Cinque Terre Walking Tour: Vernazza Italy
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Abundant in Vernazza, beauty sneaks up on you from around every corner. Our Cinque Terre walking tour of Vernazza Italy will guide you through the well-known landmarks and atmospheric back alleys of this lovely fishing village on the Ligurian Sea.
Like all the Cinque Terre towns, tiny Vernazza can get quite crowded. Increase your touring enjoyment by knowing where to go when you hit port. Our Vernazza walk will guide you through the village. View Vernazza from its picturesque harbor, ancient Doria Castle, and high in the hills on the Cinque Terre Blue Trail.
Our route includes all of the best things to do in Vernazza Italy. Even better, the walk can easily be combined with the Vernazza to Monterosso portion of the Blue Trail hike.
CINQUE TERRE TOURS & ATTRACTIONS
WHERE IS VERNAZZA ITALY
Tucked between the mountains and the Ligurian Sea (an arm of the Mediterranean Sea), Vernazza is one of five villages in the UNESCO protected Cinque Terre National Park. The park is located in northwest Italy at the beginning of the Italian Riviera.
Originating in Roman times, and largely unchanged since the Medieval era, the Cinque Terre, “Five Lands,” fishing and farming villages are linked by a series of ancient mule tracks as well as a modern rail, ferry, and road system.
Vernazza sits between the villages of Monterosso and Corniglia. The closest transportation hubs with train and ferry services are in La Spezia to the north, and Levanto to the south.
ROUTE DETAILS CINQUE TERRE WALKING TOUR: VERNAZZA
Distance: Around 2 miles (3.5km). Note, the walk ends on the Blue Trail. Randy and I combined it with a Vernazza to Monterosso 'Blue Trail' hike. This added around 2 miles to the walk.
Duration: 2-4 hour town walk, taking time to eat, shop, and take photos.
Directions: GPS will likely not work in the village. Street signs in town are sparse and maps are difficult to follow. Therefore, we have used visual landmarks on this walking tour.
Dress: Sturdy, comfortable shoes and sun protection.
Time of Day: Any time of day. Try to avoid the hours between noon and 4pm when the village is most crowded.
CINQUE TERRE TOURS
The narrow, winding roads leading to Cinque Terre National Park can be treacherous to drive. What’s more, deciphering the arrival and departure schedules of the regional trains and ferries requires coordination. Guided excursions to the area can take the headache out of transportation. Tours to Cinque Terre leave from many Italian cities including:
VERNAZZA HOTELS
An overnight in Vernazza will allow you to enjoy the spectacular scenery minus the crush of the midday crowds.
Vernazza hotels tend to be small family run boarding houses and hotels (“pensiones”). Make reservations as early as possible, especially for summer stays. Many lodgings are an uphill walk from the train station and ferry port so pack light, or look for a room with porter services.
Here are a few well-reviewed Vernazza hotels:
La Mala - romantic environment. AC, flat screen TV and free breakfast
La Marina Rooms - mini-suites, some with balconies
Camere Fontanvecchia - guest rooms with refridgerators and free wifi
CINQUE TERRE WEATHER
The Cinque Terre National Park enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild winters (temperatures averaging in the 50’s F); and hot, humid summers (temperatures averaging in the 80’s F). October, March, and April are the rainiest months.
BEST TIME TO VISIT CINQUE TERRE – VERNAZZA
We think the best time to visit the region is during May, June, and September when the weather is warm enough for water play, the foliage is in bloom, and all businesses and hiking trails are open. In these months you will avoid the worst of the heat, humidity, crowds, and rain.
VERNAZZA ITALY KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Language: Italian, but English is widely spoken in the region.
Currency: Euro
Vernazza Welcome Center: Vernazza Railway Station: Open 8am to 8pm daily.
How to Get to Vernazza: Drive or take the train to La Spezia or Levanto train stations. Then, take the Cinque Terre local train or ferry to Vernazza. TIP: Avoid driving if possible.
How to Get Around Vernazza: Walking is the primary form of transport. There are few street signs, but the town is so tiny it is difficult to get lost.
Vernazza Accessibility and Terrain: There are many hills, stairs, and uneven stone surfaces. Accessibility for the mobility impaired outside of the central squares is challenging.
Restrooms: Public restrooms are located at the train station (fee). There are restrooms at many eateries in the village (with a purchase).
THINGS TO SEE & DO IN CINQUE TERRE
BEST THINGS TO DO IN VERNAZZA ITALY
Our Cinque Terre walking tour takes in the best things to do in Vernazza Italy. The route will help you discover the spectacular waterfront including Piazza Marconi, the Church of Santa Margherite d’ Antiochia, and the stone quays of the harbor. See Doria Castle, main street, Vernazza’s beaches, the Convent of San Francesco, and a section of the famed Blue Trail.
VERNAZZA CINQUE TERRE MAP – VILLAGE WALK
ROUTE: CINQUE TERRE WALKING TOUR: VERNAZZA ITALY
Landmark 1: Vernazza Train Station
Begin your Vernazza walking tour at the train station. (You can also jump on the route at the ferry port.) Stop at the Vernazza Welcome Center. Grab a map, and use the public restroom.
Exiting the train station, walk down Vernazza’s main street, Via Roma, toward the harbor. Along this stretch, pass through the heart of the bustling village. See markets, emporios, gelaterias, and restaurant with tables spilling onto the street.
Follow Via Roma until you reach an alley that veers off onto Piazza Guglielmo Marconi (two buildings past Gelateria Vernazza). Check out the many bread, cheese, jewelry, and ceramic shops along the way.
EXPLORING CINQUE TERRE NATIONAL PARK
Landmark 2: Piazza Marconi
The road ends in Piazza Marconi. From this vantage, drink-in the simple elegance of the harbor – largely unchanged since the Medieval era. In front of you there is a small beach. A stone quay arches out into the natural harbor, and traditional Gozzi fishing boats bob in the sea.
During the day, the piazza is dotted with umbrellas that belong to the restaurants and bars ringing the piazza. Fill your water bottle at the public water fountain.
Landmark 3: Church of Santa Margherita d’ Antiochia
On the right side of Marconi Piazza, observe the Church of Santa Margherita d’ Antiochia. The pale yellow Gothic-Ligurian church was built in the 13th century. It’s bell tower rises 40 meters into the air. If the church is open, view its interior.
CINQUE TERRE TOURS
Landmark 4: Cinque Terre Boat Tours
Departing the church, meander around the stunning waterfront. Walk the stone jetty and piers that protect the harbor. Watch the fishermen, tour boat operators, and ferries scuttle about.
The small, dark-sand beach is usually crowded with families. Other sunbathers splay across the boulders of the quay. On warm days, swimmers and snorkelers cavort in the bay. When you reach the Cinque Terre Boat Tours kiosk at the end of the pier, retrace your steps.
Landmark 5: Belforte Ristorante
Back on land, look for the Belforte Ristorante. Climb the stairs to top of its square tower and pause for a treat on the balcony overlooking the sea. The menu is Italian Mediterranean. Enjoy a drink and an appetizer before traveling on.
Landmark 6: Castle Doria of Vernazza
Leaving the waterfront, take Via Visconte toward the village until you reach Via Mazzini. Walk a short distance on Via Mazzini until you reach Via M. Carattino.
Follow Via M. Carattino until arriving at Doria Castle. Note, street signs are few and many of the alleys in this area will lead to the castle. So, if you set eyes on the castle, just head toward the stone tower. This portion of the walk will involve steep stairs.
Doria Castle was constructed in the Middle Ages to protect the village from marauding pirates. The hilltop ruins provide panoramic views of the Cinque Terre coast. Discover several esplanades, old castle walls, and a defensive tower ($2 Euro charge).
CINQUE TERRE SHORE EXCURSIONS
Landmark 7: Vernazza Town Beach
Descending from Doria Castle, enjoy the maze of alleys that weave through the neighborhood. In this much less crowded environ, take time to appreciate the corkscrew passageways, terrace flower gardens, fruit trees, quaint guesthouses, and scenes of local family life.
Back on main drag (Via Visconte to Via Roma) follow the signs to Vernazza’s hidden beach. Off of Via Roma, look for a beach sign that leads through a cave-like passageway to a second, larger pebble beach. Take of your shoes and put your toes in the water.
Landmark 8: Convent of San Francesco
Our next stop is the Convent of San Francesco. Walk to Via Roma. Across from Farmacia Monte, look for Via Ettore Vernazza. Follow this street until you see a sign for the convent.
Connected to an ancient Franciscan order, the convent was established in 1618 (making it over 400 years old). The main structure is now the Vernazza Town Hall. It is the seat of local government where many couples (tourists and locals) have tied the knot.
Take a quick peek at where the residents get things done. Then, continue on Via Ettore past the back of the Church of Santa Margherita. Follow the signs for the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) through a succession of alleys out of town toward Monterosso.
Note: To walk this trail, you must purchase a Cinque Terre Card ($7-15 Euros). Passes can be purchased online or at any Cinque Terre train station. Also, be aware the gravel trail has many ups and downs with loose stones and uneven stairs.
Landmark 9: Cinque Terre Blue Trail
Once you locate the beginning of the Blue Trail, follow the red and white trail markers toward Monterosso (SVA2). The trail begins with some stone staircases. It then becomes clay with some steep ascents along the coastal route.
Take care as you hike. This portion of the trail will likely be crowded with hikers and tourists (like you) making the trek for that perfect vacation photo. A twenty minute climb out of the village will take you to an overlook where you can capture the entirety of Vernazza below.
Landmark 10: Vernazza Train Station
Once you have enjoyed the panoramas, our walk has ended. Hike back down to town, or, continue on the Blue Trail hike to Monterosso al Mare (roughly another 2 miles (3km), moderately difficult).
Time for some well-deserved gelato! Hope you enjoy, Laura and Randy
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