Soggiorna
Corniglia is the middle village of the Cinque Terre, and it is different from the other four: it does not reach down to the sea, but sits on top of a cliff about a hundred metres high, surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terraces. That is why it is the only one that is almost impossible to reach from the sea. It belongs to the municipality of Vernazza.
A village of wine
Its origins are Roman. The name is said to come from a certain Cornelius, the producer of a white wine already famous at the time: amphorae bearing the name "Cornelia" were found in the excavations at Pompeii. The farming vocation has remained, and you can see it in the terraces that reach right up to the houses.
How to get up from the station
Corniglia station is down below, near the sea, and the village is up above. There are two options:
- the Lardarina, the long brick staircase climbing from the station: 33 flights and 377 steps;
- the Park shuttle, line 159 Corniglia-Stazione, which climbs the road in about five minutes. Until 2 November 2026 it runs every 15-20 minutes from about 7 am to 11 pm, and it is free with the Cinque Terre Card.
With luggage, or in the heat, the shuttle is the sensible choice. The staircase is better on the way down, when you leave.
What to see
- Via Fieschi, the main street, along which the village stretches out "like a ribbon".
- Largo Taragio, the 18th-century square, with the oratory of Santa Caterina.
- The church of San Pietro, one of the most interesting monuments on the coast and a fine example of Ligurian Gothic: it was built in 1334, and the rose window in white Carrara marble dates from 1351. Inside are a 12th-century baptismal font, the statues of the evangelists and a polyptych.
- The viewpoints over the sea and the coast, from the top of the cliff.
The trails
Corniglia is a stop on the Sentiero Azzurro. The section towards Vernazza, to the north, is paid and walked with the Cinque Terre Card. Southwards, towards Manarola, always check on the Park website which routes are open: after landslides and works, sections can stay closed for a long time.
How to get there
- By train: the normal way. The station is on the line between Levanto and La Spezia, then you go up on foot or by shuttle.
- By boat: no, Corniglia has no landing.
- By car: there are very few spaces. It is better to leave the car in La Spezia or Levanto and arrive by train: see the guide on how to get to the Cinque Terre and where to park.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps does the Corniglia staircase have?
The Lardarina has 33 flights and 377 steps, from the station to the village.
Is there a bus from Corniglia station to the village?
Yes, the Park shuttle 159 Corniglia-Stazione, about five minutes uphill. It is free with the Cinque Terre Card.
Can you reach Corniglia by boat?
No, it is the only one of the five villages without a landing.
What to see in Corniglia?
The Gothic church of San Pietro, from 1334, Largo Taragio with the oratory of Santa Caterina, Via Fieschi and the viewpoints over the coast.