If you go to the Cinque Terre for hiking, as many people do, the rain can spoil your trip. Trails can become dangerous when wet and possibly closed for safety reasons.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a fabulous time in Cinque Terre. Accept that it is better to leave the hike for the next time and follow the suggestions below:
1. Spend more time in each village, taking the train to travel to each
2. Visit boutiques that feature local artisans for items such as jewelry and ceramics.
3. Visit at least one wine bar and do a wine tasting to expand your knowledge and experience of local wines.
4. If it’s just raining, no thunder or lightning, you can still swim! Just avoid the slippery rocks, so swim from the beaches of Monterosso or Vernazza
5. There are many options for a day trip, again allowing you to spend more time in other cities than you could otherwise, such as Pisa or Lucca.
6. Visit the olive oil museum in Cinque Terre.
7. For a local flavor, take the bus between towns, a different experience than train, ferry or on foot, and it gives you a different appreciation of the landscape.
8. Play cards with the locals, whether you play cards at home or not!
9. Have progressive meals. Have an appetizer in one town, a main dish in the next, and a dessert in another. Or, if you prefer, stay in one town, but go to different restaurants for each dish.
10. Enjoy the beauty of rain and storm, and the calmer, less hectic atmosphere it provides.
So regardless of the weather, it is always possible to enjoy Cinque Terre! Fortunately, the best things are not affected by the rain – the beauty, the food and the people are still wonderful!