Riomaggiore, Cinq Terres
  1. Top destinations
  2. Italy
  3. Riomaggiore
  4. Where to stay

Where to stay in Riomaggiore: the best neighbourhoods (2026)

Riomaggiore occupies a 300-meter ravine, and what makes or breaks a location here comes down to vertical gain rather than horizontal distance. The village steps up between the sea and the cliff, its train station sits off to the side, and the pedestrian network relies on 88 staircases. A spot just 300 meters away can mean a flat five-minute walk or hauling your suitcase straight up an incline.

The national park officially lists only 3 hotels among the properties that signed its charter, with the rest operating as guesthouses. Two areas are enough to know: the ravine itself and the sanctuary road climbing above it. One detail outweighs the rest: the Via dell'Amore starts right here and runs strictly one way.

Compare hotel prices in Riomaggiore

In a hurry? Find the best accommodation deals in 3 clicks.

Compare live deals from Booking, Expedia, Agoda and other partners.

At a glance: our picks by traveller type

Pick the profile that suits you to head straight to the recommended neighbourhood.

Pack light, and get ready to climb. The sea, the harbor, and the restaurant tables are less than 5 minutes down the hill. Traveling with heavy luggage. The road to the sanctuary connects without a single step, which the ravine does not allow everywhere. To walk the Via dell'Amore. Its entrance is in Riomaggiore, and it only runs toward Manarola. First night in the Cinque Terre. The train station, the harbor, and the beach all sit within the same compact zone. By car. This is the only side of the village where parking is actually possible.

The neighbourhood map in Riomaggiore

Get your bearings on the neighbourhoods and must-see sights before choosing where to drop your bags. Click a name to jump to its description.

1

The ravine From the harbor to the station

so you don't have to climb uphill on your way back

The village cascades down a single slope toward a small harbor, framed by tall, tightly packed houses. Everything is packed into 300 metres: the train station to the north, the Spiaggia del Paese to the south, and Via Colombo connecting the two. The catch is the topography: out of the 13 properties in this area, several can only be reached from the station via staircases, with no alternative flat route available.

When arriving from La Spezia, Riomaggiore is the first village of the Cinque Terre. Nestled between the sea and steep hills, it charms with its cascading colorful houses. They create a unique backdrop, especially when viewed from the small harbor.

Where to stay in this area

Cinque Terre Coast to Coast Mid-range

Apartments 440 metres from the station, run by an outfit that lists its address and replies in English. Few lower-town properties keep an active website, but this one does.

Check availability

Le Giare Affittacamere Mid-range

Rooms listed on the official national park registry, located 430 metres from the station. The shortest path involves stairs, while the step-free route adds 180 metres.

Check availability

Appartamenti Rivusmaior Budget

Rooms 350 metres from the station, with a listed email and phone number. A step-free route is available and adds 45 metres to the walk.

Check availability

Ca' della Valletta Budget

B&B rooms on Via della Valletta, 300 metres from the train station. Phone contact is the only reliable option here, as the estate's former domain is down and no longer accepts mail.

Check availability

Pros

  • The station, the harbor, and the beach all within 300 metres
  • All the restaurants and bars are right here

Cons

  • Several properties are only accessible via stairs
  • No parking spaces in the ravine
2

The road to the sanctuary Above the ravine

to park and come back without stairs

Perched above the ravine, Via del Santuario occupies the other side of the village. It offers what the lower area lacks, namely space, terraces with high-angle sea views, and road access. The downside is the daily walk, between 500 and 780 metres down to the station, plus a steep climb back up at the end of the day.

This remnant of the old fortifications makes for a fantastic viewpoint. I recommend finishing your walk here to get away from the village center and catch your breath in a quieter spot.

Where to stay in this area

Hotel Villa Argentina Luxury

The only two-star hotel in the village recognized by the national park, offering breakfast and parking. Pets are welcome. The station is 570 metres away via the shortest path, or 690 metres if you take the route that avoids steps.

Check availability

Locanda del Sole Mid-range

One of only three hotels on the national park list, featuring breakfast and parking. This property has a strict no-pets policy. The station is 610 metres away, mostly along the road.

Check availability

Cinque Terre Residence Mid-range

Rooms and apartments right at the top of the village. Nothing is higher up in this guide: 630 metres separate it from the train station by the shortest path, and 930 metres by the only route with no steps at all.

Check availability

Cà dei Duxi Mid-range

Rooms in an old stone building, halfway up the slope between Via Colombo and the road. The property website is up to date and shows availability.

Check availability

Pros

  • Accessible by car, which the ravine does not allow
  • Terraces with high-angle views of the sea

Cons

  • The station sits between 500 and 780 metres further down
  • Dinner spots are all down in the ravine

Our tips for booking the right place

  • The Via dell'Amore and its one-way rule: This sets Riomaggiore apart from the other four villages. The trail leading to Manarola starts right here, you have to walk it in this direction only, and the return path is restricted to authorized groups. The national park requires advance booking, caps visitor numbers, and tacks on an extra fee to the Cinque Terre Card. Plan for about 30 minutes of walking. Staying overnight in Riomaggiore means you wake up right at the trailhead.
  • Staircases before flat ground: The village pedestrian network features 88 staircases. Out of 20 spots reviewed, 6 have zero step-free routes from the train station, and for the others, taking a detour to avoid stairs adds anywhere from a few meters to nearly 300. Climbing up to the castle means tackling Salita Castello and its 241 official steps. Ask your host about the stairs before you book, because that is the single detail that makes or breaks a stay here.
  • The Cinque Terre Card and what it covers: The Cinque Terre Trekking Card runs 10 EUR a day for an adult, or 15 EUR on peak days. It covers the footpaths, the Via dell'Amore, the village shuttle buses, and the restrooms at all 5 train stations, which cost 1 EUR without it. The train-inclusive version is 36.50 EUR for 2 days in the off-season. The shuttle bus here is a lifesaver people overlook, hauling you back up what the stairs forced you down.
Where not to stay in Riomaggiore (honestly)
  • Booking a spot at the top of the village assuming you can walk down to the water multiple times a day. You have to slog back up the slope every single time, and the local bus does not run often enough to rely on as a backup.
  • Expecting to walk back from Manarola on the Via dell'Amore. The one-way rule is strict, meaning the return trip requires the train, a boat, or the much longer high-altitude ridge trail.
  • Showing up with rolling suitcases without checking the route first. Several properties tucked into the ravine are only accessible via steep steps, and nobody is going to carry your bags up for you.

FAQ: where to stay in Riomaggiore

Should you stay in Riomaggiore instead of another Cinque Terre village?
Riomaggiore is the first village you hit coming from La Spezia, and it is where the Via dell'Amore kicks off. It packs its train station, harbor, and rocky beach into a tight 300-meter footprint, a rare layout for this stretch of coast. On the flip side, it sits deep inside a steep ravine, so every destination involves climbing up or dropping down. The five villages connect via a quick regional train ride taking just a few minutes, meaning your choice comes down to the morning vibe you want outside your door rather than sightseeing logistics.
Where to find affordable lodging in Riomaggiore?
In the ravine, where you will find guesthouses and B&Bs rather than hotels. The only verifiable rates are those published by the national park for certified member properties, starting at 66 EUR per night in the village. Keep in mind before comparing: most of these places lack a front desk or breakfast, and arrival times are coordinated via text message.
Where to stay with family in Riomaggiore?
Up toward the sanctuary road rather than down in the ravine, for one practical reason: you can drive right up to the door and walk on level ground. You can rent apartments here, whereas the lower village mostly offers rooms. The Cinque Terre Card charges 15 EUR a day for children aged 4 to 12 during low season, and the included bus saves you from climbing when little legs get tired.
Do you need a car to stay in Riomaggiore?
It is more of a hassle than a help: the ravine is closed to vehicles and parking at the top requires payment. The train connects all five villages in a few minutes and La Spezia in twenty, which covers everything you need. If you do arrive by car anyway, head for the sanctuary road, as that is the only place you can park.
How much does a night cost in Riomaggiore?
The national park publishes starting rates for properties adhering to its charter, and these are the only verifiable figures: 66 EUR for the cheapest options in the village, and 90 to 150 EUR for rooms featuring a view or terrace. These are baseline off-season figures, and properties do not post rate sheets on-site. Factor in the cost of the Cinque Terre Card if you plan on hiking.
When should you book for Riomaggiore?
Early, driven by geographical limits rather than pricing pressure: the village is built inside a steep ravine and cannot expand. The park lists only 3 hotels and around twenty certified guesthouses across the entire municipality. On top of that, access to the Via dell'Amore is strictly limited and must be booked separately from your lodging.

About the author

Bill
Bill
Lvl 7
76 followers 1 articles 299 reviews
Member since 02/2013

There was a time when I dreamed of being a digital nomad. It was during that period that I imagined and created the first version of Avygeo (an anagram of voyage), with t…

View profile
Riomaggiore Keep exploring Discover everything in Riomaggiore

Comments (0)

to leave a comment.

No comments yet. Be the first!