CINQUE TERRE, Italy — After two days in the Cinque Terre National Park, a part of Italian Riviera in the northern part of Italy, the village of Levanto, with a population of some 6,000 people, feels like a big city.
The Cinque Terre, or Five Lands, is a territory with five villages that have no public transport besides local trains, and the air there is filled not with the din of modernity, but with the sounds of crashing waves and seagull cries.
The five villages, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso, which are located three hours by train south of Milan, have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1997.
Not only are these villages quiet, but they are beautiful, too, with their houses built on the cliffs and painted in rainbow shades. Millions of tourists flock here every year — to relax, and to enjoy fresh seafood, including shrimp, squid, fish and more.
The villages are connected by train lines, and it takes five minutes or less to get from one village to another. Travelers can also reach the villages by sea, using the ferries that shuttle between them from April to November — the peak tourism season in this area. Some villages are also connected by hiking trails.
Apart from tourism, the local economy depends on fishing, growing grapes and olives, and the production of wine and various alcoholic drinks.
Each village is different. Riomaggiore with its 1,500 citizens, is located at the south of the park and is famous for Riomaggiore Castle, built in the 13th century, and the Shrine of Madonna di Montenero, a Catholic church and monastery. The local delicacy is deep-fried seafood with lemon, or fritto miste, which is especially nice to enjoy while sitting next to the sea.
Manarola is the oldest of the five villages. There one can view the ruins of an old fortress, and see typical traditional Italian houses, crowded along narrow roads. Tourists can also sample the locally caught anchovies in village restaurants.
Corniglia is the smallest village, with only 250 citizens, and at 80 meters above the sea it is also the highest. Climbing its hills, visitors can enjoy views of other four villages. This village boasts the beautiful gothic Saint Pietro Church, built in Baroque style in the 14th century.
Vernazza is also a picturesque village, with colorful buildings near the shore, and ancient villas. Sightseeing in Vernazza includes mainly religious buildings — churches and cathedrals.
Monterosso is the biggest village with most entertainment and some 1,500 citizens. Although all of the Cinque Terre’s villages are built on the coast of the Ligurian Sea, Monterosso is the only one offering beach activities: it has a large, sandy beach, with striped umbrellas and colorful sunbeds.
However, it is not the beach activities that draw tourists to the Cinque Terre, but the stunning views and amazing local architecture, with colorful houses crammed together, perched on the cliffs, looking like something from a fantasy movie set.
And those that visit will yearn to return again — not just for the views, but for another taste of a traditional Italian lifestyle from a quieter, bygone age, as well as the delicious local cuisine.
How to get there: Take a train from Rome or Milan for around 30 euros. It takes up to five hours to get to Cinque Terre.
Where to stay: Rent an apartment on Airbnb in one of the seaside houses for approximately 75 euros per night.
Where to eat: Ristorante Belvedere in Monterosso. Try the Amphora Belvedere – a mix of lobsters, mussels, clams, octopus, swordfish, stewed with spices and herbs in an earthenware pot (25 euros).
