Vernazza
Vernazza is a small harbor village in Cinque Terre, with a castle tower over the water and hiking routes to its neighbors.
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Vernazza is a village on the Ligurian coast of northwestern Italy and one of the five villages of Cinque Terre. The village sits around a small natural harbor, with houses stacked up the terraced hillsides and a castle tower above the water. It is small enough to walk end to end in a few minutes, so most visitors spend their time in the harbor area and the lanes that lead up from it.
Vernazza suits people who want the harbor view most people come for and can handle crowds. It works as a base for walking the Blue Trail to neighboring villages, but some trail sections have closed in the past, so check current status before you plan a hike. Summer brings the most day-trippers, especially around midday, so spring or early fall is quieter. One night lets you see the harbor in the evening; a day trip works if you arrive by train from La Spezia.
Vernazza in five
- Buy the Cinque Terre Card for the trailThe coastal Blue Trail between villages needs the park's card, and trail sections can close for repairs. Check the park's official page for current status and prices; see the Cinque Terre guide for the full rules.Cinque Terre guide
- Arrive early or late, not at middayDay-trip trains and cruise groups arrive in the late morning and leave in the afternoon. The harbor is calm at breakfast and after dinner, so stay a night if you can.
- Take the harbor photo from the trail toward CornigliaThe postcard view of Vernazza is from the Blue Trail on the Corniglia side, after a short climb. Allow time and use sturdy shoes, since steps are uneven.
- Use the train or boat between villagesLocal trains between La Spezia and Levanto stop at all five villages, and boats run in season when the sea allows. Check the operator's page the morning you go.
- Sleep in La Spezia or Levanto for a lower priceRooms in Vernazza are few and priced for the view. La Spezia and Levanto cost less and are a short train ride away.Tourist taxes in Europe
Need to know
- Airport
- Pisa (PSA) or Genoa (GOA), about 1.5–2 hours by train
- Getting there
- Train to La Spezia Centrale, then a local train in about 15–20 min
- Getting around
- On foot; local trains, trail and seasonal boats
- Best base
- In the village for evenings; La Spezia or Levanto for price
- Time needed
- A day; 2–3 for all five villages
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Quiet, coolJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 123 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cool
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Quiet, coolFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cool
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Trails dryingMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 118 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Trails drying
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Trails greenAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Trails green
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Warm, busyMayRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 118 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- JuneClear9 rainy daysHigh24°Low18°SwimmingJuneClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Swimming
- JulyClear6 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Hot, crowdedJulyClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, crowded
- AugustClear8 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Hottest, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Warm seaSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 134 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberRain12 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Rain riskOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 219 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain risk
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Rain, closuresNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 188 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, closures
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Quiet, rainDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 146 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, rain
Average daily high and low in Vernazza, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Vernazza
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 58%
- Wind
- 31 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Corniglia
12:24 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today18°13°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed17°12°21%Wednesday: Rain. High 17°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 21%.
- Thu17°12°19%Thursday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 19%.
- Fri16°12°48%Friday: Rain. High 16°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 48%.
- Sat15°10°37%Saturday: Rain. High 15°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Sun16°10°35%Sunday: Rain. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 35%.
Updated 11:11 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Feb–MarCarnival of ViareggioLucca, a day trip
- Jul–AugFestival PucciniPisa, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Monterossoabout 5 min by trainThe largest village, with a long beach and an old town to the side.Read the guide
- Cornigliaabout 5–10 min by trainA hill-top village reached by a long staircase from the station.Read the guide
- La Speziaabout 15–20 min by trainA larger port city and the cheaper base for the villages.Read the guide
Before you go to Vernazza
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Rules for Vernazza, checked
- Most non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Check entry rules on the Italian visa site before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Some trail sections need a park pass. Check which ones with Cinque Terre National Park before you walk.Source
- Cover shoulders and knees before entering churches in Vernazza.
Plan around Vernazza
Regions, cities and the rules every visitor needs
Read the guideCinque TerreThe five villages, the card and the trails
Read the guideMonterossoThe largest village and the beach, to the north
Read the guideCornigliaThe one village without a harbor, on a cliff
Read the guideManarolaA cliffside village with sunset views
Read the guideItaly by train off-peakRail legs that avoid the summer crush
Read the guideVernazza FAQ
Is Vernazza worth visiting?
Yes, for the harbor, the castle tower and the sea. It gets crowded in summer, so go early or late, or visit outside July and August.
How many days do you need in Vernazza?
A day covers the village, the harbor and a trail walk. Two or three days let you see all five villages without rushing.
Can you walk from Monterosso to Vernazza?
Yes, on the Blue Trail, in about 1.5–2 hours. The path has steep steps, and sections can close, so check the park's trail status first.
Do you need a car to get to Vernazza?
No. The village has no through road for visitors, so arrive by train from La Spezia, Levanto or Genoa.
When is the best time to visit Vernazza?
April to June and September to October. Summer has swimming but heavy crowds. Winter is quiet, and some restaurants close.