Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s most famous coastal landscapes. The colorful villages perched on cliffs, terraced hillsides, and turquoise water make it a dream destination for many travelers. While cruise ships do not dock here directly, a Cinque Terre tour is a popular excursion for ships calling in La Spezia.
On our Mediterranean cruise, we booked a private excursion that paired Portofino with Cinque Terre, giving us flexibility to see two villages and possibly a vineyard. As it turned out, someone in our group became ill, so we adjusted mid-day and spent our time focusing just on Monterosso al Mare. Thanks to the private setup, we could make that change without stress.
Even with the shortened itinerary, Monterosso delivered a great balance of scenery, history, local food, and relaxed exploration. It was a reminder that in Cinque Terre, you do not have to see everything to enjoy the experience.
In this post, I’ll share how our visit to Monterosso unfolded, what made it work as a cruise excursion, and tips for making Cinque Terre manageable from La Spezia.
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Our Cinque Terre Tour Private Excursion Setup
We booked our day through Shore Excursions Group, which offered a private tour combining Portofino and Cinque Terre. The format worked well for us because it included a driver and guide for the long transfers, but also gave us a local expert once we reached Cinque Terre.
In the morning, our driver took us along the coast for our time in Portofino. Afterward, he brought us to Monterosso al Mare, one of the Cinque Terre villages, where we met Ilaria, our local guide. She greeted us with contagious enthusiasm and quickly began pointing out the history and character of the area.
The original plan was to explore two villages and possibly a vineyard, with Ilaria guiding us by train between towns before reconnecting with our driver in another village for the ride back to La Spezia. When one of our group members became ill, we had to shorten the day. Because this was a private tour, we could adjust the plan easily. Some of us relaxed in the plaza and park area while others continued exploring Monterosso with Ilaria.
That flexibility turned out to be one of the biggest benefits of booking a private excursion. Even with a reduced schedule, we felt like we had a meaningful taste of Cinque Terre without the stress of rushing.
Lunch in Monterosso: A Taste of Liguria
Our first stop in Monterosso was a small local restaurant that our guide Ilaria had arranged. She was eager for us to try dishes that reflect the region’s traditions, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the day.
We were seated outdoors at a table right along the sidewalk, near a small plaza with a few shops. It gave us the perfect vantage point for people-watching as visitors strolled by with beach bags and backpacks. Some of us even managed a quick souvenir stop between courses.
Liguria is famous for its pesto, and it appeared on the menu in several forms, including pasta tossed with the vibrant green sauce. Fresh anchovies are another specialty here, offered both marinated and fried. We also sampled seafood pasta, which felt perfectly matched to the setting, just steps from the Mediterranean.
The meal wasn’t elaborate, but it felt authentic. Sharing plates of local food gave us a sense of what makes this coastline distinctive, and it provided the perfect pause before we set out to explore the village.
Exploring Monterosso al Mare
The Village Atmosphere
Monterosso felt lively from the moment we started walking. Narrow lanes lined with pastel houses opened into small plazas, with souvenir stalls and cafés spilling into the pedestrian spaces.
The village is divided into two parts — Old Town and the newer Fegina section — connected by a pedestrian tunnel. Vehicular traffic is extremely limited, which makes the experience feel more like wandering through a seaside town than navigating a busy port.
The Beach Scene
Unlike most Cinque Terre villages, Monterosso has a wide sandy beach. It was packed with colorful umbrellas and sunbathers, with a clear divide between the organized private beach clubs and the spiaggia libera, the free public section. The backdrop of cliffs and turquoise water made it easy to see why Monterosso is popular with both families and hikers looking to cool off.
Terraced Hillsides
Looking inland, we could see steep hillsides covered in terraces built over centuries. Dry-stone walls supported rows of olive trees and grapevines, with stairways and narrow footpaths weaving between them.
It was a striking reminder of how the people here adapted the rugged landscape for farming, and it gave the village a layered, almost vertical appearance.
Hiking Culture
Trail signs around the village reminded us that Cinque Terre is as much about walking as it is about the sea. The markers listed times to reach Vernazza, Corniglia, and other destinations along the famous Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail).
Distances were measured in hours rather than kilometers, a nod to the steep terrain. Our guide explained how these paths once served as the only connection between villages before trains and ferries.
The pedestrian streets were full of hikers in boots, beachgoers in swimsuits, and day-trippers with cameras. This mix of visitors created a constant energy in this relatively small town.
Adjusting the Plan
Our original plan with Ilaria was to explore a second village by train and possibly stop at a vineyard before meeting our driver back in La Spezia. Midway through the afternoon, however, one of our group became ill, and we had to rethink the schedule.
Because this was a private excursion, we could make the change without stress. Instead of boarding the train, part of our group chose to rest in the plaza and park area near Monterosso’s waterfront. The rest of us continued exploring the village with Ilaria, who kept up her enthusiasm and pointed out details we might have missed on our own, like the tunnel that links Old Town to the newer Fegina section.
In the end, focusing on just one village gave us more time to absorb the atmosphere of Monterosso rather than rushing through two or three stops. It wasn’t the plan we started with, but it still felt like a satisfying way to experience Cinque Terre.
Why Cinque Terre Works as a Cruise Excursion
Even with our shortened plan, Monterosso showed us why Cinque Terre is such a popular choice for cruisers calling in La Spezia. The region offers flexibility that makes it easy to tailor the day to your group’s energy and interests.
- Scenery that delivers immediately – From the moment you step off the van, the views of pastel houses, terraced hillsides, and turquoise water give you the “Cinque Terre experience” without needing to cover all five villages.
- A mix of activities – Families can choose between relaxing on the beach, wandering the streets, or tackling part of a hiking trail.
- Food culture woven in – Local specialties like pesto, anchovies, and Sciacchetrà wine provide a taste of the region without requiring a structured food tour.
- Flexibility with private tours – The ability to adjust our itinerary when someone was sick was a reminder that smaller group formats can make a big difference in comfort.
Cinque Terre may look like a “bucket list” experience on paper, but it can also be a low-key excursion if you focus on one or two villages rather than trying to see it all.
Tips for Visiting Cinque Terre from a Cruise
A visit to Cinque Terre can be as relaxed or as demanding as you make it. These tips can help you enjoy the experience without feeling overwhelmed:
- Start with one village – If your time in port is limited, focus on Monterosso. It offers the easiest terrain, a sandy beach, and plenty of food options.
- Consider a private or small-group tour – Flexibility matters. Being able to adjust when our plans changed was invaluable.
- Bring water and sun protection – Shade is limited, and the summer heat can be intense.
- Wear comfortable shoes – Even if you aren’t hiking, the cobblestones and slopes are easier with sturdy footwear.
- Understand the hiking signs – Distances are marked in hours, not kilometers, because the terrain is steep. Don’t underestimate the trails if you plan to hike.
- Expect crowds in peak season – Trains and plazas can be busy, but the atmosphere is part of the experience.
- Look for local specialties – Pesto, fresh anchovies, and lemon products are everywhere. Even a quick lunch or gelato can give you a taste of the region.
Conclusion
Cinque Terre often appears on travel wish lists, and it is easy to see why. The colorful houses, terraced hillsides, and dramatic coastline feel instantly iconic. For cruisers calling in La Spezia, it can be tempting to try and squeeze in multiple villages, but our experience in Monterosso proved that you do not need to do it all to enjoy the region.
If you are planning a Mediterranean cruise, Cinque Terre can be whatever you make of it — a hiking challenge, a beach stop, or simply a scenic village to wander. For families, keeping the day simple may be the best way to appreciate its beauty.
Elaine Warren
Founder & Crew Chief
Elaine founded this website after publishing the book The Family Cruise Companion’s Guide to Cruising With Kids. (Second edition recently released!) She has sailed on 45 cruises (and counting). She loves helping families navigate their way to an adventure-filled, fun, and memorable vacation.