Vernazza, Cinque Terre – The Jewel of the Cinque Terre

Where is Vernazza?

Vernazza is part of the Cinque Terre National Park, one of the most famous sights in Italy. It’s located in northwest Italy, between Genoa and Pisa on the Mediterranean coast. 

Part of the 5 villages of the Cinque Terre, Vernazza sits between Monterosso on the north and Corniglia on the south. Vernazza is connected to the other villages by a train line and by hiking the Blue Trail. 

With my wife Nes, we had the chance to discover the area in the fall season, hence the wonderful photos I’m sharing with you in this guide. It was a bit chilly but comfortable to hike and climb all the stairs everywhere! 

Not sure when you should go? Check here which is the best time to visit Cinque Terre for you. 

Is Vernazza Worth Visiting?

With Manarola, Vernazza is one of the most iconic villages of the Cinque Terre. If you’ve searched for “Cinque Terre” on Google, you’ve certainly landed on the enchanting photos of Vernazza. So, just for this iconic sight, I want to say YES, Vernazza is definitely worth visiting. 

This small village has an unparalleled charm that leaves a lasting impression: with its unique landscape, picturesque port, and colorful houses, you’ll love strolling and seeing the views. In fact, it’s my favorite village out of the five.

The only issue with it is extreme tourism. We chose to visit it in November to avoid the flood of people that can really ruin the visit. There are sooo many tourists in the warmer months that it can be unbearable, so avoid it at all costs. 

Exploring Vernazza

There are 2 main ways you can get to Vernazza: you can take the train, or walk. If you decide to take the train to Vernazza, you’ll instantly be in the heart of the village.

From the train platform itself, you’ll have your first view of the village: beautiful and colorful streets.

Before rushing to the best viewpoints of Vernazza, take the time to explore the village, with the narrow cobblestone streets. Go away from the main street, and climb the stairs on the side. You’ll have a blast, I guarantee it!

When you’re ready to move on, and to see the whole village from vantage points, make your way back to the center of the village. The way to the vantage points is right after the Pizzeria Fratelli Basso.

The address is : Via Roma, 1, 19018 Vernazza SP, Italy

First Viewpoint of Vernazza

To get to the first viewpoint, take the street to your left (facing away from the train station). You’ll find stairs, that you can see in the picture in the middle above (that’s the view from the top of the stairs).

Follow these stairs, and follow the signs to “Sentiero Azzuro” (Blue Trail). If you follow this trail all the way, you’ll reach Corniglia. But don’t worry, you will reach the viewpoint in under 5 minutes.  After a very short climb up the stairs, you’ll see this:

Right in front of you, where you can see the wall, is where you’ll have one of the best views of Vernazza, to your right.

How gorgeous is this view?! When you’ve drooled enough over the view, you can start to make your way back down, and head to the second viewpoint.

Second Viewpoint of Vernazza

To get to the second viewpoint, take the street to your right when you’re on the main street next to the Pizzeria Fratelli Basso (facing away from the train station). You’ll find stairs.

If you’re coming down from the first viewpoint, it will be the street right in front of you, crossing the main street.

Follow these stairs, and always go left. Follow the signs to “Monterosso“. You’ll be on the Monterosso-Vernazza trail. After walking for less than 5 minutes, turn to your left for an incredible view of the village.

I know the view is absolutely gorgeous, but don’t just stop there. There are other viewpoints along the trail, where you can gaze upon the lovely Vernazza from different angles.

You will find these colorful houses in all of the 5 villages in the Cinque Terre, and I’m glad because they look absolutely incredible! I loved the many colors, creating a perfect harmony; what’s even more awesome is that the colors change at sunrise and sunset, with the light changing.

Here are a few more details of these painted houses:

Sunset in Vernazza

If you stay overnight in the Cinque Terre (which I 100% recommend), you can watch the sunset in Vernazza. What a show it is!

Ok well, I have to admit, we were pretty lucky with the sunset. It was insane! But even if your sunset is half as nice as this one, it will be worth it. Trust me.

As the sun begins to set, the light will slowly change. The vibrant houses, that were lit up by the direct sunlight, will progressively change colors, under the warm light of the sunset.

Can you spot the moon in the picture above?

And the village is not the only epic sight you’ll have in the area. Just look around, and enjoy the sheer beauty of Mother Nature.

Night in Vernazza

After watching the sunset over Vernazza, from the second viewpoint, we enjoyed the last light over the village.

We started to leave, thinking the sunset was over. Right as we were about to leave the trail to go down the village, the sky caught fire one last time, making for one hell of a show. The sky was on fire, the village was in warm light, and the city lights had come on.

When the light disappeared, we finally headed back to the village. Be careful when you go down, as the stairs are pretty steep, and it gets hard to see at night (that’s why you should always carry a headlamp).

After climbing down the stairs, we reached the beautiful church of Vernazza, the church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia.

We finished the day in Vernazza by walking around the harbor and watching the city with all the lights from the pier. And then we indulged in a succulent dinner in one of the many restaurants in the harbor.

How to Get to Vernazza

To get to Vernazza and the Cinque Terre, the best choice is to fly to either Genoa, Florence, or Pisa.

Which city to fly to depends on where you can get the cheapest flight! Personally, I found a very cheap flight to Pisa (30€ round trip from Paris) so I flew to Pisa.

Once you’re in Italy, simply take the train to reach the village. The train system in Italy is very developed, and tickets are cheap!

A train ticket from Pisa to Vernazza costs between 10€ and 20€ in 2024. Of course, like everywhere else, the earlier you book the cheaper! The whole journey takes about 1 hour 35 minutes, with a connection in the town of La Spezia. 

If you’re already in the Cinque Terre, getting from one village to the other is easy. Just go to the train station, buy a ticket there (2.40€ in 2024), and hop on the train. It takes around 3 minutes to go from one village to the next.

Book your train tickets here: Trenitalia

Tips for Visiting Vernazza

To help you make the most out of your trip, you can find below a few tips:

• Plan enough time to visit Vernazza, there are 2 main viewpoints + the village to explore!
• Wear proper hiking shoes, the stairs are no joke!
• Enjoy seafood specialties in the restaurants down the harbor. You’ll love trying some of the best Italian food here! 
• If you’re visiting during the scorching summer, then you should enjoy swimming! Vernazza has 2 easily accessible and beautiful beaches, so don’t miss your chance to bathe in this enchanting setting. 

Check out this guide of the best Cinque Terre beaches for more!    

Where to Stay in Vernazza

The village is a good choice as a place to stay during your trip to the Cinque Terre. However it’s pretty popular, so you’ll need to book in advance.

Ready to make Vernazza your home base? Here are the best accommodations in Vernazza according to your travel style:

✅ Best Hotel – Albergo Barbara: Located inside Vernazza city center, this lovely place provides cute rooms with great views over the waterfront. The staff is helpful and the amenities are well-thought. 

💰 Budget Pick – Camere Anna: Located perfectly in the city center not far from the train station, this place is very convenient with comfy beds, good facilities, and a nice host. This is the best value for money you can find in town! 

⭐️ Luxury Pick – Fivestay Casa Gabriella: This beachfront apartment provides everything you need to spend a perfect stay in the area. The rooms are large, the facilities are of high quality and the terrace offers wonderful sea views.  

Not satisfied with this selection? Check out this list of all the best hotels in Vernazza for more options. Or check out all the best hotels in Cinque Terre (in all villages).

🔍 Read More: 

Planning a trip to the Cinque Terre? You can find below several other articles about this wonderful part of Italy to help you plan your trip: 

• Ultimate Guide to the Cinque Terre
• Manarola – the Oldest Village
• Riomaggiore – the Most Peaceful Village
• Corniglia – the Highest Village
• Monterosso Al Mare – the Place to Relax
• Levanto – the Perfect Starting Point
• Guide to Camp in the Cinque Terre

I hope you enjoy your trip to Vernazza and the Cinque Terre! If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below, I always reply.