Via Fieschi, 19018 Corniglia SP, Italy (May 2022)

Corniglia

Corniglia, Italy, is one of the five picturesque villages that make up the famous Cinque Terre region on the Ligurian coast. Unlike its seaside neighbours, Corniglia is perched high on a cliff, offering a striking panorama of the Mediterranean Sea and the rugged coastline below. This elevated position gives the village a unique charm and tranquillity, setting it apart as the quietest and perhaps most authentic of the Cinque Terre towns. With its narrow lanes, stone houses, and terraced vineyards, Corniglia captures the essence of traditional Italian village life, where the rhythm of the day still follows the sun, the sea, and the seasons.

The origins of Corniglia date back to Roman times, and its name is said to derive from a Roman family that once owned the land. Over the centuries, the village developed as an agricultural community, surrounded by steep terraces built by hand to cultivate grapes and olives. These terraces, supported by ancient dry-stone walls, are a symbol of the local people’s resilience and harmony with the landscape. Today, the village remains a centre of winemaking, producing the region’s characteristic white wines that have been praised for generations.

Reaching Corniglia is part of the adventure. Visitors must climb the famous Lardarina, a long brick staircase of nearly four hundred steps that connects the train station to the village. Though the climb can be demanding, the reward is an unforgettable view that unfolds with each step — a sweeping vista of sea, vineyards, and sky. Once at the top, the heart of Corniglia greets travellers with its small piazzas, colourful houses, and the warm hospitality of its residents. Life here feels slower, more intimate, and deeply rooted in the past.

Among Corniglia’s landmarks are the Church of San Pietro, built in the Gothic-Ligurian style in the fourteenth century, and the terrace at Santa Maria, from which visitors can admire one of the most stunning panoramas in all of Cinque Terre. The village’s narrow alleys are filled with artisan shops, cosy cafés, and restaurants that serve local specialties such as pesto, anchovies, and fresh pasta. Corniglia’s beauty lies not in luxury or grandeur, but in its simplicity and authenticity. It is a place to pause, breathe, and appreciate the timeless connection between land, sea, and community. In Corniglia, one truly experiences the soul of coastal Italy.

Worth a Visit

Photo Gallery of Walk in Corniglia – Corniglia Stazione – Via Fieschi
Approximately 1.03 km – 0.64miles

The walk starts in Corniglia Stazione – Via Lardarina – Scalinata Lardarina – Via Stazione – Walk back aclng Via Stazione to Via Fieschi – Chiesa Di San Pietro, Via Fieschi – Via Fieschi – Via Stazione – Walk back aclng Via Stazione to Via Fieschi – Via Fieschi