Cinque Terre: Where to Stay

  • The Cinque Terre towns themselves are quite small and accommodations can be expensive. 
  • For cheaper accommodations with easy access to Cinque Terre, most choose to stay north or south of Cinque Terre National Park. Daily parking is often available at the train stations.
  • How many days to stay? 2-3 full days. Two full days should allow you to see all five towns. Three full days would definitely allow you to see all 5 towns and possibly a day trip to Portovenere or Portofino.

Cinque Terre (North to South)
Monterosso
  • The most northern and largest town of Cinque Terre. The most popular with tourists. 
  • It has more activity, souvenir and gourmet food/wine shops than any other village.
  • Similar to a beach town with a boardwalk along the beach.
  • The only town in Cinque Terre with an actual beach for lying on the sand.
  • Only a few minutes train ride from Levanto.
Vernazza
  • Often described as the prettiest of the Cinque Terre towns.
  • Very small and easy to walk around in an hour or so.
  • There is an open plaza near the bay
  • A small cave in the center of town will bring you to a small rocky shoreline
Corniglia
  • The only town where the train station does not enter the town. Corniglia lies at the top of a hill, while its train station is down below.
  • For most tourists this is the most inconvenient town to get to.
  • Regional trains often skip over Corniglia.
Manarola
  • Surrounded by terrace farms.
  • Where the nativity scene is lit from December through January.
Riomaggiore
  • The most southern town of Cinque Terre near La Spezia
  • Has one main uphill street of shopping and restaurants.
  • More hotels and residential areas located further uphill.
  • The regional trains almost always stop here, so it makes a great end point for hiking.

Nearby
La Spezia
  • A large town to the south of Cinque Terre with plenty of hotels and restaurants. 
  • Has its own train station and paid parking lots.
  • The ferry from La Spezia goes to Cinque Terre and Portovenere.
  • More things to do if you are not a hiker.
Portovenere
  • Beautiful area located between La Spezia and Cinque Terre.
  • Very remote and does not have a train station. Must be accessed by ferry or on foot. 
Levanto
  • To the north of Cinque Terre, only a few minutes by train from Monterosso.
  • Easy access to Cinque Terre by train or ferry (even to Portovenere). The Cinque Terre train pass includes Levanto.
  • It has a beach, boardwalk, and plenty of restaurants.
  • Less touristy than La Spezia or Cinque Terre.
  • Great hiking trail between Levanto and Monterosso.
  • Only a 45 minute train ride to Portofino (Santa Margherita Ligure) 
Sestri Levante
  • Do not stay any further north than this town.
  • Access to Cinque Terre by train (30 min.). The schedule is frequent and operates late at night.
  • Great restaurants and a beach.