Viewpoint
Belvedere di Santa Maria
Enjoy dazzling 180-degree sea views at this heart-stopping lookout in hilltop Corniglia. To find it, follow Via Fieschi through the village until you eventually reach the clifftop balcony.
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Corniglia
Corniglia is the 'quiet' middle village that sits atop a 100m-high rocky promontory surrounded by vineyards. It is the only Cinque Terre settlement with no direct sea access, although steep steps lead down to a rocky cove. Narrow alleys and colourfully painted four-storey houses characterise the ancient core, a timeless streetscape that was namechecked in Boccaccio's Decameron. To reach the village proper from the railway station you must first tackle the Lardarina, a 377-step brick stairway, or jump on a shuttle bus.
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Corniglia.
Beach
Guvano Beach
This lovely, hard-to-reach beach was once a famous nudist spot from the 1960s to the 1990s, when it was accessed by walking through an abandoned railway tunnel. Unfortunately, landslides have led to the tunnel's closure, and the only way to reach Guvano today involves hiring a kayak or arranging a visit on a private boat tour.
Viewpoint
La Torre
This viewpoint overlooking a photogenic stretch of coastline (direction: Manarola) is reached by a stairway that leads up from the diminutive main square, Piazza Taragio. The tiny square is also a favourite spot among Corniglia's youngest residents to kick around a football.
Church
Chiesa San Pietro
Near the entrance to the village, the small Gothic church dedicated to St Peter has stood here since at least the 14th century (and was likely built on the site of a smaller 11th-century chapel). The grey stone facade is lightened by a lacy Carrara-marble rose window and a small statue of a key-wielding St Peter flanked by two figures above the entrance.