Cinque Terre is one of those destinations where location can make or break your trip. Part of the charm of the “five lands” are that they are still relatively remote. However, this makes it a little more complicated to navigate where to stay in Cinque Terre.
I recently visited this UNESCO world heritage site this past fall, and at first felt completely overwhelmed with accommodation options. After extensive research, I found a couple of accommodation tips and tricks that made my travel planning way easier.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet agro-tourism stay, a romantic luxury villa, or a budget-friendly option, this guide will save you the hours of research in planning the perfect Cinque Terre trip!
Tips on Where to Stay in Cinque Terre
Before deciding where to stay in Cinque Terre, there are a few important factors to consider. Chances are you’ve already booked your flights to Italy, and perhaps are looking to incorporate Cinque Terre into a Northern Italy itinerary.
First, I’d recommend spending a minimum of 1 day to 3 nights in the Cinque Terre region. It is doable to see all 5 villages, or pick a couple, within one day. This is only possible if you take the Cinque Terre train. If you’d like to stay for 2 or 3 days, you’ll be able to move at a leisurely pace and incorporate some hiking.
If you plan on coming in the summer months of June-August, you’ll definitely need to prepare yourself for more crowds. Many people take day trips from Florence to Cinque Terre and also cruise ships coming into La Spezia.
If you come in the shoulder season of March-May or September-November, you’ll still get sunshine without much of the crowds. You’ll also find better value accommodation options. I visited in late October, and it was absolutely perfect.
If you do come in the summer months, there are some accommodation options that are in the outskirts of the park in authentic Italian villages. These accommodation options are best as well if you plan on driving to the region.
La Spezia: Best Value Accommodation Options
Photo via Flickr
After doing a lot of research, we decided to stay in La Spezia, and I couldn’t recommend it more. Staying here was convenient, charming, and budget-friendly. You may have never heard of this small Italian town, but it is the closest major city to Cinque Terre National Park. On the map it looks further out, but in reality it’s only a 10 minute train ride to Cinque Terre!
This brings me to my next point. Don’t even think about renting a car to visit within the actual park. There’s no parking, and it’s very expensive. The train system connects La Spezia to all five villages, and you can get a 1-3 day pass to visit all of them. You can read about train travel in Cinque Terre here.
For this reason, it’s not necessary to stay in the actual park of Cinque Terre. You have better value accommodation and restaurants in La Spezia, so I would recommend basing yourself here if you’re on a budget. Plus, I do think this is the best option if you’re only planning on staying for 1-2 nights.
La Spezia accommodation suggestions
| Name | Price per night | Features | Best for | Booking link |
| 5 Terre Backpackers City Hostel | 40 EUR | Next to train station | Budget travelers | Book here |
| 5 Terre Sweet Dreams Rooms | 50 EUR | Spacious rooms, central location | Couples | Book here |
| La Suprema Luxury Rooms | 85 EUR | Spacious rooms, boutique style | Couples, luxury | Book here |
| The Lighthouse 2 Bedroom Apartment | 90 EUR | Breakfast included | Families, group | Book here |
| Albergo Venezia Hotel | 93 EUR | 3 stars, next to train station | Families, couples | Book here |
| CDH Hotel | 109 EUR | 4 stars, breakfast buffet | Couples, luxury | Book here |
Cinque Terre Villages: Best Luxury and Romantic Accommodation Options
I don’t blame you for wanting to stay within the actual villages of Cinque Terre. Without a doubt, this is the most romantic place to base yourself, with seaside views and vibrant hues for days.
The only downside is that lugging suitcases onto the train and through the narrow cobblestoned streets can be a huge pain. And in the heat of summer with tons of people? Forget it.
If you’re planning on staying in the either of the five villages, you’re better off coming in the shoulder or off season for a minimum of 2 nights. Otherwise, it’s really not worth the hassle for less than 24 hours.
The five villages of Cinque Terre are Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso Al Mare. The most picturesque destinations are Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Vernazza, while Monterosso Al Mare is best if you want to be right near the beach.
For the dramatic cliffs and colorful houses, my pick would be to stay somewhere in Manarola, my favorite of the five villages.
Cinque Terre accommodation options
| Name | Price per night | Features | Best for | Booking link |
| Riomaggiore terrace apartments | 125 EUR | Terrace with view | Couples | Book here |
| Riomaggiore Luxury Villa | 474 EUR | Honeymoon suites and penthouse option | Luxury, couples or group | Book here |
| Manarola Hotel Marina | 150 EUR | 3 star, close to beach | Couples | Book here |
| Vernazza luxury apartment | 275 EUR | Jacuzzi, central location | Luxury, couples | Book here |
| Monterosso Hotel Marina | 150 Eur | 3 stars, luxury rooms | Luxury, couples | Book here |
| Monterosso Terrazza Sea Rooms | 150 EUR | Directly on the beach, terrace | Luxury, couples | Book Here |
Agriturismo in Cinque Terre: Most Authentic Accommodation Options
(Photo via Flickr)
If you really want to escape all of the crowds and get lost in the Italian countryside, there are a number of smaller Italian villages where you can base yourself. These charming regions are an oasis for what is known as “agriturismo in Cinque Terre”, which is basically farm stays and b&bs that also offer homegrown food and wine. Sounds ideal, right?
The first village is Corniglia, one of the five villages within Cinque Terre. This is definitely the quietest and least commercial of all five villages. You can definitely still feel authentic village life when surrounded by vineyards and farmland.
If you’re interested in hiking or trekking through the entire park, you may want to consider staying in Biassa. This village is right in the middle of La Spezia and the first village of Riomaggiore. If you did have a car, you can book accommodation with parking and explore Cinque Terre by foot or train (or both).
Agro-tourism accommodation options
| Name | Price per night | Features | Best for | Booking link |
| Corniglia Sea Guesthouse | 127 EUR | Seaview, breakfast included | Couples, slow travelers | Book here |
| Biassa Guesthouse | 85 EUR | Free parking and breakfast | Couples, families | Book here |
| Agro Luxury farmstay | 85 EUR | Pet-friendly, free parking and breakfast | Couples, families | Book here |
| 2 BR Country Villa House | 215 EUR | Modern, jacuzzi, free parking | Families, group | Book here |
- Consider booking accommodation from locally-owned apartment or hotel owners.
- Consider traveling in the shoulder and off-season to help better preserve the Cinque Terre Park from over-tourism.
- Taking the Cinque Terre train card support this sustainable form of public transportation (including the eco buses!)
- Make sure to stay on the path when hiking. They are there for a reason.
- Consider staying outside of the park itself to help preserve its authenticity.
- Bring a reusable water bottle with you, and recycle all waste in the bins.
- Read more about responsible travel here.
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