In a nutshell
- Corniglia is only really worth visiting if you’re planning to see all the villages of the Cinque Terre anyway. Short on time? You can skip it — it’s simply very small with only a handful of sights.
- Corniglia is the smallest village in the Cinque Terre, the highest-situated, and the only one without a harbor.
- Because it sits so high up, it’s the only village from which you can see all the others. The panoramic views here are seriously stunning — on a clear day you can spot Corsica.
- For a place to stay, we recommend Il Carugio — it even has its own free parking. A true rarity in the Cinque Terre!
Things to Do in Corniglia
With around 250 residents, Corniglia is truly tiny.
The village sits at over 100 meters above sea level and is also the only village with no harbor — the coastline here is simply too steep and too rocky for one.
In return, you can gaze for miles over the sea right from the village.
Lardarina Staircase
The Lardarina Staircase is the first thing you’ll encounter when visiting Corniglia by train.
It connects the train station to the old town — with the old town sitting up on the hill. You’ll need to climb about 400 steps, but you’re rewarded with stunning sea views along the way.
You can also take the small shuttle bus that departs from the train station. It’s included in the Cinque Terre Card.
Santa Maria Viewing Terrace
Corniglia sits at 100 meters above sea level, so the panorama from here is simply wonderful!
A super narrow alley — probably less than two meters wide — leads you to the Santa Maria viewing terrace right at the edge of Corniglia.
From here you can see for miles along the coast and even spot the other four Cinque Terre villages.
When the weather is clear, you can even see all the way to Corsica.
Piazza Largo Taragio
Just around the corner from the terrace is the central and only square in Corniglia — the Piazza Largo Taragio.
The square is just as tiny as Corniglia itself and sits right in front of a church. The piazza has a few small cafés with shady spots to sit. Perfect for an aperitivo!
Where to Stay in Corniglia
Accommodation in Corniglia is relatively affordable compared to most Cinque Terre hotels. We can recommend the following three places to stay in Corniglia:
By the way: Even more affordable is staying in La Spezia. From there, you can reach Corniglia and the other villages within ten to 20 minutes by train.
Our Restaurant Tips in Corniglia
Even though Corniglia has only 250 residents, there are around ten restaurants and cafés. Things are always a little touristy in the Cinque Terre — but that’s just part of the charm.
We can recommend these three restaurants in Corniglia:
- La Posada: best seafood restaurant in Corniglia, great terrace.
- Terra Rossa: wine bar with snacks, amazing views.
- Marina di Corniglia: bar right above the sea, on the way to the swimming cove.
Hiking from Corniglia
From Corniglia, you can hike to Vernazza along the Blue Trail. This is one of the paid trails in the Cinque Terre, but it’s included in the Cinque Terre Card.
It’s over three kilometers long with several uphill and downhill stretches. You should be reasonably fit for this one — but the stunning viewpoints along the route are seriously worth the effort!
There’s also a second, alternative route to Vernazza that is free. It winds further through the hinterland and is six kilometers long.
Heading south, you can hike to Manarola, also along the Blue Trail.
Getting to Corniglia
Like all the other villages in the Cinque Terre, the best way to reach Corniglia is by the Cinque Terre Express from La Spezia.
The train station, however, is below the village, so you’ll either need to climb the 400-step Lardarina Staircase or walk uphill along the road for 15 minutes into the village.
The small shuttle bus also runs along the road into the village and is included in the Cinque Terre Card.
You can also arrive by car, but in that case you should look for lodging with a parking spot: Locanda Il Carugio, for example!
Alternatively, there’s also a paid parking lot just outside the village.
Honestly, driving isn’t really worth it — the roads are very narrow and very winding. The train is so much more comfortable.
If you’d like a general overview of visiting Corniglia and its neighbors, be sure to check out our guide to the Cinque Terre.
