Where to Stay in Cinque Terre
Are you wondering where to stay in Cinque Terre, Italy?
Cinque Terre is one of the prettiest destinations in Italy and a bucket list trip for many. Meaning “Five Lands” in Italian, Cinque Terre is a collection of five villages along Italy’s Ligurian Coast.
Each village has its own distinct personality, but collectively Cinque Terre is known for its quaint and colorful charm, dramatic scenery, great cliffside hiking, and beautiful blue seas.
These are the five towns in Cinque Terre:
- Riomaggiore
- Manarola
- Corniglia
- Vernazza
- Monterosso al Mare
Which one you stay in depends on several factors, which we’ll discuss below.
How long in Cinque Terre? I definitely recommend spending at least two nights in this destination instead of trying to squeeze it all into a day trip. A few days is the perfect amount of time to explore.
⏰ Short on time? This full-day tour from Florence gives you a taste of Cinque Terre.
Getting to Cinque Terre
The best way to get to Cinque Terre is by train. All the towns of Cinque Terre are located on a local train line that runs from La Spezia to Levanto, and each stop is just a few minutes from the next.
La Spezia is the largest town near Cinque Terre, and it’s where you’ll probably find yourself if you’re coming to this destination from anywhere else in Italy, like Florence, Rome, or Pisa.
It’s 1.5 hours from Florence, 3 hours from Rome, and 50 minutes from Pisa.
The platform I always use for booking train tickets online to get the best price is Omio.
You don’t need a car to explore Cinque Terre. In fact, it may make things more difficult. Parking is very limited in all five towns, and the roads connecting the towns are narrow, winding, and located far up in the hills above the towns. It’s much faster to take the train than to drive between towns.
This destination is also known for its hiking and walking trails. There are paths between all five towns, although some are closed depending on the weather and the time of year. To get from Riomaggiore to Monterosso al Mare on foot, it would take you about five hours, and it’s a distance of 7.5 miles.
Where to Stay in Cinque Terre
Here’s an overview of each village in Cinque Terre, and who it is best for:
- Riomaggiore: The closest town to La Spezia and one of the larger Cinque Terre towns. It’s a great place to stay with easy access to hiking trails, restaurants, and shops.
- Manarola: This is where I stayed, and I loved it. It gets much quieter in the evening after all the day trippers have left. Perfect for couples. It’s also extremely photogenic.
- Corniglia: It’s the only town set back from the sea. From the train station, you must climb 400 stairs or take a shuttle to reach the town. Good choice for hikers or those looking for an off-the-beaten-path town. Not good for families with small children or anyone with mobility issues.
- Vernazza: This is a lively, colorful town with lots of shopping and dining options. It’s very picturesque, but it’s popular and can get extremely crowded. Good for couples or families.
- Monterosso al Mare: The largest of the five towns and the one with the best beach of all. Great for families. It’s also flat, making it a good choice for those with mobility issues.
Another option is staying in La Spezia. While it is not technically part of Cinque Terre, it’s the gateway to all the towns since it’s where the main train station is. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s a good place to stay because you’ll find much lower prices on hotels, food, and souvenirs in La Spezia than in the five towns.
When to Book Your Hotel
Note that in Cinque Terre, you will not find many large hotels with amenities like a swimming pool, fitness center, etc., or chain hotels. It’s mainly smaller, family-run hotels and B&Bs instead.
There’s also limited availability, so I cannot emphasize enough the importance of booking your Cinque Hotel accommodations as far in advance as possible, especially if you’re traveling during the summer high season. Ideally, booking at least six months out ensures you get your choice of where to stay.
It’s okay if you book later than that, but try not to put things off until the last minute (especially during the summer season), or you will face very limited room inventory in Cinque Terre.
Tip: I use and recommend Booking.com for getting the best deal on hotels. If you book directly through a link on this page, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Stay to Wander!
Where to Stay in Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is the first town in Cinque Terre after La Spezia, and it’s known for its rocky harbor filled with traditional fishing boats. It’s one of the prettiest of the Cinque Terre villages, in my opinion.
Here is the best place to stay in Riomaggiore:
Scorci Di Mare
Scorci Di Mare is one of the most highly-rated properties in Cinque Terre. This guesthouse in Riomaggiore offers incredible views of the sea and the colorful buildings of the town.
Waking up to this iconic postcard view is an incredible way to experience Cinque Terre. This property is also just a short walk away from the train station, restaurants, shops, and hiking trails.
Where to Stay in Manarola
Manarola is where I stayed for three nights in Cinque Terre, and I loved it! This village is known for being a favorite among photographers, offering some of the most stunning views of all five towns.
Although there’s no beach, people are always swimming and jumping off rocks in the harbor.
Here is the best place to stay in Manarola:
Ca’ D’Andrean
Ca’ D’Andrean is one of the top-rated hotels in Cinque Terre, and it’s where I stayed in Manarola. I really liked staying here, and I highly recommend this hotel for your trip to Cinque Terre.
Located just up the hill on the main street of Manarola, this small hotel offers free breakfast and great views from many rooms. I loved staying in Manarola because it’s one of the quieter of the five villages.
Where to Stay in Corniglia
Corniglia is the least visited of Cinque Terre’s towns, mainly because it’s the only one that isn’t directly on the water and requires a climb of 400 steps or a shuttle ride from the train station to access the town.
However, visitors who stay in Corniglia will be rewarded with beautiful views, scenic hiking trails, vineyards and wine, and more. It’s perfect for those looking for an off-the-beaten-path stay.
Here is the best place to stay in Corniglia:
Locanda Il Carugio
Hands down, Locanda Il Carugio is the best hotel in Corniglia. This highly-rated hotel is one of the most luxurious in Cinque Terre, with modern style and design, but it’s still very affordable.
Breakfast is included, and some rooms have private balconies with amazing views of the scenery. This is a great place to stay if you want to be more off the beaten path on your visit to Cinque Terre.
Where to Stay in Vernazza
Vernazza is one of the most picturesque Cinque Terre villages, making it one of the most popular stops. It’s also a great place for photographers, with so many stunning and photogenic areas.
Here is the best place to stay in Vernazza:
Casa Catò
Casa Catò is a charming guesthouse in Vernazza that offers some of the best views in town. Some rooms have private balconies, and all of them have a modern and updated style.
Located just a short walk from the train station and the harbor, this is a great place to base yourself if you want to be in the heart of all the action in Cinque Terre, close to restaurants and shops.
Where to Stay in Monterosso al Mare
Monterosso al Mare is known for having the best beach of all the Cinque Terre towns, and in fact, having the only sandy beach that is right in town. This town is lively, being the largest of the five towns.
Here is the best place to stay in Monterosso al Mare:
Albergo Degli Amici
Albergo Degli Amici is one of the top-rated hotels in Monterosso al Mare, located a 10-minute walk from the train station in the historic heart of the town, and offering stunning views of the sea.
This hotel offers free breakfast, a stunning terrace, and free beach towels for guests. If you’re a beach lover, this is the perfect place to stay since you’re just a short walk from Monterosso al Mare’s beach.
Where to Stay in La Spezia
Although La Spezia is not part of Cinque Terre, it’s a good place to stay on your trip due to its convenient location and affordable prices. La Spezia is where the main train station is to access Cinque Terre, and it’s a much larger city with over 90,000 people, so you’ll find more choices for hotels, restaurants, etc.
Here is the best place to stay in La Spezia:
Affittacamere Casa Dane’
Affittacamere Casa Dane’ in La Spezia is located two minutes from the train station in La Spezia, making it the perfect centrally located hotel to base yourself at for a trip to Cinque Terre.
This well-reviewed hotel offers free breakfast and clean, modern rooms. Being in La Spezia, it’s more affordable, yet still just a short train ride away from the five towns of Cinque Terre.
Where to Stay in Cinque Terre, Italy
This guide showed you where to stay in Cinque Terre, Italy.
To recap, my top picks for where to stay are:
- Riomaggiore: Scorci di Mare
- Manarola: Ca’ D’Andrean
- Corniglia: Locanda Il Carugio
- Vernazza: Casa Catò
- Monterosso al Mare: Albergo Degli Amici
- La Spezia: Affittacamere Casa Dane’
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in Cinque Terre!
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