# A day in the Cinque Terre: the Sentiero Azzurro to Vernazza, lunch at the harbour, a boat and an aperitivo in Manarola Early train to Monterosso, two hours of coastal path to Vernazza, anchovies in the harbour square, a boat to Manarola and an aperitivo facing the village. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/liguria/cinque-terre/itineraries/cinque-terre-blue-path-day-vernazza-manarola · Revisado: 2026-11-12 ## El día - 07:45 · Salida: 30 min by train (Regional from La Spezia Centrale to Monterosso with the Cinque Terre Treno Card) - 08:15 · Sentiero Azzurro from Monterosso to Corniglia via Vernazza (Monterosso – Vernazza stretch, about 2 h with steps; the Card includes access) - 5 min on foot - 12:30 · Trattoria Gianni Franzi (Anchovies and tegame alla vernazzana on Piazza Marconi · closed on Wednesdays) · Trattoria Gianni Franzi, €€ - 3 min on foot - 14:30 · Line 02 Boat Between Portovenere and Monterosso (From the Vernazza quay towards Manarola · ticket at the quay ticket office) · Consorzio Marittimo Turistico Cinque Terre – Golfo dei Poeti - 30 min by boat - 17:00 · Nessun Dorma (Aperitivo at Punta Bonfiglio · take a turn in their app) · Nessun Dorma, €€ - 19:15 · Vuelta: 15 min by train (Regional from Manarola to La Spezia Centrale) This is the classic Cinque Terre day, done without a car and in the order that avoids the worst hours: the path first thing, before the groups arrive; lunch in Vernazza; the boat to see the villages from the sea; and the aperitivo in Manarola in the afternoon light. We set it out from La Spezia, the city that closes the line in the south and where there is more accommodation, but it works just the same if you sleep in Monterosso or Vernazza. ## Getting there from Spain By plane and train. There is a direct flight from Madrid to Pisa and from Barcelona to Genoa. From Pisa airport, the PisaMover drops you at Pisa Centrale, and from there the train leaves for La Spezia. From Genoa, the Volabus goes to the Principe or Brignole stations, with regional trains towards Levanto and Monterosso. It is a half-day journey: arrive the day before and sleep near the line. ## The day, hour by hour 7:45 · Train to Monterosso. Buy the day's Cinque Terre Treno Card at the station: it includes the trains, the Sentiero Azzurro and the minibuses. The regional takes about 25 minutes to Monterosso, the last of the five villages from the north. 8:15 · Sentiero Azzurro to Vernazza. It leaves from the edge of Monterosso's old town and climbs among olive trees, vines and stone walls. There are many steps, but the path is well marked. Allow about two hours with stops. The arrival, with Vernazza appearing at your feet, is the best moment of the day. Before setting out, check the park's website for a weather alert: with one, the paths close. 12:30 · Lunch at Trattoria Gianni Franzi. Go down to Piazza Marconi, next to the harbour. The trattoria has been there since the sixties: order the anchovies, stuffed, salted or with lemon, and the tegame alla vernazzana. From spring to mid-autumn there are tables outside, in the square. Closed on Wednesdays. 14:30 · Boat towards Manarola. The line 02 boat leaves from the neighbouring jetty. Buy the trip at the ticket office and sit looking towards land: you will see Corniglia high on the cliff and arrive at Manarola from the sea. It does not sail in a rough sea; then take the train, which takes a few minutes. 17:00 · Aperitivo at Nessun Dorma. Climb to Punta Bonfiglio, the headland opposite the village, and get your turn on the Nessun Dorma app: bruschette, platters and a white from the coast, facing the coloured houses. No bookings and in season there is a wait. From May to October it is open from Thursday to Sunday in the afternoon. 19:15 · Return. Ten minutes on foot to Manarola station and a quarter of an hour by train to La Spezia. ## With children The Sentiero Azzurro is long for small children: swap it for the Via dell'Amore, from Riomaggiore to Manarola, a flat half hour with a reserved slot. They love the boat. Bring a baby carrier: the villages are all stairs. ## Cómo llegar ### Without a car It is the way for this plan: regional train with the Cinque Terre Treno Card, the line 02 boat and on foot. ### By plane Fly to Pisa or Genoa, and take a train to La Spezia or Levanto. Arrive the day before. ### By car Do not use it on the coast. If you come by car, leave it in La Spezia or Levanto and continue by train. ## Consejos ### Leave before 8:30 The path fills up by mid-morning. ### Bring water and a hat The stretch has little shade. ### Check the park's bulletin With a weather alert the paths close. ## Un consejo más ### If it rains Do the route by train, village by village, and have lunch in Vernazza all the same. ## Cuándo no ir Wednesday, if you want to eat at Trattoria Gianni Franzi: it is its closing day. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How long does it take from Monterosso to Vernazza? About two hours on foot, with steps. ### Do you need the Cinque Terre Card? Yes, for the Sentiero Azzurro. The Treno Card also includes the train. ### Does the boat run all year? No, it is seasonal, from spring to autumn, and does not sail in a rough sea. ### Can it be done from Spain in a day? No. Arrive the day before by plane and train, and sleep in La Spezia or in a village on the coast.