The best time to visit are June and September. Try to avoid busy July and August.
Riomaggiore
The best thing you can do in this little town and related to the whole Cinque Terre region, maybe even the whole country is – eat! Start the morning with coffee and a (couple of) croissants overlooking the town from Fuori Rotta bar (which is also a wine bar and you should come back for sunset!)
If you’re up for pizza during lunch don’t think twice and head to K&Pris pizzeria! Order take away and head to the top and have your pizza in the shade of the Castello di Riomaggiore with an amazing view…
Alternatively enjoy cold cuts&cheese platter at Pie de Ma bar overlooking the sea, this is also a great place to try out local wines!
If you’re into a good spritz, and when in Italy, you have to try the Limoncello spritz !), take one at Bar Zorza.
And then it’s dinner time, and I know you’re not at all hungry and probably too tipsy to eat another meal but, Dau Cila restaurant is not to be missed! Try to come here for dinner rather than lunch as the service will be more relaxed and the atmosphere more intimate once most of the tourist have left the town…
Manarola
Nessun Dorma restaurant is the most famous restaurant not only in Manarola but in whole Cinque Terre. Before I went to visit I though it’s only because it offers the best view on Manarola, but as soon as I had my first bite of their bruschetta it was clear to me the view is just a bonus!
Manarola is also a place to get one of the two best gelatos in Cinque Terre – conviniently called Gelateria Cinque Terre.
If you’re staying for dinner head to Trattoria dal Billy and make sure you’re hungry because the portions are very generous!
Corniglia
Corniglia, Cinque Terre’s middle town is the one most neglected by tourists. You’ll need to climb 382 steps in order to reach it (although there’s a local bus for the lazy ones) & once you do you’ll have to climb down twice as many to reach the beach.
Corniglia is a perfect sanctuary for those wanting to escape the crowds, especially during morning visit when you’ll be able to almost have the town for yourself. If you’re looking for breakfast and coffee head to KMO’s terrase garden and if you stay long enough for another meal then A Cantina da Mananan is a place to go.
Vernazza
Vernazza, in my modest opinion, is the prettiest of five villages in Cinque Terre. Therefore, it is the one most visited by tourists, especially during high season and that’s why I would not recommend having your base here.
In case you do stay in Vernazza, start a day with coffee and Italian croissants at Ananasso bar, make sure to come in a swimsuit so you can enjoy the beach, that is just in front of you, while the place is still calm and tourist free.
For lunch there is only one place to go and that‘s Batti Batti Focaceria, here, you‘ll have to try their pesto margarita pizza (and yes, you can thank me later!). No meal should go without a gelato in Italy and the best one you‘ll find in Gelateria Vernazza (try their Cinque Terre & Vernazza flavours!)
You can spend (some of) those calories with a hike to your next drinking spot – Bar La Torre, serving the best view on the town!
End the day with a lobster dinner at Ristorante Belforte.
Monterosso al Mare
Last stop in my Cinque Terre story is Monterosso al Mare.
Here you will find the biggest and most accessible beaches in the region, it will cost money if you want to spend the day using one of the colorful sunbeds but it’s absolutely worth it!
If you stay long enough for dinner head to L’Ancora della Tortuga restaurant offering the best food & the best view! If they are all booked, you’ll be served equaly good food at Ristorante Miky.