Cinque Terre is a beautiful and popular destination in Italy that always feels like stepping into a postcard. In this gorgeous area, you will find five villages filled with colorful houses, turquoise sea, spectacular views, and harbors with wooden boats. Cinque Terre is a great destination to enjoy fresh seafood, pasta, local wines, a relaxing time, and hiking trails.
Planning a trip to Cinque Terre and not sure which is the best village to stay in? In this article, I will explore all five towns to help you decide where to stay in Cinque Terre, depending on your interests and preferences.
About Cinque Terre
In Italian, Cinque Terre loosely translates to “five lands,” which comes from the fact that the area has five towns. Located in the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre, considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is best known for its five fishing villages with pastel color houses that are perched on steep cliffs overlooking the Ligurian coast.
One thing about Cinque Terre is that each town looks similar from afar. However, when you get close, you’ll see that each town has something different to offer and is best suited for different people.
Cinque Terre is famous for is its hiking trails, which link all five towns together. The most well-known among them is the Sentiero Azzurro, or Blue Trail. You can opt to hike the entire trail, which will take around 5 to 7 hours depending on your pace and will include some steep hills. Or, you can choose to hike only certain parts of the trail, as each town has it own entry and exit points.
How Many Days do I Need in Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is famous for day trips, but I recommend you stay at least two days to experience the best of these beautiful towns without rushing. Including hiking, boating, and relaxing by the beach.
If you only have one day in Cinque Terre, don’t worry! It is still absolutely possible to experience all five Cinque Terre villages in one day. And, I have created a guide to help you make the most out of your 24 hours here. Take a quick look at my guide “Cinque Terre in one day” and learn all the available options, so you can start planning today!
Best Time to Visit Cinque Terre
You can visit Cinque Terre any time of the year; however, the summer months are the best time to visit thanks to the warm weather. That being said, this time of the year is also the busiest, so you can expect limited accommodation options and higher rates.
Another option would be to visit during the shoulder months April, May, late September, and October. The weather this time of the year is not as warm, but you can still enjoy activities like hiking and boating. Visiting during winter (November to March) will limit the options of things you can do in Cinque Terre due to the cold weather and rain. So keep this in mind when planning your trip to Cinque Terre.
How to Get to Cinque Terre and Each Town
Trains are the easiest and fastest way to get to and around Cinque Terre. There are direct train connections from Pisa, Rome, Florence, Milan, La Spezia, and more. In addition, the five towns of Cinque Terre are connected via the local train, Cinque Terre Express, which runs every 20 minutes.
Another excellent way to get around the towns in Cinque Terre is by boat, which gives you the best views of the five colorful villages. I highly recommend this activity if you’re on a day trip. There are many boat companies in Cinque Terre, but the three main options are: public ferry, private boat rental, and small group tours (10-12 people).
The private boat rentals are more flexible as you get to make your itinerary and make stops between villages for sightseeing, swimming, or snorkeling. In my opinion, sunset is the best time for a boat ride in Cinque Terre!
The public ferry is more affordable and will also make quick stops in every town (except Corniglia). You should keep an eye on the ferry timetable to catch the ferry in time. However, if you take the boat ride at sunset, the ferry will not have time to stop in any of the towns. Note that boat rides are not available in winter.
The Best Town to Stay in Cinque Terre: How to Choose the Perfect One
When it comes to where to stay in Cinque Terre, I suggest you pick a village as a base and explore the rest of the towns from here.
The five villages in Cinque Terre have their own charm, with enough accommodations and attractions to fill up your day. Can’t decide where to stay in Cinque Terre? Read more about each of the five towns below to get a better overview of what to expect.
Riomaggiore: Best for a lively atmosphere and budget options
Riomaggiore is a cluster of colorful houses around a tiny harbor where young people often gather to watch the sunset while eating pizza or seafood. Here, you will find a pebble beach, many great restaurants, and hotels with sea views near the harbor.
While here, you can enjoy many fun water activities, such as swimming, boating, and kayaking. Riomaggiore is also quite romantic and a perfect place to stay if you’re traveling as a couple. This town is also very lively, with many young people, small bars, great restaurants, and street food shops along the harbor. The nightlife here is the best in Cinque Terre, so you should stay here if that’s what you’re looking for. I must warn you, though, the nightlife isn’t much compared to bustling cities.
If you are looking for a gorgeous town with lots of energy, plenty of places to eat, and accommodation at a great value, Riomaggiore is an excellent choice.
Corniglia: Best for a quiet time
Corniglia sits on top of a rocky promontory, 100 meters above sea level. If you love a challenge, you will find the journey through the 383 steps that lead to the village adventurous (you might have to leave behind your suitcases for this!). You can also settle for a shuttle bus from the train station, but it’s always packed in high season.
Corniglia is the smallest town in Cinque Terre and is perfect for visitors searching for a quiet place with a local feel. It’s hard to find a town that isn’t busy in Cinque Terre, so Corniglia does an excellent job at being less-touristy. Since Corniglia is perched on top of a hill, there is limited access to the sea, so it doesn’t have the coastal vibe of other towns. Some hotels in this area provide seafront views, and there are restaurants where you can try out delicious Italian cuisine.
If you’re looking for nightlife, Corgnilia might not be where to stay in Cinque Terre. The nightlife here is almost zero, but there are opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking the trails, walking through the quaint streets, and admiring stunning coastline views.
Manarola: Best for wine, sunsets, and a romantic time
Manarola is full of tall, pretty houses that lead to a small harbor where you can swim, sunbathe, and row on colorful boats. You can also join people in jumping off the cliffs, enjoying delicious meals at the restaurants, or taking a stroll around the area.
One of the favorite things about this town is the restaurant, Nessun Dorma, overlooking the iconic colorful houses. For those coming to Cinque Terre with their partner, this spot is perfect for a romantic date, especially at sunset when the colorful houses reflect a stunning golden hue.
Manarola also has a small swimming hole, a couple of bars, and terraced vineyards that grow the grapes used in wine production in Cinque Terre. This village is also a great starting point for a scenic hike to Corniglia.
Vernazza: Best for photography and hiking
If you love attractive, serene, and picturesque areas, Vernazza is where you should stay in Cinque Terre. This area is perfect for fun activities such as hiking and boating. Vernazza is the best location in Cinque Terre for hiking! I must warn you, though, Vernazza is a small town and can get very busy (congested) in high seasons, especially in the afternoon.
If you are looking for where to stay in Cinque Terre for incredible viewpoints, Vernazza is the answer. There are many beautiful views, a colorful harbor, lush green hills, and two viewpoints on both sides of Sentiero Azzurro. From Vernazza, you can start your hiking journey on the Sentiero Azzurro trail to Corniglia or Monterosso. There are also some nice spots to eat, drink, and hang out in town.
Monterosso al Mare: Best for families and for beach time
Monterosso, being the first village of the five Cinque Terre towns, offers convenient and easy access to the rest of the small villages. It is also the largest village and has the most modern amenities, including two beaches, hotels, and restaurants.
One of the best beaches in Cinque Terre, Bagni Eden, known for its gorgeous orange and blue striped umbrellas, is here at Monterosso. If you want to be close to a sandy beach, Monterosso al Mare is where you should stay in Cinque Terre. The two beaches here are equipped with amenities such as sunbeds and umbrellas.
Besides the beaches, Monterosso is quite colorful and boasts a narrow main street, historic buildings, and a main square with bars, souvenir shops, and restaurants. The town is somehow divided into two; the old town, which has a more local feel, and the newer side of the town, where you’ll find the beach.
Monterosso is the perfect choice for first time visitors thanks to its great location. However, because it is arguably the best Cinque Terre town, it is also the most crowded of the five towns, and you’ll find travelers everywhere; the city center, the restaurants, the beach, and the narrow streets. If you don’t like crowds, you should stay in a quieter town or come during the low season.
