Best combined with La Spezia as a base
Take the train to La Spezia — the gateway to Cinque Terre. Drop your bag, grab a coffee at Caffè Centrale di La Spezia, and get your bearings. La Spezia is underrated as a town in itself — take 20 minutes to walk the waterfront before jumping on the train into the villages.
Head to Manarola first. It's the most photogenic of the five villages and arguably the most atmospheric. Start at the Park Manarola loc. Pasella for the elevated view over the colored houses tumbling toward the sea — this is the postcard shot everyone is trying to get, and it earns every bit of its reputation. Walk down into the village, swim off the rocks if the weather allows, eat lunch at Pizzeria Acquarone.
Afternoon: take the coastal trail or the train to Riomaggiore or Vernazza for a change of scenery. Each village has its own personality — Vernazza has the best natural harbor, Riomaggiore has the most dramatic clifftop walk.
End the day back in La Spezia, dinner at Caffè Centrale or along the marina, then train back to Genoa. A full, beautiful, slightly exhausting day in the best way.
