A very enjoyable trip! The scenery is stunning, with picturesque villages and beautiful coastal views. We did one of the hiking routes, which was both fun and rewarding. It can get quite crowded around the train stations, especially during peak times, but overall it was a great experience and definitely worth visiting.

Cinque Terre Hiking Itinerary – Classic Route with Practical Tips. It’s known to have been the inspiration for the animated film LUCA (Disney) 📍 Start: Monterosso al Mare 🏁 Finish: Riomaggiore (or return based on your accommodation) ⸻ 🥾 Recommended Full-Day Itinerary • This route connects all five iconic villages, combining hiking and train options. Perfect for an active day, but be warned, this is not a simple seaside stroll like some tourists imagine! ⸻ 1️⃣ Monterosso al Mare • Start early in the morning to avoid strong heat. • Wide beach, relaxed vibe. ➡️ Hike to Vernazza – approximately 1h30 – 2h, stunning but demanding trail. ⚠️ Important: ✔️ Expect many stairs, steep ascents, and descents. ✔️ Long sections with no shade, direct sun exposure. ✔️ Proper hiking shoes are a must – we saw people in flip-flops or beach sandals, totally unprepared. Not recommended! 💧 Hydration is crucial, bring enough water, especially in warm weather. ⸻ 2️⃣ Vernazza • Probably the most photogenic village. • Small harbor, narrow streets, perfect for a break or some gelato. ➡️ Hike Vernazza – Corniglia, 1h30 – 2h. • Similarly demanding trail with elevation changes and sunny sections. ⸻ 3️⃣ Corniglia • Village perched on a cliff, no direct beach access. • Climb the Scalinata Lardarina (370 steps) or take the local shuttle bus. • Quieter atmosphere, ideal for a coffee break. ➡️ Options: ✔️ You can continue hiking to Manarola, but the trail is often closed or challenging. ✔️ A good idea can be to take the train to Manarola, especially if it’s hot. ⸻ 4️⃣ Manarola • Romantic, famous for sunsets and local wines. • Perfect dinner spot with a sea view. We had a great dinner at Tony’s, stunning view and perfect seafood. ➡️ Via dell’Amore trail Manarola – Riomaggiore: • Entrance fee is 10 €/person. It’s. It included in the Cinque Terre Train Card as we though. :) • Easy, scenic walk with stunning views. • If you don’t want to pay, taking the train is a quick alternative. ⸻ 5️⃣ Riomaggiore • Charming harbor, rocky beach, steep narrow streets. • Great for a final stop or sunset photos. ➡️ Return by train to La Spezia or Monterosso. ⸻ 🍇 Insider Tips from Real Experience: ✔️ Be ready for lots of stairs and uneven terrain. ✔️ The sun can be brutal on long exposed stretches, especially midday. ✔️ Stopping at bars or small terraces in the vineyards, like we did, is perfect to rest – amazing views, a glass of local wine or a cold lemonade makes all the difference. ✔️ Don’t underestimate the trail – it’s accessible, but requires basic fitness and proper footwear. ⸻ 🎟️ Tickets & Logistics: • If you plan multiple train rides between the villages, get the Cinque Terre Train Card. • If you only need 1–2 rides, single tickets are enough.

Le Cinque Terre are beautiful to see and can also be relaxing, especially for people who live in the city and relish some fresh air by the sea or enjoy panoramic walks. Nevertheless, the villages are thronged with tourists virtually all year round, making them crowded and extremely commercial. The locals have exploited the situation by inflating prices and included ridiculous tarrifs where not necessary. This is especially true for the famous Via del Amore between Rio Maggiore and Manarola: the price for the walk is €10 - understandable for the extensive works done on the path, BUT this price only applies IF you have already obtained the Cinque Terre pass at a minimum added value of €7.50. Another letdown is with the famously colourful buildings, so vibrant and lively in pictures, but actually mostly ill-kept and in need of maintenance. Do visit these places, as they are all equally charming and picturesque, but their tag is on the expensive and touristy side.

We took the train from La Spezia to visit all 5 the little villages. Every village has its own charm. Absolutely stunning views, great vibe, and awesome cultural experience.

A wonderful place for hiking, though it’s pretty challenging in places; especially if you show up in the middle of a heatwave, as we did. Lovely villages (especially Vernazza and Monterosso) and terrific coastal views to enjoy. We found that being based at nearby La Spezia was cheaper, convenient, and a little more ‘authentic’…..Levanto would probably work, too.

Great way to see/visit Cinque Terre. Take a small boat tour out of La Spezia, easiest to book online. Our 7 hour day trip included 2 swimming stops, 1-1/2 hour stop for lunch in one of the villages, knowledgeable tour captain, and snacks and drinks on our boat. We went in late May and paid 135 euros/person.

I spent two days here, which wasn't enough time, but it's all I had. We managed two hikes and really enjoyed it. Take lots of water with you and some electrolytes if you can! We did manage to see all 5 towns and La Spezia too. Lots of good food and gelato!

Very nice and friendly staff. Nice and clean accommodation, with the location close to the centre. Lovely sea views from the terrace. 10% discount at the restaurant - great food! One recommendation is that the staff should ask to enter and clean the rooms if you are staying for multiple nights, as we were out for the day and the room had been cleaned/rearranged, which was a little unsettling as much of our stuff was left locked in the room.

This was the best stay I've had in Italy. The room and bathroom were very clearly updated and very clean. We loved relaxing on the terrace upstairs because it has the best view in Cinque Terre. We struggled to find it in the dark, but once we arrived Christina was super friendly and walked us to our room. They offered to clean the room everyday, which was very nice. I wish there had been screens on the windows because we had some mosquitos bite us the first night, but I thats an Italy thing. We could have just as easily closed the window and used the heat pump, which was a good size for the small room. I hope I can come back here someday.

Worst restaurant EVER! Avoid! Let me sum it up for you: 1) They are scammers, and, 2) They are rude beyond belief. The first part. It seems they have some sort of kickback arrangement with WalkAbout Tours of Florence (which we were with that day) about offering a fixed menu of €17,50 (drinks NOT included). What was included was an “appetizer” course of 5 extra-thin prosciutto and salami slices, and the main course of a tiny portion of the most overcooked pasta with pesto I’ve ever eaten. Needless to say, I was still hungry after. So far, everything can be excused, brushed under the carpet, in the name of having a memorable day. Right? But what came next was unbelievable. After climbing those 382 steps to reach Corniglia in the raging August sun, I was sweaty. So, on arrival at the restaurant, I took a cloth napkin from an unoccupied table to dry myself. No big deal, yes? Wrong. As soon as the lady manager noticed it was missing, her expression darkened. When I saw it, I could swear I felt her medication stop working. On the spot, she barked orders to the personnel to start looking for it. After coming back from the WC, my partner told me that on finding the napkin at my seat, the manageress grilled her about me taking it, that the cloth napkins were exclusively for paying guests (as if we didn’t pay), etc. etc. My reaction was to tell the manageress that I’d give them a very bad review, and her response was to shower me with the best that Italy has to offer in curse words and profanity. Napkin Restaurant, worst experience of our trip. I’m only sorry there isn’t a Zero score I could use for this review.

Best seafood meal we’ve had in Italy so far – right here in Corniglia! 🐟🍝 Unassuming spot with family-style service, large indoor & outdoor seating, and just a 1-minute walk from the main square. No need to queue or squeeze into tiny fixed-time restaurants. A true hidden gem!

Great place to rest before your next hike. I chose a room with a balcony to enjoy a beautiful sunset — definitely worth it. The restaurant also delivered on all fronts; I highly recommend trying the local specialty, trofie al pesto. Lovely welcome and smooth communication throughout.

Ristorante Cecio in Corniglia is a gem with a breathtaking view. The monkfish ravioli and sea bass spaghetti are delicious, the anchovies superb, and the service impeccable: authentic, kind, and attentive. An experience to remember!

We came for dinner - we reserved and were given the best view in corniglia. We ordered the lobster pasta at 35€ per person, as well as some local brut, the pannacotta, and the tiramisu. Compared to London prices for a full shelled lobster, this was a bargain - so delicious. The hostess was lovely and very funny. The pasta was unbelievable - very fun interactive dish. Pannacotta delicious and tiramisu unique and tasty. 10/10

This restaurant shows a lot of promise with its high-quality dishes! We tried both the poached and grilled sea bream, and they were absolutely delicious—especially when paired with the excellent local white wine. However, the overall portion size was a bit too small, leaving us still hungry. We added dessert to treat ourselves, which was really tasty but also a bit modest in size. The service was outstanding, and the atmosphere pleasant, but make sure to order extra if you have a bigger appetite!

We liked the atmosphere a lot. But you need to make a reservation. The tuna carpaccio, the spinach and ricotta Ravioli (with walnut sauce), the poached carp, and local wine is highly recommended. But you must leave room for the tirumasui supra!

This place stunned me. It was absolutely sensational and seasonal Italian food. Every dish is so thoughtful and well done. Did not expect to have such a great experience in a very unassuming location. Great job!

A very quaint restaurant right in the heart of Corniglia. They have two dinner seatings so a reservation is essential. We booked easily via WhatsApp and the team responded very quickly. The food was incredible. We had the seafood pasta, which was absolutely amazing, and also enjoyed the octopus cooked in the traditional Ligurian style. Service was warm and friendly. Highly recommend!

Tiny little place that was super busy. Lovely quirky ambience. You have to sit very close to your neighbors. Friendly staff and every dish was delicious. Only the side green beans were not to my taste Interesting pasta paired with pesto. The tuna steak and the dessert in particular was excellent. You definitely need to book

We ordered an anchovy dish that was served with arugula, basil, tomatoes, olives, capers, and lemon—all exceptionally fresh and high-quality ingredients. I really enjoyed this dish because combining the anchovy with all these familiar flavors—though I had never experienced them together—gave it an exotic dimension. A brilliantly creative recipe in its simplicity. We were also offered a very good local white wine, which paired perfectly with the meal.

mostly standout dishes, and very friendly staff! Loved tasting all of the different anchovies, trying testaroli for the first time, and the amaretti semifreddo was amazing!

Wonderful view and atmosphere, so romantic, we experienced attentive and prompt service. Difficult to get to, but worth it if you are in for the trek! The cod fritters were a highlight. Delicious and would recommend!

Really good dinner spot in Corniglia! We got the marinara mussels as an appetizer and they were delicious - very fresh and light. The vegan salad left me a little dissatisfied; there was little dressing and a bit bland. Our main courses made up for it though! The spaghetti with burrata & tomato sauce was delectable. We also ordered the “cutlet & chips”, expecting fish & chips (fries to Americans) only to realize it was a chicken cutlet, not fish. That said, the chicken was cooked perfectly and seasoned well so we were still very pleased!

The view is to die for but the food maybe even more so. I can't remember exactly the pasta I had but it's lemon based pasta. I've never had a pasta this good yet. The lemon is not overpowering, pleasantly delicately accompaniment to the fresh pasta.

The food was absolutely delicious! I had the pasta with fresh anchovies and lemon, with grilled vegetables on the side. The terrace is lovely, shaded by trees, and offers a stunning ocean view. One downside: you have to order and pay inside, which I found a bit inconvenient, especially since you have to walk up a bit to the main restaurant across the street to do so. It’s not like the staff was super busy, so table service would have made more sense. This setup also discourages you from ordering anything extra, like dessert, because it just feels like too much hassle. Service was friendly but so-so; my table wasn’t cleared until I left. The music was also a bit too loud for midday, making it less relaxing than it could have been. That said, it’s still a great spot, especially if you’re looking to refuel during a hike through Cinque Terre, like I was.

Great spot. We experienced wonderful service and our meals were great. The caprese was fresh and yummy, but not the best we’d been spoiled with in Italy and didn’t need the dried herbs with the fresh pesto. Based on other reviews and photos, we expected the Trofie al Pesto to be served with some shaved Parmesan on top, but instead we were given a small satchel of parm which was a little disappointing. That said, the pasta was among the best we’d had in Italy. The regional pesto and Ligurian speciality of green beans and potatoes elevated the dish. A highlight for sure. We also had the pistachio cream pasta with raw red shrimp and it was perfect. Prices were aligned, the owners were lovely, the service good and the food terrific.

very nice food, I got pesto pasta with potatoes and beans. It was nice and fresh. For fried seafood, try one from a cone in Vernazza instead of going to a restaurant like this one

They serve a pre-mixes bottled aperol spritz for 12€ per glass. Tourist trap. The fried anchovies are definitely frozen and very dry. Do not recommend

Scalinata Lardarina is a striking red-brick staircase with nearly 400 steps winding up the cliffside. It’s a rewarding climb, offering panoramic views of vineyards, rooftops, and the Mediterranean. The staircase is well-maintained, with rest spots along the way that make the ascent manageable even in warmer weather. The climb itself becomes part of the experience—quiet, scenic, and reflective. At the top, you’re greeted by a terrace that opens into the heart of Corniglia, making the effort feel worthwhile. It’s a memorable way to arrive, especially for those who enjoy blending movement with landscape.

A unique review: If running is your style, try the impressive Scalinata Lardarina—a red brick staircase with nearly 400 steps, including 140 steps down to the coastline, providing an excellent running workout. Even a walk can burn calories, make you sweat, and make you smile. I wholeheartedly recommend this hidden gem to fellow sports travelers. For more suggestions, check out @triathlontrips on Instagram and Facebook.

📍 Scalinata Lardarina – Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy 🇮🇹 A long brick staircase of 377 steps ⬆️ connecting Corniglia’s train station 🚆 to the hilltop village. The climb can be tiring 😅, especially with luggage, but it’s well worth it for the views of vineyards 🍇, the sea 🌊, and the colorful houses 🏡 as you go up. Along the way there are small resting spots to catch your breath 🪑. If you prefer, there’s also a shuttle bus 🚌, but walking the Lardarina gives a rewarding sense of arrival. 🙌

Nice stairs to climb up into Corniglia. Really not as difficult as I had expected and not worth getting a bus and missing out on the views as you climb.

You need to be fitness prepared to climb these steps, however due to rather low slope it was not so challenging and the view is great. Anyway straight on the top of the stairs You will find a pharmacy

Not worth it...too many steps to see what ended up being my least favorite of the 5 towns. Plus it was the farthest walk to the train station

A beautiful staircase to climb down (you can get to Corniglia by bus from the train station)

Café Matteo is a hidden gem nestled in a charming piazza in Corniglia, a picturesque village of Cinque Terre, Italy. This quaint café is renowned for serving delicious, simple dishes that capture the essence of traditional Italian cuisine. Visitors are drawn to its intimate atmosphere and the warm hospitality of the staff. Café Matteo offers a perfect retreat where guests can savor freshly made pizza, delectable pastries, and rich Italian coffee, all while enjoying the stunning views of the surrounding colorful buildings and scenic landscapes. It’s a delightful spot for anyone exploring the breathtaking beauty of Cinque Terre. Sharon and her staff solely desire for you to feel welcome and satisfied. There’s no better place to slowdown, listen to church bells, say hello and most of all embrace the pilgrims journey 🙏 Buon appetito! Ciao my friends 😘

The gnocchi with ragu was very good, but not a very big dish. The pizza wasn’t the best. Very similar to the frozen one. I was a big disappointed by it as I thought I’d be eating some authentic food. The cocktails not so good, but I appreciate the variety they are trying to have. The staff was fun and kind, serving us in English.

We only had to wait about 15 minutes for a table and once seated, service was quick. We tried the gnocchi ragu and although it was nice, it was fairly simple and nothing to write home about. Overall, a pleasant and reasonably priced stop for a casual bite.

Beautiful atmosphere, service, and of course, food/drink. Caffè Matteo is a pinnacle of Italian coffee and cuisine made with love. My particular server (2 days in a row) was a very sweet lady who welcomed us with open arms and complimentary menu items.

Ran into caffe Matteo’s on our last day in Corniglia to grab a couple coffees for the road. We got a maroccino and americano— the menu looked great and we had a long drive back to Rome, so we also grabbed a pesto pizza and tiramisu to go. All items were perfect. Service was great. The woman serving us was down to earth, cheeky and fun. We enjoyed. Great spot. Would have loved to dine here had we been in town longer. Also priced very well.

Nice outside area, supper friendly staff and amazing food. Breakfast until 11:30 with really good prices.

I don’t even know where to start. My partner and I went in for some lunch and the waiter was extremely rude! She was cold and blunt and made numerous people leave after being seated because of her attitude and negligence. The food was very gross. The ravioli was extremely oily and the prosciutto pizza was soggy and looked like packet ham. I have never had a worse service experience. It is almost laughable. DO NOT RECOMMEND!!

Good restaurant. Better than some of the other ones we tried in Corniglia. We ordered the tuna, alright, came with a little salad and potatoes. The pasta with pesto and tomato sauce was okay, good sauce and great portion. But wow the real showstopper was the ravioli. Its a smaller portion, but wow, so so tasty!! Not too expensive, service alright, beautiful little restaurant with a family home feel to it.

This was hands down the best meal of our entire trip to Italy! We first noticed the restaurant at lunchtime when it was buzzing with people (mostly locals by the look of it), so we figured ‘go where the locals go’ and decided to book a table for dinner. We’re so glad that we did, as it’s a cosy little spot and we saw quite a few people turned away because it was already full. We ordered a bottle of the house white, trofie al pesce spada (swordfish), paccheri al salmone, sott’oli misti (mixed vegetables in olive oil) and of course tiramisu. Every single dish was absolutely incredible, jam packed with flavour and made with the freshest ingredients. The staff couldn’t have been more welcoming and the whole experience was just perfect. We spent about an hour and a half savouring every bite and would return in a heartbeat!

Excellent food, and good prices too. We are used to smaller portions in other Italian cities so we ordered pasta and a second plate of swordfish to share. The first courses were plenty for us, but the fish was pretty good too.

Lunch here was fantastic - really fresh, great value delicious pasta dishes and the house wine is lovely. We ordered the salmon pasta, pesto and spaghetti with clams were all excellent. Friendly service, and really vintage and fun interior (with a pretty incredible whisky collection too!)

Food was delicious, atmosphere was great, and the dessert was amazing. Highly recommend !

Our 2nd visit in 2 years. The food is wonderful - we had pasta dishes. The prices are good and the servings plentiful. Mario the owner is a sweet man that touches my heart ❤️

This restaurant is a true gem, unlike the commercial touristy spots. The pasta is absolutely delicious, and the black pasta is a must-try. I adore it so much that we ordered more pasta to share after our meal. But my absolute favorite is the ink pasta. It is perfectly cooked and the sauce is rich and flavorful. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a delicious and authentic pasta experience.

We stumbled across this place for lunch and from start to finish it was absolutely stunning! The food was delicious, the wine was fab and the services was 10/10 would definitely recommend and returning. The venue is very quaint and perfect for a quick bite while you are exploring

Absolutely delicious bruchetta! Wow! Tomato .mozzarella, pesto, and basil. The service was great and atmosphere lovely. So glad I stopped.

We have chosen the selection of ham and cheese. 2 out of 3 kinds of ham were very chewy, the tomato on the please was very unripped. Burrata and the other cheese + Chianti wine were good.

In a small terrace just off the main walk is a quiet place that serves the most delicious appetizers and local wine 🍷 if you stop for a moment and simply take a breath you’ll realize my friends you are exactly where you are supposed to be ♥️😊🙏 pace ciao Bella 😘

Great place to get some apperitivi. We had the Limoncello spritz which was delicious and they didn't shy away from making it very concentrated alcohol wise :) Also tried the anchovies bruschette which were delicious. The outdoor terrace ia very spacious and cozy. Frindly staff. Highly recommend trying it

Great local spot! Delightful terrace to eat outside. Delicious pesto pasta and tomato bruschetta. Salad with lambs lettuce, orange, walnuts, and grana was so good. Recommend!!

Spacious outside seating (garden like). Good Limoncello spritz.

Went here for breakfast everyday on my trip to Corniglia. Fantastic gluten free options (personal favourite being the stuffed focaccia with pesto and vegetables). My friend (not gluten free) enjoyed the bruschetta. Staff were lovely and service overall was fantastic. Would highly recommend!

Lovely spot off the beaten path in corniglia. Right next to the church and the Blue Trail. Not crowded at all and lots of outdoor seating. We got the “American breakfast”, a pizza, and orange/lemon juice and it was all very fresh and delicious. The waiter was kind. Great spot.

Yogurt bowl was great, and comes in two sizes. I paid 8.5 euro for the smaller size and an espresso. This place is awesome, has many breakfast options for travellers (and the locals too)!

We braved the steps of Camogli twice just to eat here. The coffee was amazing and the breakfast was equally good! I had the granola/fruit bowl and it was perfect.

Great little spot to wind down, enjoy some great food. Service is super friendly and efficient. Highly recommended.

Absolutely imperative stop along your hike. The focaccia was amazing topped off with a limonata will refuel you for the next leg of your journey.

Very very good coffee, we had the cappuccino caldo. They have lactose free milk!

The restaurant is overrated for what it delivers. Truly you are paying for the view and it’s a lovely location. We didn’t book so of course expected an inside table which was fine, otherwise a 40 minute wait for an outside table. The scampi and grilled prawn was not grilled all that well, only a few prawns on a large bed of lettuce. Not great at all for the price. The basil pesto pasta was overpowering in basil pesto and we told the waitress, who unfortunately didn’t understand what we were saying. That’s fine. We have eaten at far better places for far less. We would not recommend.

We had a very beautiful view of the harbor, but unfortunately the service overshadowed the experience. The young woman who served us was polite enough but seemed moody and overall unhappy in her job – and that really showed. The food itself was fine. The highlight was definitely the seafood fritto, served with a Salsa Agrodolce (brown sugar and vinegar sauce). The combination was surprisingly very good, but at €25 for such a small portion, it felt far too expensive. What we found unacceptable, however, was the mandatory tip of €4.50 per person. This was not stated anywhere in advance, and compared to other restaurants in the area, which usually charge €1–2, it felt simply excessive – especially considering the quality of service. Overall, a mixed impression: beautiful location, decent food, but the service and pricing did not match the setting.

Delicious food and great staff. We sat on the patio and a table closer to the water opened up and they offered us the "better" table on the patio. Muscoli and Spaghetti frutti di mare were fantastic! Can't forget the unbelievable view. This restaurant was a great experience for my wife and I.

I rarely leave negative reviews, but the experience at this restaurant was truly disappointing, and it had nothing to do with the food. The food itself was fine — not extraordinary, but decent enough to enjoy for a casual dinner. Unfortunately, the staff completely ruined the experience. There were three women working, all of whom were shockingly rude and unprofessional from start to finish. They barely spoke, only answering with one-word responses, as if serving us was a burden. The entire time it felt like they didn’t want to be there and made sure the guests felt it too. We arrived at 19:40 and were immediately told the table was reserved for 21:00. That’s fine — we agreed. We ordered appetizers, which arrived, but our main courses were forgotten. We waited more than 25 minutes, and they only came out a few minutes before 21:00. By that point, we could clearly feel the staff staring at us in a hostile way, as if we were in their way rather than paying customers. The most shocking part happened at 21:03. Without us even asking for the bill, one waitress threw it on our table as she walked past and said, “Your bill, cause I need the table” — and then walked away. Not a hint of politeness, no apology for the wait, nothing. Just pure cynicism and rudeness. Even if the food had been incredible, I would never come back here. Dining out is not just about what’s on the plate — it’s about the overall experience. And in this case, the staff’s attitude was so unpleasant that it overshadowed everything else. There are plenty of restaurants where you can eat well and actually feel welcome — this is not one of them.

My wife and I had a delightful meal here. Lovely pasta dishes, great drinks and an awesome chocolate parfait to finish. Really laid back atmosphere and music. Service was professional and friendly, especially when compared to a lot of other places in town (we've found the general vibe to be quite moody). Don't be put off by it's tourist trap location, it's a lovely restaurant.

This is a popular restaurant so you need to reserve a table. Service was very good and the food some of the best we have had in Cinque Terre. The fillet of sea bream was perfectly cooked, juicy with a flavoursome sauce that did not detract from the delicate flavour of the fish. Also, the best carbonara imaginable! Tables are a little near each other and the atmosphere a noisy but it was the sound of a happy restaurant.

Excellent view Service was good - note 4.5 euro service charge per person Food decent but expensive