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. The trains are running frequently all year round and stop in all five villages.

If you are tight on time during a day trip to the Cinque Terre, Corniglia is most often the town that travelers choose to skip. Unlike the other four villages, Corniglia is the only town that is not located directly on the water. Instead, it sits high on a rocky promontory surrounded by vineyards. To reach the village from the train station, you must either wait for a small shuttle bus or climb the Lardarina, a steep brick staircase with 377 steps. While it is arguably the most "authentic" and quietest of the five towns because it lacks a harbor, it doesn't provide the iconic "colorful houses over the sea" view that makes the region famous. If your goal is to see the classic coastal scenery, prioritizing Vernazza, Manarola, and Riomaggiore will give you the best "bang for your buck." However, if you are a hiker or wine lover, Corniglia’s unique vantage point and hillside terraces are worth the climb—but for a quick "whirlwind" tour, it is the most logistically challenging stop.