Where to Stay in Cinque Terre Italy? Accommodation in Cinque Terre

Do you want to stay in Cinque Terre Italy? Find the perfect hotel for staying in Cinque Terre with my guide to accommodation in Cinque Terre.

Check my recommendations for each budget. From luxury hotels in Cinque Terre to rooms for rent and budget hostels in Cinque Terre.

I list the different accommodation types that are available. And what each town out of the 5 towns in Cinque Terre have to offer. How to book it and save money on your stay in Cinque Terre.

I paid for everything in full myself. I was not paid or sponsored. All my opinions and experiences are my own.

Probe around the Globe does use affiliate links. If you decide to follow one of my links and make a purchase, I’ll earn a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you.

5 Reasons why you should be staying in Cinque Terre

A day trip to Cinque Terre is perfect if you have little time and are on a whirlwind tour of Italy. You can take a day trip from Pisa or Florence to Cinque Terre. This usually entails a very early rise, time in transit and little time to explore on your own. You’ll experience Cinque Terre at the hottest and busiest time of the day. As Cinque Terre is very popular it can get crazy busy!

I had the luxury of 5 days in Cinque Terre and loved every moment of it! Here are my 5 reasons why you should stay in Cinque Terre.

Escape the crowds

When you stay in Cinque Terre overnight, you can escape the crowds and the masses of day trippers. A bit. I found the villages of Cinque Terre perfectly quiet before 9 am and after 9 pm. In the evening, it was a bit busier than in the mornings but we still felt like locals.

Eat pasta pesto

There is no place in the world that does pasta pesto better than Cinque Terre. Enjoy a plate of fresh pasta or freshly caught seafood with a harbor view. When you stay in Cinque Terre, you have to eat in one of the restaurants in Cinque Terre. This is like dining with the gods themselves!

Watch the sunset in Cinque Terre

Do you know all those lovely pastel colored pictures of Cinque Terre? They are taking during sunset or right after sunset. We were lucky to experience 3 gorgeous sunsets in Cinque Terre and this alone was worth it to stay in Cinque Terre overnight.

Experience all 5 villages in Cinque Terre

On a day trip to Cinque Terre, you have little time to explore all 5 villages at length. During our 5 days in Cinque Terre, we had breakfast in Riomaggiore and Monterosso al Mare. We had lunch in Vernazza and Corniglia. And we had dinner in Manarola, Vernazza, and Riomaggiore. We experienced the sunset in the different villages and took night pictures on a couple of occasions. We discovered the best places to eat gelato in Cinque Terre and saw all the churches and little back streets of each of the villages.

Time to roam around

Staying in Cinque Terre is the best thing you can do. As mentioned above, you can experience all of the villages, mostly because you have more time to do so! Cinque Terre is one of the loveliest little pieces of Italy I have seen and the towns are worth your time! Roam around, walk, sit and relax. And most importantly: enjoy your stay in Cinque Terre Italy.

Where to Stay in Cinque Terre?

Ok, now that I’ve convinced you that you should be staying in Cinque Terre, the question arises: where to stay in Cinque Terre? Cinque Terre is the name of the region of the Cinque Terre National Park and consists of 5 villages. From south to north they are Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare.

Below I shortly highlight the main thing that sets the villages apart from each other and why you should stay overnight.

Riomaggiore

First of the Cinque Terre villages when you come from La Spezia. It has the most prominent red building in the harbor. Riomaggiore has one main street and a little harbor. Riomaggiore is the start (or end) of the walk to Manarola, called the Via dell’Amore (lover’s walk).

Unfortunately, this passage of the Cinque Terre Trail is closed until further notice. This means there is not much to see or do in Riomaggiore. As a result of this, I found the cheapest accommodation in Riomaggiore. I’d call Riomaggiore a budget option.

Manarola

Manarola has the cutest pastel-painted houses. Many artists and creative people live in this small village, opening shops and little galleries. I found Manarola very popular at sunset as the golden light put a magic spell on the little village.

There are several very popular (Insta-famous!) restaurants in Manarola. Expect to wait over 1.5 hours to get a table here. The sections of the hiking trail of Cinque Terre that connect Manarola are also closed until further notice.

Corniglia

Corniglia is the oddball of the 5 villages. It doesn’t have a harbor and sits atop a hill. This means you’ll have to walk up (or down) to the train station. This makes it my least favorite option to stay in Cinque Terre as you’ll need to bring your bag or suitcase up that hill.

There are buses of course but it seems like a major hassle for me. It also seems to be a hassle to others, as I found Corniglia has the most last minute accommodation. So if you’re late to the party, Corniglia might have a place to sleep for you in Cinque Terre.

Corniglia is connected to Vernazza on the Cinque Terre trail so you can stay here to start your hiking adventure.

Vernazza

Vernazza is another cute village. Pastel-colored houses, a cute harbor, the hill with the tower and amazing views across the bay. Vernazza is very popular with day trippers and with people who stay overnight in Cinque Terre.

The range of accommodation is bigger and you’ll have more options to choose from. As Vernazza links to 2 sections of the Cinque Terre trail, this might be the perfect overnight stop if you wish to hike Cinque Terre in 2 days.

Monterosso al Mare

Monterosso is divided into two parts. It also is the only town of the 5 Cinque Terre towns that has a beach. Actually, it has two beaches!

This makes Monterosso al Mare perfect for a longer (family) vacation at the beach. Monterosso has more hotel options and if you’ll book early, you can rent a house for a week or longer at reasonable prices.

Monterosso is the biggest of the 5 villages and you’ll have plenty of hotels and bed and breakfasts to choose from. But prices go up quickly as Monterosso also has a big of upscale vibe to it.

Levanto

Levanto is not officially part of the Cinque Terre villages but it is very very close. If none of the below options fit your budget or are already fully booked, a stay in Levanto might be the ideal fit for your Cinque Terre holiday!

Only 5 minutes by train to Cinque Terre and it has plenty of accommodations to choose from. If you don’t mind that you’ll not actually stay in Cinque Terre, Levanto is perfect.

La Spezia

La Spezia is your main train connection hub to Cinque Terre if you’ll arrive from the south. Just like Levanto, La Spezia is not part of Cinque Terre but it is painstakingly close. You can almost touch Riomaggiore, so is it close.

Just 3 minutes by train and you’ll arrive in Cinque Terre. La Spezia has several accommodation options that won’t break the bank. A hostel, hotels or homestays, La Spezia might be an excellent budget option to explore Cinque Terre.

Best Place to Stay in Cinque Terre?

So what is the best place to stay in Cinque Terre? It all depends on your needs and your budget. I have to travel on a budget otherwise I would never ever go anywhere. So I was quite shocked to find the prices for accommodation in Cinque Terre.

There is no such thing as cheap accommodation in Cinque Terre. There are places that are cheaper than others, but really budget, forget about it. No €15 hotel rooms in Cinque Terre. I’m sorry.

As highlighted above, what the best place for staying in Cinque Terre is, depends on your needs.

If you’re looking for a 2-week family beach vacation, I’d recommend Monterosso al Mare.

But if you want to find peace and quiet off the beaten track, I’d recommend an agriturismo in the hills above Corniglia.

If you want to make Instagram Famous evening photos of the villages, then I’d definitely recommend Vernazza or Manarola.

Or if you’re like me, and you look for the cheapest options, then Riomaggiore might have something for you!

Different types of accommodation in Cinque Terre

Below I shortly list the different types of accommodation in Cinque Terre. You’ll not find any big hotel chain in Cinque Terre. Nor any budget hostels with shared rooms and facilities on a shoestring. Cinque Terre does have plenty of ‘affittacameres’ to offer. We’ll discuss them below.

How to find cheap accommodation in Cinque Terre?

Cinque Terre is very popular and accommodation is limited. Prices vary enormously during the season and Cinque Terre is the perfect example of offer and demand. When the demand goes up, so do the prices of accommodation.

You’ll find some basic tips to land cheap accommodation in Cinque Terre. This also applies to other regions in the world, but I found it particularly useful in Cinque Terre.

Book your hotel ahead

I love travel planning and I can plan ahead as far as a year in advance. For Cinque Terre, it seems impossible to find reasonably priced accommodation for a family vacation in July or August. But they are out there. First come, first serve.

If you book in January of February, chances are, you have plenty of options to choose from and you can find a good deal for your overnight stay in Cinque Terre.

Travel in the shoulder season

I almost solely travel in the shoulder season as I don’t have to abide by summer holidays. I can’t stand the extreme heat and I’d rather have the place to myself. Oh, and I like shoulder season prices. A lot! Ok, the weather might be a deal breaker, but the months of April and May and September and October can have very nice weather. If you book in April, the same hotel with double bedroom costs you €60. The same room in September will be €100 and if still available, expect to pay over €150 in July or August. Same room, different prices.

Find a (package) deal

In high season, many accommodations in Cinque Terre have a minimum stay of 2 nights or even more. If you don’t want that, you might need to pay top dollar for 1 night. Look around, browse through the different accommodations in Cinque Terre below and see if some offer any early booking deals or have a lower price if you stay 3 nights instead of 2! It is worth a shot.

Set your standard lower

Maybe normally you only book hotels with 24h reception. Or places that offer laundry service. Or only book rooms with excellent breakfast included. Those places do exist is Cinque Terre but expect to pay for them. Just as well, support the local bakery by buying your breakfast at the local shop (I can recommend the focaccia… Mmmhh) or buy your own groceries at the supermarket.

Hotels in Cinque Terre

You’ll not find much accommodation in Cinque Terre with the name Hotel. And even if they do, they might be a bit different than the hotels you’re used to. As the Cinque Terre villages are small and historic, there is no room to put a giant 11 story high luxury hotel in Cinque Terre.

You’ll find small boutique hotels, often located at the top stores of old apartment buildings. Elevators are a rare thing and check-in time is limited. Not all hotels have on-site restaurants or even have a lobby. But, I did my best to find you the best Cinque Terre hotels.

Best Cinque Terre Hotels

The best Cinque Terre hotels have loads of charm, some facilities that no other hotel in Cinque Terre offers and are just as charming as the rest of the Cinque Terre accommodations.

Riomaggiore Hotels

Riomaggiore only has a hand full of hotels to offer. As Riomaggiore has plenty of other options for accommodation, I’d only choose a hotel if you’re dead set on staying in a hotel (why would you?). Either way, this is my top pick with the best Riomaggiore Hotels:

Hotel La Zorza Riomaggiore: Right on the main street, very close to the harbor and the Riomaggiore train station. La Zorza offers different rooms at different apartment buildings. Be aware to climb a few stairs and La Zorza is close to bars and restaurants (this means noise at night). The breakfast is amazing and they offer a late check-out at 11 am.
For prices and availability, you’ll find more information here.

Hotel Vila Argentina: At the top of Riomaggiore this hotel offers some rooms with balconies. The best view of Riomaggiore does come at a price: you need to haul yourself and your luggage all the way to the top of a hill. The grueling climb up will be rewarded by cute rooms with balconies. The hotel offers a good buffet-style breakfast. This hotel is one of the very few hotels that offer private parking. Expect to pay €20 per night to park your car. For more details on prices and availability, check here.

Hotel Due Gemelli: Do you wish to wake up in Cinque Terre, stretch and walk out to the balcony for amazing views of the Ligurian coasts? Then Due Gemelli is the best hotel in Riomaggiore for you! This hotel offers a continental breakfast and has private parking available. At no extra cost! If you travel by car, this is perfect. Expect to take that car or walk to town, as Due Gemelli is located a little outside of Riomaggiore and there is no public transport. For more details and bookings, find the rates here.

Manarola & Corniglia Hotels

Manarola and Corniglia do not have any hotels in a conventional way. There are plenty of accommodations in Corniglia and Manarola, for example, private rooms and affittacamere. See below for the best accommodation in Manarola and Corniglia.

Hotels in Vernazza

Vernazza does have a charming hotel. Divided by three different buildings, the Hotel Gianni Franzi has charming rooms with terracotta floors. But the best thing about this Vernazza Hotel is the view! Wake up to the colorful houses of Vernazza and the sea. Check-in is at a different location, namely, the hotel’s restaurant and bar. Perfect if you don’t want to walk around to find a place to eat. For rates and availability, check here.

Monterosso al Mare Hotels

Monterosso has by far the most hotel options for Cinque Terre. I made a selection for you with the best Monterosso Hotels.

Hotel Marina: Located in the old part of Monterosso al Mare, this family-run hotel is oozing with charm. Located in a small street, it is not too far from the beach but also has its own garden for you to relax in the afternoon. It offers a great breakfast and the rooms have AC. For more details and prices, check here.

Hotel Baia: This hotel is history. Located right at the beachfront, next to the train station, this hotel is all about the location. It has a private beach (costs apply) and an on-site bar. It even features a mini-market and there is always plenty to see and do around the hotel. The hotel offers parking at additional costs, but with the train station so close, it is best to leave the car outside of Cinque Terre. For more details and information, check this link.

Hotel Porto Roca: This is definitely one of the luxury hotels in Cinque Terre (at least the price is!). It offers amazing views across the Ligurian coasts. It has its own outdoor pool, sun terrace overlooking the Monterosso beach and coast and it is located right next to the blue trail to hike Cinque Terre. All in all an amazing location and view. Check out the view and the prices here.

Unique Luxury hotels in Cinque Terre

Is money not a problem? Have you always wanted your own apartment in Cinque Terre? Or sleep on a boat? How about a historic tower? These options are unique accommodations in Cinque Terre. They don’t come cheap and you have to book quickly, but they are worth the splurge!

Terra Prima Suite Riomaggiore: Luxury modern apartment at the top of Riomaggiore. Luxury features, balcony, sauna, and spa bath and amazing views. Private parking is included in the price. Be quick and book here.

Muin a Ventu Historical Tower in Vernazza: Cute adorable apartment rooms inside a historic tower. Amazing views over Vernazza and the Ligurian coast, the fully equipped apartments are a unique accommodation in Cinque Terre. They sell out rapidly, so book quickly here.

La Torretta Lodge in Manarola: Do you want to stay inside a medieval tower but with modern-day facilities like a king-size bed, hot tub, and sun deck? This luxury hotel in Manarola is a perfect fit for you. For prices and availability, check this link.

La Casa del Gigante in Monterosso al Mare: There is an iconic dramatic building at the far end of the Monterosso beach. That is the Case del Gigante (House of the Giants). Amazing views across the beach, these luxury rooms are full of character but modern. Check for prices here.

La Casa Del Doganiere Monterosso: This old little customs house is not far from the hustle and bustle of Monterosso al Mare but offers peace and quiet rooms. Set out at the tip of the rocks, it offers privacy and a unique view over the waters of Cinque Terre. It books up quickly, so you need to see if you can book a night here.

3 Cabin Sailboat in Portovenere: This sailboat is docked in Portovenere which is only a few miles from Cinque Terre. The boat has 3 cabins, offers breakfast and the freedom of being on the water in Cinque Terre 24/7. Find out more here.

Rooms and affittacamere in Cinque Terre

It seems the term affittacamere is only used in Italy. But it is not just an Italian thing. Basically, an affittacamere is a room for rent with a local (similar to Airbnb but just not on their website.) Live like an Italian perfectly describes them below:

Affittacamere is the Italian term meaning rooms for rent, but not just any rooms. They are defined by law as “structures composed of no more than 6 rooms, located in no more than two furnished apartments where lodging is furnished .” So basically, they are rooms for rent (sometimes in private homes) that are not part of a hotel. A private bathroom may not be included, but you are always guaranteed the privacy of your own bedroom.

I stayed in a number of affittacameres in Italy and they are perfect. They offer enough privacy for a couple. I always choose one with a private bathroom. The places are not too big as usually, it is only a couple of rooms.

The downside is, you’ll probably need to pay with cash and the owner has other things to do, so you need to arrive at a pre-arranged time. But once checked in, I very much enjoy the charm of ‘local live’ in Cinque Terre at an affordable budget. I list below the best affittacameres in Cinque Terre, the best rooms for rent and other types of accommodation in Cinque Terre.

Accommodation in Riomaggiore

Affittacamere Anna Michielini: This was my top choice. Great price, super location and perfect for your stay in Cinque Terre. The rooms have soundproofing to block out the noise from outside but this affittacamere offered a great shower and the bed was really comfortable. Be quick, book here.

Scorci di Mare Riomaggiore: Another great option. Good prices and excellent location. These rooms offer charming wooden furniture and some rooms have sea views and a terrace to enjoy it. Perfect choice if you book ahead. So be fast and book now.

The First – Riomaggiore 5 Cinque: This is every Instagram influencer’s wet dream. Uninterrupted views of the most iconic feature of Cinque Terre. The place offers the best view of the houses at the Riomaggiore harbor. Besides the view, they also offer an amazing luxury honeymoon suite with this insta-famous sea view terrace. And… personal butler anyone? If I’d stay here, I’d never leave my room. It does come at a price, but it feels like you’ve died and gone to Cinque Terre heaven! Curious? See if the room is available when you stay in Cinque Terre!

Are my top choices for accommodation in Riomaggiore fully booked? Or not quite what you’re looking for? Find more Riomaggiore rooms here.

Accommodation in Manarola

Giovanni Rooms offer basic rooms with luxury features in Manarola. Located in the heart of town, not far from the harbor and the beach. The price depends on the season but it is one of the cheapest rooms in Manarola in Cinque Terre. Find out prices and availability here.

Da Paulin in Manarola offers colorful rooms and apartments for rent. They have an on-site bar and mini-market and great views. See more about Da Paulin here.

Radici Sea View Apartment with Balcony in Manarola. The name says it all. This is your own private apartment in Cinque Terre. Charming room with fitted kitchen and modern bathroom, and a view from the terrace over Manarola. This is your perfect home in Cinque Terre. But be quick, book here.

Manarola is just a small village and accommodation books up quickly, Find more places to stay in Manarola here.

Accommodation in Corniglia

Belvedere Affittacamere in Corniglia: This affittacamere offers basic rooms but with an epic view. At very affordable prices. If you don’t need much luxury but do appreciate the best view, then these rooms or studios are perfect for you. Find out more here.

Affittacamere le Terrazza Corniglia: Another great option if you appreciate the great view, the excellent location and good value for money. This affittacamere offers rooms and apartments at very reasonable prices. See the prices here.

Hanging Garden Corniglia: Your home away from home in Cinque Terre. The perfect fitted apartments. Comfortable beds, relaxing couches, fitted kitchen, and outdoor dining area. Oh, and did I mention the view? Breathtaking. Again. Book straight away.

Need more options to stay in Corniglia? Find them here.

Accommodation in Vernazza

Appartamento Margherita: Vernazza offers many small and bigger rooms to rent. These private apartments feel like home and are fully fitted with a kitchen and all other facilities. The Appartamento Margherita is located just 100 meters from Vernazza beach and offers amazing views of the village. Book quickly here.

DonnaBarbara in Vernazza: bright apartments in the old heart of Vernazza. The rooms are fully fitted with a kitchen and clean bedrooms. They can sleep up to 4 people and offer breakfast. Find out more here.

Camaella Luxury Studio: This luxury studio offers modern features and a great view of the little village of Vernazza. Away from the hustle and bustle of busy Vernazza, you’ll have the perfect place to call home. Find out about availability here.

Do you want more accommodations in Vernazza? Check them out here.

Monterosso al Mare Accommodation

B&B Il Parco: A traditional Bed and Breakfast style accommodation in Monterosso. These rooms have baroque features and luxurious bathrooms. The accommodation has an outdoor pool with amazing views of the village and the sea. And obviously an excellent breakfast! Book direct via this link.

La Serra Sul Mare: Located just outside Monterosso, these rooms are spacious and offer amazing sea views! The accommodation offers excellent breakfast and free parking. Perfect for people who look for a quiet place to stay. Find prices and availability here.

Tramonto sul Mare: These bright and colorful apartments brighten your mood immediately! Located right at the beach, the sea view is amazing, the rooms are light and colorful and have a fully fitted kitchen. But be very very quick, the apartments sell out fast! See more details here.

Monterosso al Mare has many more places to stay. Find out more here.

Other accommodations in Cinque Terre

The above places are a selection of the best accommodations in Cinque Terre for you to stay overnight. Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? You can always try AirBnB, HomeAway or Couchsurfing too.

Hostels Cinque Terre

If you travel solo or are on a very tight budget, hostels can be a budget traveler’s dream. Bunk beds and common rooms, hip vibe and like-minded people that become your new best friends. Cinque Terre offers a few budget accommodations. I give you the Cinque Terre Hostels below.

Cinque Terre Hostels

Ostello Corniglia is not a party hostel. With dorm rooms just under €25 per bed, this is the perfect budget hostel in Cinque Terre. They offer male and female 8-bed dorms. See if they have any rooms available here.

Mar-Mar Riomaggiore: a basic hostel in Cinque Terre with basic facilities. They offer 10-bed (not all bunk) mixed rooms for €30 per night. The views from the terrace are amazing. Find out more here.

Ostello Tramonti in Biassi. This is a hostel, located in the hills between La Spezia and Riomaggiore. It has free on-site parking but you can also walk to Riomaggiore or use the bus (number 19) or book a shuttle bus at reception. It has a bar and restaurant, and wait for it.. here it comes, 1 night will cost you €20. So €20 per night per person to stay in a budget hostel in Cinque Terre (or at least very very close). I call that value for money. Find out availability and more features here.

Find more hostels here.

Agriturismo in Cinque Terre

Luxury rooms on an agriturismo in Cinque Terre. See how the locals live and eat off their land. Agriturismos are small farm stays that offer rooms or apartments for rent. See how they make honey, olive oil or grown their famous lemon trees. Agriturismos are usually located outside the villages and have a rural setting.

Agriturismo Buranco Monterosso al Mare. Just outside of Monterosso al Mare, this agriturismo produces wine, olive oil, and honey. They offer studios and apartments with kitchen. The beach is only 200 meters away, you can park on-site and relax. Find your room at this agriturismo here.

Agriturismo Costa di Campo Vernazza. High in the hills above Vernazza, this agriturismo is all about the wine. Amazing views over the bay and Vernazza, the agriturismo has free parking and breakfast is included. For availability and prices, see this site.

Different accommodation in Cinque Terre

As you can see from the list above, there are a lot of different types of accommodation in Cinque Terre. I’m sure, with the help of my guide, you’ll be able to book the best hotels in Cinque Terre or the perfect apartment. And to be honest, it doesn’t really matter if you stay in Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza or Monterosso al Mare.

As long as you explore Cinque Terre and give back to the local community by staying in Cinque Terre. I had an amazing time and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too. Let me know if you have any questions. I’m happy to help.