Which Cinque Terre is best to stay in?

La Spezia is one of the best places to stay in the Cinque Terre if you're looking for a larger base, with a cobbled old town, and museums and sights of its own. The first of the towns you reach from La Spezia is Riomaggiore, the largest town, and a great base for walkers.



Choosing the best town in the Cinque Terre depends on your specific travel style. Monterosso al Mare is the largest and most accessible, making it the best choice for families or those seeking a traditional beach resort feel with more hotel options. Vernazza is often cited as the most beautiful, ideal for couples looking for a romantic atmosphere, though it can become quite crowded during the day. Manarola is a favorite for photographers due to its iconic "slipping" colorful houses and world-class sunset views from Nessun Dorma. Riomaggiore offers a vibrant energy popular with younger travelers, acting as a great hub for exploring the "Blue Trail." Finally, Corniglia is the only town not on the water; perched high on a cliff, it is the best for hikers and budget-conscious travelers looking for a quieter, more authentic local experience away from the mass tourist crowds.

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5 Towns of Cinque Terre Ranked
  1. Vernazza. Best Village for Couple Travel. ...
  2. Manarola. Best Village for Hikers. ...
  3. Monterossa. Best village for family travel. ...
  4. Riomaggiore. Best Village for Younger and Solo Travelers. ...
  5. Corniglia. Best Village for Mediterranean Views.


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7 Best Views in Cinque Terre
  • Riomaggiore harbour view. Classic Cinque Terre postcard view. ...
  • Manarola harbour view. ...
  • Sea view from Corniglia. ...
  • Vernazza view, 1 - from the direction of Monterosso. ...
  • Vernazza view, 2 - from the direction of Corniglia. ...
  • Fegina Beach View from San Cristoforo Hill.


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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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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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The walk from Riomaggiore to Manarola is no easier than the other way, it took us about the same time both ways, although coming back was at a hotter time and after a full days activity. If you are up to it, do it, if you have doubts, don't try it.

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Vernazza and Manarola are both very beautiful towns, probably the Cinque Terre's two prettiest. There really is no better location - The towns are all very near each other, and very accessible by train, boat or trek. Vernazza is the more popular destination and probably more touristy, so Manarola may better suit you.

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Riomaggiore is the most accessible of the villages, being closer to La Spezia, and it has less of the remote-fishing-village look. Also you may be able to get parking in Monterosso depending on your hotel. It's the only village anyone should consider driving to. La Spezia would be more expensive to park than Levanto.

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Corniglia is the only one of the five Cinque Terre towns that isn't a fishing town and you need to walk up around 365 steps to get there. That puts most people off and means that Corniglia is the Cinque Terre town with the fewest tourists.

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Monterosso al Mare is the best place to stay in Cinque Terr for the first time. It is the largest of the villages in Cinque Terre. You'll find many hospitality venues, a medieval old town, and the sandy Monterosso al Mare Beach.

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The accommodations are cheaper in La Spezia than if you were to stay in Cinque Terre, and the roads are a lot easier to navigate with luggage! La Spezia makes a great home base for your northern Italy / Cinque Terre adventures!

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Monterosso - Fegina beach In Monterosso, there are two long beaches with sand and pebbles, Fegina beach being the most famous one, in the new town.

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Most of the research I have done suggests Monterosso is the biggest town and has a more laid back/ resort style to it whereas Vernazza is more romantic and picturesque.

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Manarola has brightly painted houses, priceless medieval relics and a tiny harbour that features a boat ramp and a swimming hole; to the north, on the way to Corniglia, there's a stunning viewpoint (Punta Bonfiglio) where visitors can enjoy a drink in a bar between the village's cemetery and the sea.

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Manarola has brightly painted houses, priceless medieval relics and a tiny harbour that features a boat ramp and a swimming hole; to the north, on the way to Corniglia, there's a stunning viewpoint (Punta Bonfiglio) where visitors can enjoy a drink in a bar between the village's cemetery and the sea.

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Get to know this 7.9-mile point-to-point trail near Manarola, Liguria. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 0 min to complete.

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In Manarola there is no beach but you can still swim at marina , where there are smooth or jagged rocks of the marina and a typical artificial reef formed by larger boulders where you can lie down. Here you can swim in the small boats and admire the beauty of the Cinque Terre village from an unusual point of view .

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How long does it take to get between towns in the Cinque Terre on the train? From La Spezia to Riomaggiore is 10 minutes. And between the actual Cinque Terre towns, it's less than 5 minutes.

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