It is easy to understand why Cinque Terre are so famous, why tourists from all over the world want to see the villages of this corner of Liguria: just go and you’ll get it. I am madly in love with this Italian destination and I hope to return soon, but I would like to do it without damaging this incredible and so delicate territory. Because of their beauty, Cinque Terre are strongly affected by overtourism, especially in summer. And if we really can not travel in low season, we can discover this blue and green paradise in a sustainable way, starting from these unusual and less touristy corners.
A farm in the organic Vara Valley
Varese Ligure, a splendid medieval village, is the first town in Europe to have obtained the certification of environmental quality, thanks to organic farming and use of alternative energy sources. Here is Il Gumo, a farmhouse surrounded by pristine countryside, as well as an excellent starting point for reaching Cinque Terre villages.
Why it’s sustainable: Il Gumo is an organic farm that produces vegetables, jams, preserves and liqueurs. In addition, they use ecological cleaning products and there are energy-saving light bulbs and water flow reducers.
What to do: from this charming village we can go up the Vara river, exploring the valley, through the 601 and 602 paths that will lead us to discover a stretch of Alta Via delle Cinque Terre.
Distance from Cinque Terre: about an hour
Price: from € 60 per night for two people
Halfway between Cinque Terre and Portofino
We climb up to 700 meters of altitude and reach Monte Pù farm, which offers a breathtaking view that reaches the sea, the opportunity to live following the rhythms of nature and an authentic and familiar welcome.
Why it’s sustainable: the accommodation is in green architecture and the hosts are committed every day to protect the environment, producing organic food, recycling the waste.
What to do: a short itinerary immersed in nature, on foot or by bike, with a view towards the sea.
Distance from Cinque Terre: one hour and 10 minutes
Price: from € 60 per night for two people
Inland, close to Cinque Terre Park
Let’s go back to the woods of Vara Valley where Il Filo di Paglia farm awaits us; it’s the ideal destination for those who want to enjoy a regenerating holiday in the Ligurian hinterland, surrounded by greenery but close to Cinque Terre. After exploring the area you can enjoy an hour of traditional Chinese massage and savor the organic cuisine of the restaurant.
Why it’s sustainable: the organic farm offers a straw house, totally ecological, with photovoltaic panels. Furthermore, the accommodation recovers rainwater for sanitary facilities.
What to do: after exploring the sea, after diving into the blue, sometimes you want an alternative. The Vara river, just a few minutes from the hotel, offers numerous areas where you can swim and dive, enjoying the sun, the fresh and clean water, the shade of the trees and the tranquility.
Distance from Cinque Terre: 35 kilometers
Price: from € 80 per night for two people
In the heart of the Cinque Terre Natural Park
A rustic house full of charm surrounded by the greenery of the Cinque Terre Park: this is what awaits you in Memola, in the Podere Memolandia. From here the sea can be reached in a few minutes and the garden, which is more like a private park, invites you to relaxant unplug.
Why it’s sustainable: the house has solar panels, water flow reducers and energy saving lights.
What to do: rent a mountain-bike from the accommodation itself and set off to discover the surroundings, nature will embrace you and you will discover the incredible landscapes of Cinque Terre.
Distance from Cinque Terre: 15 minutes
Price: from € 150 per night for four people
A green oasis on the sea of Cinque Terre
The La Francesca Resort is surrounded by the colors and scents of nature and offers 55 houses with sea view, scattered in a park of 15 hectares. To the west of Cinque Terre National Marine Park, the resort is set in a truly enchanting place and offers many services including an excellent typical restaurant.
Why it’s sustainable: the electricity used is 100% clean, the accommodation is accessible without cars and the detergents used are environmentally friendly.
What to do: the historical railway track that connected Levanto and Framura was transformed into a beautiful cycle path, which also passes from Bonassola, a few meters from the resort.
Distance from the Cinque Terre: 15 kilometers
Price: from € 60 per night for two people
A few minutes from the center of Levanto
Surrounded by greenery, in Levanto, the A’ Taversa farm awaits you. It is a rural house that has recently renovated respecting the environment and that offers all the modern comforts necessary for a carefree holiday.
Why it’s sustainable: here the energy comes from the sun, the detergents are green and they use energy-saving lights.
What to do: from Levanto you can reach Cinque Terre and the village of Monterosso not only by train in a few minutes, but also on foot through a beautiful path of 8 kilometers that goes into the wild vegetation and opens onto the sea.
Distance from the Cinque Terre: 5 minutes
Price: from € 60 per night for two people
A resort at the gates of Cinque Terre
Forget the daily rhythms and stress and indulge in beauty: the Costa Morroni resort has a series of apartments all fully equipped to ensure maximum comfort for your holiday on the edge of Cinque Terre park.
Why it’s sustainable: water is heated by the sun and there are water flow reducers.
What to do: after reaching the village of Monterosso by train or on foot, why not discover all Cinque Terre through breathtaking trails?
Distance from the Cinque Terre: 5 minutes
Price: from € 170 per night for two people
