Best Beach Holidays - Cinque Terre

Hotel Accommodation Near Best Cinque Terre Beaches

Cinque Terre, ITALY

Translated from Italian Cinque Terre means “Five Lands” and is one of the most intriguing stretches of coast in the world.

Situated on the coast of northern Tuscany, these are five little towns connected by a cliff top walking path and train only, with no cars. It’s fun to arrive in La Spezia and get your 3 Euro day pass to hop on and off the five stops as you please.

The best beach is at the northernmost town of Monterosso, where it’s stony but the water is often crystal clean because of the stones below. You have to pay for a sun lounger on most of the beach, but it’s fun for the experience.

If you like wine, try a tasting at a few cellars in the Cinque Terre town of Corniglia nearby. It’s set high above the coast, but you can look way down below as you try the impressive local wines including Brunello and Chianti near accommodation around Cinque Terre.

The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is near Cinque Terre as well, as is the wonderful walled town of Lucca, where you can ride a bicycle around the raised ramparts here in northern Tuscany.

To the north of Cinque Terre is the famous rich enclave of Portofino, well known for visits by the world's most famous movie stars over the last 50 years.  Near Portofino just to the south is the family-friendly town of Santa Margherita Ligure, where the colourful oceanfront markets are a spectacle not to be missed.
This is where you'll find a real Italian slice of life, with women in fruit stalls bartering over prices with a backdrop of a multitude of yachts near accommodation on the beachfront.

This stretch of the Italian Riviera is wonderful in summer, but the best times are in June before the crowds on Italian holidays arrive, and before the scenery becomes brown from the increasingly hot European summers.

Cinque Terre is a Best Beach Holiday with an Italian flavour that is thoroughly enjoyable.

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