5 must-sees in Cinque Terre with your dog (Italy)
Want to explore the Cinque Terre in Italy with your dog? These five charming and colorful villages on the Ligurian coast, in the north of Italy's west coast, are perfect for a dog-friendly holiday. Here are five must-see attractions in the Cinque Terre with your canine companion!
Located between Genoa and Florence, the Italian destination of Cinque Terre is a dream . The 5 villages that make it up – Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site , and for good reason!
To be honest, I've wanted to travel to Italy with Musher for a long time, yet I'd never heard of the Cinque Terre… So, when Laurine shared her discoveries with her dog Saga on social media, I was speechless! Especially since this destination is only a few hours' drive from France.
Needless to say, when she suggested this article, I immediately accepted! So, I'll hand it over to her to share her top 5 must-sees in the Cinque Terre with her dog ! Over to you, Laurine!
🙋♀️ Thank you, Sophie. I'll gladly take over. My name is Laurine, and I love going on adventures to discover new places and admire beautiful landscapes.
And of course, I never go alone. Saga, our golden retriever, is always by our side to experience these adventures with us.
During our last trip to Italy, we went to explore the Cinque Terre , a region we didn't know at all and which totally charmed us with its colorful villages, coastal paths and magnificent panoramas.
Today, I'm sharing with you the 5 must-sees of the Cinque Terre , including our favorite village, the hike not to be missed, and the most beautiful viewpoints.
I couldn't share everything in this article, so I've created a complete guide, "Discovering the Cinque Terre with Your Dog," packed with other tips, hiking guides, and must-see attractions, all dog-friendly. I'll tell you more about it at the end of the article!
Table of contents
What you need to know to go to the Cinque Terre with your dog
To properly prepare for your trip to the Cinque Terre with your dog, there are a few things to anticipate.
The documents needed for your dog
To travel with a dog in Italy , you will simply need to have:
- A European passport
- Electronic chip identification
- Up-to-date rabies vaccination (with a 21-day interval after the initial vaccination)
- A dog at least 15 weeks old
The best time to visit the Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre is a magnificent destination , but also very touristy . To fully enjoy it with your dog, I highly recommend visiting during the off-season.
The village streets and hiking trails are often very narrow, and it can quickly become crowded, especially in summer. Trains can also be very busy, and temperatures can rise rapidly, making the destination less than ideal with a dog.
Spring and autumn are, in my opinion, the best times to discover the Cinque Terre with your dog , with milder temperatures and quieter trails to enjoy the scenery more.
Where to stay and how to get around with a dog
It is important to know that the villages of the Cinque Terre are largely pedestrianized and very difficult to access by car.
The best option is to stay in Levanto , in the north of the Cinque Terre, or in La Spezia , in the south, and then take the train to easily reach the different villages.
Dogs are of course allowed on Italian trains . They must be kept on a leash, have a ticket (depending on their size) and have a muzzle available.
Musher and Sophie: “I admit I'm not entirely comfortable taking the train with Musher yet, but every time we've done it, it's always gone very well! I interviewed Julia, who very often takes the train with her dog Bianca, as easily as taking the car! She shares lots of great tips in this article, which I recommend: Ticket, muzzle… how to take the train with your dog? ”
Now that you know what preparations to make before travelling to the Cinque Terre with your dog, let's move on to the must-sees!
The Via dell'Amore in Riomaggiore
The Via dell'Amore , also known as the Lovers' Path , is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Cinque Terre and is considered one of the most romantic walks in the world.
This walk, just under a kilometer long, connects Riomaggiore to Manarola along the sea , offering superb panoramic views throughout. Fully developed, it presents no difficulties, making it accessible to everyone.
For those interested in a bit of history, the Via dell'Amore was built in the 1920s and originally served as a meeting place for the inhabitants of the two villages , and more specifically for young lovers , hence its name. Today, it is one of the most iconic sites in the Cinque Terre.
Access is by reservation only , by choosing a time slot. The trail is included in the Cinque Terre Treno Card, which allows unlimited train travel and includes visits to the Cinque Terre.
While this walk isn't a substitute for a proper hike, it's still a must-do. It's a lovely way to reach Manarola while enjoying magnificent views of the coast and a great way to begin exploring the Cinque Terre with your dog.
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The most beautiful viewpoint in Manarola
Manarola is undoubtedly one of the most iconic villages of the Cinque Terre . The heart of the village lies at the Marina, a charming little harbor where fishing boats are hauled out of the water and rest on the rocks. All around, you'll find numerous restaurants and terraces , dog-friendly of course, making it the perfect place to take a break after a hike while soaking up the village atmosphere.
To admire the most beautiful panorama of Manarola , simply follow the coastal path towards Corniglia with your dog. In a few minutes, you will reach the " Manarola Punto Panoramico ," a viewpoint with a spectacular view of the colorful houses perched above the sea.
A lovely furnished terrace allows you to sit facing the panorama to fully enjoy the scenery, ideal with a good spritz*, and a bowl of fresh water!
I also recommend the hiking trail towards Corniglia , which also offers beautiful views of Manarola and its coastline.
The Sentiero Azzurro between Corniglia and Vernazza
If there's one hike I recommend doing in the Cinque Terre with your dog , it's this one! The Sentiero Azzurro between Corniglia and Vernazza is undoubtedly one of the most iconic trails in the region, and it's also our favorite!
The hiking trail is approximately 3,5 km long with 150 m of elevation gain, and presents no particular difficulties. It takes between 1 and 1.5 hours to reach the village of Vernazza . The trail is well-marked; simply follow the signs towards Vernazza or the Sentiero Azzurro trail markers.
The route is very pleasant from beginning to end, with magnificent views of the sea, cliffs, and vineyards . The most beautiful moment is arriving in Vernazza, with the village gradually revealing itself and offering a truly magnificent panorama from the heights.
Along the way, you'll also find several small areas equipped with tables and terraces offering spectacular sea views . The perfect place to take a break, have a drink, and simply enjoy the scenery before continuing your hike.
Musher and Sophie: “On trails exposed to the sun, I advise you to protect your dog from the heat, especially if you go in the summer, which Laurine doesn't recommend, and I agree with her on this point. Take precautions to avoid heatstroke in your dog and don't hesitate to equip them with a cooling vest for dogs !”
Vernazza, the most beautiful village of the Cinque Terre
Vernazza is without a doubt our favorite village in the Cinque Terre ! It's often considered the most picturesque village in the region, and it's easy to see why, especially when you arrive via the hiking trails and discover the magnificent views of the village. This former fishing village is truly picture-perfect, with its pastel-colored facades , colorful little boats , and stunning sea views.
In the heart of Vernazza, you'll find Piazza Marconi , the village's iconic square , with its small harbor, numerous restaurants, and terraces. It's a truly pleasant place to settle in for a while and enjoy the view of the boats and colorful houses.
And for a sweet treat , we have a place to recommend: Gelateria Il Porticciolo , which we've tried several times and which Saga also approves of! You can enjoy delicious Italian artisanal ice cream there, with lots of different flavors.
Don't hesitate to get lost in the small streets of Vernazza, you will find plenty of small shops, local businesses and good places to eat focaccia.
The beaches and the dolce vita in Monterosso al Mare
Monterosso al Mare is the largest village in the Cinque Terre and also the only one with large beaches . It's the perfect place to take a break during your stay, relax by the turquoise waters, and enjoy a taste of the Italian dolce vita with your dog . There are also many restaurants right on the beach, offering lovely sea views.
Our favorite moment was simply having a focaccia, sitting on the beach, and enjoying the view. And Saga enjoyed it just as much, with lots of rolls in the sand, a swim in the crystal-clear water , and a little nap before heading out for another hike. Let's just say we made one happy dog!
Be aware, however, that dogs are prohibited on most beaches, especially during peak season . This is yet another reason to opt for the off-season . When we were there, it was very quiet, so we were able to settle down at the far end of the beach with Saga and enjoy ourselves in peace. During peak season, it's best to come early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the beaches are less crowded.
So there you have it, our 5 must-sees in the Cinque Terre ! Between the colorful villages, the magnificent hikes, the sea views and the delicious focaccias, we really loved discovering this region with Saga.
It's a destination I really recommend, but in the off-season so you can fully enjoy the villages and trails with your dog, without the crowds and intense summer heat.
Thank you Laurine for all these discoveries, you've totally made me want to start exploring Italy with the Cinque Terre with Musher!
As you have seen, the Cinque Terre can be visited very well with a dog , but there are still a few things to anticipate in order to fully enjoy the stay, especially for hiking, transport, and beaches.
To help you further prepare for your trip and not miss any of the points of interest in the Cinque Terre , Laurine has created a great guide : " Discovering the Cinque Terre with your dog ".
She discusses different ways to get around the Cinque Terre with a dog, provides precise itineraries for several iconic hikes, and as a bonus, her must-visit dog-friendly spots in Pisa and Florence! I had the opportunity to browse her work, and I highly recommend it.
You can also follow Laurine and Saga's adventures on their Instagram page: @sagawlau
Another article full of discoveries by Laurine and Saga: 10 must-see places in Scotland with your dog
* Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, please drink responsibily.