‘These seaside towns are Italy’s best March holiday – flights here are just £14’ | Travel News | Travel

Traveling off-season has its perks. Fewer crowds, cheaper flights, and a more relaxed atmosphere make it an ideal time to explore destinations that are usually packed with tourists. 

Nowhere is this more true than in Italy, a country that gets hammered by visitors in the summer months. 

But while millions flock to places like Rome, Venice, and Florence in July and August, I’ve found that one of the best times to go is actually March – and for me, there’s no better place to visit than Cinque Terre.

Cinque Terre, which translates to “Five Lands,” is a collection of five stunning seaside villages along the Italian Riviera. 

It’s located in Liguria, in the northwest of Italy, and is famous for its pastel-colored houses, steep cliffs, and breathtaking sea views.

Each of the five villages – Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore – has its own charm.

They are all also connected by scenic hiking trails and a convenient train line.

I travel to Cinque Terre every March with my wife, and we love it. The weather is always beautiful, often reaching 18 to 20C, which means I can comfortably walk around in a T-shirt, hoodie, and shorts. 

The best part? It’s quiet. In the summer, these villages are packed with tourists, making it hard to move through the narrow streets or enjoy the views without being surrounded by crowds. But in March, it’s peaceful, allowing us to explore at our own pace.

We usually fly from London Stansted to Genoa, which is my favorite city in Italy.

Flights can be found for as little as £14 with Ryanair, and from there, we take a train to Monterosso, one of the five villages. 

The train journey takes about an hour and a half, with tickets costing around £15 one way.

Monterosso is the largest of the five villages and the only one with a proper sandy beach. 

It’s a great place to start, but my favorite part of the trip is the hike from Monterosso to Vernazza. 

The cliffside trail takes around two hours, and while it’s exhausting, the views are absolutely worth it. 

You can see the turquoise waters of the Ligurian Sea, the terraced vineyards, and the colourful houses clinging to the cliffs.

For those who don’t feel like hiking, there’s always the train, which takes just three minutes between villages. 

But for me, the walk is part of the experience, and in March, it’s even better because the trail is free. During the summer months, you have to pay a small fee to access the paths.

Each of the five villages has something special to offer. Corniglia, perched high above the sea, offers stunning panoramic views. 

Riomaggiore is packed with great restaurants and bars, while Manarola is one of the most photogenic spots in all of Italy.

But my personal favorite is Vernazza. It’s the busiest and most popular of the five, but in March, it’s still relatively quiet. 

The small marina is the perfect spot to sit by the water with a drink and enjoy a plate of fried seafood, a local specialty.

There’s something magical about watching the sunset over the harbour, with the village’s buildings glowing in the evening light.

Getting around Cinque Terre is easy, thanks to the trains that run every hour between villages. 

The entire route between all five towns can be walked, but it takes around 10 hours, depending on your pace. 

For those short on time, the trains are a great option, as they take just four minutes between each stop.

The whole region feels like stepping back in time. The narrow medieval alleyways, the centuries-old terraces carved into the cliffs, and the historic churches make it a place of incredible beauty. 

Even though modern tourism has changed it, there’s still something timeless about Cinque Terre – especially when you visit outside of peak season.

Every year, when March rolls around, I know exactly where I’ll be heading.