I’ve dreamed of visiting Cinque Terre—the five colorful cliffside villages on Italy’s Ligurian coast—for years. For my 50th trip around the sun, I decided I’d waited long enough. With a little encouragement from my husband and some travel-loving friends, we planned a cruise aboard the Celebrity Equinox with a dream itinerary: two full days in La Spezia, the gateway to Cinque Terre.
With no tight “all aboard” deadline on day one, we had plenty of time to explore. Add in my love of cruising and my obsession with Cinque Terre, and you’ve got the perfect combo for an unforgettable port day.
Getting to Cinque Terre from La Spezia
We skipped the taxi and opted for the 30-minute walk from the cruise port to La Spezia Centrale train station. There, we purchased a 24-hour Cinque Terre train pass for €18.20. This also included access to the two open Blue Trail hikes (Corniglia to Vernazza and Vernazza to Monterosso) through Cinque Terre National Park.
While you can buy passes ahead of time, we waited to buy at the station just in case there were changes to our cruise schedule (pro tip!).
The station was busy and a bit overwhelming, but a kind security guard helped us navigate the machines and pointed us to the right platform. And with that—we were off!
First Stop: Riomaggiore + A Detour to Via dell’Amore
The first glimpse of the coastline from the train window? Absolutely magical. I was all smiles.
We got off at Riomaggiore, where we immediately spotted the entrance to Via dell’Amore, the famous coastal path that connects Riomaggiore to Manarola. This scenic walkway had been closed for years and was only recently reopened—so of course, we couldn’t pass it up!
Although not included in our National Park pass, we happily paid the €10 entry fee. While this meant we skipped exploring Riomaggiore itself (for now), the views were so worth it. The trail is paved, about a half mile long, and includes benches, historical markers, and picture-perfect vistas every few steps.
Next Stop: Manarola
We arrived in Manarola, one of the most photogenic towns in Cinque Terre. We wandered charming streets, browsed little shops, and visited a beautiful old church. Manarola may be the oldest of the towns in the Cinque Terre, with the cornerstone of the church, San Lorenzo, dating from 1338
And yes—we found that famous photo spot overlooking the colorful buildings stacked along the hillside. It’s now my iPhone wallpaper. #NoRegrets
After a million photos, we hopped back on the train and headed to the third town.
Corniglia & the Hike to Vernazza
Next stop: Corniglia—and here’s where the real cardio began.
Corniglia sits high above the sea, and to reach it, you climb the infamous Scalinata Lardarina: 382 zigzagging steps from the train station. We could’ve waited for the small, crowded shuttle… but no. We were determined.
We climbed those stairs with the heart of champions (and the lungs of asthmatics). It was intense—but the Aperol spritz we found at the top was well-earned and well-timed, even if it was before noon.
Corniglia itself was stunning. Colorful buildings, sea views, and ancient churches—it seemed quieter than the other towns but just as beautiful. We were grateful for our early start; by late morning, the crowds had grown, but were still manageable.
🏞️ Hiking Cinque Terre: Corniglia to Vernazza
After a light snack, we followed the signs to the Blue Trail trailhead to Vernazza. A park official checked our Cinque Terre pass, and we were off!
This hike is no joke. Brian and I love to walk and hike (we usually skip taxis in favor of our own feet), but this trail was a workout: it featured variable terrain, steep inclines, uneven steps, and lots of elevation changes.
But don’t let that scare you. We saw people hiking who were easily in their 70s—but no, most of them weren’t Americans. There are places to rest, and even a few spots to buy water or a snack along the way.
⏱️ Time on trail: 11:53 a.m. – 1:17 p.m.
🍕 Welcome to Vernazza
We arrived in Vernazza ready for rest, a cold drink, and some serious carbs. Enter: the Margarita pizza I inhaled before I even thought to take a photo. Good thing I’m not a food blogger!
Vernazza was probably my favorite of the five. Maybe it was the pizza. Or the view. Or the cozy energy. Either way, I’m already planning to come back just to confirm.
🚆 Train to Monterosso al Mare
Though we were feeling rested, the hike from Vernazza to Monterosso is over twice as long, so we opted for the train. But we’ve made a pact to hike it next time!
Monterosso has a different vibe—it’s a beach town. It features the only true beach in Cinque Terre, a long boardwalk, and numerous shops and cafés. Even in May, the beach was bustling with sunbathers. And yes, it was the perfect time to try the gelato.
🚢 Cinque Terre by Sea: The Ferry Ride
To round out our perfect day, we planned to return via ferry, allowing us to see the five villages from the water. The idea of viewing Cinque Terre by train, trail, and sea? Too good to pass up.
While you can take the ferry back to La Spezia (great for cruisers!), we decided to hop off in Riomaggiore, since we had skipped entirely exploring it earlier that morning when we took Via dell’Amore instead of staying in town.
The ferry was on time, and the ride itself was pleasant, though I’ll be honest: many of the views were obstructed, depending on your seat and how crowded it was. Still, being on the water with the breeze in your face after a long day of hiking and exploring was kind of perfect. I bet it’s really beautiful in the evening too.
🏁 Riomaggiore, Take Two (Now With Crowds)
We arrived back in Riomaggiore to massive crowds. Like, shoulder-to-shoulder-in-the-streets busy. Everyone says to go early or go late — and they’re right. If you’re staying nearby, the evening is probably magical.
We still managed to explore a bit, climbed another set of stairs (because of course we did), and found a sweet little viewpoint bar near the train station. We grabbed a drink, watched some cliff divers (so Italian!), and recapped the day before hopping on the train back to La Spezia.
In hindsight, we could’ve lingered longer in Riomaggiore and watched the sunset — there was no cruise curfew that day — but after so much walking (and so many stairs), we were ready for a little rest back on the Celebrity Equinox.
🧳 Can You Visit Cinque Terre While on a Cruise?
Yes. 1000% yes. If this gem isn’t on your bucket list yet, add it to your list immediately.
Even if you only have one full port day in La Spezia, it’s absolutely doable — especially if you focus on just a few towns or skip the hike. But if you’re like me and determined to see all five towns, start early and pace yourself. It was one of the most rewarding port days I’ve ever experienced.
💡 Worrier’s Guide to DIY Cinque Terre from a Cruise
- ✔️ Skip the cruise line excursions — they’re pricey and rigid. The train + Cinque Terre pass is easy to manage on your own.
- ✔️ Be realistic about physical ability. There are lots of stairs and inclines. Good walking shoes and closed-toe sneakers are a must for the trail.
- ✔️ Buy your Cinque Terre card at the station in case of any last-minute schedule changes.
- ✔️ La Spezia Centrale station guide – bookmark it!
- ✔️ Cinque Terre National Park info – includes updated trail status.
- ✔️ Restrooms are available at all train stations.
- ✔️ Trains are clean, comfortable, and easy to use.
- ✔️ Bring a portable phone charger — you’ll be taking a million photos.
- ✔️ Go early or go late to avoid the heaviest crowds, especially in Riomaggiore and Vernazza.
📌 Final Thoughts on our DIY Cruise Excursion to Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre was everything I’d imagined and more: colorful, dramatic, exhausting, peaceful, magical. We explored by foot, by train, and by sea. We hiked until our legs burned, climbed staircases that felt like mountains, and earned every bite of pizza and sip of Aperol Spritz along the way.
If you get the chance to cruise through the Mediterranean and stop in La Spezia, do this. Even if you only get to one or two towns, it’s worth it. But if you’re up for a bit of adventure (and maybe several hundred stairs), seeing all five is the kind of day you’ll remember forever.
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