Corniglia is one of five postcard-perfect villages that make up the Cinque Terre. Unlike its neighbours, the village is perched on a hillside, with no direct beach access. Instead, it transports you back in time with winding cobbled streets, sun-drenched piazzas and the area’s signature pastel-coloured houses.
Follow the steep stone staircase down to the waterfront to find a sheltered cove framed by charcoal-hued rocks. Bask in the sunshine, swim in the aquamarine water and enjoy a picnic on the rocks. Rent a kayak to access Guvano Beach, a secluded cove popular with the clothing-optional crowd.
From rustic trattorias to hole-in-the-wall panini bars, it’s easy to find local fare in Corniglia. Enjoy breakfast in the atmospheric piazza and dine at cantinas to try Ligurian specialties like “cozze” mussels cooked in a rich tomato sauce, pesto pasta and “antipasto ai frutti di mare” seafood platters. Sunset is the perfect time to claim a table on an open-air terrace and sip an Aperol spritz, all while taking in the sweeping sea views.
Getting there
Corniglia is on the Cinque Terre, a 45-minute drive from La Spezia and 15 minutes by train. The village is the northernmost stop on the Sentiero Azzuro (also called the Blue Trail), which connects all five villages on the Cinque Terre.