There are many ways to fill a week here, and for us the most rewarding Cinque Terre activities are the ones that take you properly outdoors: on horseback, on foot, on the water or on two wheels. Riding through the vineyards and old terraces above the coast is one of the loveliest introductions to the landscape, with the sea glinting somewhere below the trail.
These outings are organised for beginners too, so nobody needs previous experience to take part. Many rides end with a tasting of local wine and regional produce, which turns a morning in the saddle into a small celebration of the territory. Spring and autumn are especially pleasant for riding, when the air is mild and the colours of the vines change with the season.
Among these Cinque Terre activities, walking remains the classic way to see this stretch of coast, and the paths that link the villages still feel like a genuine discovery. Vineyards climb in tight terraces on one side while the sea opens out on the other, and the colourful houses of each village appear almost without warning around a bend.
Walking slowly is part of the appeal here: there is no need to rush between one view and the next. If you would like a fuller sense of what the network of paths involves, our guide to the Cinque Terre hiking trails is a useful place to start.
Seen from a kayak, this same coastline shows a different character altogether, and it is one of the Cinque Terre activities that surprises people most. Cliffs, hidden coves and small inlets that are invisible from the paths above suddenly come into view, and paddling close to the rock gives a sense of scale that no photograph quite captures. It is an outing that mixes nature and a touch of adventure in equal measure.
The light on the cliffs in the early morning is especially beautiful from the water. If you would rather leave the paddling to someone else, our guide to the best boat tours from La Spezia and Portovenere covers other ways to get out to sea.
An e-bike ride opens up a quieter, more authentic side of Liguria, away from the busiest paths of the coast itself. Pedalling through the hills, past vineyards and through small villages, reveals a landscape that many visitors never see.
The electric assist takes the sting out of the steeper climbs, so even demanding roads become part of the fun. It is one of the more energetic Cinque Terre activities on offer, and there is real satisfaction in reaching a hilltop village at the end of a morning’s ride.
For anyone interested in food and wine, a tasting is among the most memorable Cinque Terre activities of all. The vineyards here are cultivated on terraces overlooking the sea, and the local wines carry the character of that landscape and its long traditions.
A tasting is often paired with typical Ligurian products, and may include a glass of the celebrated Sciacchetrà, the sweet passito wine of the Cinque Terre. It is a slow, generous way to get to know the territory through its flavours rather than only its views.
The Downtown Blue Apartment, right in the centre of La Spezia and just three minutes’ walk from the station, is a convenient base for planning all of these Cinque Terre activities, with trains running to the villages. The Cinque Terre National Park website is worth a look too, particularly for detail on the trails and protected areas before setting out.
From here, every day can bring a different corner of Liguria. If you are unsure where to start, do ask us: we are always happy to suggest a route, a good place for dinner afterwards, or the best day for a particular outing.