Where to Stay in Cinque Terre Region

Monterosso is often recommended as the best place to stay in Cinque Terre for first-time visitors. The largest of the five villages, it boasts a picturesque medieval Old Town, a sandy beach, and many accommodation options. There are several beaches and plenty of restaurants and bars, plus you’ll find the widest selection of hotels and guesthouses near the beaches too. Monterosso is almost entirely flat, making it ideal for anyone with mobility issues as well as families with young children, with long stretches along the beach where stroller use is possible. Vernazza is another great pick as the most photographed Cinque Terre village, embodying the kind of experience most visitors to the region expect while offering a wide range of hotels and restaurants. Dating back to the 11th century, it has a rich history with a labyrinth of delightful streets and colorful homes arranged around the port, one of the most charming in the area.

Located in the heart of Cinque Terre National Park atop a rocky promontory about 330 feet above the sea, Corniglia is quite a bit different than the other villages. It’s the only one that’s not right on the water and as it requires negotiating 377 steps or taking a shuttle bus to reach it from the train station, it’s one of the least visited. While it’s not a good choice for anyone with mobility issues, it’s the best for those who want to enjoy an authentic local feel or hike the trails. Hikers will find two of the most stunning trails linking Corniglia with Vernazza and Manarola via Volastra. Anyone seeking a quiet place to stay away from the big crowds should consider it with fewer tourists staying here. There are several excellent hotels and all have breathtaking sea views, but when it comes to nightlife, the only real options are restaurants and bars.

Monterosso is ideal for beach lovers as it offers a number of public and private beaches. As soon as you depart the train station you’ll be at the Fegina seafront where there are two free beaches and there are two more at the end of the promenade toward Levanto. Portiglione beach is just beyond the sailing club and Gigante sits below the giant’s statue. The large rocks under the Aurora Tower are popular for sunbathing and there’s a sandy beach right in front of the historic center near the ferry dock where trips to the Gulf of Poets and other villages depart. As mentioned, this is a great village for families with small children and those with mobility issues too as it’s almost entirely flat and avoids the need to climb lots of stairs. You’ll find one of the widest selections of hotels and guesthouses near the beach making it easy to enjoy swimming throughout your stay. 

Vernazza is one of the very best places to stay in Cinque Terre. Heartbreakingly beautiful, many feel it’s the most photogenic of the five villages. It’s home to the region’s only natural port and offers two beaches for those seeking a beach getaway. It has an intriguing history with the first recorded information on Vernazza revealing it was a fortified town in 1080. Today, you’ll glimpse some of its past in the maze of streets and the ruins of Doria Castle. One of the best aspects of staying here is that most hotels overlook the sea and village, so you’ll almost always have a view. As Vernazza is so picturesque, rates for accommodation tend to be more expensive than what you’ll find elsewhere. One of the most popular villages, it’s also one of the busiest, with many day trippers arriving from other villages though traffic eases after dark. If you stay here, book reservations well in advance.

Riomaggiore is the first town you’ll encounter coming from La Spezia. It’s larger than the others and the one with the liveliest nightlife. It’s not a party destination but it does have the most bars and restaurants. A top pick among younger visitors looking to stay out later at night and do some socializing, many establishments stay open until 1 am. There are many cool hangout spots where you can meet up with other travelers and from the harbor, you’ll enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets around. The village also has the quintessential colorful homes and spectacular landscapes the Cinque Terre region is known for as well as being a decent base for hiking. It is important to thoroughly read reviews and look into the location of accommodation options you’re considering if you don’t want to worry about noise late at night. For those on a budget, there are some more affordable hotels.

Of the five Cinque Terre villages, Corniglia is the least touristy and the least busy. It’s by far the quietest with most tourists choosing to stay in the other villages as it’s harder to access, set high above the sea. That makes for some jaw-dropping views but it’s also more difficult to enjoy a swim in the sea. During the day, many tourists pass through, enjoying a casual walk through the charming narrow streets, stopping to admire the view, but most don’t stick around long. For those who want to avoid the crowds, it’s arguably your best choice but to reach it you’ll need to take a shuttle bus from the train station, which is at sea level, or climb nearly 380 steps. Generally, Corniglia is best for those who want to stay off the beaten path, don’t care about being right by the sea, and prefer quieter evenings far from the crowds.