of wine, and a mix of conversations flowed. It was the perfect setting, friends catching up, drinks and new faces!

After fueling up, it was time to explore Pisa. Now, I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting much besides the Leaning Tower. Spoiler alert: that’s pretty much all there is. But hey, for someone li, ke me who is perpetually tired, it was perfect. We walked around the city, admired the famous tilt, took the obligatory photos pretending to hold it up (because it’s a law, apparently), and that was that.

The tower, while smaller than I imagined, was just the right amount of tourist attraction for my low-energy level. Day one down, and thankfully, it didn’t take too much energy. If every day in Italy is like this, I might actually make it through the trip without needing a week-long nap!

Vernazza: An Absolutely Breathtaking Village

Our Cinque Terre adventure began in Vernazza, arguably one of the most picturesque villages in the region. We checked into a charming little Airbnb that oozed Italian vibes; think exposed stone walls, colorful tiles, and just enough coziness to make me want to move in forever (or at least until the next nap).

After settling in, we took a relaxed stroll through the village. Vernazza is like walking through a postcard-colorful houses cascading down to the harbor, fishing boats bobbing lazily, and tiny cafes tempting you with food at every corner.

Naturally, we stopped for pasta near the beach, because when in Italy… carb-load. The fresh seafood pasta, salty breeze, and scenic views made it the perfect spot to sit and digest life.

Now, about that hike. There’s a little trail that leads you up to a view overlooking Vernazza, and yes, I managed to drag myself up there. The climb was short but steep enough to make me question my life choices. But once at the top, the view? Stunning. You could see the entire village framed by the sparkling Mediterranean, and after getting the all-important Instagram shot, I promptly declared the hike a success and headed back down.

Here’s the thing: there’s a trail that connects all five villages of Cinque Terre, and people actually hike from one to another. But let’s be honest; that was never going to happen. After the brief climb, I decided I’d seen enough of the landscape from above, and it was time to return to our cute apartment for some well-deserved rest. Vernazza: done and dusted, with minimal hiking and maximum pasta. My kind of adventure.

Riomaggiore: Instagram Dreams, Real-Life Relaxation

Next up on our Cinque Terre journey was Riomaggiore, the village you’ve probably seen plastered all over Instagram. Colorful houses are stacked on the hillside like a box of pastel crayons, all facing the sea, making it the perfect spot for those “I was here” shots. Well, this time, I was there, living the Instagram dream without needing a filter.

We strolled through the winding streets, taking in the vibrancy of the village. Every corner seemed to demand a photo, and trust me, I obliged. Riomaggiore is just as picture-perfect in real life as it is online, but with the added bonus of fresh sea air and the sound of waves gently crashing. The atmosphere was very relaxed. It was the kind of day that makes you forget you’ve got four other villages to explore. And here’s the real victory: by the end of the day, I wasn’t even tired. A day spent wandering around Riomaggiore, soaking up the scenery, and enjoying good food without hitting the energy wall? I would call that a success.

Manarola: Another Day, Another Village and Still No Exhaustion

Our Cinque Terre journey continued with a stop in Manarola, yet another charming village with colorful houses stacked against the cliffs, all facing the sea like a living postcard. The view? Absolutely stunning. The village is a painter’s palette of pastel buildings, vibrant against the blue backdrop of the Mediterranean.

We spent the day taking in the sights, strolling through the narrow streets, and, of course, capturing the perfect photos. Manarola’s beauty is hard to miss—you turn a corner, and there’s another scene straight out of a travel magazine.

When evening arrived, we found the perfect spot for dinner near the beach. The sun began to set as we indulged in Italian dishes with the waves crashing nearby. It was peaceful, calm, and wonderfully relaxing. Once again, I was pleasantly surprised to find that, even after a full day of exploration, I wasn’t tired. Another win!

Manarola proved to be another perfect day in Cinque Terre—filled with beauty, great food, and just the right amount of adventure.

Monterosso: Beach Vibes, Focaccia Crumbs, and Just Enough Charm

Exploring Monterosso, one of the Cinque Terre’s famous villages, is like stepping into the Italian Riviera’s laid-back cousin’s house. Sure, it might not have the postcard drama of some of its flashier neighbors, but hey; Monterosso comes with its own sandy beach, and that’s a rare treat in these parts! The beach scene here is like a miniature resort town vibe, where you can dip your toes in the sea, enjoy some gelato, and practice your finest Italian beach lounging pose. While it might not be the Cinque Terre’s runway star, Monterosso has its own charm: a little bit of sun, a splash of sea, and enough focaccia to make anyone a fan.

Corniglia: The Village That Made Me Forget My Camera 📸

Corniglia; the Cinque Terre village that makes you earn your views. After tackling what felt like a thousand steps (okay, 377, but who's counting?), I finally reached the hilltop only to realize… I was too wiped to take any pictures.

Yep, this charming village will live on solely in my memory, a blurry montage of colorful houses and sloping alleyways, probably accurate but mostly exhaustion-tinged. Was Corniglia pretty? Sure! Was it worth the climb? Let’s just say it’s for the truly dedicated (or those who, unlike me, remember to take a few photos as proof).

The Quick Recap (Too Long To Read Edition)

🌟 What Was The Highlight Of My Trip? Cinque Terre was a blissfully low-key trip, perfect for celebrating love, friendship, and not being tired 24/7. The food was fantastic, the wine was even better, and I only had to mildly exert myself once or twice. If you’re looking for a gorgeous destination with minimal effort required, Cinque Terre might just be your new happy place. Just don’t forget to bring friends who are okay with keeping things at a slower pace. Because, let's be real; life is better when you don’t have to rush.
📅 How Many Days? 3 or 4 days is the sweet spot for Cinque Terre if you’re like me, eager to see everything but also excited to lie down in random shady spots to recover. Between the narrow streets, colorful facades, and hills, there’s just enough to fill each day, leaving you ready to settle in with some pasta and enjoy a scenic view or two. And if you’re on the slower side (a.k.a. the “I-had-an-extra-gelato” pace), give yourself four days to really soak it all in without breaking a sweat.
⚡ Energy Level For This Adventure? Not too bad! This trip is kind to your energy reserves; as long as you factor in the unavoidable pasta coma and carb-induced naps. Climbing up to each village will get you a bit winded, but don’t worry, a glass of local wine has magical properties to “recharge” you (or at least to make you feel like staying put a little longer). Just remember, eating all that fresh Italian food will make you perfectly drowsy, so I’d say pack a solid nap schedule to get the most out of your days without dozing off mid-village.