The Cinque Terre from Orentano
The Cinque Terre — five fishing villages in impossible colours, stacked on cliffs over the Ligurian sea — are the most ambitious day trip on this list, and absolutely doable from Orentano with an early start.
The trick is to stop driving at La Spezia: cars are useless in the villages. Park near La Spezia Centrale station and ride the Cinque Terre Express, which strings all five villages together in minutes; a day travel card also covers the marked coastal footpaths between them.
Don't miss
- Manarola & Riomaggiore — The postcard pair — harbours squeezed between cliffs, best at golden hour.
- Vernazza — The most beautiful harbour square of the five; climb to the Doria castle for the view.
- The trails — The Sentiero Azzurro sections (check which are open) or the higher sanctuary paths for fewer crowds.
Getting there
About 1 h 40 by car from Orentano to La Spezia via the A11/A12, then the Cinque Terre Express train from La Spezia Centrale. Go early, swim at midday, and drive home after sunset.
Back in the village by evening: see where to eat and what’s on tonight, or browse places to stay if Orentano isn’t your base yet.