The Cinque Terre is one of the most spectacular spots on the Ligurian coastline, known for its naturally dramatic landscape and collection of five remote fishing villages — reached only on foot. These pastel-coloured hamlets, with an incredibly colour-changing sea beneath them, and misty, purplish hills behind, have been Heritage Listed since 1997, so accommodation within the towns is limited, but out Gurus have found plenty of contenders for their list of the best places to stay in the Cinque Terre in the hills and valleys surrounding the towns. They like a couple of agriturismos, converted farmhouses and villas, a couple of traditional Italian charmers, and some more contemporary picks.

Now that the Cinque Terre is car-free, the only way to reach the villages and their surrounds is along spectacular trails on the clifftops, or on the train which cuts through the mountains. The train starts in La Spezia, and finishes in Levanto. La Spezia is one of the best places to stay in the Cinque Terre if you’re looking for a larger base, with a cobbled old town, and museums and sights of its own. The first of the towns you reach from La Spezia is Riomaggiore, the largest town, and a great base for walkers. It’s very steep, with a charming main street and a pretty marina.

Manarola is only 852 metres away from Riomaggiore, so many people walk through it without stopping, so it’s our pick if you're looking for peace and quiet — in the evenings you’ll have the place to yourself. Corniglia is next, 100 metres above the sea and surrounded by vineyards, then it’s Vernazza, the steepest of the villages, and a fantastic choice for photographers. Vernazza has the best fishing port of the villages, so it’s also ideal for foodies. Monterosso is last, the grandest of the towns, with resort-style hotels, the best beaches, and the easiest car access. Levanto is at the other end of the train line, and with its sandy beaches and great facilities, it’s the town our Gurus find themselves recommending most often as the best place to stay in the Cinque Terre for families.

The Best Places to Stay in the Cinque Terre

For the Italian Riviera Experience

• With bags of old fashioned charm, and a stunning location on the cliffs above Monterossa, the Hotel Porto Roca is a trick the Portofino set are clearly missing. The Mediterranean yachting views are fabulous, and idyllic when appreciated from one of the hotel’s private balconies or from a sun lounger by the pool — one of the most perfect on this stretch of coastline. The restaurant terrace offers that classic combination of white wrought-iron furnishings, bougainvillea, and sea views. The 40 rooms are dressed in traditional Italian style, perfect for the location.

For Ocean Views

• The Grand Hotel Portovenere is a monastery turned hotel which sits right on the harbour wall at Portovenere. There’s very little of the monastic left in this grand building, except possibly the wonderfully vaulted ceilings in some of the public areas, and the clean lines of the decor in the 56 rooms and suites. It’s definitely not minimalist, though, more stylishly contemporary, with luxurious fabrics and finishes, and lots of light through huge windows of private balconies. The restaurant has a spectacular terrace overlooking the water, and serves innovative cuisine, and there’s a chic bar, and beautiful spa.

For a Beach Break

• The best thing about the Hotel Marina Piccola has to be the view: across to the marina at Manarola. Though that’s saying quite a bit because the 13 modern rooms with their exposed original stonework, carefully chosen furniture and mod cons, are extremely comfortable, the seafood restaurant specialising in Ligurian cuisine is excellent, and the location is ideal for the beach and for the coastal path.

For Foodies

• La Sosta di Ottone III is a six room restaurant with rooms nestled into the Levanto Valley, above the town at the end of the Cinque Terre route. The views here are incredible — to the extent that it’s difficult to decide if it’s the food of the views that should get top billing — and the chef has previously worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, and offers personalised ’jam session-style’ cooking classes tailored to guest’s individual interests. The decor varies from room to room, with some traditional options and some more contemporary picks; our favourites are those with the most spectacular views.

For Families

• Looking more like a converted villa than a converted farmhouse, the Agriturismo Villanova is a rural B&B, with nine guest rooms and self-catering apartments, and great family-friendly features. Plenty of farmhouse charm has been retained in the decor, and simple, classical furnishings added, making for a cosy, comfortable atmosphere. As well as the atmosphere and space, families may also appreciate the outdoor lagoon pool, lush gardens complete with a playground and tennis courts, and the hearty organic breakfasts. The location is back from the coast, just outside Levanto.
• Palazzo Vannoni is a beautifully restored historic villa in the elegant old heart of Levanto. There are just 11 rooms and suites, all of a good size, but the family suites are especially spacious, and they’ve all been modernised to a minimalist standard — except for the wonderful original frescoes on some of the walls and ceilings, which have been beautifully restored. No restaurant, but a buffet breakfast is served daily.

For Great Value

• The Hotel Suisse Bellevue is idyllically positioned on a hill behind Monterossa, so benefits from views of both the pretty town and the beautiful bay. There are just 30 rooms and suites, decorated in a simple manner, the best with private balconies. The hotel has a private beach, gardens and a wonderful sun terrace. There’s no restaurant but breakfast is included.
• The Ca' D'Andrean is a traditional hotel in Manarola. Most of the hotel’s ten rooms overlook the Ligurian Sea, and all have pleasantly simple decor, with pale tiled floors and white walls; the best have private balconies too. Outside is a charming garden, with lemons trees and places to sit and enjoy them. There’s no restaurant, but they do serve breakfast.

For a private apartment or villa

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Want to fly to The Cinque Terre?

• Depending on where you start out, Pisa International Airport, Florence Airport, Genoa Airport, and Milan’s Linate Airport and Bergamo Airport are all convenient for the towns of the Cinque Terre. Pisa is about an hour away from La Spezia, by car; Florence Airport is about an hour and a half by road, or about three hours away by train; Genoa Airport is similar; and Milan’s airports are about two an a quarter hours away by road, or almost five by rail. Once you’ve arrived in La Spezia or Levanto you can catch the Cinque Terre Express, which stops at all five towns: Monterosso, Corniglia, Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
• If you plan to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.
• The Cinque Terre is no longer the under explored treasure it was 40-odd years ago, and summers here are now quite busy on the trails, on the train and in the towns. Many visitors are only here for the day, so if you opt for one of the hotels we’ve recommended within the towns you can expect quieter evenings. But if you’re planning a trip in July or August you should steel yourself for crowds. May and June are quieter, as are September and October, but the long, warm hours of sunshine are still very appealing, so it’s definitely worth booking in advance. Winter in the Cinque Terre is very beautiful, and it’s worth considering travelling at this time, though the days are obviously shorter.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could expand your search to include all our Guru’s recommendations for the best places to stay in Liguria
• Refine your search to one town in particular and search only for the best places to say in La Spezia
• Consider the best places to stay in Portofino or Rapallo just along the coast
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in The Cinque Terre