Italy in summer is stunning and exciting, but it also poses real challenges like extreme temperatures and throngs of tourists. One of the most popular Italian destinations for tourists is the Cinque Terre, literally translated as “five lands”. People from all over the world flock to this dreamy string of five pastel-colored fishing villages nestled high on the cliffs above the Italian Riviera coast.
The glistening Mediterranean panoramas are an enticing draw, but is it still enjoyable when walking shoulder to shoulder with other tourists in Italy’s intense heat? While a trip to Italy in summer is not ideal, it’s better than not visiting at all. So if July or August is when your schedule allows you to venture to this alluring part of the world – grab your luggage and go for it. But first, read these 10 tips to help you handle the Cinque Terre crowds and heat with ease. (For recommendations on what to wear on your Italy trip, check out this article: How to Pack for Italy Family Vacation: A Summer Clothing Guide.
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1. Make use of the gorgeous Cinque Terre mornings.
The charm of the Cinque Terre really shines through in the quiet and calm morning hours. Get up early and relish a peaceful walk through the narrow cobblestone streets. Greet the local shopkeeper sweeping his step before the store opens. Smile at the older woman pedaling her bike toting fresh flowers in the morning light. Explore. Wander. Go for a serene morning swim. If you plan to hike to another town, get an early start to avoid massive crowds and intense heat later in the day. We were glad we did. One morning we began a hike at 6:30 a.m. The trail was secluded, the views were stunning, and we made it to the next town in time to enjoy a peaceful pastry breakfast at an outdoor cafe.
Making use of the mornings before others wake up and day-trippers arrive is crucial to experiencing all the quaintness the Cinque Terre, Italy offers in the summer.
2. Enjoy the cooler, less-crowded evenings.
As the sun starts to set, relax at an outdoor establishment and enjoy an appetizing and authentic Italian meal. Linger at dinner (it’ll be easy… Italian waiters don’t rush you or bring you your bill until you ask for it.) Then, with the day-trippers gone and the temperature starting to dip, take a stroll overlooking the water. Grab gelato for dessert or enjoy an after-dinner drink. (Try the region’s Limoncello or wine from the local vineyards.) Hit the beach in Monterosso for a nighttime swim. You’ll likely have the water to yourself—a highlight my husband and kids still talk about. Soak up all the uncrowded coastal beauty and unmatched seaside views. You’ll never want to leave.
3. Stay in one of the Cinque Terre towns.
You can’t fully accomplish points 1 and 2 above if you don’t stay within the Cinque Terre itself. Some people opt to lodge in nearby areas outside of the five Cinque Terre towns and just take the train in to visit for the day. We can’t discourage that enough. The Cinque Terre is incredibly captivating and enchanting. The magic can’t fully be experienced without overnighting there.
4. Research carefully to find the town that best suits your needs.
While each of the five Cinque Terre towns have dramatic postcard views and colorful, cliffside buildings overlooking the sea, they do have their differences. Decide what is most important to you regarding your stay and then choose lodging in the village that meets your needs. Is a sandy beach your preferred way to stay cool? Do you want the fewest crowds? Do you enjoy lively nightlife or a quiet escape?
Here’s a quick overview of the five villages listed from south to north to help you plan your perfect stay:
Riomaggiore – Lively town, active nightlife, has a small rocky waterfront
Manarola – Smaller, more relaxed, small waterfront known for rock jumping
Corniglia – Smallest, least crowded because of its “off the beaten path” location, perched high above the sea, more than 350 steps from train station up to the town make it somewhat inconvenient
Vernazza – Thought to be the most photographed, very crowded, small beach at the harbor, costlier, limited accommodations that fill up quickly
Monterosso al Mare – Largest, most dining and lodging options for various budgets, one of the most popular, least hilly, charming “old town” along with newer area, the Cinque Terre’s best beach—wide and sandy
For us, Monterosso fit our needs perfectly. High on our list was convenient access to the large Cinque Terre beach. (We were traveling to Italy with our three teenagers.) Our apartment rental looked out directly over the beach. We enjoyed the plethora of dining, drink, and gelato options, as well as the charm of the “old town.”
Everyone has their own preference, though, so it’s important to find the town that’s right for you. See below for lodging options in each of the 5 towns.
(Thinking of heading to Venice during your Italy vacation? Read this first: Is Venice Worth Visiting? Trip it or Skip it?)
5. Book your Cinque Terre accommodation early.
You’ll benefit from planning ahead when taking a trip to Italy in summer. Cinque Terre accommodations fill up fast. By starting your search early (we booked our stay almost a year in advance) you will have a better selection of hotels, villas, B&Bs, or rentals that has the amenities you want at your preferred budget. When researching lodging, don’t assume every place has air conditioning, some don’t. Review the properties on a map to see how far they are from the city center, the waterfront, train station, and hiking trails. Also, check the cancellation policy of the Cinque Terre accommodation you’re interested in. Most are fully refundable for a period of time, so you can go ahead and book one early and still take time to check out other options.
View lodging options here:
6. Reserve dinners in advance.
We find this to be helpful, especially for the day we arrive. On our most recent trip to the Cinque Terre, we arrived in the afternoon, got settled into our place, and walked to dinner stress-free knowing we didn’t have to quickly rush out to find a place that had availability. It’s not necessary to reserve all the dinners of your stay before you arrive, but because of the popularity of the Cinque Terre, it’s a good idea to reserve the first night. From then on you can put your name in the day before or in the morning of your stay. This is especially true if you want to dine at a specific restaurant. You can always cancel if your plans change – just be respectful and let the establishment know ahead of time.
7. Beat Italy’s summer heat at one of the Cinque Terre beaches.
Is there any better way to beat the heat than going for a swim—and in the stunning blue Mediterranean of all places? That’s what dreams are made of! Whether hiking from town to town or just enjoying the scenery on a hot day, you’ll want to take a break in one of the Cinque Terre beaches at some point. By far, the largest and nicest Cinque Terre beach is Fegina Beach in Monterosso. Right outside the train station you’ll find a long stretch of sand with a public beach and an area with umbrellas for rent. This beach gets very crowded in the summer, and while you might not get an umbrella or even a space on the sand to spread out, you can always find a tiny spot to set your towel down and go for a swim. There’s also a smaller beach in “old town” Monterosso.
In Vernazza, you can cool off at a small sandy beach near the harbor as well as a rocky beach on the east side of the village behind the cliff. You wouldn’t think Corniglia would have water access as it’s perched so high on the cliff, but if you’re willing to work for it, you can maneuver the steep hike down to a rocky cove at the marina. Riomaggiore has a swimming spot around the corner from its harbor, but that too is extremely rocky.
For a fun and unique swimming experience, jump from the large rocks into the deep water in Manarola. This is a popular place to cool off. If rock jumping isn’t your thing, there is also a ladder you can take into the water. This is one swimming spot too spectacular to miss!
8. Eat gelato. Lots and lots of gelato.
One tasty way to beat the heat of Italy in summer (or any time really) is to grab a scoop of smooth and creamy gelato. Churned at a slower rate than ice cream, gelato has less air and a fuller flavor, making this popular symbol of Italy a refreshing and flavorful treat. Plus, it’s generally lower in fat and calories than ice cream. So, go ahead and indulge. Then, do it all again the next day!
9. Wear proper shoes and hydrate when hiking.
Hiking the Blue Trail (also called the Azure Trail) between towns is breathtakingly beautiful, but it also takes your breath away because of the sheer incline. The Italian summer heat and vertical landscape of the Cinque Terre make the hikes in this region especially challenging. Many sections are incredibly steep with a lot of stairs. Every direction we turned seemed like it was uphill!
I admit I was not as prepared as I should have been. Hiking in the extreme heat made me mildly dehydrated and my feet and ankles swelled… a lot! My hiking shoes were maybe a bit too snug to begin with—and while not too noticeable in normal weather and activity—hiking in the Cinque Terre heat made them barely fit my feet. It took days for my ankles and feet to return to their normal size. I had to wear different shoes for the remainder of our vacation – and if you pack light for international travel like I do, you know you don’t bring along a lot of shoes. So it was a real struggle.
10. Adopt a positive mindset.
Advising you to have the right mindset isn’t some minor sentiment or suggestion, it legitimately can affect your whole time traveling in Italy in summer. Keep in mind this destination will not be a secluded Italian escape.
Expect crowds. Know the heat will be intense. But also remember the immense beauty in the Cinque Terre trumps the high temperatures and mass of tourists. You’re in Italy—be in awe! Soak it all in! Relish your time in the Italian seaside towns. After you return home, your memories of the heat and crowds will fade but the sensational seaside beauty will remain in your thoughts beckoning you back time and time again.
So, Is Cinque Terre worth visiting in the summer?
Absolutely! If that’s when your schedule allows you to visit, it’s 100% worth it. Use these tips to beat the heat and manage the crowds while creating an unforgettable Cinque Terre experience. And if you’re heading to Rome during your Italy travels – be sure to check out our 2-day Rome itinerary!
Have you been to the Cinque Terre, Italy in summer? Any suggestions to add to our list? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!
I had a great tour (Italian) in June of last year. Included La Spezia and Tuscany as a base, good shoes, sunscreen is primo. The food was great and authentic.
Glad you had a great time, Dixie. And yes, sunscreen is super important!