Things to do in Cinque Terre
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Cinque Terre Private Boat Tour: Snorkel & WineA private boat tour along the Cinque Terre coast visits all five villages of the National Marine Park, with time for snorkeling in protected coves, an aperitif with local products and prosecco on board, and photo stops at Vernazzo, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. The tour departs from either Monterosso or Levanto and includes snorkeling gear, soft drinks and a freshwater shower.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see all five Cinque Terre villages from the water without hiking between them or buying train tickets, and you want time in the water without arranging a separate snorkeling trip. The private boat means you set the pace and the stops, and the three-hour window fits a half-day without eating into the rest of your itinerary.
Vernazza: Pesto Class & Cinque Terre Wine Tasting CellarYou’ll crush basil by hand in a Vernazza cellar, taste three Cinque Terre wines with focaccia and cheese, then eat your own pesto gnocchi right from the mortar. Friendly local guides share stories as you snack and sip — finishing off with limoncino and chocolate that lingers long after you leave.
Cinque Terre: Walking & Train Day Tour with Local FoodYou’ll walk ancient paths above Cinque Terre’s colorful villages, ride trains along dramatic cliffs, taste local food (anchovies or pesto if you want), and share stories with your guide. Expect laughter over mispronounced names and quiet moments watching boats drift below—this day is for savoring Liguria’s flavors at your own pace.
Cinque Terre Boat Tour: Monterosso to Riomaggiore with AperitifYou’ll feel the Ligurian breeze as you sail from Monterosso along Cinque Terre’s coastline, stopping to swim at Guvano Bay and sip prosecco on deck. With a local skipper guiding you through Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, every village brings its own story—and you might find yourself wishing the sun would slow down just a little.
Cinque Terre Sunset Boat Tour: Swim, Aperitif & Hybrid YachtYou’ll glide along Cinque Terre’s coastline at sunset on a quiet hybrid boat with a local guide sharing stories as you pass Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Swim or snorkel in clear waters near hidden beaches, enjoy Italian aperitifs and drinks on board, and soak up golden hour light you’ll remember long after you’re home.
Cinque Terre sunset boat tour: Pesto tasting and swim stopsA two-hour sunset boat tour departing from Monterosso passes in front of all five Cinque Terre villages—Vernazzo, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore—with stops to photograph the coast and swim in small coves. The boat includes a tasting of Cinque Terre pesto and focaccia, plus local wine and beer. Arrive 10 minutes early; snorkeling gear is provided.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Italian, so book this tour if you're comfortable following commentary in one of those languages. The fixed two-hour window means the sunset timing and all five villages fit into one afternoon without you planning the route or timing the light yourself.
Snorkeling Cinque Terre: Five Villages from WaterA daytime boat tour departing from Levanto that takes you past all five Cinque Terre villages—Monterosso, Vernazzo, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore—with swim and snorkeling stops chosen by the captain based on sea conditions that morning. The boat is hybrid-engine, the guide speaks English and Italian, and the aperitivo with local snacks and free wine, prosecco and beer comes aboard while you float between villages.Is it for me?At three and a half hours, this tour leaves your morning or afternoon free for the villages themselves—you get the coastline from the water, then have time to walk the trails or sit in a piazza before or after. The snorkeling stop moves with the sea state, so you're not locked into a fixed schedule fighting the weather.
Cinque Terre boat tour: Swim and taste local wineA boat tour departing from Riomaggiore marina that sails the Cinque Terre coastline, pausing at each village for photos and local history before anchoring for a swim in open water. The tour includes a snorkel mask, local white wine or water, and Ligurian focaccia; a live guide speaks English, Spanish or Italian. Duration is 2.5 hours.Is it for me?Book this if you're based in Cinque Terre villages or arriving by train—the boat launches from Riomaggiore marina, so you reach the water on foot without needing a car.
Pasta, Pesto and Tiramisu Class in Riomaggiore, Cinque TerreA cooking class in Riomaggiore where you make traditional Ligurian trofie pasta by hand, prepare pesto Genovese using the seven classic ingredients, and learn tiramisu from a local recipe—all in a private 16th-century home with a roof terrace overlooking the village. The class runs 2.5 hours, includes a welcome glass of prosecco, the dishes you've prepared paired with local white wine, and starts promptly; arrivals more than 15 minutes late are not accommodated.Is it for me?Book this if you have a free afternoon in Cinque Terre and want to spend it making three dishes you'll eat the same day, in a home with a view of the village instead of in a restaurant watching someone else cook. The fixed schedule and the 10-minute walk from the station mean you can arrive by train and be at the table within the hour.
Cinqueterre winery tour with wine tasting and pesto classA combined winery tour and cooking class in Cinqueterre where you visit the BarCa cellar, walk the vineyards between Manarola and Volastra, taste three wines directly in the vineyard, and make fresh basil pesto by hand using the family's traditional method. The guide speaks English or Italian and the experience runs about 90 minutes, ending far from the tourist crowds of the main villages.Is it for me?The walk through the vineyards is moderate and the whole experience runs 90 minutes, so it fits into an afternoon without a full-day commitment. If you want to understand how Cinqueterre wine is actually made and taste it where it grows — without spending hours in the villages — this is the way to do it.
Private Christmas Walking Tour in Cinque Terre VillagesA private walking tour through Cinque Terre's Christmas traditions, led by a professional local guide who shares stories of faith and seasonal customs as you move through Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazzo and Corniglia. The tour lasts around two hours and covers scenic paths between medieval settlements, including the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch and the ruins of Doria Tower. Admission to Vernazzo and Corniglia is available as an add-on (€7.50/day or via Cinque Terre Card).Is it for me?The tour departs from Riomaggiore, so if you're staying elsewhere in Cinque Terre or arriving by train, you'll meet your guide at the village entrance—no car needed, and the private format means the pace and stops stay yours instead of shifting with a larger group.
Cinque Terre Vineyard Trek: 3 Wines & Terraced ViewsA guided 3-hour trek through Cinque Terre's terraced vineyards above Vernazzo, ending at the private Fussà estate for a tasting of three on-site wines with traditional snacks. The guide is a local, the route follows ancient paths, and your visit directly funds the restoration of dry-stone walls and abandoned land. Children from age 5 are welcome; the hike requires moderate fitness.Is it for me?The three-hour commitment leaves room for another meal or a second village in Cinque Terre the same day, but the steep terrain and moderate hiking pace mean this is not a quick detour—plan for a full morning or afternoon and wear proper hiking shoes.
Portovenere hike from Cinque Terre: 6-hour trek with local guideA small-group hike from Riomaggiore to Portovenere in Cinque Terre, led by a local guide in English, covering intermediate terrain with steep sections and narrow outer-trail passages. The trek takes six hours; groups stay under ten people, usually four or fewer. After arrival, the afternoon is yours — swim, eat, or walk the alleys — before taking the ferry or bus back to Cinque Terre. Not suitable for travelers with vertigo or poor cardiovascular fitness.Is it for me?The six-hour trek and narrow ridge sections mean this hike suits travelers with moderate to good fitness who are comfortable on steep, exposed terrain — not a casual stroll, and not for anyone with vertigo or cardiovascular concerns. The small group size (usually four or fewer) and the unscheduled afternoon in Portovenere work well if you want to set your own pace and have time to rest and eat after the walk.
Palmaria Island Trek from La Spezia: Ferry & Guided HikeThis guided trek starts at Riomaggiore train station and climbs the hillsides in stages toward Manarola, with a ferry crossing to Palmaria Island included. A live English-speaking guide leads the walk, stopping to talk about local grapes, history and wine; the pace is moderate and designed to keep you away from the main crowds. The trek runs 5 to 6 hours and includes a shuttle boat and ferry boat; children are welcome from age 5.Is it for me?This trek is led at a moderate pace with built-in stops, so it suits anyone who wants to learn about the local grapes and wine without rushing through the hillsides. If you prefer to walk at your own speed or skip the educational stops, a self-guided hike would fit better.
