Riomaggiore is one of the most practical Cinque Terre villages to stay in: the station is right in the village, La Spezia is about ten minutes away by train and the other villages just a few minutes. It has more choice than Manarola and Corniglia, almost all of it guest rooms, B&Bs and apartments, with only a handful of proper hotels.
For a first visit by train, pick the Marina or the lower part of Via Colombo, close to the station and the harbour. If you are arriving by car, look at the places on the hillside along the road, which often have a parking space.
- Best for: train travellers, hikers, anyone who wants a bit of evening life
- Type of accommodation: guest rooms, B&Bs and apartments; few hotels
- Most convenient area: the Marina and lower Via Colombo
- Train: La Spezia about 10 minutes, Manarola 3
- Car: village closed to visitors’ cars, one public car park with few spaces
- When to book: months ahead for May–September
Riomaggiore’s areas
The village runs down the valley of the stream, now covered over by Via Colombo, to the little harbour. The railway cuts it in two: the Marina is linked to the rest of the village by steps and passages under the tracks. Each area has a different feel.
The Marina and lower Via Colombo
This is the area closest to the station, reached through a pedestrian tunnel, and to the harbour, the restaurants and the ferry landing. You can do everything on foot with few steps, and the harbour at sunset is right on your doorstep. The downside: it is the busiest part of the village, and noisier in summer.
Upper village
Climbing towards the church of San Giovanni Battista and the castle, it gets quieter and you often get a terrace looking over the rooftops and the sea. This is the choice for longer stays if stairways don’t put you off: from the upper village to the station there are steps every time you go out. Always ask how many stairs there are between the front door and the room.
Hillside and the main road
Above the village, along the road that comes down from La Spezia, there are places among vineyards and terraces, with open sea views and in some cases a parking space. They suit drivers looking for peace, but the centre is a long way on foot: count on steep stairways or the National Park shuttle bus, included in the Cinque Terre Card.
What kind of accommodation to expect
In Riomaggiore most accommodation is rooms and apartments inside the village’s tower houses. What to expect:
- Guest rooms and B&Bs: the most common option, often without a staffed reception. Agree your arrival time, ask where to collect the keys and whether breakfast is included.
- Apartments and residences: good for families and longer stays. Cinqueterre Residence, for example, is made up of independent cottages on the terraced slopes.
- Hotels: few and small, often in historic buildings, such as Meb, a 4-star hotel in an old tower house at the Marina.
Lifts are rare, rooms often small, and terraces and views push up the price: think carefully about what you really need.
Recommended places to stay in Riomaggiore
Apartments ★★★★
Cinqueterre Residence
Riomaggiore
Awesome
Located in the village of Riomaggiore, this property consists of individual detached cottages adjacent to each other. It is climbed on the typical "fasces" of the Cinque Terre, and every…
Check availabilityHotel ★★★★
The Sunset Line
Riomaggiore
Awesome
In Riomaggiore , in the heart of Cinque Terre, a breathtaking view for your luxury stay. Spend unique and unforgettable moments, enjoy the sunset from your room, with private hot…
Check availabilityHotel ★★★★
Meb
Riomaggiore
Excellent
Meb is located in the heart of the marina of Riomaggiore and is developed within an old tower house dating back to 1300; A unique environment: included in the furniture…
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Terra Prime Suite riomaggiore
Riomaggiore
Awesome
Featuring garden views, Terra Prime Suite offers accommodation with a bar and a patio, around 1.6 km from Canneto Beach. Holiday home with private pool, garden and free private parking.
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Bed & Breakfast Il Giardino Incantato
Riomaggiore
Secluded in a delightful garden oasis, Il Giardino Incantato is a charming bed and breakfast located in Riomaggiore . Stay in one of their beautifully decorated rooms and be pampered…
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Alla Marina Affittacamere
Riomaggiore
Located along Riomaggiore's main street, Alla Marina Affittacamere is an elegantly renovated historic building. The hotel offers sophisticated, contemporary rooms, some with breathtaking sea views-a perfect retreat after exploring the…
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EC Luxury Rooms
Riomaggiore
Awesome
Just 200 meters from the beach, EC Luxury Rooms offers rooms with sea views and free WiFi. A air conditioning, TV, refrigerator. Guest house rooms have private bathrooms with showers…
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Locanda Ca Da Iride
Riomaggiore
Fabulous
The Locanda Ca' da Iride, is family-run and convenient to arrival by car and is located in the historic village of Riomaggiore. It is furnished in a minimalist manner, particularly…
Check availabilityPractical tips
Stairs and luggage
From the station to the Marina there are only a few steps; for the rest of the village expect stairs and climbs. A small suitcase and a backpack are the best choice. Near the station there are private left-luggage services and a private luggage transfer service: useful if you arrive early or your room is high up. Ask your host, who usually knows whom to call.
Arriving by car
The village is closed to visitors’ cars. At the bottom of the road that runs down to the village there is a public multi-storey car park with about 46 spaces, which fills up early in season; a few more spaces are scattered along the descent and the coast road. Before booking, ask whether the property has parking or an arrangement with a car park. Often the simplest solution is to leave the car in La Spezia and arrive by train.
Via dell’Amore and the Tourist Card
The Via dell’Amore starts in Riomaggiore and runs one way towards Manarola, with entry in a booked time slot. Guests staying in accommodation in the municipality of Riomaggiore can get the Tourist Card: they buy a discounted, booked ticket and can then walk the path in both directions and outside their slot for the whole of their stay. Ask your host for it at check-in, along with the amount of the tourist tax.
When to book
For May to September, book months ahead, especially for weekends and public holidays. In spring and autumn there is more choice and prices are lower; in winter some places close. During weather alerts the municipality closes its footpaths: check the forecast if your stay is built around hiking.
Staying nearby
- Manarola: three minutes by train, smaller and quieter, with no beach. See where to stay in Manarola.
- La Spezia: about ten minutes by train, with far more hotels and generally lower prices. How to get around: the Cinque Terre from La Spezia.
- Portovenere: on the Gulf of Poets, linked in season by the boat that also stops at Riomaggiore.
If you haven’t chosen your village yet, compare all the options in our guide to where to stay in the Cinque Terre. Riomaggiore is also the starting point for the climb to the Montenero sanctuary, a good early-morning walk.
Frequently asked questions
Is Riomaggiore a good place to stay?
Yes, especially if you are travelling by train: the station is in the village and La Spezia is about ten minutes away. In the evening the village empties and gets quiet again.
What is the best area to stay in Riomaggiore?
The Marina and lower Via Colombo for convenience and few stairs; the upper village for quiet and views; the hillside if you are driving.
Can I drive to my accommodation?
Not into the centre: the village is closed to visitors’ cars. There is a public car park with about 46 spaces at the bottom of the road, which fills up early. Some places on the hillside have parking.
Riomaggiore or La Spezia?
Riomaggiore if you want the village in the evening and early morning; La Spezia for more choice, lower prices and easy parking. The two are about ten minutes apart by train.
Do guests in Riomaggiore get perks on the Via dell’Amore?
Yes. With the municipality’s Tourist Card you buy a discounted, booked ticket and can then walk the path in both directions and outside your slot for the whole stay.
Does Riomaggiore have a beach?
A small pebble beach east of the harbour, affected by storm surges and works. Check the municipality’s notices; for a proper beach, go to Monterosso.
Where can I leave my luggage before check-in?
Near the station there are private left-luggage services and a luggage transfer service. Ask your host, who will often keep your bags.