Where to stay in the Cinque Terre?

Want to discover another face of Italy by going to Liguria and the Italian Riviera? Discover the best places to stay in Cinque Terre!

Liguria is the famous border region of France, whose capital is Genoa . On the Ponant Riviera west of La Spezia , you will find a band of 130 km consisting of bays, coves and historic villages on the cliffs: Cinque Terre . Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, the Cinque Terre is a band of five multisecular villages – Monterosso al mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – perched on an rugged and steep coastline.

To stay in Cinq Terre, you will have to make a choice between the five villages because each has its own soul, atmosphere, landscape and different views. This is in which village (or neighborhood) sleep in Cinq Terre.

Monterosso al mare

Monterosso is the largest town west of the Cinque Terre and also the largest village in the area, with 1521 inhabitants. It is made up of a maze of narrow and narrow medieval alleys, with case-torri (turn houses) and old defensive towers of the 16th century (including the Aurora and San Giovanni tower). It is therefore an open-air relic of feudal architecture and Renaissance times. A rocky strip crashing in the scinden sea the village in two, a kind of porous border between the historic centre and the "modern" village, the district of Fégina. If you choose to sleep in Monterosso, you will find the largest beach in the Cinque Terre and majestic views on the steep coast and the other four villages.

Vernazza

Sleeping in Vernazza is a journey through time. A village of 945 most picturesque inhabitants of Cinque Terre, it recalls the rich economic and cultural past of Liguria. Perched on a rocky setting east of Monterosso, it houses vestiges of the medieval era, including the castle of the Doria family, a small port and the church of the parish of Sainte Marguerite d’Antioche, overlooking the sea. Founded by the Vulnetia, a rich Roman family, it was the most prosperous village in Cinque Terre. Staying in Vernazza can be expensive because it is one of the tourist flowers of Cinque Terre.

Corniglia

A village of 245 inhabitants sworn on a rocky promontory, Corniglia was founded by the Roman family of Cornelia. It is accessed by rail, below the hamlet or by the lardarina , a tortuous trail of 377 steps. Review to walking and hiking enthusiasts: Corniglia is the only village in the Cinque Terre not to have feet in the water. The particularity of the village is the vineyard, cultivated in terraces on the slopes of the surrounding mountains, which has built its reputation. Staying in Corniglia is a must-see point in Cinque Terre.

Manarola

The smallest and oldest village in Cinque Terre, Manarola is the most ancient town in the east of the region. Its name would come from Manium Arula, meaning in Latin "altel to pray the Mani", the latter being the gods of the home and the family in Roman mythology. From Manarola, take the "dell'amore" path that allows you to reach Riomaggiore if you like hiking.

Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore is a former fishing village: populated by 1693 inhabitants, there is a popular and picturesque atmosphere. Founded in the 8th century, it has a typical and high color architecture (reds, yellow, ochre). The buildings of the historic centre date back to the 13th century. Accommodation in Riomaggiore is the last stop before visiting La Spezia.

To better locate you in Cinque Terre, here is the map of the five villages that counts Cinque Terre: