Cinque Terre Map With List of Must-Visit Towns

The Cinque Terre consists of a group of 5 coastal villages in the region of Liguria, known for their spectacular setting, colourful houses and gorgeous scenery. With our Cinque Terre map with towns, I’ve aimed to provide you with an illustrated guide to help you visualise the layout of this magnificent coast.

Jump to the Cinque Terre map below.

The Cinque Terre is actually a part of Italy’s Cinque Terre National Park, making this a well-protected natural area. It’s not only home to the beautiful villages but also to a varied range of plant and animal species. The national park is only 14.9 square miles or square kilometers, making it Italy’s smallest.

Most people simply visit the five towns, however just outside the boundaries of the national park lie many other equally majestic and far less-visited towns you should definitely consider adding to your itinerary.

Why I Created This Cinque Terre Map

I enjoy putting together digital guides and illustrations to make planning a trip both easier and more enjoyable for you.

The standard Google maps can get a bit dull and uninspiring after a while, so I like to keep things simple with these maps by including what’s necessary and leaving out what’s not.

In this Cinque Terre Italy map, in addition to the five Cinque Terre towns, I’ve also marked out some lesser-known gems worth visiting.

Cinque Terre Towns Map Including Surrounding Area:

Cinque Terre map

The Cinque Terre Towns

Let’s begin with the famous five Cinque Terre villages, all located in the national park and connected by a dotted line in the Cinque Terre Italy map above. Also, if you’re wondering how best to get around the area, the Cinque Terre towns are really close to each other and the train that runs up and down the coast takes mere minutes between villages.

We’ll start at the top with Monterosso al Mare and move south on the map of the Cinque Terre, ending with Riomaggiore.

Monterosso al Mare

The biggest town of the five, Monterosso has the greatest selection of accommodation and dining options. I always recommend beach-lovers spend a bit of time here because it’s the only one of the Cinque Terre towns with a proper sandy beach and it’s quite a large beach in comparison to those nearby.

Monterosso doesn’t look quite as striking and breathtaking as the other towns, but this is mainly down to the fact that it isn’t perched up on the cliff tops or tumbling down a mountain side. This flatness does make it a lot easier to get around though.

Our guide to Monterosso al Mare.

The beach in Monterosso al Mare, one of the Cinque Terre's finest

Vernazza

Vernazza is one of the most picturesque of the five towns with the stunning bell tower of the Santa Margherita d'Antiochia church overlooking the quaint harbor below.

The village itself is centered around the natural harbor, where fishing boats gently sway and cafes line the waterfront, with scenic views of the Ligurian Sea.

The best view of Vernazza comes at the small price of a mile long and very steep walk up behind the village through olive trees and vineyards, to the Madonna of Reggio Sanctuary.

It’s definitely worth the effort. The path actually continues to form some of the coast’s best hiking trails, one of the Cinque Terre coast’s main attractions.

Our guide to Vernazza.

The best view of Vernazza at sunset, Cinque Terre

Corniglia

Corniglia is the only one of the five Cinque Terre towns that wasn't dependent on fishing. It's not evident on the Cinque Terre map but the town is actually located just away from the sea, about 100 meters above sea level. This elevation means you need to walk up around 365 steps to get there. That puts most people off and means that Corniglia is the Cinque Terre town with the fewest tourists.

Fewer tourists mean that it is the most “genuine” of the towns and it has managed to hold on to its own unique character over the years.

But, there’s a little secret when it comes to those stairs that you might want to know.

There’s actually a little shuttle bus that will take you all the way up to Corniglia from near the station.

Corniglia perched on the cliffside

If you don't mind a walk though, I’d recommend taking the steps for the splendid views alone.

Our guide to Corniglia.

Manarola

Manarola is the second-smallest of the Cinque Terre towns – only Corniglia is smaller.

If you enjoy sunbathing, Manarola is the place to be. Enjoy a sundowner while you watch people queueing up to jump off a huge rock into the sea.

Also be sure to try the focaccia at La Cambusa. Focaccia is originally from the region of Liguria, a traditional dish they do superbly in Manarola. The simple one with onions and not much else is the best one to try.

Our guide to Manarola.

The famous view of Manarola, Cinque Terre

Riomaggiore

Walk along the Via dell' Amore from Manarola, one of the Cinque Terre’s most scenic walks, and you'll find yourself in a village made in the image of your best dreams of Italy - this is Riomaggiore: the southernmost town on the Cinque Terre.

Though Riomaggiore doesn't have sandy beaches, the rocky shoreline near the harbor offers a perfect spot for a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters.

You might want to consider staying over here for a night or two to enjoy the sunset views, some of the best along the coast, from the characteristic little harbor.

Our guide to Riomaggiore.

Riomaggiore offers some wonderful sunset views

Visit These Small Towns Near The Cinque Terre

There are a number of beautiful small towns and villages worth adding to your Cinque Terre itinerary, especially if you’re staying for 5 days or longer. And most of these are easily reachable by train within a matter of minutes. Let’s start with Bonassola west of Monterosso al Mare and end with Porto Venere, the southernmost town on the Cinque Terre map.

Bonassola

Bonassola is a small coastal village just a few miles northwest of the Cinque Terre towns.

It lacks the jaw-dropping appearance of the five towns down the coast, but it makes up for that with a far more tranquil atmosphere, a beautiful (but not sandy) beach and a nice collection of beachfront bars and restaurants.

It’s a good choice for a day trip if you’re seeking a quiet break from the hustle and bustle of the Cinque Terre towns.

The town of Bonassola

Levanto

Unlike its more famous neighbors, Levanto offers a laid-back vibe, and its location makes it the perfect gateway to the Cinque Terre. The town boasts a wide, sandy beach ideal for sunbathing and swimming, with clear waters that attract divers, hikers and more.

It’s only 10 minutes away from Monterosso on the local train which runs between the towns multiple times a day, plus it’s more affordable as well.

I actually recommend basing yourself here for the majority of your trip, along with a couple nights in one of the Cinque Terre towns.

View of Levanto from one of the hiking trails along the coast

That’s what we ended up doing and it turned out to be an excellent decision. We weren’t sure at first as many travel blogs say that to get the true “Cinque Terre experience”, you should stay in one of the five towns. We didn’t find this to be true at all, because you can choose to spend almost your entire trip exploring the Cinque Terre, with a few minutes needed to get between the towns and Levanto.

And Levanto has some phenomenal guesthouses and hotels as well.

We stayed at the Villa Valentina, a wonderful family-run guesthouse. The service here was truly exceptional with a personal feel to everything about the place, from the warm welcome to the freshly prepared breakfast with ingredients coming straight from the vegetable garden.

I can still remember the smell of that frittata first thing in the morning…

I really cannot recommend them enough!

The outdoor dining area at the Villa Valentina in Levanto, where you'll be enjoying countless traditional Italian dishes, prepared with lots of love

Oh, and before I forget, there’s a wonderful cycling and walking route that runs along this part of the coast that I thoroughly enjoyed when we visited here with friends when I was younger.

It starts in Levanto and goes north, past Bonassola and on to Framura, running through many railroad tunnels along an old decommissioned railway line.

I remember the tunnels as a cool, refreshing escape from the summer heat. As you pass through, the chill in the air is immediately soothing, and the occasional droplets falling from the roof create a soft, rhythmic plip-plop, echoing through the space as if in a cave.

You can rent bicycles from several spots around town, and many hotels offer them to guests.

Porto Venere

Porto Venere is a picturesque town, south of Riomaggiore on the Cinque Terre map above. It’s also known for its colorful medieval buildings and stunning harbor, as with many of the towns along this coast.

It’s definitely worth visiting for the day to see the picturesque harbor and the lovely narrow streets with characteristic shops selling fresh local produce.

Don’t leave without a bottle of pesto!

Near the promontory you’ll find Byron's Cave, named after the British poet Lord Byron, who apparently used to swim from this area to reach his friends over in Lerici nearby.

Also, don't miss the Church of San Pietro, found at the edge of town on a rocky outcrop towering over the Mediterranean.

Unfortunately, Porto Venere isn’t on the train route but it is possible to get here by ferry which runs along the coast throughout the year except for the winter months.

You can also get here by bus from La Spezia.

On the Cinque Terre Italy map, Porto Venere is south of Riomaggiore

Nearby Towns Along The Gulf of Poets

South of La Spezia, the province capital, lies the famous Gulf of Poets. The towns here are easily reachable by public transport from the Cinque Terre via La Spezia, the province capital. And all the towns I'm about to mention are certainly worth adding to your trip.

This coastline here is truly something special. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re wasting your time by not spending longer in the Cinque Terre instead. There are some wonderful towns and villages here, filled with character, friendly locals and views to rival those of the Cinque Terre towns.

Lerici

Lerici is a standout destination along the Gulf of Poets, with a much bigger population than the nearby towns, at just over 10,000 inhabitants.

Lerici’s setting, along the famous Gulf of Poets, is enough to make a visit here a must. The Gulf of Poets has charmed and enchanted for centuries and was beloved by the English poets Shelley and Byron.

View of Lerici from the castle

With the medieval castle, beaches, scenery of unsurpassed beauty, a lovely weekly market with all the latest Italian fashion at reasonable prices and many great restaurants, you'll no doubt find it surprising that you haven’t yet heard of Lerici.

Nearby you also have two absolute gems, in the form of Tellaro and Ameglia, both some of the most beautiful towns in the whole of Italy.

You certainly don’t want to rush this part of the coast. A good idea is to split your trip here into two parts; one in or near the Cinque Terre; and the other along the Gulf of Poets based in Tellaro or Lerici. The Hotel Florida is a good option in Lerici.

Tellaro

Tellaro and the little neighboring hamlet of Fiascherino are absolutely heavenly.

From the moment you walk down the path to the Hotel Fiascherino (the hotel on the edge of Tellaro where we always stay), you can feel the weight of the world lift from your shoulders.

There are great beaches here with no current to speak of and beautiful crystal clear turquoise water. Tellaro’s beaches are also comparatively empty unlike the 5 Cinque Terre towns.

The Hotel Fiascherino has its own little beach as well, perfect for swimming:

The beautiful beach at the Hotel Fiascherino

The town itself is also a delight, unspoiled and authentic despite being one of Italy’s loveliest. The pastel cottages, green hills of pines and olive groves and the glimpses of the azure sea every now and then make for an irresistible experience.

After visiting the Cinque Terre and feeling a little exhausted after a good few days thoroughly exploring each of the towns, we decided to park off here in Tellaro for a few more days for a proper relaxing Italian-style getaway. And it turned out to be the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding towns along the Gulf of Poets. There are some wonderful walks around here which are pretty much unknown to most Cinque Terre visitors.

Looking out to sea from Tellaro along the Gulf of Poets

To get here, you’ll need to catch the bus to Lerici from La Spezia, and then change buses in Lerici for Tellaro. The second bus only takes a few minutes to reach Fiascherino and then Tellaro.

When we visited Lerici for the day, we actually walked as it’s not very far at all and the views along the way are definitely worth it.

Our full guide to Tellaro and why it makes for an excellent base.

Ameglia

Last but definitely not least, Ameglia is the only inland town on this list. It’s a tiny but oh so beautiful village with gorgeous views of the Mediterranean, snow-capped mountains and the Magra river.

From the narrow winding streets and colorful houses perched on the hillsides to the scent of the Mediterranean wafting through the air, it really has got everything one could ask for.

It sure packs a punch of authentic Italian charm. We hiked here from Tellaro and believe you me, the views were nothing short of incredible. Not a single soul in sight along the way, just the cicadas, the breeze, the warm air, and you.

If you’re visiting the Cinque Terre and the Gulf of Poets area, don’t sleep on Ameglia…

Discover Ameglia in more with our detailed guide.

Mountains, castles, hills and Mediterranean views along the path from Tellaro to Ameglia

Planning Your Trip to The Cinque Terre

When planning your trip to this part of Italy, consider using our Cinque Terre map to get an idea of where the 5 Cinque Terre towns are located, as well their position in relation to nearby towns worth visiting.

Every town here offers something different, and although their differences may be subtle in some cases, taking your time here is really the best way to appreciate them properly.

Visiting all the towns on this list may be a bit of a stretch if you’re not staying for a week or longer. But, if you want to experience both the Cinque Terre area as well as the Lerici and Gulf of Poets coast, staying a little longer is going to be necessary; and take it from me; very rewarding.

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