The towns of Cinque Terre, or “Five Lands,” are full of colorful houses and winding narrow streets, connected by a walking path that winds along the rocky coast. Cinque Terre are located on the Northwestern coast of Italy in Liguria and are now part of the Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre.

Cinque Terre are easy to access from any city in Italy, on train lines that run from La Spezia or Genoa. Trains pass through each of the five towns. As they arrive from the South, travelers see glimpses of the ocean before they reach the first town: Riomaggiore.

The Via Dell’Amore, or “Road of Love,” starts the hiking trail in Riamaggiore. A twenty-four hour pass to the hiking trail that connects the towns is just five euros and, while the entire hike may take about four to five hours, it is easy to alternate between taking the train and walking. The first segments of the trail are shorter and easy to navigate even in sandals, but the last segment, from Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare, is a strenuous hike. On the Via Dell’Amore, many stop to sign their names among the countless lists of couples on the rocky walls of tunnels, or stop at a café to enjoy a cappuccino and the view of the ocean.

Once reaching Manarola, the second town, it is a good time to stop and take a quick break among the sunbathers and cliff-jumpers in the harbor.

To get to Corniglia, the third town, there is a 368-stair climb, which leads to an amazing view of vineyards, colorful houses built into the cliffs, and the perfect sea.

While all of the towns have hotels, bed and breakfasts, or cheap apartments for rent, it is best to stay in Monterosso. This town has the only beach, and while it is rocky and slightly crowded, less than ten euros rent a lounge chair and umbrella for the entire day. It is possible to find rooms available on arrival, but during the peak months of summer, it is best that you make a reservation at least a week in advance.

From munching on foccaccia with pesto, a Ligurian speciality, to enjoying seafood from the Mediterranean at the many cafés along the trail, it is easy to find the cheap and delicious Italian cuisine that Cinque Terre is famous for. At night, the towns get pretty quiet, and the train stops running around midnight. However, there are crowded cafés and gelaterie in Monterosso bustling until late, and in the center of town there are a few bars packed with young American and European tourists that become crowded late into the evening.

Known for their romantic and breathtaking vistas, the towns of Cinque Terre are not easy to forget. With easy access by train from Pisa and Genova, traveling to Cinque Terre is a low-budget side trip that allows visitors to experience the natural landscape of one of Europe’s most beautiful coastlines.