If you’re planning to visit Cinque Terre in Italy, you should quickly ask yourself about accommodation while preparing your trip : where to stay in Cinque Terre. Indeed, there are multiple accommodation options in Cinque Terre depending on your wishes, preferences, and also your means of transport (train, car, or on foot).
So is it better to stay in one of the five villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare) or choose accommodation in the towns of Levanto or La Spezia outside the national park boundaries ? In this travel blog guide, I share all my tips as well as the best places for every budget to help you choose the right accommodation in Cinque Terre.
Where to stay in Cinque Terre : in the heart of the villages or outside ?
Mode of transport : car vs train
If you are traveling in Italy by car and want to stay in one of the Cinque Terre villages, you should know that it will be impossible to reach your accommodation by vehicle. Lodgings in the heart of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso have no private parking for your car. You will quickly understand why once you arrive and walk through the stairways and narrow alleys. The only vehicles able to move through the narrow streets are scooters and Ape three-wheel utility vehicles from the Piaggio brand, typical of Italy.
You will therefore need to leave your vehicle in one of the external parking areas if your accommodation in Cinque Terre is located in one of the villages. Unfortunately, these parking lots have few spaces and fill up quickly during peak season. Not to mention that prices are relatively high. In short, it’s not a good idea to drive directly into the villages.
The easiest option is to take the train to reach the villages and your future hotel or Airbnb apartment. There are connections from major nearby Italian cities such as Genoa, Pisa, Florence, Parma, and Rome. For more information, I summarized everything in the article on the best things to do in Cinque Terre.
If you come to Cinque Terre by car, the most convenient option is to stay in Levanto or La Spezia. Another solution is to leave your car in a parking lot in Levanto or La Spezia and then take the train to your accommodation in the Cinque Terre.
Advantages of staying in Cinque Terre villages
- Being in the heart of village life and feeling like a local
- Enjoying the calm and atmosphere before and after the tourist rush
- Staying in accommodation in the center of a village with magnificent views
- Watching the sunrise or sunset from your accommodation terrace
Disadvantages of staying in Cinque Terre villages
- Fewer accommodation choices (remember to book well in advance)
- Higher prices than in La Spezia or Levanto
- Very limited nightlife (few pubs and no nightclubs)
- No private parking
Accommodation in Cinque Terre : choose Levanto or La Spezia ?
Levanto to the north and La Spezia to the south are the two towns surrounding the national park and its five villages listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both are less than 10 minutes by train from Monterosso or Riomaggiore, so distance will not guide your choice. Levanto is a charming small seaside resort (5,550 inhabitants) with a historic town center and a beautiful sandy beach. La Spezia is a large city (93,980 inhabitants) with a historic center also worth visiting but, unlike Levanto, it has no beach. La Spezia’s waterfront is occupied by the port (military, commercial, and cruise).
Many travelers choose accommodation in La Spezia while others prefer to stay in Levanto. It’s a matter of taste, and one is not better located than the other. To help you decide, I’ve listed the advantages of each below. During our trip, we had the opportunity to visit both towns and clearly preferred Levanto. In fact, this is where we chose our accommodation in Cinque Terre.
Advantages of Levanto
- Beautiful and large sandy beach
- Charming historic center
- Quieter than La Spezia
- Possibility of staying in agriturismi
Advantages of La Spezia
- Interesting historic center (including a fort) and several renowned museums
- Nightlife and evening activities
- Direct train connections with major Italian cities
- The cheapest accommodation in Cinque Terre
Where to stay in Levanto ?
The charming small town of Levanto is a seaside resort offering a beautiful and large sandy beach. As is often the case in Italy, there are many private beaches with sun loungers and umbrellas at affordable prices (a nice change from the French Riviera at home). If you visit in summer, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy a few days at the beach before discovering the villages, as there are few places to swim in Cinque Terre (only the village of Monterosso has a real beach).
The old town is also very attractive, with historic buildings featuring beautiful trompe-l’œil façades. There are many restaurants and shops. It’s ideal for a peaceful family stay while enjoying the sea. The town really won us over, and we did not regret our choice after seeing La Spezia. Since we traveled by car, we ruled out staying in one of the perched villages of Cinque Terre.
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Where to stay in La Spezia ?
La Spezia is the large city with nearly 100,000 inhabitants. It lies on the eastern side of the national park, opposite Levanto. La Spezia has a lovely historic city center worth visiting, but its huge port prevents it from having beaches. If enjoying the sea is one of your priorities when looking for accommodation in the Cinque Terre, then you can already cross La Spezia off your list. However, if you want to visit museums or go out at night, the city may appeal to you.
La Spezia has two major advantages for me. The first is that it has direct train connections with major Italian cities. Unlike Levanto, you won’t need to change trains to get there. For those traveling across Italy by train, choosing La Spezia is simpler. The second advantage is that La Spezia offers the cheapest accommodation in the Cinque Terre. Budget travelers and those looking for cheap hotels will particularly appreciate this.
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Where to stay in Riomaggiore ?
Riomaggiore, the village closest to La Spezia (8 minutes by train), has a small pebble beach by the harbor where you can enjoy the sea during the warmer months. The village is divided into two parts: the more recent area where the station is located, and the more historic area with its beautiful colorful façades. This is the side of Riomaggiore you should prioritize for accommodation. Some lodgings offer superb views of the town, my favorite being the stunning Agave Room Rental.
Best places to stay in Riomaggiore
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Where to stay in Manarola ?
Manarola is one of the most beautiful villages to stay in Cinque Terre. Its small central square above the harbor, where several restaurants gather, is the ideal place to watch the sunset over a drink. In Manarola, my favorite accommodation is Olimpo Affittacamere, whose view is splendid (you won’t find many budget addresses to stay in Manarola).
Best places to stay in Manarola
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Where to stay in Corniglia ?
Corniglia is the smallest of the five villages, so you will find fewer accommodation options there. Unlike all the other villages, Corniglia is not located on the coastline but sits 100 m above sea level on a hill. It is the only village not directly by the sea and offers a different layout from the others. You’ll need to climb up and down the 377 steps or use the shuttle to reach your accommodation each day… keep that in mind ! Moreover, if you want to enjoy a swim in the sea, it’s not the best village to stay in the Cinque Terre.
For lovers of beautiful panoramas, vineyards, and tranquility to recharge, Corniglia can be a good accommodation option. As it is elevated, it is easier to reach the village by car, provided you find a parking space (only along the roadside).
Best places to stay in Corniglia
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Where to stay in Vernazza ?
Vernazza is the most beautiful of the Cinque Terre villages. The central square in front of the harbor, where fishermen’s boats are moored, offers a superb setting to enjoy an aperitif in one of the bars or restaurants. Vernazza offers accommodation across almost all price ranges, which will delight both budget travelers and those wishing to treat themselves. If we hadn’t traveled by car (we therefore stayed in Levanto), we would undoubtedly have chosen accommodation in Vernazza for our stay.
I fell in love with the village of Vernazza. Don’t miss the hiking trail that connects the village to Monterosso—you’ll discover superb panoramas along the way. You don’t need to go far to enjoy the view of the harbor and colorful houses.
If your budget allows or if you want to celebrate a special occasion, I recommend the magnificent MaDa Charm apartment. Believe me, your partner will thank you 🙂
Best accommodation in Vernazza
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Where to stay in Monterosso ?
The main advantage of Monterosso compared with the other Cinque Terre villages is that it has a large sandy beach with many sun loungers. It’s ideal if you want to combine your visit with relaxation and swimming. As Monterosso is the largest of the five villages, you’ll find plenty of accommodation and restaurants. It’s a good option if you’re looking for some evening activity (the other villages are quite quiet), but there are also many tourists. It remains a very complete option for staying in Cinque Terre and enjoying everything (sightseeing, hiking, boat trips, kayaking, swimming, etc.).
Best places to stay in Monterosso
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Best towns for hiking
Discovering the magnificent villages with colorful façades perched by the sea is the goal of all travelers visiting the Cinque Terre. But did you know that it’s also possible to go hiking there? And there’s no need to be an experienced trekker to set out on the trails. The routes that run along the coast are easily accessible even for beginners. To avoid the intense heat that can occur in summer, I recommend choosing months outside July and August. You’ll also encounter fewer people on the trails, which will make the experience more enjoyable.
Before setting out on the hiking trails, check the official website to see which ones are open. In 2026, routes between Vernazza and Monteresso and between Manarola and Corniglia remained closed.
So where should you stay in Cinque Terre for hiking ? It depends on what you plan to do. For those wishing to complete the full crossing of the five villages, you’ll need to plan accommodation in most of the villages to combine walking and sightseeing. It is possible to start this full crossing from Levanto, but this is not possible from La Spezia.
My choice : Vernazza
For easy day hikes starting from the same village each time, I recommend choosing accommodation in Cinque Terre in the village of Vernazza. It is also the most beautiful of the five villages, so you’ll enjoy all the advantages. Budget travelers will opt for Enrica barrani room, while those who want to treat themselves to a beautiful room will choose I 5 scogli.
From Vernazza, two different routes are available. The first, lasting about 2 hours, reaches Monterosso with its lovely beach, ideal for cooling off. If you don’t want to walk back, you can return by train in just a few minutes. The second route, in the opposite direction, leads via another 2-hour hike to the hilltop village of Corniglia. Here too, you can return by train. The station is by the sea (use the shuttle or the 377-step staircase to reach it).
Beach and hiking : Monterosso
If having a beach is important for your stay in the Cinque Terre, then choose Monterosso when looking for accommodation. You can hike to Levanto and the next day take the hike from Monterosso to Corniglia via Vernazza (4 hours). The advantage is that you don’t need to walk back to your accommodation, as the train will always bring you back to your starting point.
My other articles on accommodation in Italy
- Where to stay in Lake Como
- Where to stay in Milan
- Where to stay in Puglia
- Where to stay in Venice
- Where to stay in Naples
- Where to stay in Rome
- Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast
- Where to stay in Florence
- Where to stay in Turin