Where to stay in Cinque Terre, depending on your trip plans. Whether you’re staying for a couple of days, traveling by car, want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the “Five Lands” and see one of its villages without tourist crowds, or want to combine exploring Cinque Terre with a beach vacation.
All options are possible—choose your own.
Cinque Terre is a national park in the northwestern Italian region of Liguria. It’s a small stretch of coastline made up of 5 towns: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. The coastline is rocky and mountainous, and the park around the little towns offers excellent hiking trails and fabulous sea views.
Recommended reading: Cinque Terre – how to visit independently, where to stay, what to see in the pearl of Liguria
Monterosso al Mare
Are you looking for a classic seaside holiday with children? Do you like a quiet and comfortable vacation with lots of entertainment for adults and kids? There’s great city infrastructure, and you can arrive not only by train but also by car. Then Monterosso is a good choice for lodging in Cinque Terre.
This is the largest town in the Five Lands, with a population of about 1,500. Monterosso sits at the western end of Cinque Terre, looking out over a small bay. The medieval village has several notable heritage sites such as the Church of San Giovanni Battista and the Statue of the Giant (or Neptune)—a huge monument overlooking the beach, built in 1910.
Hiking:
- Monterosso–Vernazza trail – moderate difficulty, takes about 2 hours.
- Monterosso–Levanto trail – with a steep incline, takes 2.5 hours.
- Blue Trail – runs from Monterosso to Riomaggiore, 12 km, takes a whole day if you stop in each village to explore. The trail starts at the beach by the pier.
Beaches:
Monterosso has the largest beach in Cinque Terre (Fegina Beach) and the only sandy coastline. That’s why it’s the busiest place, especially in summer. There’s also a smaller beach in front of the old town by the pier.
How to get there: by train from Genoa or La Spezia or by boat from La Spezia or another Cinque Terre village. Or by rental car if you’re traveling Italy.
If you’re traveling Cinque Terre by car, note that only Monterosso has parking in the town center. In other villages you’ll need to park outside the village and walk in.
Where to stay in Monterosso al Mare
- Hotel Palme≫ – The hotel is by the promenade, train station, and big Monterosso beach. Stunning view from the hotel—just what you’d expect if on the top floor. Good breakfasts, clean rooms—a nice place for a holiday.
- Albergo Degli Amici≫ – Very conveniently located in Monterosso center near all restaurants and bars. Clean room. There’s a fridge, TV. Bottled water in the room, tasty breakfasts.
- La Casa sul Mare – Monterosso – Cinque Terre≫ – Great location for using as a base for Cinque Terre hikes. Close to the train station, good restaurants, balcony with a sea view. Self check-in available—video instructions on how to access. Rooftop relaxation area. Large room with coffee machine, electric kettle, fridge, morning coffee and tea provided.
- Lovers’ Lane – Riomaggiore–Manarola—steep but short, takes 1 hour, there’s an extra €10 charge if you have a train pass or Cinque Terre Card. You can walk this trail with small children in a stroller—there are no stairs; the path is completely flat.
- Santuario di Montenero Trail—quite easy, takes 1.5 hours.
How to get there: by train from Genoa or La Spezia, or by boat from La Spezia or another Cinque Terre village. In Riomaggiore there is a small covered parking lot, and winding roads, so driving is not a good idea.
Recommended reading: Cinque Terre – logistics answers: how to get there and get around by car, trains and ferries
Where to stay in Riomaggiore:
- Ai Pesci Room Rental≫ – An amazing location, just 10 minutes’ walk from the train station with minimal stairs. The view from the window and balcony is incredible, you can watch the sunset. Rooms are perfectly clean and well supplied with juices and pastries.
- L’ora del Mare, Terre Marine≫ – very nice apartments with a kitchen and washing machine near the Riomaggiore pier.
- Hotel Due Gemelli≫ – The hotel cascades down the hillside with a stunning view of the neighboring coast and the Mediterranean Sea, creating an incredible atmosphere in the mornings and evenings. Good breakfast, with the same amazing view.
Vernazza
The second village you encounter on the Blue Trail. It’s surrounded by vineyards, and just above the town you’ll find the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Reggio (reachable by an easy 2 km trail). Vernazza is famous for its vineyards, lemons, and olive oil production. It’s also one of the most popular villages, so accommodation here can be scarce. There are plenty of hiking trails and beautiful rural landscapes. It’s also convenient for families—strollers can get to the beach and streets without stairs easily.
Beaches:
- sandy beach in the lagoon near the boat pier, with a gently sloping entrance,
- next to the main square you’ll find another small beach, but you can only reach it through a natural cave (44°08’02.6″N 9°41’03.2″E).
Hiking:
- Vernazza – Monterosso trail – steep but beautiful, takes 2 hours,
- Vernazza – Corniglia trail – of moderate difficulty, takes 1.5 hours,
- Santuario trail – easy and partly paved, under 30 minutes.
How to get there: by train from Genoa or La Spezia or by boat from La Spezia or another Cinque Terre village. Main beach is right in front of the town square.
Where to stay in Vernazza:
- Vernazza2010 Rooms≫ – cozy room near the train station. In a place where steep climbs are the norm, it’s great the property is only about 30 meters from the station. From there it’s easy to walk to the water’s edge. There’s a café nearby for breakfast. The room is comfortable with storage for a couple of days’ stay.
- Nonna Rosetta Traditional Studio≫ – Perfect for those exploring Cinque Terre. Spacious room right in the village center, near the main square and the train station.
Manarola
This ancient village is perched on a steep hill between Riomaggiore and Corniglia. It consists of a network of narrow lanes called “caruggi,” typical of several Ligurian towns (for example, Genoa’s historic center). The village is built around an old castle, now a private residence but still recognizable as a fortress.
Manarola has beautiful views both in summer and winter and offers many opportunities for active recreation.
Manarola is famous for its “presepe“—the world’s largest nativity scene display. In December, a bright nativity scene is built on the hillside with many figures covered in lights visible from afar.
Beaches:
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Main beach – really more of a pier, right by the port,
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- there’s also a small pier where people swim and sunbathe, a little way up the path to Corniglia (44°06’29.4″N 9°43’33.7″E)
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- If you like hiking, you can also reach another bigger beach 3 km from the village (Spiaggione di Corniglia).
Hiking:
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- Punta Bonfiglio trail – there’s a playground at the tip of the promontory,
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- Manarola–Corniglia trail – easy, takes 2.5 hours (spring 2025 was closed—you need to use the higher route, a bit harder).
How to get there: by train from Genoa or La Spezia, or by boat from La Spezia or another Cinque Terre village.
Where to stay in Manarola:
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- Bianca Luna≫ – Wonderful apartment in a lovely town. The room is very spacious, and the kitchen is convenient and pleasant. The location is on the upper lane, and it’s very quiet here.
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- Sea-Cret, TerreMarine≫ – If you get the chance to visit Manarola, stay here. The location is amazing, the view simply incredible, clean, well decorated, new appliances, air conditioning. The apartment is above the crowds, has a great balcony, comfortable bed, and easy descent (no stairs) to the village center.
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- The Manarola Main Plaza≫ – Incredible view from the window. There’s a bar just below for snacks or evening drinks. The place is clean. The owner responds quickly to guest requests.
Corniglia
If you’re looking for trekking with stunning views and natural landscapes, and you don’t need beach holidays or entertainment—this is your place.
Corniglia is in the middle of Cinque Terre and is the only town without direct sea access. All buildings are on a hill, but there is a path down to the sea.
The village sits atop a promontory with sea views and is surrounded by vineyards. It’s truly tiny, hence no cultural heritage sites. However, the Church of St. Peter hosts an annual organ festival every summer.
Beaches:
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- Spiaggione di Corniglia is large and hard to reach (only on foot down a steep slope from the Blue Trail).
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- Just below the village is another rocky beach and pier where people sunbathe and swim—unavailable in rough seas. To reach it, go down about 400 steps.
Hiking:
The Corniglia–Vernazza trail is moderate and takes 1.5 hours. The trail through the vineyards is easy.
How to get there: by train from La Spezia or Levanto. After arriving at the station you need to climb 400 stone steps to get to the village above.
Where to stay in Corniglia:
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- La Lanterna≫ – small clean apartment with a sea view, located in the quiet part of Corniglia.
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- Affittacamere Il Timone≫ – This accommodation is perfectly located, the view is stunning. The room is spacious, with a nice bathroom and large shower. Great rooftop terrace for daytime wine and nighttime stargazing.
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- Il Borgo dei Ricordi, Terre Marine≫ – Great location, nice apartment. But only suitable for those who are physically fit—you have to climb stairs. It’s right in the center, with cafés and restaurants nearby. Wonderful apartment with views of the hills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cinque Terre located?
Cinque Terre is in the small Italian region of Liguria, north of Tuscany and south of Piedmont. The main gateways to the park are the Italian cities of La Spezia and Portofino, which can be reached by train from elsewhere in Italy. The capital of Liguria is Genoa, 94 km north of Cinque Terre. Florence is 165 km south of Cinque Terre.
Is Cinque Terre expensive?
Cinque Terre is one of the top tourist destinations in Italy, and hundreds of thousands visit every year. So yes, it’s quite expensive. During high season, everything—from food to hotels to sunbeds on the beach—costs much more than in most parts of Italy. Even so, if you plan ahead, it can be very affordable to visit.
How much is the entrance ticket to Cinque Terre?
Entry to the national park is free, but a Cinque Terre Train Card, which gives you unlimited train rides and access to all park hiking trails for one day, costs €18.2. If you don’t plan on using the train, you can also buy just the Cinque Terre Trekking Card, which costs €7.5 for one day.
Of the 48 park trails, only three are paid: Lovers’ Lane from Riomaggiore to Manarola, Monterosso – Vernazza, and Vernazza – Corniglia. All other 46 trails are free and don’t require a ticket.
In the off-season, from November to early March, use of any park trail is free.
How long does it take to walk between all 5 towns of Cinque Terre?
If you also want to spend some time visiting the 5 towns, you should allow a whole day—at least 9 hours. Start your day early and plan to finish in the evening.
Is hiking in Cinque Terre difficult?
Not really. Some trails are paved, others cross hills—often with steep stairs in various states of repair. Still, none are very difficult, and people of all ages and abilities can manage them. Trekking poles are a good idea for older travelers or those who struggle with stairs or steep slopes.
What to do in Cinque Terre?
Cinque Terre is a mountain national park, and the main activity here is hiking. The park’s 48 trails take tourists and trekkers high onto ridges, from which fantastic coastal views open up. There are also boat trips to shuttle between towns or explore the coast and swim, and strolling through each of the little towns is also a real pleasure.
Are the beaches in Cinque Terre nice?
While each Cinque Terre town has its own little beach and the sea is a splendid blue, the beaches themselves are nothing special. These are urban beaches, and in summer they get very crowded. The towns are charming and the coastal scenery is stunning, but the beaches themselves are not the highlight. The best is in Monterosso, sandy with pebbles, and there are both paid and free sections.
Useful articles and links:
Car rental – I search on Rentalcars.com
Hotels– I always book via Booking.com
Travel insurance I buy at Hotline.Finance
Train tickets in Europe – at Trainline
I suggest you to stay Prevo, the hamlet of Vernazza located in the highest spot of the Blue Path.