"Chink-kway tay-ray" (4 syllables)

Most people are anglicizing the "q" by finding as non-existent "w" sound (as in "chinkwa").
The locals pronounce it "chinka terray"
with the final "a" of "chinka" cut very short like the final "e" in "ochre".

le Cinque Terre=the 5 earths/lands.

The Italian "c" here is soft, also "e" in Italian is said like an "a" (e.g. in the ending of "terre") so it is said: cheen qwa terra

Yes, Oysters, I believe I like your pronounciation as well!

twoflower, what locals are you talking about? Those of us in Italy DO NOT pronounce cinque as chinka. The qu makes the qw sound here as it does in English speaking countries.

I agree 100% with siena_us, there is absolutely no way that "cinque" is pronounced as "chinka". Also, it is not "terray" but said like terra, with emphasis or sort of a rolling r sound, with an "ah" ending. God forbid if you were to say it as "chinka terray", you would offend my ex-fiance, his entire family and the locals living in the Cinque Terre!

Five Terrys should do it.

I think I'd watch Rick Steve's show...