Choosing where to stay in Cinque Terre can completely change your experience. In this guide, I'm going to break down the best towns to stay in Cinque Terre, who each one is best for, and how to choose the right base depending on your travel style, budget, and pace.
If you're planning a trip to Cinque Terre, be sure to also check out my travel guides to Manarola, Corniglia, and Riomaggiore so you can decide which villages to prioritize and plan your days better.
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There's something special about the Cinque Terre. Maybe it's the way the five towns seem to cling to the rocky coastline. Or maybe it's because each town has its own unique Italian personality.
Whatever the reason, this is a place that should be on everyone's travel list. And while there are plenty of hotel options in each of the towns, we think there are some standouts worth mentioning. Here are our picks for the best places to stay in Cinque Terre.
If you are interested in a full guide about Cinque Terre, I have another post that I wrote.
How many villages are in the Cinque Terre?
The Cinque Terre is made up of five villages:
- Riomaggiore
- Manarola
- Corniglia
- Vernazza
- Monterosso
Each village has its own personality and charm, so it's worth exploring them all while you're there. With that said, here are our top picks for where to stay in Cinque Terre.
I have visited the Cinque Terre 3 times and stayed only in Manarola and Monterosso. I spent a lot of time exploring all the villages and discovering the beauty of each town. However, I do have my favorites for different reasons.
How to get to each village
The Cinque Terre is connected by train. It usually comes every 20 minutes, and you can buy tickets at the stations. There is also a ferry service connecting all five villages, but it's only available during peak season. If you want to be very adventurous, they offer great hiking trails.
The best town to stay in Cinque Terre
I spent 7 nights in Manarola and I enjoyed every second of it. You have beautiful swim spots, amazing restaurants, and the best sunset! Manarola is an unforgettable sight in the Cinque Terre region of Italy. Not only is it a quaint and sleepy fishing village, but its harmonious blend of historic buildings, vivid colors, and stunning vistas draws visitors from all across the continent.
Perched atop its own rocky promontory is an enchanting medieval church with brightly colored homes climbing their way up to it. A stroll along the side of the mountain offers gorgeous views right over the water; a drive up those same winding roads will bring one to Manarola's very own peak.
It's no wonder that Manarola's beauty has become so renowned-it captures everything magical about this part of Italy in a single place.
Every day you wake up to the peaceful sound of the ocean, the birds chirping in the distance, and you can hear the church bells ring. We were lucky to stay in this stunning Airbnb with views of the hills, the village, and the sea.
Here are some pros and cons of staying in Manarola:
Monterosso
Monterosso has a much different atmosphere than Manarola. tourist-friendly, with plenty of restaurants and cafes along the beachfront. The town also offers easy access to the other towns in Cinque Terre.
The beach is what makes Monterosso so special. With crystal clear turquoise waters and plenty of sunbeds, it's worth a visit. There are also several great hikes nearby, as well as some beautiful views of the coastline from up high.
Vernazza
Vernazza is another beautiful village with a beautiful harbor and colorful houses. Vernazza is a village like no other - perched atop the rocky hills of Italy's Cinque Terre, it truly is a sight to behold. But what sets this little gem apart, is its harbor; an enchanting confluence of bright blues, pastel yellows, and candy pinks that altogether transform into something postcard-worthy.
While the other three towns are just as gorgeous, they aren't my top choice of where to relax and stay.
Corniglia
Without a doubt, Corniglia was one of my favorite villages to explore. This quaint town has many charming streets with extraordinary views from its peak. However, I disliked how many steps it took to reach the town.
It is very inconvenient to reach the train station or the beach, the other towns are a lot easier. You have to walk approximately 12 minutes up and down a lot of steps to the town center, so it is not recommendable for travelers with limited mobility.
Riomaggiore
Lastly, Riomaggiore has great picture spots and street food, but I did not like the beach as much (it's a lot wavier and there's no sand (it is a rock beach). I also felt like it was very crowded and hard to walk through during the day.
So many people are hopping on and off boats in the daytime and it can get a bit hectic especially since the streets are very narrow.
It does, however, have some great spots to explore including the dark and mysterious "Via Dell'Amore".
Here's your rewritten version in first person, keeping it natural and in your style:
Stay in One Cinque Terre Village
My biggest piece of advice? Pick one village and stay put! I sometimes hear from people who want to spend five nights in five different villages-either to experience a new one every day or to hike from town to town carrying all their stuff. But trust me, hiking in Cinque Terre is already tiring enough without lugging a big backpack around.
Staying in one spot also saves you a ton of time since you won't have to pack, unpack, check in, and check out every single day. Not to mention dragging your luggage up and down all those stairs (Cinque Terre is full of them, and there are no elevators!). Packing light is a must.
Stay Like a Local in an Apartment or Villa
If you're expecting big international hotel chains, you won't find them here. Monterosso has some hotels, but space is limited, and there's no room for big developments, which is honestly a good thing because these villages already get plenty of visitors.
If you love the convenience of a hotel (breakfast, daily cleaning, a 24-hour front desk), I can recommend some of the best ones in the area. But I personally think renting a local apartment, private room, or villa is the best way to experience Cinque Terre.
You get to live like a local, whether that means waking up in the heart of a colorful seaside village or staying in the countryside with an adorable Italian nonna as your neighbor.
Don't Expect Five-Star Resorts or Pools in Cinque Terre
There are no five-star hotels or luxury resorts in Cinque Terre. If you're looking for something more upscale, you can find luxury apartments or villas in the area, or you can stay in a five-star hotel in Portovenere, Rapallo, or Portofino.
Also, swimming pools are very rare in Cinque Terre. But honestly, with the Ligurian Sea right there, do you really need one? If you can't imagine a vacation without a pool, a few hotels in Monterosso have them, as do some villas and apartments in nearby places like La Spezia, Portovenere, and Lerici.
Booking Details & What to Expect
Here are a few things to keep in mind when booking accommodation in Cinque Terre:
- Pricing: Rates depend on the season, number of guests, and length of stay. I'll give you exact prices once I have your details.
- Minimum Stay: Most places require at least a two-night stay, though many prefer a minimum of three nights. And honestly, there's so much to do and see in Cinque Terre that three days still won't feel like enough!
- Bed Sizes & Layouts: Most places have European double beds, and twin beds are rare. If you need twin beds, let me know, but being flexible will give you more options. If you're traveling as a group, I can help you find apartments with separate bedrooms or living rooms with sofa beds.
In the end, each town has its own unique character and charm that makes me come back for more. From the amazing restaurants in Manarola to the breathtaking views of Corniglia to the incredible swim spots of Monterosso, Cinque Terre is an unforgettable destination. No matter which village you choose, you won't be disappointed.
Some of my personal recommendations for when you are traveling to Italy:
If you are planning on renting a car in Italy, it is important to do your research beforehand. There are several rental companies that offer competitive rates and good customer service. I recommend this car rental service.
If you are looking for a reliable travel insurance company, I would reccomend World Nomads Travel Insurance.
If you are looking to find a budget-friendly or even more luxury places to stay, I recommend Booking.com. My second favorite option is Airbnb.
On my Amazon storefront I also have a travel essentials section where I list everything you should pack with you for your next Italian vacation!
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