Cinque Terre - Five Lands of Liguria
Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy
About the project
Explore the colorful villages of Cinque Terre, jewel of the Italian Riviera and UNESCO World Heritage Site, between land and Mediterranean Sea.
Cinque Terre represents one of Italy's most spectacular coastal landscapes. This photographic project captures the essence of these five perched villages – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – with their colorful houses clinging to cliffs, ancient terraced vineyards and turquoise Ligurian Sea. Panoramic trails like the famous Sentiero Azzurro offer breathtaking viewpoints. The goal is to capture the unique harmony between traditional architecture, terraced cultivated landscapes and the raw beauty of the Mediterranean coast.
Access
Main access by train from La Spezia (20 min) or Genoa (1h30) on the Genova-Pisa line. All villages have a station except Corniglia (400 steps from the station). Seasonal ferry between Levanto and La Spezia, serving all villages except Corniglia. Car not recommended: parking rare and expensive, narrow winding roads. Cinque Terre Card required for hiking trails (unlimited train included). Ideal base: La Spezia or Levanto.
Location
Chargement de la carte...
Best season
Best period: April-June and September-October (soft light, fewer tourists). Avoid July-August (large crowds, intense heat). Exceptional golden hours: sunrise on Riomaggiore and Manarola from the east, sunset on Monterosso from the west. Magical blue hour in Vernazza with illuminated village. Check trail openings (frequent closures for landslides). Via dell'Amore reopened since February 2025.
Recommended equipment
Camera + wide-angle (16-35mm) for coastal landscapes and villages, standard lens (24-70mm) versatile for streets and architecture, telephoto (70-200mm) for compressions and colorful house details. Lightweight tripod (many steps) for golden/blue hours and long sea exposures. Polarizing filter (intensify sea and sky colors), ND filters to smooth water. Comfortable backpack for hiking. Multiple batteries, sun protection, plenty of water.
