Cars can practically not enter the five villages. The roads descending from the hills end at the edge of the towns, in small paid parking lots that fill up in the morning in summer, and the streets in the town centers are pedestrianized, with stairways and alleys.
That's why we don't recommend driving from one village to another. A car makes sense for getting there, choosing a convenient base, and exploring everything around: the Gulf of Poets, Lunigiana, and Versilia.
La Spezia is the most practical choice: it's a city with hotels, restaurants, and a train station with a short train ride to Riomaggiore. Levanto, at the opposite end, is a seaside town with a long beach, just a few minutes by train from Monterosso.
Portovenere, at the entrance to the gulf, has a distinct charm: tall, colorful houses overlooking the harbor, the Church of San Pietro perched on the rocks, and Palmaria Island opposite. Along with the Cinque Terre and the gulf's islands, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wherever you're staying, we'll deliver your car to your hotel, villa, or the closest point accessible by car.
The regional train between Levanto and La Spezia stops in all five towns, and it only takes a few minutes to get from one to the next. The Cinque Terre National Park offers the Cinque Terre Card, one version of which includes trains on this line, as well as access to the paid trails.
From spring to autumn, weather permitting, boats connect La Spezia and Portovenere with the seaside towns. Corniglia doesn't have a landing stage: from its station, you can reach it via a long flight of steps or by shuttle bus.
The Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail), which connects the villages along the coast, is the most classic way to see the terraces from above. Some sections may be closed after heavy rain or for construction work: check the park information before setting out and wear hiking shoes, as many sections are steep and rocky.
Spring and September are the most pleasant times, with warm days and fewer visitors; in July and August, trains, trails, and alleys are very crowded. Between September and October, the grape harvest takes place on the terraces, where Sciacchetrà, the local sweet wine, is also produced.
The Gulf of La Spezia is also known as the Gulf of Poets, for the writers who stayed there in the 19th century, such as Byron and Shelley. Portovenere is about a half-hour drive from the city along a coastal road; parking at the entrance to the town is limited, so it's best to arrive early.
On the opposite shore, Lerici boasts a castle overlooking the harbor and a seaside promenade leading to San Terenzo. Lerici is about 20 minutes away from La Spezia.
Sarzana, about 20 minutes away, has a lively historic center with antique shops and two fortresses. On the nearby plain are the remains of the ancient Roman city of Luni, which gave its name to Lunigiana.
Traveling up the Magra Valley, you enter Lunigiana, a land of Malaspina castles, stone villages, and chestnut groves. Fosdinovo, with its castle, is about 20 minutes from Sarzana; Pontremoli, with its stele statue museum in Piagnaro Castle, is less than an hour from La Spezia.
Heading south, the highway takes you to Forte dei Marmi and Versilia in about an hour, passing the foothills of the Apuan Alps and their marble quarries. Pisa and its airport are about an hour away, and Lucca a similar amount of time. To the northwest, Portofino can be reached in about an hour and a half.
On the hilly roads leading down to the villages, size matters: a Smart Fortwo or an Abarth 595 Turismo Cabrio, among our city cars , can fit where a larger car struggles. For tours of the gulf and Lunigiana, a Porsche 718 Boxster is pleasant and not too cumbersome.
If you're arriving by plane with your family, with the Mercedes-Benz V-Class van you can drive from the airport to the hotel with all your luggage and, on the following days, to the station where the train to the villages departs. Another option: spend the days traveling between the villages only by train and boat, and have us deliver the car to you in La Spezia or Levanto when you leave for Tuscany, the Riviera di Ponente, or France.
Can cars enter the Cinque Terre villages? In practice, no: they park in the parking lots on the outskirts of the villages, which are few and often full, and the town centers are explored on foot.
Where is the best place to stay if you're traveling by car? La Spezia, Levanto, or Portovenere, where we deliver to your hotel or villa and from which you can reach the villages by train or boat.
Which airport is most convenient? Pisa, about an hour from La Spezia; Genoa is about an hour and a quarter away. From Milan, it's about two and a half hours by car.
Does the boat stop at all the towns? All except Corniglia, which is located high up on the promontory. Service depends on the season and sea conditions.
Do I have to return the car to La Spezia? No, you can leave it in Pisa, Florence, Milan, or the French Riviera at the end of your trip.
Is the model I book guaranteed? Yes, always: you'll receive the exact car you chose, with no substitutions. And you can cancel free of charge up to 72 hours before delivery.
