Where to Stay in Cinque Terre?
It can be difficult to decide where to stay in Cinque Terre. Our family spent a full week here in September 2021. We chose to spend all 7 nights in Monterosso, and it was a great decision! We visited all 5 towns and Levanto. Because we travel with kids, there are several specific advantages to staying in Monterosso. However, even if you are traveling without kids, Monterosso makes for a great home base. Here are our top reasons to stay in Monterosso:
The beach
Monterosso has by far the best beach in Cinque Terre. You will want relaxation time at the beach between all the hiking. We spent 2 full days just at the beach to enjoy the sun, calm and crystal-clear water, and the snorkeling from shore was amazing. An hour or two to relax at the beach after hiking is perfect.
Playgrounds
Especially if you are traveling with kids, having a playground nearby can be fantastic. There are 2 playgrounds in Monterosso; our kids used both.
The cost
See the total cost for a week in Cinque Terre here. We found more lodging options, at cheaper prices, compared to the other 4 towns of Cinque Terre. Our Airbnb was a wonderful option for a family of four!
Location for arrival
Monterosso is big enough to command a stop on most trains, so it is easier and cheaper for arrival compared to the others. For example, our original train tickets terminated at La Spezia, because we booked trains before lodging. When we decided on Monterosso, we simply hopped off early. After further analysis, our tickets were actually cheaper to La Spezia than they would have been to terminate at Monterosso. Weird, but check it for your route.
Location for hiking
Hike to Levanto, enjoy the view from Punta Mesco of all 5 Cinque Terre towns, and don’t miss out on renting bikes to ride to Framura Beach. For an entire week’s stay, we only used the local train 3 times and completed hikes connected from Levanto all the way to Riomaggiore. Also, the trails originating from Monterosso are always open. During our stay, both coastal trails from Manarola were closed, requiring us to take the mountain route for access by hike.
Location for activities
Read about our top 5 activities with kids in Cinque Terre here. Because we stayed in Monterosso, this list was both better and cheaper!
Each of the towns in Cinque Terre has its own appeal. Part of the fun is to visit and explore them all. You may find your favorite is different from ours, but a stay in Monterosso won’t disappoint!
Cinque Terre was one of our first stops during a year-long trip around the world! To see all our travel adventures, head over to our Instagram page.
If you have questions or tips for where to stay in Cinque Terre, let us know!
