Cinque Terre National Park: planning guide
Five cliff villages and terraced vineyards on Liguria’s steep Mediterranean shore.
Cinque Terre National Park is in Liguria, Italy. The nearest town is La Spezia — roughly 8.5 km (5.3 mi) out, about 14 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: May, June, September, and early October. Shoulder season: April and late October.
Winter is cool and wet at low elevation and snowy in the mountains, with reduced hut and refuge service.
July and August combine peak heat with peak domestic holidays. Shoulder months are both cooler and quieter.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| La Spezia | 8.5 km (5.3 mi) | 14 min |
| Sestri Levante | 30.9 km (19.2 mi) | 45 min |
| Lavagna | 35.8 km (22.2 mi) | 50 min |
| Chiavari | 38.6 km (24 mi) | 53 min |
| Genoa | 69.4 km (43.1 mi) | 1 hr 26 min |
| Savona | 101 km (62.9 mi) | 1 hr 56 min |
| Loano | 117 km (72.5 mi) | 2 hr 10 min |
| Albenga | 120 km (74.7 mi) | 2 hr 13 min |
Where Cinque Terre National Park sits
Official Cinque Terre National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Cinque Terre National Park
Cinque Terre National Park sits close enough to Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park, Tuscan Archipelago National Park, Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park, and Val Grande National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park | 46.7 km (29 mi) | 1 hr 2 min |
| Tuscan Archipelago National Park | 158 km (98.3 mi) | 2 hr 47 min |
| Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park | 165 km (103 mi) | 2 hr 53 min |
| Val Grande National Park | 237 km (147 mi) | 3 hr 56 min |
Parks close by
- Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park
Ridge country between Tuscany and Emilia — watershed forests and high pastures.
- Tuscan Archipelago National Park
Elba and the Tuscan islands — Mediterranean scrub, mines history, and marine parks.
- Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park
UNESCO ancient beeches between Tuscany and Emilia, with Camaldoli monasteries.
- Val Grande National Park
The wildest Alpine valley of Piedmont — deep, roadless woods near Lake Maggiore.
Common questions
Where is Cinque Terre National Park?
Cinque Terre National Park sits in Liguria, Italy. La Spezia, about 8.5 km (5.3 mi) away — roughly 14 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Cinque Terre National Park?
Generally May, June, September, and early October, with April and late October quieter on either side.