If you are currently planning your first trip to Cinque Terre then you are probably looking at which village is the perfect place to stay. As someone who has visited Cinque Terre three times I am here to help you!
Cinque Terre translates to ‘five lands’ and as the name suggests there are five villages, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. The villages are similar yet different so it can be hard to decide where to stay in Cinque Terre. Especially if you’re only spending one day in Cinque Terre.
In this blog post, I’ll share more information on each town so you can decide which village is perfect for you. I’ll also show the best hotels and apartments in Cinque Terre for all budgets, including ones with remarkable views.
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Where to stay in Cinque Terre will completely depend on your preferences. The five villages of Cinque Terre are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Each village has something different to offer. You’ll also find La Spezia just a 5 minute train ride away, which is the perfect place to stay if you’re travelling on a budget.
The most beautiful village in Cinque Terre is either Riomaggiore or Manarola. Whilst the most popular place to stay is Monterosso al Mare, thanks to its size and being the only village in Cinque Terre with a large beach.
Monterosso al Mare – Lots of accommodation options, beach, most family friendly, direct train connections – I Tibei Guesthouse
Vernazza – Centrally located, beautiful village, good restaurants – Camere Anna
Corniglia – Quiet and less touristy but more difficult to get to – Corniglia dreams
Manarola – Centrally located, beautiful village, good restaurants – Hotel Marina Piccola
Riomaggiore – Nightlife, beautiful village, direct train connections – Ai Pesci Room Rental
La Spezia – Budget friendly, more amenities and train connections – B&B 5 Stelle
You can browse all the possible hotels and apartments in Cinque Terre here.
Where to stay in Cinque Terre will completely depend on your preferences. There are several options for accommodation both in and around Cinque Terre.
When choosing where to stay, you’ll need to consider factors such as your budget, preferred atmosphere, proximity to amenities and attractions, and accessibility to transportation.
Below you can find an overview of the best towns to stay in in Cinque Terre, sharing what each place is best for. You’ll find a few hotel and apartment recommendations for each place, covering all budgets and including accommodation with incredible views of Cinque Terre. Keep reading to find out the pros and cons of each place so you can decide the best place to stay in Cinque Terre for you.
Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five villages and where you’ll find the best beach in Cinque Terre. Thanks to its size it offers a variety of accommodation options, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals. However many of them require a minimum of a two night stay.
Monterosso al Mare is the perfect town to relax in thanks to the beach and quaint old town. It also has direct train connections to many towns. It’s definitely one of the best places to stay in Cinque Terre with a family. Just make sure to choose a place not too far from the train station so you don’t have to walk too far with your luggage. The only downside is that it isn’t as cute or iconic as the other villages. If you want to be more ‘in the action’ then I would stay in Riomaggiore, Manarola or Vernazza.
The I Tibei Guesthouse
Located near the train station, the I Tibei Guesthouse offer bright and spacious double rooms with balconies. Starting from around €140 a night.
Hotel Porto Roca
Perched on a cliff in Monterosso al Mare, Hotel Porto Roca offers unparalleled panoramic views of the Ligurian Sea. With its elegant rooms, a private beach, and an Incredible pool area, it’s one of the most luxurious hotels to stay in in Cinque Terre. Rooms start from around €400 a night. Make sure to book in advance as this hotel books out super fast.
B&B Il Parco
Located just a 10 minute walk from the beach, the highly rated B&B Il Parco has a sun terrace, sea-view accommodation plus an outdoor pool with sun loungers. Double rooms start from just €150 with breakfast.
Appartamento Piccolo Principe
If you are travelling with your family, or looking to cook during your vacation then I recommend the highly rated and well located Appartamento Piccolo Principe. A spacious one bedroom apartment that sleeps up to four people for just €150 a night.
Known for its colourful houses and small harbour, Vernazza is another great place to stay in Cinque Terre. Vernazza is centrally located and has lots of restaurant options for all my foodies! It also has a small beach area and a lot of boat tours leave from here. Accommodation wise you will find some very good budget-friendly options.
Camere Anna
If you are two people looking for a spacious, centrally located room with a beautiful view of the Main Street then I recommend where I stayed in Vernazza, Camere Anna. You will need to book two nights to stay here. However it works out only €100 a night for two people. You can leave your luggage here when you arrive but when you check out you will need to leave them in a cafe next door for €5-10. Check out my Cinque Terre story highlights for a room tour.
La Torretta dei Merli
Nestled in the heart of Vernazza, La Torretta dei Merli boasts a prime location and breathtaking views of the village and the Mediterranean. This one bedroom apartment sleeps up to four people and the balcony is the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine after a day of exploring!
Riomaggiore is the second biggest village in Cinque Terre and the closest one to La Spezia village. It has a unique charm with its steep and narrow streets, and the most beautiful facade visible from the port. After Manarola, it’s the best place in Cinque Terre to watch the sunset.
If you’re looking for a lively town with a bit more nightlife and good transport connections then you should stay in Riomaggiore! The train stops more frequently here as there are direct trains to both Riomaggiore and Monterosso al Mare from Milan. It offers various places to stay, including hotels, guesthouses, and apartments. I’ve stayed in this village during two of my three visits to Cinque Terre.
Ai Pesci Room Rental
If you are looking to stay in an apartment with one of the best views in Cinque Terre then I recommend Ai Pesci Room Rental which starts from around €300 a night for two people. Just look at the view of Riomaggiore from the terrace!
Ca Vivaldi Penthouse Apartment
If you are travelling as a family or group and also want a nice terrace to relax on I recommend Ca Vivaldi Penthouse Apartment. It has 2 bedrooms and sleeps up to 6 people from €300 a night.
Hotel Villa Argentina
Overlooking the picturesque village of Riomaggiore, Hotel Villa Argentina offers a tranquil setting with magnificent views. They have a lovely rooftop terrace to enjoy the views over Riomaggiore. The rooms are small but clean and double rooms start at €140 a night, including breakfast.
Famous for its terraced vineyards and stunning views, Manarola is an enchanting village known for its tranquil atmosphere and beautiful sunset views. It also has a great selection of both restaurants and accommodation. If you are looking for great views, nice restaurants and a central location then you should stay in Manarola. Just be aware that you might need to walk up lots of steps to your accommodation.
Hotel Marina Piccola
Situated right on the waterfront in Manarola, Hotel Marina Piccola offers a front-row seat to the village’s iconic colourful houses and the glistening sea. The hotel’s rooms provide a cozy and inviting atmosphere, and some even feature private balconies or terraces with stunning views. Enjoy the Mediterranean ambiance and the convenience of exploring Manarola’s charming streets just steps away.
Il Sogno di Manarola
Il Sogno di Manarola has spacious, bright rooms starting from €250. Book the room with a terrace to have the most incredible view of Manarola and the coastline.
Situated on top of a cliff, Corniglia is the only village in Cinque Terre that is not directly on the sea (although there are some steps down to it). It’s the least crowded village in Cinque Terre and offers a quieter experience with more budget friendly accommodation. As well as some hotels with the best views of Cinque Terre. However I wouldn’t stay here if you have a lot of luggage as you will have to carry it up all the stairs from the train station.
Corniglia Dreams
Featuring incredible panoramic sea views from its shared terrace, Corniglia dreams offers classically furnished rooms with a sea-view balcony, for as little as €85 a night.
Cecio 5 Terre Rooms
Situated in Corniglia, 700 m from Corniglia Beach, Cecio 5 Terre Rooms offers comfortable rooms with the most incredible view of both the village and coastline.
Although it’s not actually one of the Cinque Terre villages, La Spezia is a larger city nearby and serves as a convenient base for exploring the Liguria region. It has a wider range of accommodation options (especially for those travelling on a budget) and a direct train to the Cinque Terre.
B&B 5 Stelle
I would recommend booking the B&B 5 Stelle. It offers clean and spacious rooms with a nice city view for as little as €50 a night.
Apt Il Rigugio del Marinaio
If you are looking for a larger apartment for up to 6 people with city views. I recommend Apt Il Rifugio del Marinaio, starting from just €130 a night.
There are many options on where to Cinque Terre. From the larger village of Monterosso al Mare to the colourful houses of Vernazza, the beautiful port of Riomaggiore, the terraced vineyards of Manarola, and the tranquil setting of Corniglia, each village has its unique allure. Additionally, the nearby city of La Spezia serves as a convenient base for exploration, and more budget-friendly. Regardless of your preferences, I’ve shared the best hotels and apartments in Cinque Terre, providing not only comfort but also breathtaking views!
By carefully selecting the perfect place to stay, you can enhance your overall experience and create lasting memories of your time in Cinque Terre. Just remember to plan ahead and book in advance, especially during the bustling peak tourist season. Prepare for an unforgettable stay in this picturesque coastal haven.
Once you know where to stay, make sure to check out my one day in Cinque Terre itinerary to see all the top things to do there.
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