Corniglia

Corniglia is the central village and also the smallest of the Cinque Terre. It is unique compared to the other villages for its position, its history and its traditions.

The Borgo, in fact, was built on top of a rock 100 meters above the sea, which is why it is known as the “Balcony of the Cinque Terre”.

Proprio questo dislivello difendeva la gente di Corniglia dagli attacchi dei pirati Saraceni e, per questa ragione, nel borgo troverete case più basse rispetto alla altre località vicino al mare.

Ma non temete, anche qui sarete rapiti dai colori pastello delle tradizionali case liguri e dal labirinto di vicoli e carruggi che nascondono scorci meravigliosi.

Qui la gente è cresciuta tra i campi più che tra le onde del mare: Corniglia è circondata dai caratteristici terrazzamenti liguri dove da secoli vengono coltivati gli ulivi e la vite. Qui è nato il mito del vino locale.

Corniglia, per la sua posizione arroccata, è forse è il borgo meno visitato tra quelli delle Cinque Terre. Ma è il paese che offre il panorama più spettacolare e, strano a dirsi, quello da cui raggiungerete le migliori spiagge delle cinque terre: in 10 minuti a piedi potrete raggiungere la Spiaggia di Guvano, una delle più belle spiagge della Liguria!

Corniglia is the smallest village of the Cinque Terre and also the one with fewer solutions where to sleep. In fact, here there are no hotels: those who prefer this type of accommodation are better off looking in other locations.

To stay overnight in Corniglia you can choose between apartments for tourist use and B&B. The level of facilities is mid-range and the price is quite affordable as long as your trip is planned a little in advance: the best rooms sell out quickly!

Those looking for an economic solution can choose the hostel which is located not far from the center.

Unlike the other Cinque Terre villages, remember to check the location of your accommodation on the map, which could be in the village or in the beach area.

Il mezzo più pratico e veloce per raggiungere Corniglia è, senza dubbio, il treno. La stazione di Corniglia è sulla linea Genova-La Spezia e passano treni praticamente ogni 20 minuti, soprattutto durante la stagione estiva, quando entrano in servizio anche i treni della linea 5 Terre Express.

Dalla stazione al Borgo si può salire a piedi, lungo la famosa Scalinata Lardarina. Questa ripida passeggiata in salita dura circa 20 minuti.

In alternativa potete prendere il bus che dalla stazione sale verso il paese. Questa navetta non ha orari precisi. Parte ogni volta che i posti vengono riempiti e se non doveste trovare posto potete semplicemente aspettare la corsa successiva.

Utilizzare l’auto per raggiungere Corniglia non è affatto complicato anche se il borgo è servito da un parcheggio piuttosto piccolo di circa 90 posti. Nei mesi estivi si riempie velocemente nelle prime ore del giorno.
La strada è comunque semplice: dall’autostrada A12 uscite a Santo Stefano di Magra seguendo le indicazioni per La Spezia, poi Cinque Terre, Portovenere e infine immettetevi nella strada provinciale per Corniglia.

In Corniglia, it is not possible to write a long list of monuments and museums to visit, one must admire the charm of this village in its uniqueness.
The Borgo can be discovered along the main street, via Fieschi, which connects the viewpoint of Santa Maria to the Church of San Pietro. Every nook and cranny can provide unique views and vantage points of the sea, vineyards and other Boroughs.
Largo Taragio is Corniglia’s main square, where you can admire the Oratory of Santa Caterina, a very simple church that hides a beautiful terrace at the back from which to enjoy a beautiful panorama.
Behind the little church is a steep flight of steps that leads to the Piazzetta del Fosso where the remains of a 16th-century tower are located and from which you can admire a wonderful panorama to the east.

The church of San Pietro was built between 1334 and 1351 and has a very sober sandstone facade with a beautiful rose window. In white Carrara marble, it has a very elaborate shape, with all different designs and, in the central hole, a deer symbol of the village. The cornice is “saw teeth”, with hanging arches, some of which are decorated with animal heads.

La Lardarina is the staircase that connects the Borgo to the railway station and to the sea. it is 377 steps long and is divided into 33 flights.

It is certainly not an ideal itinerary for the lazy, at least uphill, but you cannot say that you have lived in Corniglia without having traveled it!

From the Belvedere on the terrace of Santa Maria you can admire all the Cinque Terre and, on clear days, even the coasts of Corsica. Without a doubt this is the most spectacular panorama of Corniglia. Unmissable.

Corniglia is definitely not the ideal location in Liguria for those who want to organize a holiday dedicated to the sea and sunbathing. From this perched village, however, it is very easy to reach some of the best beaches of all the Cinque Terre.

The beaches that can be easily reached on foot are essentially three:

The Guvano beach is certainly one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Liguria which in fact in the seventies was very popular with nudists and hippies. The Beach is a mixture of sand and white pebbles, the water is clear and clean, and the microclimate it enjoys makes the surrounding vegetation green and lush.
To reach it, you have to walk through an old railroad tunnel from the Lardarina Staircase.

The Corniglia beach, on the other hand, is close to the train station and is very easy to reach. In terms of charm it is not comparable to the Guvano beach, but it is perfect for a dip on hot summer days.

Finally, the Marina di Corniglia is a cliff at the bottom of a staircase that starts from the Borgo on the opposite side from the train station.