Where to Stay in Cinque Terre, Italy: Selecting the Right Town for Your Trip
With five towns so closely packed together, determining where to stay in Cinque Terre, Italy can be difficult. Many of the towns offer a number of accommodations like hostels, hotels, and guesthouses while others can be challenging to find anywhere to stay.
Whatever you choose, just remember transportation is frequent and inexpensive between towns so don’t let this limit you. You can still visit all five easily in a day or a week. It is more up to personal preference.
- Does location matter? Do you want to stay in the middle versus staying at one of the end towns?
- Is having a lot of restaurant options important to you?
- How close do you want to be to the beach or ocean?
- Do you simply want the most affordable or stunning accommodations?
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Where to Stay in Riomaggiore
The largest of the five towns, Riomaggiore – Land 1 – offers a large assortment of accommodations and more budget friendly options than the other towns in Cinque Terre. It also also offers the most “grab and go” food options and a variety of restaurants. This makes Riomaggiore the best place to stay in Cinque Terre on a budget.
However, the town is built into the hillside so it depends on the location of the hotel in Riomaggiore. It could be quite a climb to get there! You’ll also find limited views of the water at all of the accommodations in Riomaggiore because of how the town is situated.
Best Hotels in Riomaggiore
Think Riomaggiore is the right place for you? Here are three of the best hotels in Riomaggiore.
1. Creuza de Ma
This beautiful house sits on the hillside of Riomaggiore close to the center of town. Creuza de Ma features four terraces, a solarium, two gardens, a heated hot tub, and two outdoor showers that overlook the sea. It only has four rooms for rent and will give you the full luxury you need to enjoy Cinque Terre to the fullest.
Check rates for Creuza de Ma now.
2. Stellio Affittacamere – Guest House
This stunning apartment is centrally located overlooking the marina and ocean. Stellio Affittacamere is best known for its location and the hospitality of Roberto, the manager of this property, but don’t let that fool you, the interior is also quite impressive featuring stone walls and wooden beams.
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3. Alla Marina Affittacamere
Located right in the middle of the harbor, Alla Marina Affittacamere is a slightly cheaper hotel in Riomaggiore. It is a fantastic family-run spot offering modern rooms with a view. You’ll find all the hospitality and conveniences needed to make your trip to Cinque Terre memorable.
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Where to Stay in Manarola
The smallest and most picturesque of the five towns is Manarola – Land 2. You’ll find restaurants and hotels in Manarola are quite limited, but the quiet and beauty of the town may make it the perfect place for you.
Best Hotels in Manarola
Interested in staying in Manarola for the intimate Cinque Terre experience? Here are the best choices of where to stay in Manarola.
1. Ca de Francu
Find all the luxuries you need in a Manarola hotel at Ca de Francu. This newly renovated apartment offers plenty of space to relax and truly stunning views from its private terrace.
Check rates for Ca de Francu now.
2. Hotel Marina Piccola
A budget hotel in Manarola, Hotel Marina Piccola is a two minute walk from the beach. Its beautiful rooms feature stone walls and stunning views of the city. You’ll also have a buffet breakfast included every morning.
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3. L’Emporio Rooms
This guesthouse in Manarola is located right in the heart of the town and offers great city views and modern rooms. The owner of L’Emporio Rooms, Leonard, works right downstairs and is available to offer great tips about exploring Manarola.
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Where to Stay in Corniglia
Corniglia – Land 3 – sits on top of a cliff featuring hundreds of stairs (365 to be exact, one for every day of the year) or a quick bus ride to arrive at the top. If you struggle with stairs, you should not stay in Corniglia.
However if some steep stairs don’t scare you, the ocean views from Corniglia are delightful! Also keep in mind the Cinque Terre ferry does not reach this town. This of course helps keep Corniglia the quietest of the towns and therefore one of the best places to stay in Cinque Terre, Italy.
Best Hotels in Corniglia
Looking for a quiet, laid back place to stay in Cinque Terre? Corniglia may be the best choice for you! Here are some of the top hotels in Corniglia.
1. Arbanella
This Corniglia guesthouse offers great views of the sea and is centrally located to everything the town has to offer. At Arbanell, you’ll have a very comfortable stay right in the center of Cinque Terre.
Check rates for Arbanella now.
2. Affittacamere Arbasia De Ma
Affittacamere Arbasia De Ma offers basic, functional rooms in 2 buildings overlooking the sea. At this Corniglia hotel, you’ll find clean rooms with great views all within close proximity to many cafes and bars in the area.
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3. Affittacamere Le Terrazze
Centrally located, Affittacamere Le Terrazze offers fairly basic accommodations in Corniglia but with beautiful terraces and gardens. Expect to climb some stairs, but you will be rewarded with great views!
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Where to Stay in Vernazza
Perhaps the most “ordinary” of the five lands, Vernazza offers an easy-going lifestyle with a central train station and numerous views out to the marina. In Vernazza there are a number of restaurants available along the main road and some can be found hiding on the side streets. There is also a rocky beach accessible behind the town.
This makes staying in Vernazza a breeze – not to mention there are plenty of hotel options in Vernazza.
Best Hotels in Vernazza
Looking for the top hotels in Veranazza? Here’s a good place to start.
1. La Polena Camere Vernazza – Suite vista mare
This beachfront property is a rare gem in Veranazza. Go to sleep with the sound of the crashing waves below with terraces that overlook both the ocean and the town. At La Polena Camere Vernazza you’ll be located right down on the beach in the middle of everything.
Check rates for La Polena Camere Vernazza now.
2. MaDa Charm Apartments Terrace & Carugio
You cannot find a better location than MaDa Charm Apartments Terrace & Carugio. You have views right down onto the beach and marina and your doorway pops you out onto one of the main roads. Not to mention the modern rooms and attached terraces at this Veranazza hotel which really set it apart!
Check rates for MaDa Charm Apartments Terrace & Carugio now.
3. Appartamento Margherita
Need more space? Appartamento Margherita is for you. With over 1000 square feet and 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, this Vernazza apartment is perfect for a family or group of friends traveling together. You’ll also be centrally located to take advantage of everything Vernazza has to offer.
Check rates for Appartamento Margherita now.
Where to Stay in Monterosso al Mare
The flattest of the five towns in Cinque Terre is Monterosso al Mare – Land 5. If you intend to spend some quality time relaxing at the beach, this may be the best option for you.
Monterosso al Mare boasts the most coastline and features the only “proper” beach in Cinque Terre. It also offers a number of restaurants in the town and along the waterfront. Take into consideration the New Town area has less of the classic “Cinque Terre charm” than the Old Town.
Best Hotels in Monterosso al Mare
Let’s take a look at some of the best places to stay in Monterosso al Mare. All of these options are in the Old Town to really capture the feel of staying in Cinque Terre.
1. A ca da Alba Rooms
The guesthouse A ca da Alba is situated in the historic center of Monterosso al Mare, just 100m from the sea. The guesthouse was just renovated in 2018 to provide you the best experience they can. You’ll also be within walking distance of everything you need: bars, restaurants, super markets, the beach, etc.
Check rates for A ca da Alba Rooms now.
2. Stella Della Marina
This quaint Monterosso al Mare hotel is family run in the middle of the Old Town right off the main square. It offers cozy rooms and a great rooftop terrace to relax on.
Check rates for Stella Della Marina now.
3. Affittacamere Irene
The Affittacamere Irene is perfectly situated in Monterosso al Mare just a short walk to the beach, restaurants, and the main sights. One of the unusual perks of Affittacamere Irene is that it features a lift – rare for Cinque Terre where stairs are the main currency!
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Learn More about Visiting Cinque Terre
Planning a trip to Cinque Terre can be challenging as you learn to navigate the 5 lands, their differences, and distinctions. For deep insights into the towns and what each one has to offer, check out the post The Complete Guide to Cinque Terre.
It will help you learn all about the towns of Cinque Terre and ultimately decide which town you should look into staying in. After all, where to stay in Cinque Terre could make or break your trip!
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