Italy has some wonderful coastline, from the Adriatic coastline around Trieste to the Bay of Naples and the rugged shores of Sicily. However, for somewhere truly stunning and perhaps the most rewarding coastal walk in the country, try the Cinque Terre. Located on the west coast close to La Spezia, this beautiful stretch of Liguria constitutes around five miles of rocky coastline, with two capes, a myriad of paths and five small villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore), each one perched on the rocks above the sea, like La Spezia but on a smaller scale.
Like the Pembrokeshire Coast in Wales, the area has been made a national park due to its immense beauty and rugged nature. However, the Cinque Terre has gone one better: the area between it and Portovener – including the three small islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto just off the coast – has UNESCO World Heritage status. Both national park and UNESCO status were conferred in 1997 but it is worth noting that while the former comes from the spectacular natural features, the latter derives from the rich heritage of the area with its old churches, castles, sanctuaries and oratories, not to mention the fine old buildings in the villages. As ever, the townscapes are remarkable, with Portovener in particular featuring square-shaped buildings of various pastel-shaded colours seemingly stacked up on top of each other amid the rugged, rocky cliffs, as if the two had somehow been moulded together. It is this remarkable juxtaposition of nature, the seemingly improbable angles and distinctive architecture that gives this area its unmistakeable character.
Those who do come walking here should make sure they have good footwear for the challenging terrain and are reasonably experienced hikers, but there are other leisure activities on offer too, not least diving. Indeed, this is a compelling prospect as the waters are crystal clear and deep blue. The beaches are also beautiful, not least as many of them enjoy a large measure of seclusion, tucked between imposing cliffs. Quite simply, nobody should visit this part of Italy without coming here.
