When deciding where to stay in Cinque Terre it is important to understand that each village has its own beauty and character.
Your home base will determine what activities are on your doorstep, what the nightlife will be like (if any), and how much walking you will have to do (don’t underestimate the importance of this).
In this guide, we have summarized the key points for each destination to make it quick and easy to find the one that best suits you.
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Does it Really Matter What Village I stay in?
You will have an amazing time no matter which village you stay in. But remember that once the sun goes down the trains become infrequent, and it is hard to get around.
Not all towns have access to the water either. If you are planning a lazy beach holiday then staying on top of a mountain village is not going to work for you.
A few questions to think about before you read on:
- How do you plan to spend your evenings?
- How much walking you are comfortable doing?
- Do you need access to a beachfront?
- What other activities are you planning?
Aside from that, you are guaranteed great food, wine, and views in every village.
We stayed in Vernazza for our 2 day Cinque Terre stay and would recommend it to anyone.
Beware of the Steep Terrain
A quick word of warning, when looking at accommodation options in each village you will see some absolutely incredible water views! While very seductive, you could nearly ruin your trip if this is on top of a very steep mountain.
Make sure you check how far the walk is from the front door to the main street of the village. The terrain is steep and you need to be realistic about what you can, and want, to be doing each day.
Mountain-top accommodation looks amazing, but the walk will be a massive pain in the butt and buses come infrequently.
Corniglia is also an example where the whole town is only accessible via a steep climb. But more on this later.
5 Towns of Cinque Terre Ranked
In this list, we have ranked each of the villages based on our experience. However, we have also provided an introductory note for what kind of traveler would be most suited to staying in each of the villages in Cinque Terre.
1. Vernazza
Best Village for Couple Travel.
This is where we stayed on our most recent visit and if I was to come back I would likely stay there again.
It is one of the smaller villages and after the sun sets the crowds really clear out, leaving a relaxed but vibrant atmosphere.
There is a small town square at the waterfront with an old church on one side and a castle on the opposite overlooking the town.
A small beach sits in the middle where the water is very calm and swimming easy.
There is a walkway that wraps around the beach area which is a nice spot to enjoy a glass of wine, and some of the local cheeses & cured meats from the deli on the main street.
This was something we did more than once.
Another highlight for us was the secret beach accessible through a cave that sits just off the side of the town square.
They rope this off at night, but we were not alone when venturing down there at night for a glass of wine.
Unfortunately, the hiking trails are closed to the west, but as mentioned earlier you can make your way back to Corniglia.
Regardless, we had a great experience and would recommend it as the best town to stay in Cinque Terre.
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2. Manarola
Best Village for Hikers.
This would have been an easy top choice if it were not for one thing – no beach!
You can still swim in the small harbor area but when the sea gets choppy this may not be so relaxing.
If this doesn’t bother you then this village would be my top pick.
The town is instantly recognizable when you come out of the long tunnel that links the town with the train station, and you see this lovely old staircase that takes you up to a platform where you can see directly down the main street.
A more Italian site you will not see (not pictured below – that is the end of the hike detailed below)!
It is not the biggest village, but you are still spoilt for choice in the number of places to eat or drink.
What I loved most about it were the surrounding mountains with vineyards and other fresh produce being farmed up and down these steep slopes.
There is a walking track that will take you to a few different vantage points depending on how much climbing you want to do.
It is an easy climb to the Manarola Scenic viewpoint, which overlooks the town from the western side.
But if you want to go higher there is a small pathway that heads straight up from this track which tracks the edge of the mountain along a narrow path in between farmland, and cliff faces.
You are treated to a clear view to Corniglia on the way, and when you reach the top there is a flat path that follows the mountain back to the center of Manarola where you will get the best view in Cinque Terre in our opinion.
The climb is manageable with moderate fitness, and we would encourage everyone to give it a go.
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3. Monterossa
Best village for family travel.
Monterossa has a feel that is similar to a more typical European beach destination. There are two main beaches, each with gelato stands scattered everywhere.
There are two large beaches with more space than you will find in the other villages. The available amenities and abundance of food options give a family holiday vibe.
The quality of food looked to be higher in this village. We only had time to sample one restaurant (which was the best meal we had on our trip)… And it was a tough choice to pick that restaurant!
The town is split into two sections. There is a smaller beach, the ferry wharf, and a handful of streets with outstanding food.
The other side has a larger beach, and train station, and is a bit more chaotic.
A pedestrian tunnel joins the two, or you can go the coastal route which involves a bit of climbing, but the views are worthwhile.
4. Riomaggiore
Best Village for Younger and Solo Travelers.
The first time I visited Cinque Terre this is where we stayed, and if I was traveling as a young, single, 24yo again this would be my top pick.
This is one of the larger villages which means more options for accommodation, more restaurants, bars…. And of course more people.
You will find the streets bustling all day and into the evening when many of the smaller villages become very quiet.
The majority of day travelers head straight down to the waterfront area, where you will find one of the better-known photo backdrops in the region.
Does the photo above look familiar?
This walkway leads around to a fairly large pebbled beach. But this is not always accessible at high tide when the walkway gets cut off by income waves. So we didn’t make it….
The last time we visited the path and fence were damaged in some areas and you really have to watch where you walk.
On the opposite side of the small harbor is a path that takes you along the coast toward the train station. Next door is the Bar e Vini a Piè de Mà.
Its cliff-top location is the perfect place to knock back a few cocktails.
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5. Corniglia
Best Village for Mediterranean Views.
Out of the five villages, this one ranked dead last for me. The main reason is the long and steep staircase that will greet you when you step off the train to reach the village.
It is just impractical for most when carrying luggage around.
However, that is not to say that the town does not have it’s charm. I just wouldn’t stay here.
The town has a different feel from others and reminds me of Dubrovnik with its medieval-style walkways, narrow streets, and old-style buildings.
The whole town sits in an elevated position on top of a mountain which is unique for the area. No swimming here, but some nice views on offer if you walk to the end of the main street where a small viewing platform is.
There is a bar there where you can hang out and take in the view, but there are only three tables. Which will give you an idea of how small and narrow it is here.
The walkway between Corniglia and Vernazza is one of the few that remain open. We arrived too late in the day to make it but I would love to do it another time.
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Final Word
All five villages of Cinque Terre are close together and accessible by train, ferry and some by hiking trail.
So no matter where you stay in Cinque Terre, you will have the chance to explore them all, but choosing the right one for your home base will remove any small frustrations.
It does get hot, and some facilities are limited (like places to do laundry!).
If you are in doubt, then just stick to the larger towns of Riomaggiore and Monterossa. But we loved Vernazza and Manarola the most and would love to stay in either of these towns if we are to return to Cinque Terre in the future.