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Last update: March, 2024.

  1. Best of Cinque Terre
  2. Villages and towns
  3. Corniglia

Corniglia

Corniglia is often overlooked in day trips to Cinque Terre because it is the smallest village. It is set on a cliff 100 meters above sea level, and the railway station is located in the lower part of the village. Corniglia can be reached on foot by climbing the staircase (382 steps) or with the bus that leaves every 10 minutes after arrival of the train, as long as it is carrying tourists. The ticket is included in the Cinque Terre Card. If you don’t have the Card, you can buy a single ticket from the driver (2.50 euro) or at the station (1.50 euro). To return to the station from Corniglia, it is better to descend on foot.

If you have time, don’t miss the opportunity to go to this village! You will discover another Italy when you visit the friendly village of Corniglia.

View of Corniglia from San Bernardino, Cinque Terre, Italy

Places of interest in Corniglia

Open this page from your mobile phone and you can start the navigator for any point of interest or monument described here.

1
The main street of the village, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy

Via Fieschi (marked on the map in orange) runs the entire length of the village of Corniglia, from the bus stop. It is a small and narrow little street where tourists always go for a walk and reward themselves with a basil-flavored ice cream. Via Fieschi passes through the main square of Corniglia and terminates on the panoramic terrace of Santa Maria, from where there is a view of the Riviera.

2
The main square Largo Taragio, chapel and monument to the fallen, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy

On Largo Taraggio, a square with cafes and benches, you can take a break and admire the local architecture. In particular, you will see the historic Monument to the Fallen of 1926 and the Oratory that at first glance goes unnoticed, but behind it is a terrace and the view from here is simply fascinating.

3

The Church of San Pietro

Saint Peter's church, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy

The church of San Pietro, a religious building in Gothic style, was built in the XI century in the high part of Corniglia. The facade of the church, in gray stone, is not at all striking; it is decorated with windows framed in white marble and arranged in the form of a rose; over the portal there is a small sculpture of Saint Peter. The interior furnishings are in Baroque style and the church itself is adorned with paintings, polyptychs and stained glass works by local artists.

4

The small beach

Small beach and the descent to reach it, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy

Due to its altitude, Corniglia is not the best place for people who like sand beaches. The beaches are located just outside the village and the only place where you can have a swim (in addition to the nudist beach of Guvano) is a small rocky piece of coast, which can be reached from Corniglia following the signs from the main square and descending a stairway of 343 steps. If you want to sunbathe, you’ll have to lie on the rocks jutting into the sea, but the location itself is very special.

5

The nudist beach of Guvano

Dark tunnel to the nudist beach of Guvano, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy

Unfortunately, the descent to the beach from the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) was damaged by a landslide and in 2024 the descent is very dangerous. Now only a dark tunnel 1 km long leads to this beach. At the moment there is no light in the tunnel, so take torches (usually just the one on your phone is enough).
Warning! The tunnel has been closed in 2016.
More information on the page “Nudist beach of Guvano”.

Map of the places to visit and the trails of Corniglia

Pedestrian routes near Corniglia

The trails in Corniglia are very popular because it is much easier to start from here and the trail has no steep climbs.

Corniglia – Manarola (short route)

Blue Trail from Corniglia to Manarola, Trails, Cinque Terre, Italy
Blue Trail from Corniglia to Manarola
45 min.
2.5 km (1.6 mi.)
131 m (430 ft)
100 m (329 ft)
250-270 kcal*
Easy*

The current condition of the route: closed for a long period. Reason: landslides and instability of the terrain. It should fully open from May 2025. More info: only the first 300 meters (950 ft) are open (from the Manarola side).

It will not be possible to reach Manarola from here on the short route for some time to come, as landslides prevent the reconstruction of the trail in a stable manner.

Corniglia – Manarola (long route)

The long route Corniglia - Volastra - Manarola, Trails, Cinque Terre, Italy
The long route Corniglia - Volastra - Manarola
2 h 30 min.
5 km (3.1 mi.)
385 m (1264 ft)
400 m (1313 ft)
800-900 kcal*
Medium*

The current condition of the route: Open.

The trail crosses the small locality of Volastra. Once here, if you are tired, we advise you to take the bus to Manarola and avoid a rather steep descent of about 1200 steps. As well as saving your strength, you will also save about 45 minutes of time.

Corniglia - Vernazza (short route)

Blue Trail from Vernazza to Corniglia, Trails, Cinque Terre, Italy
Blue Trail from Vernazza to Corniglia
1 h 30 min.
3.2 km (2 mi.)
220 m (722 ft)
220 m (722 ft)
500-550 kcal*
Easy*

The current condition of the route: Open. Opening date: June 06, 2020.

Along this route you can fully enjoy the landscapes of the Cinque Terre, the beach of Guvano and the village of Corniglia: the position of the trail makes it possible to admire everything from above.

Corniglia - Vernazza (long route)

The long route from Corniglia to Vernazza, Trails, Cinque Terre, Italy
The long route from Corniglia to Vernazza
3 h 30 min.
6.5 km (4 mi.)
710 m (2330 ft)
612 m (2008 ft)
1200-1350 kcal*
Medium High*

The current condition of the route: Open.

A long trail to Vernazza that extends through Monte Cigoletta and the small locality of San Bernardino. Take a look at it for a visit to the Sanctuary of Nostra Signora delle Grazie.

To walk the short trails connecting all five villages of the Cinque Terre you will need to purchase the “Cinque Terre Card. It is also a good idea to check the conditions of the trails in advance, as some of them could be closed due to the weather conditions and other reasons (more information on the page “Conditions of trails and map”).

* Kcal - more information on the consumption of calories and the complexity of the various trails can be found in the section “Walking trails”.

Recommended hotels in Corniglia

Hotels in Corniglia have one drawback: in order to get to another village of the Cinque Terre you must go down to the station. But tourists who are looking for a little isolation will appreciate the few tourists in the village and the absence of cars.

B&B Corte Del Gallo, Italy
Top 5
Romantic

B&B Corte Del Gallo

Price: medium.
More information

Affittacamere Le Terrazze, Italy
Top 5
Romantic
Discount!

Affittacamere Le Terrazze

Price: affordable.
More information

Affittacamere La Torre, Italy
Cheap!

Affittacamere La Torre

Price: low.
More information

On this page you can read visitor comments on all the hotels and compare them. In addition, you should consult:
Low-cost hotels in Corniglia.
Romantic hotels in Corniglia.
Luxury hotels in Corniglia.
Use a filter to search for a hotel in Corniglia.

Parking in Corniglia

500 meters from Corniglia there is a parking area with 60 places, price: 2.50 euro/h. But reaching Corniglia by car is complicated, as the road is very narrow and there are road works in progress in many areas due to the frequent landslides.

More photos of Corniglia

View of Corniglia from San Bernardino, Cinque Terre, Italy
View of Corniglia from San Bernardino
View from the trail Corniglia - San Bernardino - Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy
View from the trail Corniglia - San Bernardino - Vernazza
View from the trail Corniglia - Volastra - Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy
View from the trail Corniglia - Volastra - Manarola
View from the trail Corniglia - Volastra - Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy
View from the trail Corniglia - Volastra - Manarola
Aerial view of the steps from the station to the village, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy
Aerial view of the steps from the station to the village
The bus between the village and the station, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy
The bus between the village and the station
View of the beach of Guvano from the Blue Trail, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy
View of the beach of Guvano from the Blue Trail
The steps from the village down to the station, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy
The steps from the village down to the station
The steps from the village down to the station, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy
The steps from the village down to the station
Dark tunnel to the nudist beach of Guvano, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy
Dark tunnel to the nudist beach of Guvano
Inside the oratory of Santa Caterina, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy
Inside the oratory of Santa Caterina
Inside Saint Peter's church, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy
Inside Saint Peter's church
Aerial view of the nudist beach of Guvano in winter, Corniglia, Cinque Terre, Italy
Aerial view of the nudist beach of Guvano in winter

Romantic hotels

Bestseller

Rated 5 stars out of 5

7458 Reviews

Price starting at 39 €
Details

Budget hotels

Likely to sell out

Rated 5 stars out of 5

11745 Reviews

Price starting at 110 €
Details

Apartments in Cinque Terre

Likely to sell out

Rated 5 stars out of 5

10547 Reviews

Price starting at 179 €
Details

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