Welcome to Vernazza
Vernazza's small harbour – the only secure landing point on the Cinque Terre coast – guards what is perhaps the quaintest, and steepest, of the five villages. Lined with little cafes, a main cobbled street (Via Roma) links seaside Piazza Marconi with the train station. Side streets lead to the village's trademark Genoa-style caruggi (narrow lanes), where sea views pop at every turn.
Top experiences in Vernazza
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Recent articles
Travel guides
Starting at $36.39
Vernazza activities
Cinque Terre Semi-Private Day Trip from Florence
After driving through Tuscany into Liguria, stop in the first Cinque Terre village of Manarola . Enjoy panoramic views and take spectacular pictures of the land and coast. Manarola is one of the oldest villages of the Cinque Terre. Explore the narrow alleys and pretty pastel squares that epitomize the beauty of the area, and perhaps sample some renowned local wine at a cozy wine bar (own expense). After your visit to Manarola , meet your tour escort at a prearranged time for your shared boat ride to Vernazza . While on the boat, ogle the dramatic coastline from the water, framed against the hills. Your second stop is at the village of Vernazza, arguably the most beautiful of the five villages with a large open harbor, castle and church. Enjoy some free time to walk around and have a relaxing lunch (own expense) at one of the open-air restaurants that lines the waterfront, or take a stroll through the back streets for impressive views along the coast. After your visit to Vernazza, meet your tour escort to drive to Corniglia Enjoy panoramic views and take spectacular pictures of the land and coast
Pisa and Cinque Terre Full-Day Train Tour from Florence
Meet your expert guide at Santa Maria Novella train station in central Florence, then hop aboard an air-conditioned train to Pisa. Sit back and relax as you enjoy your scenic ride out of the city, arriving in Pisa approximately an hour later.On arrival, follow your guide to the Field of Dreams (Piazza dei Miracoli), a verdant expanse home to the city’s most important sights: the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Baptistery and the Duomo. With 1.5 hours here spent at your leisure, perhaps pose for photos by the Leaning Tower and, depending on availability, head inside for a guided tour (own expense). Alternatively, make for the Duomo (own expense) to marvel at its carved pulpit by Giovanni Pisano, or head inside the Baptistery (own expense) to test the unusual acoustics.Next, return to the station to board your train to La Spezia, the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre National Park. Translated as ‘five lands,’ Cinque Terre is made up of five enchanting fishing villages that line the coast of the Italian Riviera.Just under 1.5 hours later, find yourself at La Spezia train station, where you’ll catch a local train to the historical village of Riomaggiore. Wonder at the tightly packed pastel buildings as you stroll along the cobbled streets with your guide.Continue by train to Vernazza, a seaside town that surrounds a tiny, natural port. Alight your train, then enjoy free time to soak up the sun on the pretty beach, or dive into the cooling waters for a swim.Your final stop is Manarola, a tiny village that is said to have more grapevines than any other Cinque Terre village. Wander along the harbor and spend a few minutes snapping photos of the picturesque buildings that cascade toward the sea.After, make your way back to La Spezia or Pisa aboard the train for the return trip to Florence, where your tour concludes.
Cinque Terre Small-Group Minivan Tour from Pisa
Leave your Pisa hotel by air-conditioned minivan and set off on a journey down to the Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre means ‘five lands’ and the region takes its name from the five charming villages that are dotted along its rugged coast. Learn more about the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site from your tour escort as you travel. Mostly inaccessible to cars, these idyllic towns are free from traffic, making them perfect to explore on foot. After driving up the coast, hop out of your minivan and continue your journey by either boat or train, depending on the weather and sea conditions. Your tour escort will then lead you around each of the towns by foot, allowing for free time in each destinations to shop, explore or even sunbathe at your leisure. Stop first at Riomaggiore, the most southern of the five towns. Follow your guide around its charming streets, stopping to admire the pastel-colored housing built into the cliffside. From there, head to Manarola, the oldest village in the Cinque Terre, visit Vernazza, then make your way to Monterosso, where you can dig your toes into its sandy beach or even dip into the warm water for a swim. After the tasting, begin the journey back to Pisa, where you’ll be dropped back at your hotel.
Private Cinque Terre Trekking Tours
Trek begins at 8:30 a.m. from the train station in Riomaggiore. Walk through the village of Riomaggiore and learn about the amazing history Walk up above the village overlooking the harbor and see the castle and the many churches of Riomaggiore and you will have views of the closed Via dell 'Amore below.Continue climbing up the terraces, learning how the grapes were cultivated in the past and present and overlook of the Village of Manarola with views of the entire region of Cinque Terre including Groppo and Volastra (the less known villages of Cinque Terre)You will be walking through vinyards and passing idyllic homes nestled into the hillside and walk through a forested area until reaching the Sanctuario in Volastra, when you will stop for a quick lunch in Volastra. Continue onto the #6 trail to see Corniglia in the distance and an optical illusion when looking the village of Manarola. Walk through Olivegroves down into the village of Manarola. After that, there will be a short train ride to Vernazza when you will then walk around the back of the village, learning about the flood of 2011, walking through small alleyways down towards the harbor.There will be time for a stop for Gelato and take pictures. A short train ride will take you to the Beach resort town of Monterosso. Walk along the boardwalk which runs parallel to the beach. Visit beautiful churches and walk around the old town of MonterossoCatch the boat back to Riomaggiore
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.