Cinque Terre is filled with 5 remarkable towns, each one having so much character and Italian charm. For those that love a vacation filled with activity and relaxation, Cinque Terre is your ideal destination. The people, the beach, the quaint and historic architecture, and the overall happy/casual vibes are just a few things that will make any newcomer fall head over heels for this place. We had a difficult time choosing which of the 5 towns we wanted to stay in during our visit, but decided on Monterosso in the end as it had access to the best beach and we ended up being very happy with our decision. We absolutely loved Monterosso and especially loved our B&B, Manuel’s Guesthouse.
WHERE TO STAY:
We chose to stay in a B&B in Monterosso called Manuel’s Guesthouse, which was one of our favorite B&Bs from all of our travels. The property is run by the owner’s brother and nephew and they are incredibly friendly and helpful. Each day, homemade breakfast was served on the terrace which has incredible views of Monterosso. Lorenzo and Vincenzo made us feel at home and made every part of our trip warm and welcoming. Also, for animal lovers, there are several cats roaming the property 🙂 The B&B is about a 5 min walk from the beach and the train, so you have easy access to the other towns. There are quite a few steps you will have to climb, but Lorenzo will be there to greet you and help out with your bags! We highly recommend staying at Manuel’s Guesthouse during your stay in Cinque Terre.
WHAT TO DO AND SEE:
a. Pesto class at Nessun Dorma in Manarola- (the views here are incredible and the staff is very friendly and informative, also may I add that the pesto is AMAZING!)
b. Hike between the towns- (when we were there some of the trails were closed due to there being reconstruction, however, if you start in Monterosso you can hike along the trails. BEWARE: some areas are quite narrow and steep! if you are not interested in hiking, you can take the local train in between towns. The train system is very quick and easy. It runs in between each town often and you can purchase your tickets right outside the train station. TIP: Be sure to validate your ticket before getting on the train)
c. Beach day in Monterosso (there is a restaurant/bar located on the beach that will allow you to order your food and drinks to go so that you can enjoy it while relaxing on the beach)
d. Visit vineyard (Buranco) in Monterosso- (this vineyard has great views and also great wine- definitely worth making a stop to try some wine and cheese during your stay)
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK:
a. Nessun Dorma – great bruschetta and small bites- (best view of Manarola, but it gets very crowded so be sure to show up early to avoid the line)
b. Ristorante Belforte in Vernazza -(fantastic view)
c. Da Eraldo in Monterreso -(specializes in pesto-order the Monterossini!)
d. Buranco Vineyard (monterroso)
e. A Pie De Ma (Riomaggiore, great view and cocktails)
Passage Seventeen. 