Cinque Terre has always been high on my bucket list. In 2025, I finally made the trip happen and planned a 4-night stay. Anyone researching a Cinque Terre holiday will quickly realize how tricky it is to book accommodation in one of the five towns. Not only is it expensive, but there’s also limited availability, and the areas can be very crowded, especially in the peak summer season. The five towns – Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore – are incredibly charming, but demand has made staying there quite pricey.
After watching way too many TikToks showing shoulder-to-shoulder crowds in the towns, I knew we needed a base that was quieter, more affordable, and still accessible. That’s how I found out about La Spezia. Often overlooked, La Spezia is considered the gateway to Cinque Terre, and after comparing tons of options on Booking.com, we settled on L’Opera Rooms and Suites in the center of La Spezia. Spoiler alert: it turned out to be our favorite stay in all of Italy.
Location and Transport Convenience
We could not have asked for a more convenient location. The accommodation was just a 5-minute walk from La Spezia Centrale train station, which we used constantly. We arrived from Milan by train and used that same line daily to explore Cinque Terre. There’s a train (Cinque Terre Express) that runs between La Spezia and Levanto, stopping at all five Cinque Terre towns. Trains run about every 20 minutes, and the journey times are super short – between 2 to 5 minutes from one village to the next. This made exploring the coast so easy and stress-free, and because it was public transport, it was very affordable too. The convenience of being so close to the train while staying somewhere calmer than the main towns was a huge win.
Smooth and Contactless Check-in
Check-in at L’Opera Rooms & Suites was completely contactless. On the morning of our arrival, our host sent us a WhatsApp message with all the instructions and entry codes. We were traveling from Alicante, Spain, and had a long journey involving a flight and two trains, including a delay between Milan airport and Milan Centrale. We left Spain around 5 am and didn’t arrive in La Spezia until about 5 pm. So, by the time we got there, we were just desperate to check in, drop our bags, and relax. The instructions were super clear, and in just a few minutes we were in the elevator heading to the third floor.
Our Room at L’Opera Rooms and Suites
We booked a Superior Double Room, and it exceeded all expectations! After such a long travel day, we were super happy when we stepped inside! The room was larger than we expected, especially by Italian standards. There was a small entry area with a step down into the main bedroom. The entrance featured a full-length mirror and space for our suitcases, which was really practical.
The bedroom had a queen-sized bed with clean, crisp white linen that felt like such a treat after hours of travel. A huge work desk ran along one wall, which came in handy since I had to do a bit of work during our stay. The desk also had a coffee machine with pods, tea, sugar, and cups. There was also a mini fridge stocked with complimentary bottled water.
Storage was simple but functional, with an open wardrobe and a few shelves. We requested extra hangers and pillows via WhatsApp, and the staff responded quickly and brought them up within the hour. The service was honestly excellent.
My favorite part of the room was the large window that looked out over the cityand the surrounding mountains. The view was beautiful, and the natural light poured in during the mornings. The air conditioning worked perfectly, which is essential during July in Italy!
We also had a flat-screen TV, an ironing board, and a modern bathroom with marble-style tile. It included a shower, bidet, toilet, and plenty of complimentary toiletries, even toothbrushes. We felt right at home and looked forward to coming back to our cozy space every night after long days of exploring.
Our Daily Adventures in Cinque Terre
We had 3 full days in the area, and each one was filled with unique & amazing experiences. Every morning we took the train into Cinque Terre and explored different villages. Since the towns are so close to each other, it’s possible to see multiple in a single day.
Day 1: Vernazza to Monterosso Hike and Beach Day
We started with Vernazza, one of the most picturesque towns. We hiked the famous Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) to Monterosso al Mare. The trail took us about two hours and had some steep parts, but the views were worth every step. We saw vineyards, coastlines, and sweeping views over the sea.
Once we reached Monterosso, we had lunch at Focacceria Antonio Di Liberatore, a casual spot serving fresh focaccia, pasta sandwiches. After lunch, we spent a few hours swimming and relaxing at Monterosso’s beach. It’s one of the only sandy beaches in the area and such a stunning place for a refreshing dip! We headed back to La Spezia and had dinner at Bar Remo, a local restaurant that became a favorite. The mushroom risotto and carbonara were only 10 euros and incredibly good. We loved it so much we ate here twice!
Day 2: Riomaggiore and Manarola Views and Swimming
We took the train to Riomaggiore, known for its colorful buildings along the cliffs. After wandering the town, we had lunch at La Conchiglia, a beautiful cliffside restaurant overlooking the town and the sea. It was a total surprise that we got a table without a reservation. We enjoyed bruschetta and a spritz while taking in the spectacular views.
Next, we hopped on the train to Manarola and walked to the famous viewpoint. The sweeping views of the town are iconic and made for perfect photos. We wrapped up the day with a swim in Manarola’s cove. The water was warm and calm and it was amazing swimming there surrounded by the beautiful town. Back in La Spezia, we had dinner at Pizza Gourmet & Cucina, where we shared a Margherita pizza. Another solid and affordable restaurant in La Spezia.
Day 3: Boat Tour from Vernazza
On our final day, we booked a 3-hour boat tour departing from Vernazza. The tour gave us panoramic views of all five towns from the sea and included two stops for snorkeling. At only 70 euros per person, it was the best-value tour we could find and one of the highlights of our entire trip! Check out my video here!
That night, we had dinner at Pizzeria Pulcinella. I ordered the ravioli in salsa di noci (walnut sauce), and it was one of the most delicious things I’ve eaten in my life. Highly recommend!
Booking and Price
We booked our room at L’Opera Rooms and Suites through Booking.com, and the cost was approximately 224 CAD per night. Considering it was peak summer, the location was perfect, and the room was spacious and modern, we were super happy with the value.
Restaurant prices in La Spezia were also a big bonus. We paid around 10 euros per person for mains in town, while in Cinque Terre villages, mains were often 20 to 30 euros.
Final Thoughts
We absolutely loved our stay at L’Opera Rooms and Suites. It had everything we needed: a seamless check-in, a clean and cozy room, great air conditioning, mountain and city views, a work desk, and a super central location just minutes from the train station. Staying in La Spezia gave us access to all of Cinque Terre without the stress of the crowds, high costs, or limited hotel options. It was the perfect base to explore the coast, and coming back each night felt like a little retreat.
If you’re planning a trip to Cinque Terre and want something more budget-friendly, convenient, and less chaotic than staying in the five towns, I highly recommend L’Opera Rooms and Suites in La Spezia!
