The Cinque Terre in April: All You Need To Know

The spring months, March, April, and May, are undoubtedly the best times to visit the Cinque Terre. While the weather has started warming up, the flowers are blossoming, and the sea is warm enough to swim in, the temperature is still cool enough to enjoy all the vineyard hiking trails! Like many popular destinations in Italy, the Cinque Terre can get overwhelmed with tourists during the summer, making April the perfect time to plan your Italian getaway. Having visited the Cinque Terre in the summer almost 7 years ago and experiencing how busy it can be, resturning last spring I was so happily surprised at how few people there really were.

Booking our 3 day trip to the Cinque Terre in April last year, I was hoping for good weather and a quieter season, but didn’t want to miss out on all the summery experiences. Looking back, I have to say that the middle of April was the perfect season for this! The spring weather was perfect for hiking between the Cinque Terre villages! We spent the days swimming in Riomaggiore, taking an afternoon aperitivo in the sun in Manarola. Similarly, we were so happy with the amount of people around – something we noticed especially when staying in Corniglia where the streets empty after 5pm and it really began to feel like a small Italian village in the middle of nowhere.

In this guide to visiting the Cinque Terre in April, I will answer all your questions about visiting this beautiful coastline in the off season!

You might like: The Best 3 Day Cinque Terre Itinerary

Please note that this post contains affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase through the link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I make sure to only ever promote products and brands I have used and like, and that all links are to trusted websites.

Visiting the Cinque Terre in April

Is April a good time to go to Cinque Terre?

April is one of the best times to go to Cinque Terre. The weather has started to warm up, the restaurants and shops are open, and there are far fewer tourists compared to the high summer season. If you enjoy hiking, the spring and autumn are actually considered better times to visit the Cinque Terre as it is much safer to do the long, hilly hiking trails between the 5 villages.

Is the Cinque Terre crowded in April?

While the Cinque Terre is a popular destination all year round, it is far less crowded in April compared with the summer. While you will see a lot of tourists around, in April you probably won’t see any negative effects of this. You can still walk down the side streets and find yourself alone, not having to worry about booking a restaurant in advance, find spots on the beach, and hike without following a queue of people along the route. 

Can you swim in Cinque Terre in April?

Yes you can swim in the Cinque Terre in April. While the water is not warm like it is in the summer, it has started to warm up and can be anywhere from 14°C to 18°C (57°F – 65°F). On top of this, the sun is warm enough to warm you up pretty quickly after a dip!

Is it hard to get to Cinque Terre?

No, getting to Cinque Terre is a relatively easy trip. The best way to get there is to fly into Pisa and take the airport shuttle to the central station. From here, it is only two short trains to get to the Cinque Terre, switching in La Spezia along the way. The journey takes around 1.5 to 2 hours and costs around €25 per person. You can find more details in my guide for how to get from Pisa to the Cinque Terre.

What is the best time to visit Cinque Terre?

The best times to visit the Cinque Terre are in the off season – specifically the spring or autumn months. At these times of year the weather is still warm but the five villages are much less crowded. Additionally, the prices for accommodation are often lower during the off-season making the trip a lot more budget friendly.

Is 4 days in Cinque Terre too much?

No, 3 to 4 days in the Cinque Terre is the perfect amount of time. With 4 days, you have time to explore all the villages at a nice slow pace, walk the best hiking trails, take part in a local cooking class, and explore all the more hidden gems. It is best to try and visit 1 – 2 villages a day as a maximum if you really want to get to know and experience the area.

How long does it take to walk the 5 villages of Cinque Terre?

There are four different hiking trails connecting the five villages of the Cinque Terre which take around 6 hours in total to complete. This is counting on a mix between the SVA2 coastal paths and the highland trails which are currently open.

See more: Guide to hiking between the Cinque Terre villages

Is Cinque Terre open in May?

The Cinque Terre itself is open all year round, with the villages and hiking trails between them accessible during all four seasons. While restaurants and hotels tend to close in the winter, they begin to open up in the early spring, and the Cinque Terre is in full swing by May.

Which is better, Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre?

This is a difficult question to answer as it is completely down to personal opinion and what sort of activities you enjoy while on vacation. However, in my personal opinion, the Cinque Terre is the better destination. There are many more hikes to enjoy, free swimming spots, nice restaurants, and budget accommodation options compared with the Amalfi Coast. Additionally, it is much easier, cheaper, and more comfortable to travel around the area.

I have visited both destinations twice, and while I think they both have positives to them, the Cinque Terre was my favorite on both occasions. To find out which suits you better read guides: Three Days in the Cinque Terre and Four Days on the Amalfi Coast.

Cinque Terre in April weather

The weather in the Cinque Terre in April averages around 16 – 22°C (61°F – 72°F) during the day, and 10°C (50°F) in the evenings. The sun is out and has started to warm up, and the water temperature is around 14°C to 18°C (57°F – 65°F).

What to wear Cinque Terre in April

April is a relatively warm month in the Cinque Terre so you can often get away with wearing summer dresses, shorts and t-shirts. I recommend always bringing a light jumper with you as it can be colder in the evenings. If you plan on doing any of the walking trails, make sure to bring good quality closed-toe walking shoes as the hikes can have quite difficult terrain.

What to do Cinque Terre in April

There are so many things to do in the Cinque Terre in April – from hiking between the five villages, to swimming in the numerous beaches or rock pools, tasting the delicious Italian cuisine, or taking a boat trip or food tour. My favorite thing we did when we visited Cinque Terre in April was a pesto and tiramisu cooking class with a local in his apartment in Riomaggiore. It was so much fun to learn a traditional recipe and meet other travelers! Another really fun thing to do is take a boat tour around the area. That way you get to see the villages froma  different perspective, swim in different spots, and spend a day on the water! You can find out more and book it here.

Tours and Activities

Where next?

Planning to visit the Cinque Terre this April and want more tips? Or are you taking a longer trip around Italy and don’t know where to go next? Here are some of my best guides to help you decide!

• Cinque Terre: How to get to the Cinque Terre from Pisa, Hiking between the Cinque Terre Villages, 3 Day Cinque Terre Itinerary
• Nearby: The Amalfi Coast, The Dolomites, Venice
• The Ultimate Road Trip from Venice to Rome
• The Best Three Week Italy Itinerary: Venice, The Dolomites, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre and Tuscany