Cinque Terre, Italy is an idyllic region located on the northwestern coast of Italy. It is well known for its seafood, colorful architecture, picturesque views, and hiking trails.
Made up of five fishing villages, Manarola, Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Corniglia, and Monterosso, Cinque Terre is a popular destination in Italy for travelers which means it can be costly to visit.
After my trip to this charming Italian coastal region, and as someone who is always trying to save money on travel to experience more for less, I’ve found the best places to stay in Cinque Terre on a budget.
My biggest tip for planning a vacation to Cinque Terre is to book accommodation well in advance! The villages are small but popular, so places fill up quickly.
Check out where to stay when visiting Cinque Terre on a budget below, and enjoy your time in these charming seaside towns.
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The Best Town to Stay in Cinque Terre
While any of the towns are great to stay in while visiting Cinque Terre, it depends on what you’re looking for. I stayed in Manarola and loved it, especially the fact that it is centrally located.
Manarola is also one of the bigger towns so there are plenty of dining options, and you clearly can’t go wrong with the breathtaking views of the Manarola coast.
The best town to stay in Cinque Terre depends on your travel style. Here are my overviews of why you should stay in each town of Cinque Terre.
Riomaggiore: Being the southernmost town, Riomaggiore is closer to La Spezia and Pisa which is convenient if you’re going to be traveling south. It’s also one of the two quietest towns; this might be very important, especially if you’re traveling with family.
Manarola: This is my overall pick for the best town to stay in Cinque Terre. I stayed here for three nights and loved it. Maybe that makes me a little biased, but I recommend staying in Manarola; it’s a little bigger and busier which is fun if you like trying lots of restaurants.
Corniglia: The quietest town of Cinque Terre is Corniglia. However, this town does require a long stair climb to get to from the train station. This can be a downside if you’re traveling with kids or older people. But if you’re up for the trek, Corniglia will give you the most local feel out of all the towns of Cinque Terre and likely cost the least.
Vernazza: Slightly busier than Manarola, Vernazza is a good town to stay in if you want lots of dining and shopping options. It’s further north, which is great if you’re traveling that direction after your stay in Cinque Terre.
Monterosso al Mare: The largest of all the towns of Cinque Terre is Monterosso. This town is split into two parts, Old Town and New Town. Being the biggest town, it’s also the busiest; however, this also means there are many more accommodation options here (but generally with a higher price tag).
Where to Stay in Cinque Terre on a Budget
Keep reading for the best places to stay in Cinque Terre on a budget. There are mostly guesthouse-style accommodations available here, but you can also find hotels and hostels with both dorms and private rooms.
If you want to stay in a larger hotel, you can look at larger nearby towns like La Spezia. However, I highly recommend booking one of these budget places so you can fully enjoy the idyllic towns of Cinque Terre.
Where to Stay in Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is the southernmost town of Cinque Terre, Italy. While exploring all five villages, I found Riomaggiore to be one of the quieter towns, but it still had plenty of shops, restaurants, and breathtaking views of the coast.
Riomaggiore is great for any travelers looking for a more relaxed stay in Cinque Terre.
Vanna Bed and Breakfast
One of the quaintest budget stays in Cinque Terre is Vanna Bed and Breakfast in Riomaggiore. Labeled as a hostel, but set up like a guesthouse, Vanna has two bedrooms available for booking, each with a private bathroom and a shared dining room/common space.
Vanna Bed and Breakfast is about a 5 minute walk to the beach and about an 8 minute walk to the train station. The location is great, located right on the main street in Riomaggiore.
Located in Riomaggiore
2 private rooms available
Close to beach and train station
Where to Stay in Manarola
Manarola is known for picturesque views, sweet wine, and everything pesto. If you’re traveling as a couple, family, or single traveler, Manarola is a great place for you.
It’s busier than, say, Corniglia, but not nearly as busy as Monterosso. There is plenty to see and do in Manarola, and there are many great restaurants and cute cafes.
5 Terre Pelagos
Another one of the best places to stay in Cinque Terre on a budget is 5 Terre Pelagos guest house in Manarola. This accommodation is slightly off the main road, so it is nice and quiet.
There are steps up to the guest house so make sure you’re physically ready for the climb, but guests rave about how quaint and lovely this guesthouse is. You can also enjoy dinner or sunset on the balcony overlooking the mountainside of Manarola, Cinque Terre.
Balcony with a mountain view
Quiet area with little noise
Located in Manarola close to shops, etc.
Where to Stay in Corniglia
Located farther up the mountains, Corniglia is the quietest of all five villages of Cinque Terre, Italy. If you’re looking for somewhere quiet to stay, then Corniglia is a great place for you.
It’s a decent walk upstairs from the train station, but once you’re in the town, it’s much flatter. Corniglia has the most authentic local feel to it. Many shops are small and the owners don’t speak much English, and there are much fewer tourists here.
Ostello Corniglia
One of the cheapest places to stay in Cinque Terre is Ostello Corniglia. While this is a hostel, their private rooms include ensuite bathrooms for the cheapest price in the area. As it’s located up the mountain in Corniglia, it’s much quieter and you can get a sea view from your room.
Remember that Corniglia is higher up in the mountains so you’ll have to climb many stairs from the train station, but don’t let this discourage you if you’re physically able. Corniglia has the most charming local feel, so you’re in for an affordable treat if you stay at Ostello Corniglia.
Located in the quiet town of Corniglia
Cheapest place to stay in Cinque Terre
Dorms and private rooms available
Where to Stay in Vernazza
Vernazza is home to the only natural harbor in Cinque Terre, making it a seafood lover’s heaven. If you want to eat your bodyweight’s worth of seafood then Vernazza is definitely for you.
You can walk out to the end of the harbor in Vernazza and admire the beautiful scene of brightly colored houses dotting the coast and feel like you’ve been transported to movie, Luca.
Rissu Studio Apartment
Stay in the heart of Vernazza at Rissu Studio Apartment. Located steps away from the main street, this studio is great for those who want to be close to the shopping and dining in Vernazza.
Because it’s so close to the main street, the cost is a little more than the other places I recommend staying in Cinque Terre. However, for the location and how nice the apartment is, the price tag is a great deal.
Close to the main street in Vernazza
Private kitchen in studio apartment
Ground floor accommodation
Best Place to Stay in Monterosso, Cinque Terre
Monterosso is the biggest and busiest town of Cinque Terre, Italy as it’s made up of Old Town and New Town. There are many shops and restaurants in Monterosso, as well as the biggest beaches of the Cinque Terre region.
There are umbrellas and chairs you can rent for the day making Monterosso a great place for those wanting to enjoy the beach and make the most of their time by the sea.
Bellambra Hotel
Bellambra is a modernized, 14th-century building just steps away from Monterosso Old Town Beach. The hosts are incredibly friendly and helpful, and they truly want you to have the best time during your stay.
Breakfast is available for a very good price, but Bellambra is also very close to many restaurants and cafes. Guests rave about how clean the rooms are here, as well as how they are designed. This is a very aesthetically pleasing hotel; they take pride in how the rooms appear.
14th-century building, modernized hotel
Close to the beach in Monterosso
Friendly hotel staff
Places to Stay Near Cinque Terre on a Budget
If you’re okay with staying just outside of Cinque Terre, there are more budget hotels and vacation rentals available in nearby towns. La Spezia is a great place to stay as it’s only a quick train ride to Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre.
Below are more recommendations for where to stay when visiting Cinque Terre on a budget. You can click the pink text to check availability of each place.
La Casa di Azzurra | VRBO – $94 USD nightly average
Parfumerie 5 Terre | Hotel – $105 USD nightly average
Da Caran Tinetto | VRBO Room – $81 USD nightly average
Cà de Maòa | VRBO – $66 USD nightly average
Planning Your Visit to Cinque Terre
Before you go to Cinque Terre, there are some things you should know so you can make the most of your time exploring this quaint coastal region in Italy. Check out my Cinque Terre travel guides below!
While you’re visiting Italy, get around easily by train. Take a look at my guide to traveling by train in Italy so you can see more of this beautiful country.
Where to Stay in Cinque Terre FAQ
Where is the best base to stay in Cinque Terre?
All five towns of Cinque Terre are great to stay in for different reasons, but overall, the best base to stay in is Manarola.
It’s bigger than some towns so there’s plenty of dining and shopping options. But it’s not the biggest town, so it’s not the most crowded. Manarola is centrally located and offers the most iconic views.
However, you can’t go wrong with staying in any of the Cinque Terre towns. They’re each charming in their own way and offer unique restaurants, shops, and views.
Is 3 days in Cinque Terre too much?
Staying 2 to 3 days in Cinque Terre is perfect. Many people only visit on a day trip, which is fine if that’s all you have time for. But if you can, stay longer to truly explore the towns of Cinque Terre.
The train makes it easy to get between all the towns. Most visitors will arrive by 10 am and leave by 6 pm, so if you’re staying overnight in Cinque Terre, you’ll get to take advantage of the quiet mornings and evenings.
If you have 3 days to spend in Cinque Terre, you can also use one day to visit nearby towns and explore more of this part of Italy.
Is Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast better?
Both Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast are worth visiting. But the best depends on what you’re looking for. Cinque Terre is smaller and close together while the Amalfi Coast is bigger and more spread out. The Amalfi Coast has bigger beaches, and Cinque Terre has a more relaxed, local feel.
Visit Cinque Terre For…
Quieter, small town vibes
More authentic, local finds like restaurants
Shorter stay – you can see all towns in 2 days
Visit Amalfi Coast For…
Bigger beaches
More to do – many surrounding towns
Busier, big town vibes
Cinque Terre is well worth adding to your Italy itinerary. Make the most of your trip by booking one of the best places to stay in Cinque Terre on a budget.
From what town to stay in Cinque Terre to hotel and guest house recommendations and travel planning tips, now you can make the most of your visit. There’s so much to explore and enjoy in Cinque Terre, you’ll arrive wanting to plan a return trip!
Read Next: Exploring the Five Villages of Cinque Terre
Keep in mind that Cinque Terre, Italy is fairly small. With each town being an old fishing village, accommodations will fill up quickly. Try to book your stay well in advance to secure the best deals.
Now you know where to stay in Cinque Terre on a budget, I hope you have the time of your life while staying in a charming seaside village on the Italian coast. Cinque Terre, Italy is like no other place, and I’m so excited for you to experience it for yourself!
Ciao! Buon viaggio!
