Visiting the Cinque Terre in one day by train? Very possible. First of all you need to get to the station of La Spezia or Levanto, because the Cinque Terre trains use to leave only from one of those two stations. Calculate the travel times to get there from where you come from (Milan, Genoa, Pisa, Florence etc.):
Travel time to Riomaggiore
Travel time to Manarola
Travel time to Corniglia
Travel time to Vernazza
Travel time to Monterosso

Here are the suggestions:

- Start the visit from Riomaggiore, the first of the Cinque Terre coming from La Spezia (just under 10 minutes by train). As soon as you arrive at the station, take the tunnel that will take you to the village center and then turn right to the sea, admiring the marina, the colorful houses and go to the beach of big stones at the bottom left. Then go back to get lost a bit among the alleys going up to the top.
Not to be missed:
- Marina
- Walk to the beach
- Main street (Via Colombo)
- Church of San Giovanni Battista
Estimated time: 1 hour.

- Take the train back to Manarola, the famous Via dell'Amore is still closed (year 2024). Here too, as soon as you get off the train, take the tunnel that takes you to the center of the village, go up to the square of the church of San Lorenzo where you can admire a woderful view and then go down to the marina, going up towards the cemetery to take the typical picture of Manarola, a must. Manarola is smaller than Riomaggiore.
Not to be missed:
- Marina di Manarola
- Panoramic view from under the cemetery
- Main street (Via Discovolo)
- Church of San Lorenzo
Estimated time: 50 minutes.

- Return to the station and take the train to Corniglia, the central land. Here it is worth working a little and going up to Corniglia along the Lardarina and its 382 steps (alternative take a shuttle bus). Corniglia is a small jewel, perhaps the least known of the Cinque Terre. Visit the church of San Lorenzo, then walk along the main alley up to Largo Taragio and continue to the panoramic terrace of Santa Maria.
Not to be missed:
- The Lardarina
- Church of San Lorenzo
- Main Caruggio (Via Fieschi)
- View of Manarola
Estimated time: 40 minutes.

- Time to take the train to Vernazza, always by shuttle or by the stairs. The station is directly in the village, begin to descend towards the sea admiring Vernazza, up to the church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia. In Vernazza you have to get lost a bit in the alleys and climb up to the Doria castle. Some say Vernazza is the most beautiful of the Cinque Terre...
Not to be missed:
- Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia
- Main street (Via Roma then Via Visconti)
- Doria castle
Estimated time: 1 hour and 30 minutes.

- And finally we take the train to Monterosso, with the station in the Fegina area. It is the largest and most touristic village. Here let's take it easy: nice walk along the promenade to the historic center, down to the beach, visit the church of San Giovanni Battista, the beautiful old town with restaurants and shops, maybe even go up the Capuchin hill to enjoy the tranquility of the convent.
Not to be missed:
- Fegina beach and promenade
- Old Town
- Church of San Giovanni Battista
Estimated time: 2 hours.

In summary, in 6 hours you can visit the Cinque Terre, count the return journey by train to your destination and the waiting times for the train (travel times between the villages are just a few minutes).

The Cinque Terre in a day on foot

The Cinque Terre in in two days on foot

The Cinque Terre in two days (two days, one night)

The Cinque Terre in a weekend (three days, two nights)