The five seaside villages in Italy known as Cinque Terre have been memorizing visitors for centuries.
Each village is unique but they all share one thing: they are all so charming and easy on the eyes that it is hard to believe Cinque Terre is, in fact, a real place.
What’s not to love? Is it the stunning ocean views, cafes serving up ice cold white wine and dishes contains the Liguria region’s famous sauce, pesto? Or is it the series of interlinking hiking trails that make it easy to take it in the whole scene on foot? Too good.
The fact remains, however, that 1. Cinque Terre is located on the ritzy Italian Riviera and 2. Cinque Terre receives more visitors every year that the tiny villages can handle.
So how do backpackers fit into the equation? Is it even possible to find budget traveler accommodation in Cinque Terre?
To answer these questions, I bring you the ultimate bargain guide to the best hostels in Cinque Terre for 2025.
Cinque Terre might be a super popular and expensive backpacker destination, but there are some options.
I intend to shine the light on all of best hostels in Cinque Terre so that you can have an awesome backpacking experience here without spending a fortune in the process.
Whether you are looking for the best cheap hostel in Cinque Terre, the best hostel for solo travelers, or the best hostel with a private room, there is something on my list for every traveler.
By the end of this hostel guide you will have your accommodation needs sorted so you can get back to preparing your brain for Cinque Terre and all of its beautiful treasures.
Let’s get right to it…
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The 10 Best Hostels in Cinque Terre
5 Terre Backpackers – Overall Best Hostel in Cinque Terre
Set in the town of Corvara just outside the Cinque Terre National Park, 5 Terre Backpackers is easily the overall best hostel in Cinque Terre. Simply put, it’s a magical place. Honestly. The host Francesco makes you feel welcome straight away and you’ll feel more like you’ve stepped into a family home than a Cinque Terre backpackers hostel! Needless to say, the food is amazing, the views out over the valley are breathtaking, and the mix of rustic and contemporary decor was perfecto. This best hostel in Cinque Terre 2021 offers shuttles to and from the National Park too – which helps A LOT.
Mar-Mar – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Cinque Terre
Because it’s so cosy it’s actually really easy to meet people at this top hostel in Cinque Terre. A sprawling hostel can be too much sometimes and people spread out, but at Mar-Mar you won’t have that issue! Not only for that reason, but also because of its incredible central location in Riomaggiore – southernmost of the towns that comprise the Cinque Terre National Park – we reckon this is the best hostel for solo travellers in Cinque Terre. Add pastries and coffee for brekkie in the morning, plus a picture-perfect view over the town square from this hostel’s terrace, and this place is a gem.
Ostello Tramonti – Best Cheap Hostel in Cinque Terre
Ostello Tramonti is just outside the National Park, but also quite near to La Spezia – a town on the famous Golfo dei Poeti next to Portovenere. It’s our top pick for the best cheap hostel in Cinque Terre not only because it just happens to be the cheapest (that deffo helps), but also because it’s a nice lil’ place to stay: basic but clean and modern in a rustic old-world setting. The town it’s in – Biassa – is literally so charming you’ll be in love with it in no time. As a side-note: this budget hostel in Cinque Terre does not have the best WiFi, however.
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Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIAffittacamere Patrizia – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Cinque Terre
Oof, this place is expensive… but good. Very good in fact. Actually, the location is one of the best of any youth hostel in Cinque Terre – hands down. We’re talking right near the harbour in Riomaggiore and just 5 mins from the train station. So getting here is V easy indeed. However, as the best hostel with a private room in Cinque Terre, it’s got a selection of decent private rooms that are all nicely sized, bright and airy. The view from the cute terrace here is AMAZING. But yeah – it’s pretty expensive!
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It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in Cinque Terre
Hostel Ospitalia del Mare
Wow! What a cool building. This top hostel in Cinque Terre is set in an Augustinian friary dating from the 12th century, which in terms of historic chic (is that a thing?) makes it the coolest hostel in Cinque Terre, too. Location-wise you’ll love this one since it’s right near the start of the northern end of the National Park itself in a town called Levanto – also 100 metres from the sea; 15 mins to the train station. The private rooms are quite expensive and it’s not 10/10 in terms of cleanliness, but it’s spacious as hell. A decent base for exploring Cinque Terre.
Ostello Corniglia
Ostello Corniglia is located in the third of the five Cinque Terre villages (Corniglia – obvs) and is a great choice for a budget hostel in Cinque Terre – especially if you’re hiking from one end of the National Park to the other. It’s a decent place for a stop-off. What are we saying? It’s more than decent! MUCH MORE! The town of Corniglia itself is literally charming AF and as long as you don’t mind church bells and roosters in the morning and other nuances of Ligurian life, then you’ll love it here; for instance, there are many, many stairs to get to and from town. Many stairs. Many, many, many stairs.
Ostello di Porto Venere
As you may have guessed this Cinque Terre backpackers hostel is located in the town of Portovenere – part of the same UNESCO World Heritage Site shared by the Cinque Terre town. However not being in the ACTUAL National Park itself means that the town is actually quieter than the other Cinque Terre towns, meaning fewer tourists and a generally chill-er atmosphere. The staff are friendly and helpful, the rooms are spacious and clean, but it IS quiet and not about partying. There’s also a beach nearby, plus a supermarket that’s got some good takeaway food.
Cinque Terre Holidays
Though lacking a common room, the upside is that each dorm has a small kitchen and en-suite bathroom. So that’s fine. Cinque Terre Holidays is very nicely located in the centre of Riomaggiore with plenty of things to do nearby, so it’s a decent place to start or finish your journey through the National Park. The decor of this youth hostel in Cinque Terre is a little dated, well, maybe we can just say ‘rustic’, but other than that the vibe is pretty friendly and meeting people here is pretty easy, too. However, it is a little pricey – relatively, of course. The sunset from the beach nearby is spectacular. (Note: they don’t allow over 24-year-olds to stay in dorms).
Feeling like a hostel just isn’t for you? We understand. Luckily there are a load of hotels and guesthouses dotted around this popular slice of Ligurian coastline. Here’s a couple of the best hotels in Cinque Terre…
Villa Argentina – Best Mid-range Hotel in Cinque Terre
For the price, this is actually a pretty reasonable place to stay in Cinque Terre. For the location too, in the town of Riomaggiore, this is a top pick (also 9 mins walking to the beach). But what really made us choose this as our best mid-range hotel in Cinque Terre is the… breakfast. Could you have guessed that? Well, we flippin’ love breakfasts and this one is just unreal – what a spread of meats and fruits and toast and all sorts of foodstuffs! It’s like a banquet EVERY. MORNING. Perfect fuel for the rest of your day. And it can also be served in your room, which just makes us cry tears of utter joy. The place itself looks V stylish too and the rooms are comfy. Win-win.
Clipper – Best Budget Hotel in Cinque Terre
The enigmatically named Clipper is located a little bit far out from the Cinque Terre National Park, but the town in which it IS located – Deiva Marina – is a nice little place in itself. There’s a beach nearby, for example, plus a bar and restaurant on site. The rooms are charming – picture big windows with views right out onto the sea (it is LITERALLY across the road!) in what’s essentially a traditionally Italian building with modern touches. So it’s easily our top choice for the best budget hotel in Cinque Terre – and the price makes it even nicer.
What to Pack for your Cinque Terre Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Cinque Terre
Well guys, you have made it to the final chapter of my best hostels in Cinque Terre for 2025 list.
As you might of gathered, Cinque Terre is SUPER popular and costs can add up quick if you’re not careful.
After reading this guide you should have everything you need to book a comfortable, low-priced hostel for yourself in Cinque Terre .
Backpacking Italy is truly a magical experience, and Cinque Terre is abig part of that. Between the amazing views, rich history, and amazing food, what is not to enjoy?
The goal in writing this hostel guide was to put all of the best hostels in Cinque Terre on the table so you can make the choice of where to book based on your own budget and interests.
All of the best hostels in Cinque Terre are now in your pocket. Where to book is now up to you…
Still not sure where you want to stay in Cinque Terre? Feeling torn between two awesome hostels?
Never fear!
When in doubt I recommend that you just book my top overall pick for the best hostel in Cinque Terre: 5 Terre Backpackers. Happy travelers and enjoy the pesto for me…
FAQ about Hostels in Cinque Terre
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Cinque Terre.
How much do hostels in Cinque Terre cost?
You can get a Dorm bed for $20-$30 and a Private room starts at $30.
What are the best hostels in Cinque Terre for couples?
Hostel Ospitalia del Mare is great to stay for exploring Cinque Terre.
What is the best hostel in Cinque Terre near the airport?
Ai 4 Elementi is located in Pisa, a 5-minute walk from Pisa International Airport the nearest airport in Cinque Terre.
Travel Safety Tips for Cinque Terre
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
More Epic Hostels in Italy and Europe
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Cinque Terre.
Planning an epic trip all across Italy or even Europe itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Europe, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Cinque Terre has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Italy for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Italy covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Italy if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Cinque Terre before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Italy to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Europe backpacking guide.
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