Italy, Europe

Cinque Terre in December

The Manarola hillside nativity lights up, and the villages are peaceful. Many places still closed.

Quiet valueCool, highs near 56F (13C)

Manarola, Cinque Terre — Cinque TerrePhoto: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. Feel free to use my photos, but p, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

December is a quiet, good-value month to visit Cinque Terre. The Manarola hillside nativity lights up, and the villages are peaceful. Many places still closed.

Weather: Cool, highs near 56F (13C)
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What December is like in Cinque Terre

December is cool, with highs near 56F (13C). The villages are peaceful, and the Manarola hillside nativity lights up from early December, a real winter reason to come. Many restaurants and guesthouses are still closed, and the boats are not running. Prices are low.

This month suits couples and families looking for a quiet, festive winter trip. It is not a hiking or beach month. For those, come back in May or September. If you come, base yourself in Monterosso or Riomaggiore for more open restaurants, and check which trails are open, since winter rain can close sections without warning.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Cinque Terre this month.

Manarola nativity

A huge illuminated nativity across the vineyard hillside above Manarola.

Peaceful villages

The five villages feel local and calm.

Low prices

Rooms are cheap outside the holiday weeks.

What to pack for December

A warm, waterproof jacket
Grippy shoes
A warm hat and gloves for evenings
An umbrella

Our timing tip

Visit Manarola in the early evening to see the nativity light up, then take the train back to your base.

Book Cinque Terre for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Cinque Terre
Opens a hotel search for Cinque Terre in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Cinque Terre
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Cinque Terre
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Cinque Terre for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Manarola nativity scene

Early December into late January

A huge illuminated nativity built across the vineyard hillside above Manarola. A genuine winter reason to come.

Things to do in Cinque Terre

Full guide

Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail)

The classic coastal path between the villages. The busiest sections require a Cinque Terre Card in season; check which sections are open.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Via dell'Amore

The short, famous cliff walk from Riomaggiore to Manarola reopened in 2024 after a long closure, with limited timed access. Book ahead.

Tickets and tours →

Vernazza harbor at sunset

The most photographed view is from the trail toward Monterosso just above the village. Day crowds thin out after 6pm.

Tickets and tours →

Manarola

The classic view from the path around the headland. Evening and early morning are the calm windows.

Tickets and tours →

Corniglia

The only village not on the water, perched on a cliff up a long flight of steps from the station. Usually the quietest of the five.

Tickets and tours →

Monterosso beach

The largest sandy beach and the easiest swimming. Loungers and umbrellas are available in summer.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Stay overnight in one of the villages or in Levanto. The crush is mostly day visitors, and they leave by early evening.
Hike in the early morning, starting before 8:30am, and spend midday swimming or eating when trails and trains are at their worst.
Use the higher trails to the sanctuaries (Soviore above Monterosso, Montenero above Riomaggiore) for real hiking with a fraction of the foot traffic.
Avoid weekends in May and June and visit Tuesday to Thursday instead; spring weekends bring Italian day-trippers on top of international visitors.

Know before you go

Trails close regularly after heavy rain or landslides, especially in October and November. Check the national park site for current openings before you plan a hike.
Boats between the villages generally run from about late March or April to late October or early November, weather permitting. In winter, the train is the only link.
Many restaurants and guesthouses close for part of the winter, most often from about November to February.
The Cinque Terre Card (trail and train pass) is required for the paid sections of the Blue Trail in season. Buy it at stations or online.

Cinque Terre in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Cinque Terre?

December is a quiet, good-value month to visit Cinque Terre. The Manarola hillside nativity lights up, and the villages are peaceful. Many places still closed.

What is the weather like in Cinque Terre in December?

Cool, highs near 56F (13C).

Is Cinque Terre crowded in December?

December is one of the quieter months in Cinque Terre; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Cinque Terre in December?

Manarola nativity scene (early december into late january).