Riomaggiore Travel Forum

Hi, My family will be traveling to Italy in March and we will be based in Florence. I want to make a day trip to the Cinque Terre, but everything I have read says that there are steep cliffs and extremely narrow roads. I have no qualms driving in Italy (I have done it before) or on narrow, curvy roads, but I do have a terrible fear of heights. I see from the map that there are several routes to take - does anyone know of a route that would be less challenging for someone who has a fear of heights? Laura

>you can't drive in the cinqueterre - you have to park outside it - and then walk

...or take the train - is easier and faster than drivng anyway.

Yes, I realize that I would have to park outside the Cinque Terre. However, apparently the drive to the parking areas just outside the towns can be quite treacherous...

taking the train is the best option, OR you may at least leave the car in La Spezia or any other place along the coast.
In fact there is a steep road along the cliffs, BUT in a distance of 300 meters or more to the coastline, getting you to parkings far away from each of the 5 villages. I could see some crazy bridges from the boat, BUT you need not go there.
Many villages offer a train-day-ticket from lets say La Spezia to the 5 villages, including all transport, all day long and also the entrance-fee to the National park of 5terre.

Thank you for your reply. I think we will take the train. I was trying to pinch pennies a little because we will already have a rental car and I didn't want to have to pay for train tickets for the four of us as well. But on the other hand, I don't want to get stuck somewhere and not be able to drive the rest of the way either... Thanks again.

Thank you for your reply. I think we will take the train. I was trying to pinch pennies a little because we will already have a rental car and I didn't want to have to pay for train tickets for the four of us as well. But on the other hand, I don't want to get stuck somewhere and not be able to drive the rest of the way either... Thanks again.

Hi Laura
The Cinque Terre are great,and no problem for you.Train to La Spezia,then take the ferries, its the only way to see them.Its not expensive and you could see the dolphins in the bay.
See more at http://www.underthetuscansun.co.uk/places_of_interest.htm
Have a great time.

NO need to take the ferries from LaSpezia, there is a cenvenient train as well and it has a lot more rides a day than any ferry.
I also saw that all of the places with a ferry to 5terre have high parking-fees for daytourists, while the places with train-connection are mostly free of charge.