The Cinque Terre region stretches along the Ligurian coast in northwest Italy. As its name suggests, the area is made up of five villages and is located within a national UNESCO World Heritage Site park. The villages extend over 20 kilometres including, Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, from north to south. The region stands out for its beauty and colourful houses, nestled between the sea and clifftops.
Before visiting this area, you need to think carefully about where to stay in Cinque Terre. There is accommodation available in each village, depending on what you’re looking for. Cinque Terre is an idyllic place for couples and families, as well as photography and hiking enthusiasts. The region is also an ideal stopover on a road trip around Italy.
This guide shares everything you need to know about staying in the Cinque Terre region, as well as all our accommodation recommendations.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Cinque Terre, here are some key things you need to know about the area. This’ll give you a better idea of the region.
Our favorite places to stay
To give you an idea of how much it costs to stay in Cinque Terre, here are our top 3 places ordered by price range:
- $ this bed and breakfast in Monterosso, the biggest of the five villages
- $$ this hotel in La Spezia, the nearest big town to Cinque Terre
- $$$ this high-end apartment with a view, in Riomaggiore, the village furthest to the south
Map of different areas to stay in Cinque Terre
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels and flats in Cinque Terre. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
What to know before looking for a place to stay in Cinque Terre
Areas where to stay in Cinque Terre
Now, lets get into a bit more detail and take a look at the main areas we recommend staying in Cinque Terre.
Staying in Monterosso
Monterosso, ou Monterosso al Mare, is the largest village in Cinque Terre. With around 1,500 inhabitants, it is also the furthest west of the four villages, about 1h30 away from Genoa by car.
Monterosso is also one of the most popular villages to visit, boasting a wide range of shops and restaurants, as well as a long, sandy beach that families love. There is plenty of accommodation on offer, in particular apartments and guest rooms.
Monterosso is a nice place to stay in Cinque Terre. Its narrow, medieval streets provide a beautifully picturesque backdrop. Torre Aurora, a 16th-century tower on the headland, separates the old and new towns.
You can also walk from Monterosso to Vernazza along a 3-km footpath. The round trip takes approximately 3 hours and is an easy hike.
Recommended accommodation in Monterosso
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An excellent value bed & breakfast with views over the town, located 250 metres from the beach.
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A 3-star hotel by the beach with a bar and terrace. Breakfast is included in the price of the room.
Manarola, the most picture-perfect area
The penultimate southern village of Cinque Terre, Manarola, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and romantic places to stay in the region.
Most of the colourful houses are built into the cliffside, making it one of the most photographed places in Italy! The area is also well-known for its wine. The harbour, at the foot of the cliff, is an excellent spot to take panoramic photos. In the upper part of Manarola, you can admire the 15th-century Oratorio della Confraternita and the Church of San Lorenzo, built in the 14th century. We also recommend strolling through the village’s narrow streets and squares.
As the smallest and oldest village in Cinque Terre, Manarola has limited accommodation on offer. You’ll mainly find apartments and guest rooms.
If you enjoy hiking, you can walk along the footpath from Manarola to Riomaggiore. The 1.5km trail, of moderate difficulty, includes an uphill climb with lots of steps, so the round trip takes around 2 hours.
Accommodation tips in Manarola
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This seafront B&B offers spacious and well-equipped rooms. The prices are very affordable.
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This hotel is located in the centre of Manarola, a 5-minute walk from the train station. Breakfast is included in the price of the room.
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Various-sized seafront guest rooms. The view from the shared terrace is breathtaking - an ideal breakfast spot!
Staying in the picturesque Vernazza
Vernazza is often said to be the most picturesque part of Cinque Terre. This fishing village, with its harbour and colourful houses, is the second furthest north after Monterosso.
In the southern part of the town, after climbing a hundred or so steps, you can visit the 13th-century castle, Castello Doria. The views are well worth the effort! Lower down, you can enjoy the beautiful pebble beach.
There are also plenty of cafés with outdoor seating areas to soak up the village atmosphere. Vernazza offers a wide range of accommodation, made up primarily of apartments and guest rooms.
Hiking enthusiasts can reach Vernazza on foot from Monterosso or Corniglia. The 3-kilometre trail runs along the coastline, so you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views on the way. The walk is easy, and you can complete the round trip in around 3 hours.
Good places to stay in Vernazza
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Well-equipped and affordable guest rooms, including some with a balcony with sea views.
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This B&B is 150 metres from the beach. It has a terrace from which you can enjoy the sea and mountain views.
Staying in Riomaggiore, the southernmost village
Riomaggiore is the southernmost village in Cinque Terre and the second most populated. There are plenty of restaurants and accommodation options here, consisting mainly of apartments and guest rooms.
You can visit several buildings dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries, including the San Giovanni and San Lorenzo churches and the castle, Castello di Riomaggiore.
If you enjoy hiking, you can follow the trail around Riomaggiore. The loop is around 3.5km, making up an easy 3-hour round-trip walk. The main point of interest along the way is the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montenero, a sanctuary built in the 11th century and renovated during the 18th.
This area offers a wider choice of accommodation and is a little livelier in the evening.
Accommodation suggestions in Riomaggiore
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A spacious, well-equipped seafront apartment with beautiful views, a few minutes’ walk from the beach.
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This hotel offers rooms of various sizes, some of which have nice views. With breakfast included in the price and parking available, this is a great place to stay in the heart of Cinque Terre, offering good value for money.
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A spacious, luxury apartment for up to 4 people, located 100 metres from the beach. It is fully equipped and has a balcony with a beautiful view.
Staying in Corniglia, a central but less busy location
Corniglia is located in the centre of the Cinque Terre region. It is the only village built solely on the clifftops, offering spectacular views. Since you can’t access the sea from here, it is less popular with tourists.
You can reach Corniglia via the footpaths from the other villages or climb the 400 steps of the Lardarina staircase.
You can, of course, stay in Corniglia, although accommodation is fairly limited due to its small size. The apartments or guest rooms often offer magnificent sea views.
Corniglia’s central location in the Cinque Terre region makes it an ideal stopover for hikers. You can then follow the footpath north to Monterosso or south to Riomaggiore.
Accommodation ideas in Corniglia
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A hotel complex with a view overlooking the sea. Its main asset: free private parking.
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These guest rooms offer great value for money. They all have a balcony with sea views.
Staying in a large town around Cinque Terre: La Spezia
Whether you’re at the beginning or end of your trip, or simply looking for more accommodation options, you can also stay in the area around Cinque Terre.
La Spezia is located 15 kilometres south and is a 25-minute drive or 10-minute train ride from Riomaggiore.
La Spezia is the capital of the Liguria region, with around 100,000 inhabitants. It has a lively nightlife, with plenty of restaurants and bars. There are also a lot more accommodation options, including hotels. La Spezia is a 1-hour drive from Pisa and 1h30 from Florence.
Accommodations recommendations in La Spezia
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This hotel offers great value for money. It has a bar, spacious rooms that can accommodate up to 4 people and optional private parking.
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This classic city hotel is close to the train station and has a car park. If you want to stay near Cinque Terre and visit the villages during the day, this option offers great value for money.
Staying North of Cinque Terre, in Levanto
Levanto is 12 kilometers north of Cinque Terre and 1 hour from Genoa. Monterosso is a 20-minute drive or 5-minute train ride away. This town can be a good stopover at the beginning or end of your trip, or a base from which to explore the region if you can’t find accommodation in one of the villages.
Levanto is a fairly small town, with about 5,000 inhabitants. However, there is a wide range of accommodation available, in particular apartments and guest rooms.
Accommodation tips in Levanto
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This modern bed & breakfast is just 250 metres from the beach and offers free parking.
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This hotel offers rooms with garden or sea views. It is a 5-kilometer walk from the train station and has a garden and private parking.
Where to stay in Cinque Terre – A summary
The Cinque Terre region is a popular tourist destination. Each village has something different to offer, so we recommend staying for several days to make the most of your trip.
As you will have gathered from this guide, there aren’t many hotels in Cinque Terre. You either have to head further afield, north or south, or opt for guest houses and holiday rentals. Whatever you decide, make sure to book as early as possible to find the best accommodation for you.