10 Things to Do in Cinque Terre in September

Cinque Terre, in La Spezia, is a strip of towns on the Italian Riviera and also one of the most popular destinations in the country, particularly for the beauty of its beaches, for the striking buildings on its cliffs and for the number of attractions it has to offer, especially in summer, but also during the rest of the year, such as in September, when the region empties of tourists, but the good weather persists.

Some of the best things to see and do in Cinque Terre to discover the region in September include taking part in the patron saint festivities of St John the Baptist, going on a diving excursion in the best weather of the year, visiting the towns with few tourists and taking a swim at Guvano beach, which is considered one of the most picturesque beaches in Cinque Terre.

In the summer, the weather is very hot in Cinque Terre and the beaches become the most visited places in the region by tourists arriving in large numbers, so that excursions in the areas close to the coast can become complicated and ineffective, as in the case of diving and snorkelling tours you won't be able to fully discover the marine fauna. But conditions change in September, when the region empties out.

Towards the beginning of autumn, Cinque Terre's low season begins and the tourists leave the town. However, the weather is still warm and pleasant, making it the ideal time for diving and snorkelling trips to the beaches of Fegina and Neptuno in Monterosso al Mare and Canneto in Riomaggiore.

In September, moreover, the waters are calmer and on the diving excursions you can discover the main specimens of the marine reserve, from rays and octopuses to dolphins. You can also snorkel during the best Cinque Terre tours that include boat trips and enjoy a swim in the waters of the Ligurian Sea.

One of the best things to do in Cinque Terre is to enjoy the gastronomy, which stands out for its basil pesto, olives, seafood and anchovies, especially those of Monterosso al Mare, where during the third week of September every year the Anchovy Festival is organised.

At this festival you can taste the fresh and salted anchovies of the region, which are prepared grilled, fried or natural in olive oil with tomatoes. The anchovies of Monterosso al Mare are famous throughout Italy and are considered a delicacy of La Spezia, which you can discover at the stalls at the fairgrounds, which are set up next to the statue of the Giant.

You can take part in the festival for free, as you don't have to pay an entrance fee, just whatever you want to eat at the stalls. During the festival, you can also enjoy musical events and other typical foods, as well as regional wines. The Anchovy Festival is often included in the best gastronomic tours of Cinque Terre.

Interesting details

• Price: Admission to the festival is free.
• When: during the third week of September.
• Where: Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre.

Cinque Terre is made up of the towns of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore and they all have very different attractions to offer you, even Corniglia, which is the only one of the Riviera's towns that does not connect directly to the sea, so the best option to discover them is to walk them exhaustively, although in summer it can become very complicated by tourists and in winter by the weather.

If you visit Cinque Terre in September you will be able to visit the roads and alleys of the region with a much smaller number of people than the rest of the year and also with an ideal climate, since the heat will not be suffocating, but it will offer you opportunities to take a bath and to visit on foot or by train the places that you cannot reach by car, since for some years now Cinque Terre has limited the circulation of vehicles in most of its streets.

If you plan to visit Cinque Terre in winter, however, the rains could alter part of your route and also complicate movement between towns, so the beginning of autumn in September is the best time to discover one of Italy's most visited regions with few tourists.

Corniglia is the smallest of the Cinque Terre villages and the only one not directly connected to the sea, as it is situated on a promontory over 100 metres high, but it is no less interesting to visit, as it has a long literary tradition since Giovanni Boccaccio mentioned it in the Decameron and it is also famous for the pilgrimage of San Bernardino.

This religious ceremony is held on 8 September every year and consists of a feast at the hermitage of Corniglia, where the inhabitants of the village arrive after a pilgrimage that combines the tradition of San Bernardino with a hiking route.

The pilgrimage crosses the village from the centre to the hermitage of San Bernardino and also includes typical food and craft stalls and cultural activities, such as music concerts and theatre performances.

Details of interest

• Price: you can participate in the pilgrimage for free.
• When: 8 September every year.
• Where: Corniglia, Cinque Terre.

Guvano is the best known beach in Vernazza and also one of the most famous in Cinque Terre, not only because it is one of the few in the region that is located in a wild area, free of restaurants and services, but also because the only road through which it is possible to reach the beach is a rocky gorge on the border between Corniglia and Vernazza, which will make your visit magical at the beginning of autumn.

September is the best time to go swimming in Guvano because you will find few tourists and you will be able to enjoy a pleasant climate, but also because when the summer ends the nudist season on the beach ends, so you will be able to take a bath in peace and quiet and even visit it with children if you plan to visit Cinque Terre with your family.

Keep in mind that access to Guvano beach is not easy and that the best way to enjoy it is to spend the whole afternoon, so it may not be advisable if you are planning a short stay in the region. If that is your case, here is a list of things to see and do to discover Cinque Terre in 2 days.

Since Unesco included Cinque Terre in the list of World Heritage Sites, the island of Tino, which was also included, remained together with other territories within the administration of the region. Today, Tino remains a great mystery, but one of the few certainties is that 13 September is the celebration of San Venerio, the patron saint of La Spezia.

San Venerio is an enigma in himself, but it is believed that he lived on the island as a hermit and that his shrine was built on Tino to mark the site of his death. Later, the monastery would be built there and the patronal feast would begin to be celebrated, consisting of a mass and a large bonfire that is kept burning all day to ward off the cold that will come with the end of summer.

The island can be reached on your own or on one of the boat excursions that tour the islands of the region, although be aware that if you plan to visit Cinque Terre in the summer, the tours can sell out quickly, so book well in advance.

Useful details

• Price: You can visit the island for free.
• When: 13 September each year.
• Where: Island of Tino, Cinque Terre.

Trento Longaretti was one of Italy's most famous contemporary painters and lived for much of his life in Corniglia, where he set up his studio and was inspired by Cinque Terre, a place he described as one of the most beautiful places on earth. Today, his studio is also an art museum and every 27 September activities are organised there to celebrate the anniversary of the artist's birth.

Visiting Trento Longaretti's studio is an ideal plan if you plan to visit Cinque Terre with children and if you want to live an alternative experience to the traditional ones in the region, since in the museum, besides the author's works, you will be able to participate in painting activities, attend conferences and discover the history of the Italian Riviera through the artist's legacy.

Trento Longaretti's studio is located in the attic of a discreet house that is only distinguished by the striking red colour of its façade, the green of its openings and the lighting, which you can discover if you plan to visit Cinque Terre at night.

Interesting details

• Price: entrance to the workshop has an initial cost of approximately 5 euros per person.
• When: 27 September each year.
• Hours: during the summer the museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.
• Where: Corniglia, Cinque Terre.

John the Baptist is the patron saint of Monterosso al Mare, which is the most famous and most popular town in Cinque Terre, and if you visit the region in September, you can take part in the patron saint festivities, since in Italy they celebrate his conception and not his birth, as is common in other countries.

Every 23 September in Monterosso al Mare, the patron saint's day activities begin with a mass in the Church of St. John the Baptist, followed by a pilgrimage. In addition, food stalls are set up around the main church, which remains open all day so that visitors from other parts of Italy can take part in the celebration.

In the vicinity of the Church of St. John the Baptist you can also shop for handicrafts and visit the gift shops, as the church is one of the focal points of Cinque Terre.

Interesting details

• Price: you can participate in the activities free of charge.
• When: 23rd September every year.
• Where: Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre.

The Golfo dei Poeti is one of the main sites of La Spezia and in September, to close the summer season, swimming competitions are organised for all ages and levels, so if you are a fan of the sport, you can take part in the competition or come as a spectator.

The competition usually starts during the last days of August and closes during the third week of September, so you can watch the final stages and also enjoy the food stalls and musical concerts that are organised around the event.

Keep in mind that Golfo dei Poeti is located just outside of Cinque Terre, in the central area of La Spezia, so you will have to spend part of your trip travelling to and from the region to the gulf, which could take time away from other activities if you are planning a short stay. If that is your case, here is a list of activities so you can get to know Cinque Terre in 3 days.

Details of interest

• Price: registration fees depend on the category but start at 18 euros per person.
• When: the final instances are during the third week of September.
• Where: Golfo dei Poeti, La Spezia.

The Notte Bianca is a tradition that started in Rome, where during the second weekend of September public squares are turned into entertainment ven ues with musical events, music shows, plays and food stalls. This tradition has spread to other parts of Italy, including Cinque Terre, so you can enjoy the Notte Bianca during your September trip.

In Cinque Terre the main sites of the Notte Bianca are the main square in Monterosso al Mare and Piazza Vignaioli in Riomaggiore, but in any town you find yourself in during the second weekend of September you can enjoy the shows, which mostly feature local artists.

During the Notte Bianca museums, shops and public spaces in general are also open, making it one of the best opportunities to see a different side of Cinque Terre.

Interesting details

• Price: most activities are free and public transport offers discounts.
• When: during the second weekend of September.
• Where: in the public spaces of Cinque Terre.

September coincides with the end of summer in Cinque Terre and the beginning of autumn, so temperatures drop a little compared to the summer season, but remain at highs of 27°C, lows of 17°C and average temperatures of 23°C, so the weather is pleasant.

September offers some of the best weather for adventure and trekking excursions and for walking in the villages of Cinque Terre and for bathing, diving and snorkelling excursions.

September marks the beginning of the low season on the Italian Riviera, which empties of tourists and radically changes the map of the towns, which are no longer crowded with visitors. This makes it an ideal time to visit the towns and their attractions with good weather and few tourists.

Note also that the decrease in tourists also affects prices, so you will find that accommodation and excursions are cheaper than if you visit Cinque Terre in April or during the summer months.

Once the summer is over, prices on the Italian Riviera drop dramatically, especially for accommodation and excursions, which tend to empty of tourists and offer reduced rates, making September one of the best months of the year to visit Cinque Terre.

Also note that if you book excursions and accommodation in advance, you can get better discounts and avoid last minute price increases.

September is a warm and balmy month in Cinque Terre, so I recommend packing the following items in your suitcase:

• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable shoes
• Sun hat
• Light T-shirt
• Lightweight coat
• Lightweight trousers
• Rain jacket
• Light jumpers
• Swimming shorts