July in Cinque Terre brings even warmer temperatures, the hottest for the entire year, and scant rainfall amounts. The tourist season is at its peak, with visitors taking advantage of the near perfect weather to explore the villages up and down the coast. Compared to June, the average daily temperature jumps up two degrees, to 24°C (around 75°F). You can't ask for better weather for your holiday away!
The lows go down to 20°C (about 68°F), which feels pretty good after a day in the sun. Relax and enjoy the pleasant evenings with your favourite beverage at one of the villages' restaurants or bars. During the day, the highs reach 28°C (around 82°F), so take advantage of the heat and head to the coast for some swimming or water sports. You'll want to pack summer clothing such as shorts and short-sleeved shirts and don't forget your bathing suit.
This month also has the longest days of the year, with 11 hours of sunshine each day. You'll want sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun and avoid a vacation-ruining sunburn. Only 30 mm of rain falls on average this month, coming over only two days in the month. Don't worry if you forget your umbrella; you probably won't need it with those low rain chances. The water temperature has gone up a bit, hitting 23°C (around 73°F), nice and warm for splashing in the waves.
The highest recorded temperature this part of western Europe has even seen took place in 1995 when the thermometer topped off at 27°C (about 82°F). The lowest recorded temperature was just at freezing, 0°C (around 32°F), and happened in 2011. You probably won't have to contend with such extremes, but check the local forecast each day before you head out to be sure.
The Hotel Stella della Marina sits in the village of Monterosso, only steps from the beach. Head up to the rooftop terrace to enjoy panoramic views of the sea and the surrounding mountains. You can also enjoy breakfast and a cold drink up on the terrace. Each of the 10 guest rooms have private bathrooms and air conditioning, and two of them have Jacuzzi tubs and a separate seating area for extra room.
With two apartments and a private room, La Scogliera offers affordable accommodations in Riomaggiore to fit groups large and small. Both apartments have one bedroom with a double bed and bunk beds, full kitchen, balcony overlooking the harbour, and a private bathroom. The single room offers two beds, windows that look out over the water, private bathroom, air conditioning, and coffee maker.
Offering guests amazing views over the water in Monterosso, Hotel Pasquale is the ideal place to call home during your Cinque Terre holiday in July. Along with water views, the 15 guest rooms give you an amazing look at the surrounding cliffs and mountains. All the rooms have satellite television, free Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms. Hotel amenities include free luggage storage, laundry service, and free beach towels to use during your stay.
With sea temperatures reaching 23°C (around 73°F), July is ideal for swimming and water sports. Also found on at Fegina Beach in Monterosso, the Stella Marina Beach Bar is a great spot to spend the afternoon. The club offers umbrellas, loungers, and chairs for rent, as well as private beach hunts. Guests can feel safe with the lifeguard on duty and they'll also appreciate the dressing rooms, showers, safe deposit boxes, and ramps to easily get to the sand. The kids will love the games room and playground right on the beach.
South of Fegina Beach is the second beach of Monterosso, Old Town Beach. It's located on the other side of the castle from Fegina Beach and is more of a rocky beach. It has a parking lot for cars and is about 200 meters from the train station. Other amenities include rentals for umbrellas and loungers, as well as some water sports. The famous Blue Path also starts from this beach.
A quaint wine bar right on the sea in Manarola, Nessun Dorma Cinque Terre invites guests to kick back and enjoy the views with a delicious meal. Not only do you get amazing views of the water, you'll also get a look at the colourful buildings of the town that seem to sit precariously on the cliffs. Along with local wines, you can enjoy small plates, sandwiches, salads, and other light meals.
Located in the town of Vernazza, Il Pirata delle Cinque Terre is the perfect spot for a sweet breakfast treat. The restaurant is known for its amazing pastries, including croissants, panzerotti, chocolate tarts, and millefeuille with chantilly cream. Don't miss the cannoli with ricotta or chocolate either. Enjoy your breakfast with a strong cup of coffee or cappuccino as you watch the world wake up around you.
If you're looking for fresh sandwiches and salads, head over to the Lunch Box in Vernazza. The friendly staff help you create custom sandwiches and paninis with fresh and local ingredients. It also has a salad bar offering a healthy choice for lunch. The menu has yogurt, fruit, and other light snacks, all at an affordable price, making this a great choice for budget travellers.
If you want to explore the warm July waters of the Ligurian Sea on your own, rent a five-person boat or canoe from Nord Est Vernazza. Boat rentals are available for two, four, or eight hours and the rental cost includes fuel. Rentals are available from the Vernazza dock. Private tours, including sunset and night-time tours, are available if you're feeling intimidated about going out on your own.
The Cinque Terre area is famous for its numerous trails that connect all five villages to one another. Trails are available for everyone from beginners to advanced hikers, and travel all up and down and around the mountainous region that defines Cinque Terre. You can find maps online through the Cinque Terre National Park website that give information on trail length and what to see along the way.
Whether you're a foodie or just love food, a walking tour with Cinque Terre Tours will fit the bill. The seven-hour tour is customisable based on your interests and takes you through the villages of Riomaggiore, Monterosso, Vernazza, and Manarola. You'll walk from restaurant to restaurant in each village but take the train and ferry in between towns. You'll get to experience local cuisine and wine, including local favourite Sciacchetrà.
