Last Updated on April 20, 2024 by snaphappytravel
You’ve booked your flights to Cinque Terre, now what? The next step is deciding which village to stay in the Cinque Terre. Let me tell you, it’s a tough decision – each village is as beautiful as the next!
There are five villages in the Cinque Terre region – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Corniglia, and finally, Monterosso al Mare – where we were lucky enough to plan our wedding. Each village has its pros and cons, and in this post, I will give a little summary of each so you can make up your mind on which village to stay in Cinque Terre.
What is the Nicest Village in the Cinque Terre?
Ask a few people who’ve visited this stunning region what the nicest village in the Cinque Terre is and I guarantee most if not all of the answers will be different. That’s because the answer depends on your personal preferences.
For example. Manarola is the most famous village in the Cinque Terre and you will probably recognize it immediately from Instagram – it’s so pretty with its pastel-colored houses and rocky pier.
Monterosso is a pretty beach destination. It is the biggest village (it’s more like a town), and it has an old and new village. Corniglia is the most unique village in the Cinque Terre and is perched high on a cliff, there is no water access from Corniglia so it’s more reminiscent of a mountain village.
Vernazza is probably the second-most recognizable village, with a very picturesque pier area and many great small hotels. And finally, Riomaggiore is a fishing village that is more traditional than the others and has more of a “local feel”
1. Monterosso al Mare
Monterosso, or to use its full name, Monterosso al Mare, is the biggest village in the Cinque Terre and is the only village with a ‘proper’ beach. The other villages only have rocky outcrops or piers that you can swim off. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas on the long, pebbled beach at Monterosso – there is also a small selection of beach bars here.
FYI, it’s the last stop on the train when coming from La Spezia.
There are two parts to Monterosso – the ‘new town,’ which is where the train station and the beach are, and a short walk away is the ‘old town,’ which has narrow cobbled streets and lots of cute restaurants and cafes. The larger hotels are in the ‘new town’ while most of the Airbnb’s are in the old town. Monterosso definitely has the most accommodation options and is, in my opinion, the most family-friendly village.
Things to do in Monterosso
The blue trail which connects to Vernazza is another must-do while in Monterosso, it follows mostly past vineyards high up in the cliff tops. You will need to purchase a hiking pass to walk this trail and other trails in Cinque Terre and that costs from €7.50 per day.
If this hike sounds like your idea of heaven, but you’d prefer to do it with the assistance of a local guide, then why not consider booking a private Cinque Terre hiking tour? This one is 8 hours long and takes you to the top sights along the Cinque Terre trail network – places like the Via dell’Amore and the church of Our Lady of Health in Volastra. It’s a family-friendly tour and promises insider tips about the region that you just wouldn’t get if you did it on your own!
Buranco Vineyard, at the top of the old town, is one of the best places to visit in Monterosso. And it’s actually here that we got married! Here, you can sample their sweet wine (it’s a type of wine called sciachettrà) while you wander through the lemon and olive trees that look down upon the ocean!
Where to Stay in Monterosso:
Hotel Villa Adriana – is located in the new part of Monterosso, just a few steps from the sea. It is a large hotel and one of the only hotels in the Cinque Terre with a swimming pool.
Hotel Baia – This seafront hotel is in the heart of Monterosso, only 100 m from the train station. It offers rooms with air conditioning and TV.
2. Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is the southernmost village and will be the first village you will encounter if you get the train from La Spezia. There are two parts to Riomaggiore—the ‘Pier’ area, which is dotted with a few restaurants and cafes and some great photo opportunities – in fact, the pier in Riomaggiore is one of the best sunset-watching spots in Cinque Terre. The main street in Riomaggiore is quite small and cobbled and is lined with bars and restaurants.
Riomaggiore has lots of restaurants with outdoor seating. However, it’s the furthest village from Monterosso al Mare (the biggest village), about a 15-minute train journey.
This colorful village is the place to stay if you’re looking to party. Now, in saying that, the party scene in the Cinque Terre is very mellow, however, because Riomaggiore attracts a mostly young crowd it is known as the most fun village out of the 5. FYI, we had lots of fun at Vertical Lounge Bar when we last visited the region!
Besides partying, one of the best things to do in Riomaggiore is to hike the 3.5 km trail up to the Sanctuary of Montenero. The views from up here are spectacular – glistening blue ocean and vineyards. It’s quite an easy hike and will take most people around 1.5 hours.
Where to stay in Riomaggiore:
Allo Marina Affiticamere is in a historic building and was recently renovated, it is located right in the heart of Riomaggiore village just 200 meters from the ocean!
Hotel Due Gemelli is set on a hill overlooking Riomaggiore, it is 700 meters from the center of the village – the views are fantastic! It’s a 3-star property, and most rooms have a terrace (some have sea views).
3. Manarola
Manarola is, in my opinion, the prettiest of the villages in the Cinque Terre. It’s the one that is photographed the most and is essentially the ‘poster child’ for the Cinque Terre. It also has the best restaurant in the Cinque Terre – Trattoria dal Billy.
We also loved Nessun Dorma, which has possibly the best view from a restaurant you will find in the entire world. It is perched high on a cliff overlooking the town of Manarola. They serve only antipasto platters and salads (no pizza or pasta here, I’m afraid).
Manarola cemetery is located just above Nessun Dorma. So, if you can’t get a table at Nessun Dorma then here is a great spot to admire the famous Cinque Terre scenery. However, because it is a graveyard and a very sacred place – you CANNOT take photos here. Simply, take in the view and move on. I reckon it’s one of the best things to do in the Cinque Terre!
There aren’t many hotels in Manarola, instead you’ll find lots of Airbnb rentals and private apartments for rent. The bars/ restaurants don’t stay open until very late here – most places are closed by 10 pm. If you’re a couple and are looking for a romantic holiday, then Manarola is the town I’d suggest for you. Manarola is also the best village from which to watch the sunset.
Where to stay in Manarola:
La Torretta has stylish rooms that come with either sea or courtyard views, and the property boasts an open-air hot tub. It is situated within one of the most historic buildings in Manarola and there is a coffee shop and bar on-site.
Affiticamere San Giorgio is another fantastic option that’s located just over 200 meters from the sea. All rooms have air-con and WiFi and TVs.
4. Vernazza
Vernazza is perhaps the busiest of all five villages. It has a large port from which lots of boat trips leave, and you can sunbathe along the wall there. It has lots of restaurant options. There are quite a few small hotels as well as apartments and Airbnbs in Vernazza, so you do have more choices for accommodation here than in Manarola or Riomaggiore.
The quaint cobbled streets of this eye-catching village are lined with bustling restaurants, Cafes, and boutique stores. The enchanting Doria Castle overlooks the town, and one of the top attractions in Vernazza is the Church of Santa Margherita.
The port here is the only natural harbor in the Cinque Terre, and it’s a very popular spot to relax with a gelato or a pizza and admire the views. Many people swim from the harbor, too, but be warned that many boats come in and out of here every few minutes, so you will need to be careful!
The Blue Trail connects the village with Corniglia and will take around 1.5 hours each way – it’s one of my favorite hiking trails in Cinque Terre.
Where to say in Vernazza:
Casetta de Vernazza is just 300 meters from Vernazza beach and has a terrace and garden. This apartment is comprised of two separate bedrooms and has air-con. There is a coffee shop on-site.
Affitacamere Elisabetta is another great option in Vernazza that’s just 200 meters from the beach. The property boasts sea views and access to a lovely terrace!
5. Corniglia
Corniglia is for me, the most unique of all five villages. It is built on the very top of the hill and so doesn’t have direct water access. It is probably the most authentic town in the Cinque Terre as not so many tourists visit here compared with the other four villages.
As a result, it has more of an authentic vibe and is the place to visit if you want to see the ‘true’ Cinque Terre. Because of the village’s precariously steep position on a high cliff, there are several awesome viewpoints of the sea and the nearby villages dotted throughout the village.
There are accommodation options here, with most being studio or one-bedroom apartment rentals. Also, the train to Corniglia leaves you at the bottom of the hill, so you can either choose to walk up the hill (approximately 20 minutes walk uphill with lots of steps, around 370 to be precise) or get the mini-bus, which departs regularly.
In short, Corniglia is the Cinque Terre village to visit if you want to get away from it all. It’s also regarded as the cheapest of the 5 villages, with cheaper hotels and restaurants to be found here.
Where to stay in Corniglia:
Affiticamere La Terraze has comfortable and homely rooms and is located right in Corniglia village.
Ostello Corniglia is an affordable hostel option that also has a bar, shared lounge, and garden.
How Long Should You Spend in the Cinque Terre?
3 – 5 days are the perfect amount of time to spend in the Cinque Terre; by spending a couple of nights here, you will have time to explore all 5 villages as well as do a couple of fun activities. You could even split your nights between two villages, for example, 3 nights in Monterosso and 2 nights in Manarola as we did.
What is the Best Time to Visit Cinque Terre?
September is the best month to visit the Cinque Terre as the weather is still warm, but the Summer crowds have left. May is another great month to visit Cinque Terre as, again, it is quieter than the other Summer months. August is the busiest month in this region, so I would avoid visiting then if possible.
So, there you have it – hopefully this piece made your decision on choosing which village to stay in Cinque Terre a little easier.