Welcome to Corniglia
Corniglia is the 'quiet' middle village that sits atop a 100m-high rocky promontory surrounded by vineyards. It is the only Cinque Terre settlement with no direct sea access, although steep steps lead down to a rocky cove. Narrow alleys and colourfully painted four-storey houses characterise the ancient core, a timeless streetscape that was namechecked in Boccaccio's Decameron. To reach the village proper from the railway station you must first tackle the Lardarina, a 377-step brick stairway, or jump on a shuttle bus (one-way €2.50, free with the Cinque Terre card).
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Corniglia activities
Florence to Cinque Terre Hiking Day Trip with Boat Ride
Led by your knowledgeable guide you will trek scenic trails and wander through vineyards and olive groves, over stone walls and along a spectacular coastline. This tour includes coach transportation, rail and boat travel between villages and entry in to Cinque Terre National Park. The Cinque Terre takes its name from the five picturesque fishing villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. Each town has a distinct character, but all share alleys, arches and steep stone steps, best explored on foot. An idyllic snapshot of old-world Italy, the villages are surrounded by sunny beaches, narrow lanes lined with shops and stalls, brightly colored fishing boats, seaside promenades and sleepy piazzas. The ancient trails are rough but manageable. Be prepared for the hiking – although the path is open to everyone, remember that the ground can be slippery, uneven, and in places steep and narrow. The charm of the area is that it is natural and unspoilt, so do not expect hand rails or safety rails when steps are steep or when the path is close to the edge.
Private Tour: Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence
After a pickup from your Florence hotel, relax on the journey north with your guide. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Cinque Terre is just two hours away from the city, yet it feels like another world. Learn about the region from your driver-guide on the journey, and watch the landscape change from your window. Your first stop is in Riomaggiore, a colorful village that sits at the southernmost point of the Cinque Terre. Walk around the marina, explore the streets, and visit the local shops. Continue to Manarola, among the smallest of the villages, and then transfer by boat or train to Vernazza (own expense). Stop here for lunch with a view, and possibly a glass of the local wine, too. All food and drinks are at your own expense. After lunch, meet back up with your tour leader and travel along the stunning coast road to Corniglia, which many visitors say is the most authentic of the Cinque Terre villages. Enjoy free time to explore, then return to your transport for the journey back to Florence. Your day finishes with a hotel drop-off.
Cinque Terre Full-Day Sailing Tour from La Spezia
Make your way to La Spezia port in the late morning. Meet your expert skipper and step aboard a sailboat for your 7-hour Cinque Terre sailing adventure.Drift away from the port along the Gulf of La Spezia, also called the Gulf of Poets for all the famous poets who came to northern Italy’s Liguria region, such as Lord Byron. Pass the villages of Portovenere and Lerici and the islands of Palmaria and Tino.Then veer west along the famous coastline of Cinque Terre, the ‘Five Lands' — a rugged portion of the Italian Riviera comprised of five postcard–worthy villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Admire the craggy coast and terraced hillsides dotted with colorful villages, all part of Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Cinque Terre towns are mostly inaccessible by car, but you’ll get a breathtaking panorama of all the highlights from the best vantage point: the water. In front of Vernazza or a similar scenic spot, pause to enjoy a light lunch spread of local specialties, such as focaccia bread with anchovies and olives, paired with Italian wine (See Itinerary for sample menu ). Continue sailing along the Cinque Terre coast, stopping again to take a dip and swim in a protected marine area. Sit back and relax on your way back to La Spezia, or take the reins and learn how to sail with the help of your skipper. Your day trip concludes when you arrive back at La Spezia port in the early evening.
Cinque Terre Kayaking Trip from Monterosso
Pack your own lunch snacks (own expense) and travel independently to the start point in Monterosso for your 5-hour kayaking tour.On arrival, get a safety briefing from an experienced kayak guide, put on your provided lifejacket, and run through instructions for paddling your craft.Once you’re ready, hop into your single or double kayak and set off with your guide on the crystal waters. While the route can sometimes be challenging, the trip is aimed at all levels of experience, whether you’re a first-time or seasoned kayaker.Admire the views from the sea and paddle into the Cinque Terre Protected Marine Area as you work your way around the spectacular cliffs.As you paddle along at a leisurely pace, soak up the awe-inspiring scenery, and watch for dolphins and seabirds — cormorants and gannets are frequent visitors to this stretch of coast.Round the cliffs, and drink in the gorgeous views of the terraced hills and coastal village of Vernazza. Then, continue to Guvano beach, an idyllic bay clasped between two headlands.Pull up on the pebbles and enjoy some well-deserved down time. Refuel with any snacks or drinks you’ve brought with you, top up your tan or take a dip in the turquoise seas.Afterward, return to your kayak and paddle on to another Cinque Terre gem, the pastel-colored port town of Corniglia. Then, if you and the rest of your group wish, head further south to the villages of Manarola and Riomaggiore before circling back to Monterosso.Otherwise, take a look around the immediate area in your kayak or enjoy more time ashore before making your way back to Monterosso, where your tour ends.Sunset Option (2.5 hours):On board of your kayak, depart from Monterosso and enjoy the sunset, when the sea is less crowded and everything is quieter. Paddle towards Vernazza to discover its cliffs and caves, swim in the crystalline water, and stop at a waterfall spring.Then experience a real aperitivo in a quiet cove accessible only by sea with local organic wine and focaccia from Liguria. Your tour will conclude at your original departure point.
Best of Cinque Terre Day Trip with Typical Lunch
On this tour you will walk through the villages of the Cinque Terre in one day, admiring and exploring these picturesque small towns.The Cinque Terre is a beautiful stretch of rugged coast and the only unspoilt part left of the lovely Italian Riviera. It takes its name from the five picturesque fishing villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. Cinque Terre have been inaccessible from the land for centuries, isolated by steep mountains and valleys on one side and by the sea itself on the other. Thanks to its isolation, the unspoilt charm of the Cinque Terre is a protected World Heritage Site and a National Park. Led by our knowledgeable guide, you will discover the spectacular coastline.We first visit the Cinque Terre village of Manarola and continue with a lovely boat journey (weather permitting) to Monterosso, which is renowned for its beautiful beach and small craftsmen’s shops. We reach then, with a short train ride, Vernazza one of the prettiest of all, where we will have free time to sit in one of the cheerful bars and cafés.By train we arrive to Riomaggiore where you will have some free time for a refreshing swim in the Mediterranean or shopping into some of the picturesque shops. Here a delicious local lunch is served in a typical restaurant with a perfect view of the sea and the hills declining down to the rocky coves. From Riomaggiore a train ride takes us back to La Spezia concluding our Cinque Terre visit, before returning to Florence by coach.Please note that the order of the visits may change.
Full-Day Shore Excursion: Cinque Terre and Pisa from Livorno Port
After the meeting at the ship, you will drive to Riomaggiore, the first of the Cinque Terre. The Cinque Terre is in the Italian region of Liguria, just west of the city of La Spezia. It is comprised of the Cinque Terre, "The Five Lands" or five villages: Monterosso a Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. There are 2 ways to discover Cinque Terre: Option 1: Local ferry from Portovenere or Riomaggiore. If the sea is rough you will travel between the villages by train. Weather permitting (April-October) from the boat, there is without doubt the best view of the villages Stop in Portovenere or Riomaggiore; Take the Ferry; Stop in Riomaggiore; You will reach Manarola passing "la Via dell'Amore"; (right now, it's closed due to a landslide 2 years ago); Stop in Vernazza and Monterosso. At the villages you can enjoy wine tastings of the famous dessert wine “Sciacchetrà,” a typical DOC wine, from the Cinque Terre area. The driver will be waiting in Monterosso Option 2: Drive by van from Riomaggiore to Vernazza (this is a recommended panoramic drive). Stop in Riomaggiore (sightseeing of Riomaggiore); Stop in Vernazza (1 hour of sightseeing); Stop in Corniglia (here you can enjoy lunch at a typical Trattoria or tasting of the famous Sciacchetrà and then you will have free time for 40 minutes); Stop in Manarola (sightseeing of Manarola) Stop in Vernazza; Stop in Monterosso ; On the way back to Livorno you will stop in Pisa in front of the Leaning Tower, the Duomo and the Baptistery before being dropped off at your port at approximately 5:30pm.