- Follow in the footsteps of the Romantic poets, from Byron to Shelley, on the Golfo dei Poeti
- Walk along a network of trails above colourful Cinque Terre towns
- Explore historic castles and churches with sea views
There are so many activities right on your doorstep in the Cinque Terre area, from walking and water sports to golf. Five fishing villages make up the iconic Cinque Terre, while the area surrounding it offers more of the same beauty and allure; from walking through the Cinque Terre national park to jumping aboard a local train and visiting another picturesque village. You could spend every day of your summer holiday enjoying a different activity, but if you want to take it a bit easier and soak up some culture, there are ancient churches and buildings dotted all over the place!
Picture perfect Cinque Terre towns
You'll be pleased to hear that those classic postcard images of brightly coloured buildings lining mountainous coasts aren't photo-shopped. The Cinque Terre is in fact as stunning as it looks in the pictures. There are endless towns made up of clusters of multi-coloured buildings that stand out beautifully against the bright blue sea. Head to the Golfo dei Poeti in Portovenere, named after significant literary figures such as Lord Byron, who used to visit the area, it's a stunning strip of land which sits between the sea and the mountains.
Stunning walking trails
The Cinque Terre area is famous for its challenging walking routes- although there are still plenty of less taxing paths to tread- most with unbelievable Mediterranean sea views. Head into the Cinque Terre National Park where you'll be spoilt for choice with around 48 walking trails of varying difficulty. One of the longer routes, which is well worth the effort, stretches from Riomaggiore to Portovenere. You’ll head through pine forests, past the 15th century Sanctuary of Montenero and along a spectacular cliff-side path with views of the entire coastline. The walk ends in the village of Portovenere- ideal for a celebratory glass of wine in the harbour.
Fantastic train network
The Ligurian train network makes exploring this part of Italy a doddle. Most of our hotels are within walking distance of a local station, making it easy for you to hop on a train and explore a different town or village each day. A 19th century railway line cuts through the hillside, linking one Cinque Terre village to another. From Levanto, both the Cinque Terre and it's national park are just a short train journey away (we’re talking mere minutes!), and from Lerici, a 30-minute local bus will get you to the city of La Spezia, where you’ll find lively bars with plentiful plates of focaccia, pesto pasta and seafood.
Delicious local food & drink
The seafood on offer in the Cinque Terre area is second to none; you’ll find the juiciest mussels and the fattest anchovies, as well as the typically Ligurian stockfish, traditionally served with chard, onion, garlic and parsley. Liguria’s biggest claim to fame, however, might be pesto Genovese. That’s right- this is the land of pesto. Traditionally, it’s served with trofie- a short, twisted pasta, local to the region- and goes perfectly with a glass of crisp Vermentino wine- our favourite way to enjoy an evening on your summer holiday.
Why book a summer holiday in the Cinque Terre area with Inghams?
At Inghams, we do walking holidays differently. With no fixed itinerary, you have more time in your destination and the freedom to walk as much or as little as you like, discovering some of the Cinque Terre area's best walking routes and activities at your own pace.
With over 85 years of outdoor travel experience, our holiday packages to the Cinque Terre area include flights, transfers, and accommodation, so you can relax and leave the small details to us. Our experts can help you choose the best holiday for you, and our team in resort can give you the inside scoop on how to spend your time away with us.
