Corniglia is the smallest town of the Cinque Terre, making it the least crowded! Because it’s higher above the water, day trippers don’t make it there quite as much. 

It’s magical in the evenings, making it a great place to stay if you’re willing to walk! 

On this guide, you’ll get: 
- instructions on how to get between the islands 
- the major activities popular in the area, with guidance on how to check trails and book tickets
- my favorite private (but affordable) boat company for a day on the water
- 6 places to eat at varying price points
- an interactive map to help navigate you to each spot

Cinque Terre, SP, Italy

Liguria, Italy

Corniglia, SP, Italy

Italy

Italian Riviera, Italy

🇮🇹 Cinque Terre town guide: Corniglia

Corniglia is so small that it doesn't have traditional hotels. There are guest houses, though, at varying prices points. 

Trains run every 30 minutes or so, making it easy to get to all the other towns! 

I discourage folks taking cars within the Cinque Terre cities. It’s possible, but parking is both limited and very expensive. Additionally, these cliffside roads are at times barely more than 1 lane, meaning at times you’ll have to reverse for a minute or two to allow the cars in the other direction to pass. 

Cinque Terre has a really reliable train system, so there’s really no need for cars! 

If you’re on a road trip, you can park you car in the towns of La Spezia (on the southern end) or Levanto (northern end), or even Monterosso al Mare if you’re staying in that town. 

Ideally, you want at least three days in Cinque Terre. One for hiking, one for the beach/relaxing, and one for a boat trip! 

Hiking in Cinque Terre National Park is regulated, so you need to buy a day pass. They’re sold in small offices inside or adjacent to each train station or online. Sometimes, they’re sold at the trailhead itself. Best plan is to ask at your local train station and they’ll tell you! 

Buy tickets and check trails

The most traditional paths go along the coastline connecting the towns. The northern half of the coastline trails are considered much easier, but some are semi-permanently closed. The additional trails are mostly for experienced hikers only, so be prepared with plenty of water. 

Want more travel tips? This is just a taste of what I can offer you! Check my bio for all my Italy guides. You can also reach out so I can make you a custom trip list or a daily itinerary! Grab all the details in my bio. 

Corniglia blog guide

There are also ferries that connect 4 out of the 5 towns. They’re more expensive than the trains,  but fun if you want to get out on the water. 

The nice thing about staying in Corniglia is that it's so remote and quiet in the evenings. There are so few tourists who stay overnight that you really get a feel for the place! 

The main beach is in Monterosso al Mare, but you can also walk down to the train track level and then head out to sprawl along the rocks. Bonus: it's free and relatively empty!