Cinque Terre Walking Tour in Corniglia Italy
- Laura
- Nov 4
- 8 min read
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Cinque Terre National Park is comprised of “five lands” (villages) along the Ligurian coast of Italy. Four of the villages brush up against the sea. Only Corniglia sits above the ocean nestled atop 100 meter cliffs. Our Cinque Terre walking tour includes all of the best Corniglia Italy view points and landmarks.
Corniglia is connected to the other Cinque Terre towns by ancient footpaths, roads, and rail service. Most visitors will reach Corniglia after climbing the “Lardarina,” a 382-step staircase that rises from the train station to town. With no seaport and the long Lardarina to climb, Corniglia tends to be the quietest (least crowded) of the Cinque Terre towns.
Corniglia Italy is surrounded on three sides by terraced vineyards and olive groves. The fourth side is the vast Ligurian Sea (an arm of the Mediterranean Sea). Our Cinque Terre walk of Corniglia takes in the town’s main streets, San Pietro Church, and several panoramic viewpoints.
TOURS TO CINQUE TERRE FROM SURROUNDING CITIES
WHERE IS CORNIGLIA ITALY
Corniglia is located in the Cinque Terre National Park in northwest Italy. The oceanfront park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and considered to be the beginning of the Italian Riviera. Hilltop Corniglia is the middle village in the string of five Cinque Terre towns. It is positioned between Manarola and Vernazza.
ROUTE DETAILS CINQUE TERRE WALKING TOUR: CORNIGLIA
Distance: Around 1 mile (1.7 km)
Duration: 2 hours (taking time to shop, eat, and enjoy scenic vistas)
Directions: GPS likely will not work in the tiny village. There are few street signs making maps tricky to follow. With this in mind, we have used visual landmarks on this walking tour.
Dress: Sturdy, walking shoes. Good sun protection.
Time of Day: Any time of day. Particularly beautiful in early morning and at sunset.
CINQUE TERRE TOURS
There are many things to do in Cinque Terre National Park including walking the villages, hiking, wine and cooking classes, sunset sails, water sports, and more. Consider combining one of these Cinque Terre tours with your Corniglia walking tour:
CORNIGLIA ITALY HOTELS
Corniglia has no big resorts or nightclubs. it does have a wealth of pensiones (small guest houses). The town is known for its phenomenal sunsets, coastal views, and great access to hiking. Corniglia has several good restaurants and a more laid back energy than the other villages, making it a solid choice for travelers who enjoy a quieter environment.
Cinque Terre hotels fill up fast, so book early. Pack light and strategize about how you will get your belongings to your room. In Corniglia, there is a shuttle bus that runs from the train station to the town center (so you can avoid hauling your bags up the Lardarina), and some accommodations offer porter services.
Consider one of these well-reviewed Corniglia hotels:
Ostello di Corniglia - affordable hostel accommodations
B&B Casa Vacabze Uk Gatto - two room apartment
Cecio 5 Terre Rooms - hotel with courtyard dining
CINQUE TERRE WEATHER
Mediterranean summers are hot and humid (80’s F); winter temperatures are milder (50’s F). It rains the most in October, March, and April.
BEST TIME TO VISIT CINQUE TERRE – CORNIGLIA
Low season runs from November through February. During these months many businesses and hiking trails close. Crowds are heaviest in July and August. The best months to visit Corniglia are May, June, and September when weather is warm, hiking trails are open, and crowds are not at peak level. Avoid weekends, holidays, and major events.
CORNIGLIA ITALY KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Language: Italian, but English is widely spoken in the town center.
Currency: Euro
Corniglia Welcome Center: Corniglia Railway Station; Usually open 8am to 8pm daily.
How to Get to Corniglia: Drive or take the train to La Spezia (to the north) or Levanto (to the south) train stations. Then, take the Cinque Terre local train to Corniglia. We do not recommend driving on the winding, narrow roads.
How to Get Around Corniglia: The village is pedestrianized and walking is the most common form of travel. There are few street signs, but the town is so tiny it is difficult to get lost.
Corniglia Accessibility and Terrain: There are many hills, stairs, and uneven stone surfaces. Accessibility for the mobility impaired would be challenging.
Restrooms: There are public restrooms at the Train Station (fee). There are restrooms at many eateries throughout town (with a purchase).
CORNIGLIA CINQUE TERRE MAP – VILLAGE WALK
MAP OF CINQUE TERRE WALK - CORNIGLIA
ROUTE: CINQUE TERRE WALKING TOUR IN CORNIGLIA ITALY
Landmark 1: Corniglia Train Station
Begin your walk at the Corniglia railway station. Disembark the train and look for the Corniglia Tourist Information Office where you can pick up a map. Back out on the platform, there is one road heading to town, Via alla Stazione. Do not take the road. Instead, walk straight along the platform toward the hilltop town.
TIP: If you cannot walk the Lardarina stairs, pay to take the shuttle bus to town and begin the walk at Landmark 3: Chiesa di San Pietro.
Landmark 2: Scalinata Lardarina
When you reach the Lardarina Staircase begin your ascent. The wide, red brick staircase is made up of 33 flights of stairs (382 steps). As you rise, enjoy the views of the terraced vineyards growing in the surrounding hills. Along the way, shop for the wares set out upon the landings.
At the top of the stairs, cross Via alla Stazione. Go straight onto Via Fieschi. Walk until you reach a church courtyard.
Landmark 3: Chiesa di San Pietro, Corniglia (Via Fieschi)
The Church of San Pietro is located in the upper part of Corniglia. It is free to tour if open (be aware, this is a working parish so do not disturb masses).
The church was built by the Fieschi family in the 1300s. It has three naves and elements of Gothic and Baroque architecture. Of special note is the rose window framed in white marble and three marble sculptures.
Leaving the church, look for the plaque on the front that denotes when construction began, 1334. Wander the courtyard in front of the church. Enjoy the palm trees and views of Corniglia silhouetted against the sea.
When you are ready, walk west toward the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail). Signage is not good in this area, and you may find yourself on Via Fieschi, Via alla Stazione, or Via Serra. Just walk toward the left (toward Vernazza), and look for signs for the trail which will begin as a combination road-trail.
CINQUE TERRE TOURS & EXCURSIONS
Landmark 4: Cecio Ristorante Camere (Via Serra)
Walk upwards away from town as far as you like until you have a good view of Corniglia from behind. By the time you reach the Cecio Ristorante Camere you should have an excellent shot of Corniglia framed against the sea. When you have stretched your legs a bit, head back toward town.
Landmark 5: Lisa Market (Via Fieschi)
As you trek back into the upper part of town, look for the Lisa Market. The square in front of the market is where the shuttle bus that runs from the train station to town lets out passengers.
From the market, find Via Fieschi and begin your stroll down Corniglia’s main drag toward the sea. Take your time along this stretch. Meander up and down the many alleys that shoot off the main passageway. The village is only a few blocks wide so you can’t get lost. In this area there are lots of shops and wares being sold in the cobblestone streets.
Peek into A Cantina da Mananan Italian restaurant to see its beautiful stone dining room or grab a panini or some street food at Dai Luca.
Landmark 6: Largo Taragio (Via Fieschi)
Soon, you will happen upon Corniglia’s main square, Largo Taragio. The square dates back to the 18th century and is the main gathering spot in Corniglia (for locals and visitors). The interior of the square is home to a statue commemorating fallen soldiers from World War I, an ancient well, and some outdoor seating.
Buildings rimming the square include a few shops, the Trattoria La Lanterna, and the Oratory of Santa Caterina. If the Santa Caterina church is open, take a few minutes to tour the simple one-room house of worship. Admire the 18th century fresco adorning the ceiling, and at the rear of the oratory take in the gorgeous views of the sea.
Landmark 7: Terrace of Santa Maria (Via Fieschi)
From the Largo Taragio, continue your Cinque Terre walk down Via Fieschi. Along the way, admire the core of the ancient village. Pop down the narrow alleys to observe the greenery and flowers adorning doorsteps, the terrace gardens, and the warmth of the colorful Ligurian townhouses.
At the end of the main avenue, you will come to the Terrazza Panoramic Santa Maria (Terrace of Santa Maria). From this beautiful vantage, take in panoramic views of the Ligurian Sea and sister Cinque Terre towns nestled along the coast. If you are thirsty, stop at the Bar La Terza Terra for a drink (arguably one of the best outdoor dining views in all of Cinque Terre).
Landmark 8: Via Alla Marina
Leaving the Santa Maria terrace, retrace your steps along Via Fieschi until you see a steep staircase heading in a southwest direction. Take the staircase to Via alla Marina. Off the main street the pace slows, and you are likely to encounter few people along this stretch.
Head in the direction of the sea. The lane narrows as you gently descend past pensiones and townhouses. As you near the sea, the views open up for all-encompassing panoramas of the coast. Walk as far as you like. If you continue to the end, the stairs will eventually lead to a small cove with a pier.
Landmark 9: Ristorante La Posada
When you are finished admiring the views, begin to loop around back to Via Fieschi. Retrace your steps past the Largo Taragio, and follow the signs to the Lardarina staircase. Before descending the stairs back to the train station, stop at Ristorante La Posada for a snack. The restaurant is known for its great food and views.
Landmark 10: Corniglia Train Station
After eating, descend the stairs and head to the train station. Our walk has concluded!
Addido (farewell) from Corniglia! Laura and Randy
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