Planning a trip to the Cinque Terre? You’ll definitely be spending some time in Corniglia!
This guide is full of everything you need to know, including the best things to do in Corniglia, plus where to stay, eat and sunbathe - everything you need to know to plan the perfect visit.
Updated May 2023
There’s a reason that the five colourful villages of the Cinque Terre have become a mecca for visitors from all corners of the world. Their calm aquamarine waters, pastel hued buildings, and rugged vineyard cliffs that create a truly unique set of wines, all weave together to create a timeless evocation of those Italian summers.
However, when compared with the others, Corniglia stands out for a few key differences.
Perched atop a hill - as opposed to tumbling to the water’s edge - the smallest of the Cinque Terre villages has no boat access, fewer tourists, fewer restaurants, and fewer hidden corners to explore.
And whilst its location at the end - or beginning - of the Blue Trail means that its narrow streets can become clogged with tourists during the day, it offers an altogether different experience once the sun begins to fall.
Oh, and don’t believe the nonsense you may read in other blog posts: Corniglia does indeed have a sunbathing area - and trust us, it’s worth the many, many steps back up!
In this guide we’ve covered the very best things to do in Corniglia, as well as our choices for where to eat and drink, a selection of accommodation recommendations, and a handful of personally curated tips so that you can make the very most of your time the village - whether you choose to stay for a week or only visit for the day.
This is our guide to Corniglia.
Corniglia Essentials
Know / Least visited village in Cinque Terre (although it may not feel like it)
Mobility / Clifftop village with difficult accessibility from the train station
Hike / Start or end point of the current Blue Trail
Sample / Try out the excellent basil gelato at Alberto Gelateria
Swim / Beneath the village cliffs you’ll find one of our favourite Cinque Terre swimming spots!
Drink / Grab a glass of local wine from Terra Rossa
An Essential Guide to Visiting Corniglia
Things to Do in Corniglia
Hit the beach
As we mentioned in our introduction, whilst we’re almost certain that you’ve read a number of other blog posts proclaiming that Corniglia doesn’t have a beach, we have to disagree.
Of course, it may not be the beach you have in mind: no sand, a sheltered cove made of rocks, and a concrete platform at the end of a very steep staircase down to the aquamarine waters below.
It’s so very, very Italian, and in our books so very, very wonderful!
So wonderful in fact that, after arriving into Corniglia, having a good explore and some lunch, we delayed our train for a dip and a lie-down in the late summer sun. We may have finished our hike back from Vernazza to Monterosso in the dark, but it was worth every salt-tinged minute.
To access this wonderful free sunbathing and swimming spot in Corniglia (Google Maps), it's around a 10 minute walk from the centre, but does involve an awful lot of steep stairs - be sure to bear this in mind if you have a train to catch! Simply follow the handprinted wooden signs point to ‘Al Mare’ or Via all Marina.
Read Later | The Best Beaches in Cinque Terre
Grab a Gelato
When in Italy, never opt for dessert in the restaurant - not when there’s likely an incredible gelato place just around the corner.
In Corniglia, that gelato place is Alberto Gelateria. Its speciality? Basil flavour, made with basil grown in his very own garden and extra virgin olive oil!
Whilst I’m not going to abandon the deliciousness that is pistachio gelato anytime soon as my standard order, it was definitely a refreshing choice on a hot day and a good option for those that prefer fruity flavours over the oh so decadent chocolate.
If you can manage more than one scoop, we’d also recommend miele di Corniglia, a real treat made with local honey and a tart and creamy lemon. Or, if you want the most refreshing thing this side of Sicily, get the granita made with local lemons.
Alberto’s can be found here on Google Maps, and is open 11 am - 11 pm most days.
Kayak Out To Guvano Beach
If you’ve been doing any research into the Cinque Terre’s best beaches, chances are you’ve come across the infamous nudist-friendly enclave of Guvano Beach, a beautifully unspoiled cove of pebbles, lapped by turquoise water and surrounded by the most typical of the Mediterranean flora.
Once accessible via a 1.5 km tunnel from Corniglia, due to landslides and a variety of safety concerns, all land access has been deemed unsafe and closed off.
Instead, you’ll need to hire a kayak from the marina area mentioned above, and make your way by sea.
Tip // If you’re a fan of kayaking, consider joining this Kayak Tour that departs from Monterosso.
Get lost in the streets and Take in the Views
Although its small size may make Corniglia appear to be limited for exploration, we found that this village had a number of hidden gems to roam toward.
Due to its position perched atop a hill, there are beautiful views to be enjoyed from countless locations across the village. With that said however, there are two particular spots that you simply have to make your way to upon arriving in the village:
La Torre | Located just above the main square of Corniglia (Piazza Taragio), this viewpoint provides sweeping vistas in the direction of Manarola. Find it here on Google Maps.
Chiesa di San Pietro| As beautiful as the view is out to sea, we were particularly fond of the internal perspective of Corniglia from outside Chiesa di San Pietro - especially if you’re the sort of person who can’t walk past a line of Italian laundry without taking a photo! You can find the church here on Google Maps.
Hike the Blue Trail
A dusty sliver which entwines and entangles between ripening terraced vineyards scattered on steep hillsides, the Cinque Terre's most famous coastal trail deserves a day of your time.
Used for centuries, the Sentiero Azzuro (Blue Trail) links together all five coastal villages, beginning in Monterosso. Unfortunately erosions and landslides - a real problem here - have cut it short the last few years, and the trail from Riomaggiore to Manarola, and Manarola to Corniglia is now closed for safety reasons.
The good news for those unsure where to pick as their base, is that this now means Corniglia is ideally located for exploring the rest of the Cinque Terre - especially if you’re keen to take on a wee hiking adventure!
A hike from Corniglia to the other two villages (solely on foot, or in combination with the train) will require a full day of your time, but having completed it, we can attest to the fact that this is an activity that should be high up on your to-do list in the Cinque Terre!
We’ve written a complete guide to The Blue Trail and hiking in the Cinque Terre, so be sure to head over there for more information.
The start / end point of the trail in Corniglia can be found here, just off the Via Stazione.
The Vineyard Hike to Manarola
Whilst you are presently unable to hike to Manarola along the Blue Trail, for those that prefer to stretch their legs during their vacations, there is an alternative option via the pretty little village of Volastra.
Over a distance of around 5.5 km, the hike passes through countless vineyards and affords exceptional views of the surrounding area. Expect it to take someone of relative fitness around 2.5 hours.
Do note that due to the steep incline and declines, it will not be suitable for someone with bad knees.
The start point can be found just before Chiesa di San Pietro, where it is signposted with the standard red & white Italian trail sign - you’re looking a sign with Trail 587 (also known as Sentiero 7A) written on it (find the location on Google Maps here).
Following on from this, you will walk along Trial 586, then 507 from Volastra. Please see the entire route on here on All Trails or find more trails starting from Corniglia here.
For any and every hike in the Cinque Terre National Park, it’s essential to make sure you have appropriate equipment and follow the rules for the park’s preservation - find out more here.
Read Later | Our Guide To Manarola
Try Cinque Terre Wines
Used to seeing highly cultivated vineyards elsewhere in the world, to us, the vineyards of Cinque Terre have a much more organic feel. Indeed, winemaking here is defined as a somewhat heroic viticulture because of how difficult it is work with the improbably steep and rocky terrain, meaning that everything from general maintenance to harvesting needs to be done by hand.
It is no mean feat, and something we’d encourage you to witness yourself.
If you plan on completing the Blue Trail from Corniglia you’ll come across plenty of vineyards, however even those not so keen on hiking should head out along at least the first kilometre to see first hand quite how rugged the landscape is, and what an achievement it has been to cultivate the natural landscape.
And then you can start on the wines!
There are two main local varieties: the Cinque Terre DOC (a dry white made with the native Bosco grape, together with Albarola and Vermentino) and the Sciacchetrà DOC (a sweet red dessert wine), and we encourage you to try both during your time in the region.
There are numerous enotecas - or wine bars - across the five villages, but if you’re basing yourself in Corniglia or fancy partaking in an afternoon’s tasting, we’d recommend checking out Terra Rossa, found at the very end of the Blue Trail, as you enter the village.
Run by a wonderful set of ladies, it offers up an excellent selection of local wines as well as small plates to go alongside. We spotted it upon arriving into the village and made a lunch reservation immediately - it’s a popular place!
If this is your first try of Cinque Terre wine, they’re happy to guide you, whether you choose to try a couple by the glass, or share a bottle. With views out over Corniglia, and a wonderful atmosphere, we couldn’t recommend this place highly enough.
You can find Terra Rossa here on Google Maps.
Visit the Other Villages in the Cinque Terre
Located slap-bang in the middle of the Cinque Terre, Corniglia is a fantastic base from which to explore the four other villages, with all five linked by a regular - and quick - train service.
You can find specific guides to the other four villages below
Monterosso | Vernazza | Manarola | Riomaggiore
Top tip | If you plan on visiting more than one village on a particular day, it’s worth investing in a Cinque Terre transport card as it will save you money overall - find out all the details in this post.
Restaurants & Bars in Corniglia
La Scuna (maps) | Amazing terrace, top-notch cocktails and decent craft beer. Definitely a great place to head for sunset! We didn’t eat here, but apparently it’s better for drinks than food.
Bar Pan e Vin (maps) | Serving up incredible sandwiches, focaccia, and platters, this popular spot is ideal for lunch. They do have limited outside seating, but if you can bag one, we’d highly recommend this place!
KM 0 | We only had time for a quick Aperol Spritz from KM 0 (Google Maps), however its super cute flower-lined central garden across the street from the restaurant makes a wonderful setting for lunch or an evening meal during the warmer months. It also serves local craft beer and there’s a great little deli opposite it!
La Posada Ristorante (maps) | Located a little outside of the village, we were unable to call by this restaurant however we have a friend that spoke very highly of it, so wanted to be sure it was on the list!
A Cantina da Mananan (maps) | This little place was highly recommend to us by an Instagram follower and has excellent reviews for its seafood pasta dishes - reservations essential for the evenings.
You’ll find some cheap eats in the main piazza too, with yellow chairs of Bar Nunzio offering simply €5 breakfast deals.
Where to Stay in Corniglia
As we mentioned in our ‘23 Things to Know Before Visiting the Cinque Terre’ post, this small section of the Ligurian coast can make for a particularly expensive Italian holiday. And whilst Corniglia is one of the cheaper and least popular villages in which to base yourself, with Airbnbs starting around £100 per night and decent hotels around double that, it’s really important that you quickly reassess what good value means.
It’s imperative that you book your accommodation as early as possible, especially if you have particular requirements or a stricter budget
We’ve put together a comprehensive post on ‘Where to Stay in the Cinque Terre’ (an extensive but curated guide to the best Airbnbs, hotels and guest houses within the five villages) but have included a selection of our top picks for Cornglia below:
Airbnbs
Dolce Far Niente | At €200 a night, it’s on the expensive end for Corniglia, but this three-level, two-bedroom house is one of our favourites. Beautifully refurbished whilst maintaining traditional elements, it has not one but two terraces from which to enjoy spectacular sunsets. For prices and availability, click here.
Le Terrazze | In a world of often tasteless (and cheap) modernisation, this traditionally quirky one-bedroom apartment is a real delight. Includes a fantastic outdoor garden space, and even a jacuzzi! Definitely one to take a look at. From €140 a night in high season. For prices and availability, click here.
BILO3 Vista Mare | With contemporary nautical vibes, this minimalistic modern one-bedroom apartment is super light and bright, and ideal for couple or small family. Incredible value for the price (it’s only €105 per night in high season), it has a balcony plus large roof top terrace and even private parking! For prices and availability, check here.
Il Brindisi Sul Tramonto | This little one bedroom apartment has made it into the list due to its price - just €70 per night, which is kind of unheard of in the Cinque Terre. For that you get a modest sized living space, separate bedroom and even a terrace! For prices and availability, check here.
Hotels & Guest Houses
Locanda Il Carugio | The only ‘proper hotel’ in Corniglia, Cargo has exceptionally well appointed and modern rooms with a great design aesthetic (something which continues throughout the property). Guests have access to a fab terrace and breakfast is included. Doubles start at €155 in high season. For further information, see here.
Daa Maduneta | Beautiful modern rooms maintaining some traditional features (including use of Ligurian rock), the views from this guest house are truly wonderful. Price includes breakfast but do note that this is served at a partner restaurant in the village. Click here to check prices and availability.
For more, see our Cinque Terre Accommodation post.
How to Get to Corniglia and Transport Connections
Located in the middle of the Cinque Terre, with Vernazza and Monterosso to the north, and Manarola and Riomaggiore to the south, Corniglia can be reached very easily from larger cities along the Ligurian Coast, or indeed elsewhere across Italy.
Train
Unlike the rest of the Cinque Terre villages, Corniglia’s train station is located at the bottom of a very very long and steep set of stairs, and so should you be basing yourself in this delightful little village, we highly recommend arriving with minimal luggage - or a very strong person to get those bags to the top.
Trust us, after coming down with just a daypack in the heat of summer, those stairs are no joke!
Alternatively, there is a shuttle bus from the station to the village square (see schedule here) costing €2.50 each way - the bus is also included in the Cinque Terre card. Departures are about every 20 minutes in high season.
You can find Corniglia train station here on Google Maps, inside of which there is an information office and a couple of ticket machines.
We’ve written specific articles on train connections to / from Cinque Terre from other popular Italian destinations, including Genoa, Pisa, Florence, and Milan. Travel time for all is between 1.5 and 3.5 hours, tickets cost €7-15, and journeys will often involve a connection in La Spezia, Sestri Levante, or Levanto.
From La Spezia to Corniglia, it’s just 14 minutes; simply take the local train in the direction of Sestri Levante and get off at the third stop.
From Sestri Levante (46 mins) or Levanto (8 or 12 mins), simply take the regional train in the direction of La Spezia Centrale and get off at the Corniglia stop.
Between all five Cinque Terre villages, in both directions, there are very frequent departures bringing you to the others in a matter of minutes. A single journey costs €4 (a flat rate to/from any of the five villages). If you’re planning on using the train to get between the Cinque Terre villages - which we wholeheartedly recommend - consider investing in the Cinque Terre Treno Card, which includes unlimited travel on the Cinque Terre Express train line as well as access to the Blue Trail and buses.
You can find all the details Cinque Terre card and the transport system in this post.
CAR
As with all of the five Cinque Terre villages, Corniglia is closed to non-residential cars. And whilst there is a small car park 500m before you reach the village proper (€2.50/hour), a combination of challenging roads, limited spaces, and total costs mean that we would advise highly against using a car to get here.
Should you be visiting the coast as part of a bigger road trip and have no alternative, consider parking in the larger car park in Levanto, La Spezia, or Monterosso al Mare and catching the train into Corniglia.
PLANE
The nearest airports to Corniglia are in Genoa, Pisa and Florence. See these guides for further information:
// How to get from Genoa Airport to the Cinque Terre
// How to get from Pisa Airport to the Cinque Terre
Corniglia Travel Tips
ATMs | There’s a Credit Agricole ATM in Corniglia, as well as a Euronet ATM at Bistro Margehrita (don’t use Euronet ATMs though unless you really really have to in Europe as they’re a rip off).
Find out more in How To Avoid ATMs Fees When You Travel.
Baggage Shuttle | Unfortunately we are not aware of any specific baggage shuttle in Corniglia. Should you be travelling with anything beyond a small bag, we’d recommend taking the passenger shuttle bus from the station to the village, or alternatively, contacting your accommodation provider as we are aware of some hotels/Airbnbs which do offer this service.
Public toilet | You’ll find it in the square you first arrive to after walking the Blue Trail from Vernazza.
Restaurant Reservations | As we’ve mentioned, during the day Corniglia gets quite busy, but in the evening, as the day trippers leave, it quiets down significantly; because of this restaurant reservations at all but the most popular spots aren’t quite as necessary as the other villages.
Supermarkets | The are two mini-markets in Corniglia: Lisa Market (Google Maps) towards the entrance, and A Butiega along the main street (Google Maps). The former has a wonderful selection of fresh fruit, whilst the latter is better for groceries. There’s also that great deli opposite KM0.
Note that prices in the stores here are understandably marked up quite a bit, so if you’ll be spending a few days in Corniglia - or elsewhere in the Cinque Terre - but stopping at Levante or La Spezia on your way, it may be worth buying a few items in one of the bigger, and more reasonably priced shops there.
Boats | The Cinque Terre ferry doesn’t stop at Corniglia.
YOUR NEXT STOP
13 Wonderful Things to Do in the Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre Village Guides | Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore
23 Things to Know Before Visiting Cinque Terre
Where to Stay in the Cinque Terre
