Where to Stay in Cinque Terre
The first thing to take into account is which town is going to be your home
base. Each of the 5 towns has a different feel to it, so when you are deciding
where to stay you should take into account the types of activities you want
to undertake during your stay. We found a beautiful apartment in Corniglia
with an amazing view of the town and the sea, but there are many hotels, apartments,
and hostels available.
Here are some links to try:
http://www.cinqueterre.it/en/index.asp
http://www.arbaspaa.com/APT_ROOM_CT_english.htm
http://www.cinqueterreproperties.com/index.htm
Monterosso
The westernmost of the Cinque Terre, this is the largest and most equipped
for tourists of the five towns with many nice restaurants and hotels. The
village is very old and thus has many historical buildings; it also has several
souvenir shops that sell typical products of the region. The newer section
of town is built along a beautiful beach with a long promenade lined with
snack bars and gelaterie. At one end of the beach a statue of a giant representing
Neptune is carved into the rock on the side of a cliff.
Vernazza
Possibly the most picturesque of the towns, Vernazza has a charming square
above the port, where one can sit and enjoy a cappuccino while admiring the
sea and the colorful buildings that surround it. There is only one very small
beach adjacent to the port, but this is not the optimal location to take a
swim. Along the main street, there is a small cave with a passage through
the rock that creates a window out to sea. The best views are from the two
paths that lead to the adjacent towns.
Corniglia
This is the only town that does not sit close to sea level. It is perched
on the edge of a rocky cliff with the backdrop of terraced vineyards. From
the train stop one has the option of takings a short bus ride up to the town,
or hike up a beautiful staircase that winds it's way up the side of the hill.
Corniglia has two beaches, one very popular with tourists and one more secluded
that is known to be frequented by nudists. Though the village is very small,
it has several breathtaking lookouts with views of the coastline in both directions
and a very hospitable atmosphere.
Manarola
Built in a deep gorge between two promontory rocks, this village has a definite
Alpine feeling to it even though it is just above sea level. A beautiful footpath
called the Lovers' Pathway, "La Via dell'Amore", starts at Manarola
and ends at Riomaggiore. It is the best walk for those who are not up for
a serious hike due to it's relatively flat nature and length. The walk between
the two towns only takes about half an hour. A little port is nestled in at
the bottom of the town.
Riomaggiore
This is the easternmost of the villages and therefore the closest to La Spezia.
Major points of interest are the ruins of a 15th century castle, and the parish
church of Saint John the Baptist. The town is lined with souvenir shops and
has a very small port.
