The 10 things to do in Corniglia

Are you planning to visit the Cinque Terre and wondering what to do in Corniglia? Here are the essentials not to be missed.

The most discreet of the Cinque Terre is not easily revealed to travellers. Indeed, the village of Corniglia is perched in height and is the only one not to enjoy direct access to the sea. But don’t be mistaken: its remote character only adds to its charm. In Corniglia, there is a calm and authenticity that perfectly highlights the picturesque side of the village and its surroundings.

You will have understood it: life is sweet in Corniglia and the place is particularly ready for the strolls. Through your walks, you will have the opportunity to discover some heritage treasures while enjoying the local art of living. To guide you, we have listed for you the places and activities not to be missed when visiting Corniglia.

1. La Lardarina

Perched at the top of a cliff, the village has world-wide edges. And in fact, as it is not accessible by the sea and hardly by the road, visiting Corniglia requires a little endurance! Once you arrive at the station, you will have to climb a long and famous staircase, the Lardarina, to reach the village.

But 384 steps of this raid are a tourist attraction to them alone. Indeed, your effort will be rewarded with great views of the bay of the Cinque Terre. And you will only be more entertained when you reach, finally, the picturesque village.

2. The Church of San Pietro

Once you arrive at a good port, you wonder what to do in Corniglia? Start by discovering his heritage treasures. First of all, we recommend visiting the church of San Pietro de Corniglia. Built in the 14th century, it is characteristic of the Gothic style of Liguria. Behind its sober façade lies an interior richly decorated with paintings, marbles and sculptures.

A true epicentre of the village, the Church of San Pietro lives throughout the year at the pace of religious or cultural celebrations. In particular, it hosts an annual organ festival, and is the starting point of the religious procession organized for Saint Pierre. Finally, she offers since her court a breathtaking view of the village.

3. The view of Santa Maria

Thanks to its central position, Corniglia offers some of the most beautiful views of the Cinque Terre. The most spectacular is undoubtedly the one that opens in front of the viewpoint of Santa Maria. Located at the end of the via Fieschi , it consists of a panoramic terrace perched at a hundred meters altitude.

It enjoys a breathtaking view of the bay and all the other villages of the Cinque Terre. In clear weather, you may even have the opportunity to see the Corsican coasts on the horizon. But it is at sunset that the visit of this unmissable site of Corniglia is the most magical!

4. L’Oratorio dei Disciplinati di Santa Caterina

The oratory of Santa Caterina is another great must to visit in Corniglia. It is above all because of its simplicity and authenticity that this small religious building seduces. Located in the heart of the village, it was built during the eighteenth century. Its austere façade houses a small soothing chapel with soft colours. Finally, its esplanade offers a nice view of the lively terraces of nearby cafés.

5. The historic centre

The birth of Corniglia dates back to Roman times. So it is little to say that the place is full of history! Today, we discover the remains of the Genoese fortifications that testify to its attachment to the Republic of Genoa in 1276.

But the historical centre houses mainly small, colorful residential buildings, characteristic of the Cinque Terre. You will have the opportunity to admire their picturesque charm by strolling through the shaded streets of the village.

6. The terraces of the piazza Largo Taragio

The charming Place Largo Taragio is a must-see place in Corniglia, to be visited absolutely during your visit. Indeed, it concentrates several pleasant terraces of cafes and restaurants, in the shade of typical buildings and at the foot of the Santa Caterina oratory.

The visitors and the premises are located in a very lively and picturesque atmosphere. In short, this is the perfect place to enjoy a traditional lunch or a refreshment in a charming setting.

7. The vineyards of Corniglia

The promontory on which Corniglia stands is surrounded by vineyards on the terrace. These only add to the beauty and unique charm of the places!

Besides admiring them, don't miss to taste the delicious white wine that is produced there. Actually, Vernaccia di Corniglia is a beverage of choice that Boccace already vanished in the 14th century. It must be said that the region enjoys a rich wine tradition, which dates back to Roman times.

8. Hiking trails

To fully appreciate the charm of the Cinque Terre, there is nothing better than hiking. Indeed, by taking the paths of the region, you will immerse yourself fully in its wonderful landscapes.

And it is especially when you visit Corniglia that you will have the opportunity to enjoy it. Indeed, its central position makes it the heart of a dense network of trails that join other villages in the area. The most famous is Sentiero Azzurro , which connects all the villages between them.

9. The beaches in Corniglia

If you dream of large beaches, visiting Corniglia is not the best option since the village does not give directly to the sea.

However, you will still have the opportunity to swim by walking down the cliff. You will first discover a small pebble beach, the Spiaggione di Corniglia . The boldest will also be able to reach a small creek lined with rocks to swim in peace.

Finally, a small walk will allow you to access the Guvano beach, which is the only nudist beach in the area.

10. Glaciers

It is on a greedy touch that we offer you to close this overview of the things to do in Corniglia. After all, you're in Italy , and can’t make the impasse on ice tastings!

In Corniglia, good addresses are not missing to enjoy a handmade ice cream. One of the most famous glaciers in the village is La Gata Flora , that you will recognize the little cat on his sign.

How to get to Corniglia?

A visit to Corniglia deserves, the village being quite difficult to access. But we hope to have convinced you that it is worth the detour! Here is the route to reach Corniglia.

Step 1: Travel to Italy

Before visiting Corniglia, you will have to reach the Cinque Terre from a large Italian city. ♪ airports Genoa and Florence are closest and air connections with the France many.

To find the flight that best suits you in terms of dates, prices and duration, you can use a flight comparison as Skyscanner . For the most patients, it is also possible to reach Genoa and Florence by train.

Step 2: join the Cinque Terre and Corniglia

To reach the Cinque Terre, you can use the car. However, it is difficult to reach Corniglia by car, due to its steep position and limited parking spaces.

The train is by far the best option to reach Corniglia. You can borrow a train from them La Spezia train stations or Levanto , which will take you directly to the station of the village. From the train station you will have to take the steps of the Lardarina to reach the center.

Finally, keep in mind that walking between the different villages of the Cinque Terre is an unforgettable experience!

Where to stay in Corniglia?

There is no real hotel where to stay in Corniglia. On the other hand, the village is full of Airbnb , guest houses and rooms at the living room. You will have the opportunity to experience an authentic and personalized experience, while enjoying many terraces with views!

To find the right accommodation, we recommend using a Compare hotels .

Moreover, an alternative solution is to house in one of the neighbouring villages. In Monterosso, for example, you will find a choice of more traditional hotels.

With this small guide, you now know what to do in Corniglia during your visit. Don’t let yourself be discouraged by access difficulties: Corniglia is a pearl of the unique atmosphere that deserves to be addressed!