Le Cinque Terre & Some Alternative Destinations
The Cinque Terre (Five Lands) have become, justifiably, one of Italy's top tourist destinations in recent years. However, there are times when you just can't face the crowds, and would like to head someplace a bit less crowded, perhaps with fewer souvenir and T-shirt shops. While there are not any other tiny towns exactly like the famous fishing villages, there are some other wonderful places you should consider.
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First of all, I always believed that the Cinque Terre were not accessible by car. This is not true. While they require navigating some narrow, windy roads, all five can be reached by car. This doesn't mean you can drive right up to the port, but you will be able to get close enough to walk into the towns. The other options I will give you are also all accessible by car, only via roads that are generally a bit more user friendly.... which is, maybe one of the charms of the Cinque Terre, that they are mostly, still, fairly isolated.
The official Five Lands (Cinque Terre) are Monterosso, Corniglia, Vernazza, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Some are definitely more accessible than others by car. When we are staying at Borgata Tre Molini, it is easiest for us to drive to Monterosso, leave our car there, and purchase a day train pass for the Cinque Terre, which gives us the option of traveling back and forth between the villages as we wish. When traveling from the east, we drive to Riomaggiore, and leave our car there. There are also options to travel by sea from Portovenere and other locations. I will be updating that information here in the future.
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Vernazza, the one village listed on the "Borghi Piu' Belli,"(Most Beautiful Villages of Italy), and its charming harbor. Though this is the only village listed, the others are equally, if not more charming, in their own right.
Looking west toward Riomaggiore and on to the other Cinque Terre, and beyond.
Vernazza
Looking toward the Cinque Terre
Tellaro
Wonderful Tellaro, to the east of the Cinque Terre, is another of the Borghi Piu' Belli d'Italia. With all of the charm of the Cinque Terre, but having retained its authenticity, it is one of our favorite Ligurian towns.
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Though larger than the villages of the Cinque Terre, Camogli still retains much of the charm of a waterfront fishing town. With colorful palazzi and a striking church extending into the sometimes dramatic waters of the Mediterranean Sea, Camogli will "wow" you at every turn. About 1/2 hour, by car, to the east of Genova, Camogli is well connected by train, major roads, and even excursion boats. Some of the best focaccia we have ever eaten was at a wonderful focacceria right at the harbor. There is also a good open market that winds through the streets of town on Wednesday mornings. We have found some wonderful treasures there.
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Porto Venere
Camogli
Just around the bend from the Cinque Terre, Portovenere is another wonderful fishing town on the Mediterranean. With colorful buildings going right up to the water, a lovely harbor, and dramatic views, this town is well worth a visit.
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Porto Venere
Porto Venere
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Camogli
Porto venere
Tellaro
San Terenzo, Golfo dei Poeti
Portofino
I think of Portofino as the classic Italian Riviera town that would have been the destination of holiday makers 100+ years ago, up until the time the Cinque Terre became all the rage. In my mind, Portofino, though definitely touristy, has retained more "class" than those 5 fishing villages to the east.
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One of my favorite movies, adapted from Elizabeth Von Arnim's The Enchanted April, was filmed at
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This charming castle/villa sits on a seacliff above the harbor. It is easily reachable on foot by a series of stairs and footpaths from the town. Not only was the movie filmed there, but Elizabeth Von Arnim stayed there and based San Salvatore, in her 1922 novel on the castle. Especially for officionados of the classic movie, it is a must visit!
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Cervo
Cervo
Lovely Cervo will always be at the top of our list for beautiful seaside villages, whether you are seeking an alternative to the Cinque Terre, or not. Situated on the Mediterranean Sea just five minutes (by car) from our old mills at Borgata Tre Molini, we consider Cervo one of the greatest treasures of our location.
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Cervo is listed with the Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia (the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy), and in our opinion, it is one of the best. This charming hilltown above the sea includes a lovely mannerist church, winding little streets stacked on top of each other, a small castle, and a tiny port.
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In the province of Imperia, Cervo is less than an hour from the French border to the west, and an hour from Genova, to the east. Driving on the autostrada that runs along the coast between Genova and France, you take the San Bartolomeo al Mare exit and head straight down to the sea.
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Cervo