Can you drive in Corniglia?

The village is also closed to non-resident vehicles, and although there's a small car park just outside Corniglia it's expensive and spaces are limited. So if you're driving, the best option is to park in La Spezia or Levanto then catch the train to Corniglia.



While you can technically drive to the outskirts of Corniglia via the narrow, winding SP51 road, you cannot drive in the village itself. Corniglia, the central town of Italy's Cinque Terre, is largely a pedestrian-only zone. In 2026, non-resident vehicles are strictly prohibited from entering the historic core, and parking is extremely limited. There is a small paid parking lot about 500 meters from the village entrance, but it fills up by 9:00 AM during the peak season. Most travelers find driving here stressful due to the hairpin turns and steep cliffs. The village is unique because it sits on a high promontory; if you arrive by train, you must climb the Lardarina (a brick stairway of 382 steps) or take the local shuttle bus. In 2026, the Italian government heavily promotes the "Cinque Terre Card," which includes unlimited train travel and shuttle use, making the train a far superior option to driving a car into this protected UNESCO World Heritage site.

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There are two other accessible beaches in Corniglia are the Spiaggione and the Marina. The first one is located near the train station, turning right and crossing the abandoned shacks of the Europa Village (be careful). The second is located under the village, reachable by a staircase from the town center.

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You have to skip Corniglia situated on top of a cliff 100 metres above sea level. If you are limited on time, take the train between the villages.

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There are only a few parking lots in Cinque Terre and you will often find them at the entrance or outside the villages. Only Monterosso has parking lots in the city center. An other posibility is to park in the nearby town of Levanto and take the train to Cinque Terre.

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The Romans knew Corniglia very well thanks to its delicious wine. During Pompei archeological excavations wine vases were found bearing the name “Cornelia”. In the Middle Ages it was a possession of the counts of Lavagna, the lords of Carpena and of Luni.

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Corniglia is the least known and the least visited of the five towns in Cinque Terre. Visitors often skip it, discouraged by the lack of a port and rather difficult accessibility; however, those who do come here usually fall in love with this little village and even declare it their favorite terra of all!

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To reach Corniglia, it is necessary to climb the Lardarina, a long brick flight of steps composed of 33 flights with 383 steps or, otherwise follow a vehicular road that, from the station, leads to the village.

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Vernazza: Located to the north of the Cinque Terre, Vernazza is probably the most beautiful and picturesque fishing village of Cinque Terre, where its colourful houses hang above the sea level on rugged cliffs. It has a charming natural port and an old castle, built to protect the area from pirates.

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What to see in Corniglia. Corniglia is a coastal village full of old-world charm. There are streets where both the ground and walls are stone, there are little churches and of course the houses and buildings in those beautiful pastel colours. Corniglia also offers some fantastic views.

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Shopping and prices The Cinque Terre is not cheap. As everywhere in the world, tourism has raised prices. I often go to the market of La Spezia to shop for food, it's much cheaper than the stores of the villages. In restaurants, you have to expect Western European prices.

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You can walk the entire route in about six hours, if you take short breaks—although many hikers prefer to spread the route out over a few days at a strolling pace, stopping to enjoy the towns along the way. You can start from either direction (Monterosso, heading south, or Riomaggiore, heading north).

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Best to Walk Down... Up is just too challenging! Corniglia is the only town of the 5 that does not have a port... which means, its located on a hilltop! To get to the town centre, if you are coming by train, you will have to climb for a good 10-15mins up the stairs.. and mind you, its non stop stairs.

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