Liguria is a narrow, crescent-shaped region in northwest Italy, hugging the Mediterranean between the Alps, the Apennines, and the sea. Known as the Italian Riviera, it is famous for the five cliffside villages of the Cinque Terre, the glamorous harbour of Portofino, and the maritime city of Genoa. Liguria is also the birthplace of pesto, focaccia, and a culinary tradition built around the sea and the steep, terraced coast.
Accommodation overview
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly (under $50/night)
Ostello Bello Genova
Ostello Bello Genova is a popular social hostel in the Piazza Principe area, a short walk from the main railway station and the historic centre. The property offers both dormitory beds and private rooms, a bar, a shared kitchen, and a rooftop terrace. Its lively atmosphere and central location make it a favourite among budget and solo travellers exploring Genoa.
Check rates on Booking.comMid-range ($50-150/night)
Eight Hotel Portofino
Eight Hotel Portofino is a small luxury boutique property a few minutes' walk from Portofino's central piazzetta and harbour. The hotel blends contemporary design with the relaxed elegance of the Riviera, offering a quiet retreat away from the busiest part of the village. Its restaurant and terrace provide a calm setting for dining within the famous resort town.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Porto Roca
Hotel Porto Roca sits on a cliffside promontory above Monterosso al Mare, the largest of the five Cinque Terre villages. Most rooms enjoy sea views, and the hotel's panoramic terrace looks out over the Ligurian coastline and the village's Fegina beach below. As one of the few full-service hotels within the Cinque Terre, it offers a rare combination of comfort and access to the protected coastal villages.
Check rates on Booking.comGrand Hotel dei Castelli
Occupying a group of castle-like buildings on the wooded Sestri Levante promontory, the Grand Hotel dei Castelli stands within a private park overlooking both the Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fables. The early 20th-century complex was built in a neo-medieval style and offers a saltwater pool, sea-view terraces, and a private elevator down to a bathing area. It provides a quiet retreat above one of the eastern Riviera's most picturesque towns.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Cenobio dei Dogi
Hotel Cenobio dei Dogi occupies a historic seafront site in Camogli, a colourful fishing village on the Portofino promontory. The hotel, once the summer residence of the Doges of Genoa, sits among gardens with a seawater pool and a private beach platform. Many rooms overlook the bay toward Punta Chiappa and the Gulf of Paradise.
Check rates on Booking.comCDH Hotel La Spezia
CDH Hotel La Spezia is a modern 4-star hotel in the heart of La Spezia, a short walk from the Centrale railway station with direct trains to the Cinque Terre. The hotel offers comfortable contemporary rooms, a fitness area, and a buffet breakfast. Its central, well-connected location makes it a practical base for day trips along the eastern Riviera.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Firenze e Continentale
Hotel Firenze e Continentale is a classic 4-star hotel housed in a late 19th-century building roughly 50 metres from La Spezia Centrale station, the main gateway to the Cinque Terre. The hotel combines period architecture with updated rooms and a buffet breakfast. Its position is ideal for travellers using the train to reach the coastal villages.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Cinque Terre
Hotel Cinque Terre is a comfortable 3-star hotel in the village of Monterosso al Mare, set back from the seafront near the historic centre. The family-run property offers bright, simply furnished rooms, a small wellness area, and a buffet breakfast. Its location within the national park makes it convenient for hiking the coastal trails and exploring the five villages.
Check rates on Booking.comLuxury ($150+/night)
Belmond Hotel Splendido
Perched on a wooded hillside above Portofino harbour, the Belmond Hotel Splendido occupies a former Benedictine monastery converted into a hotel in 1901. The property is renowned for its terraced gardens, heated saltwater infinity pool, and panoramic views over the Tigullio Gulf. Long a retreat for film stars and royalty, it remains one of the Italian Riviera's most celebrated luxury addresses.
Check rates on Booking.comBelmond Splendido Mare
Set directly on Portofino's celebrated piazzetta and facing the harbour, Belmond Splendido Mare is the seafront sister property to the Hotel Splendido on the hill above. The intimate hotel offers fourteen individually designed rooms and suites, many with harbour views, alongside the DaV Mare restaurant. Guests have access to the facilities of the larger Splendido, including its pool and spa.
Check rates on Booking.comGrand Hotel Miramare
A Belle Époque landmark on the seafront promenade of Santa Margherita Ligure, the Grand Hotel Miramare opened in 1903 and remains a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. The hotel features a heated seawater pool, a private beach platform across the road, and subtropical gardens. Its location places guests within easy reach of Portofino, Rapallo, and the wider Tigullio coast.
Check rates on Booking.comGrand Hotel Bristol Resort & Spa
Overlooking the Gulf of Tigullio on the coastal road between Rapallo and Zoagli, the Grand Hotel Bristol is a 4-star resort with a rooftop infinity pool and a panoramic spa. The hotel commands sweeping sea views and provides a tranquil base from which to explore Portofino, the Cinque Terre, and Genoa. Its Le Cupole restaurant focuses on Ligurian and Mediterranean cuisine.
Check rates on Booking.comRoyal Hotel Sanremo
The Royal Hotel Sanremo is a grand 5-star property on Corso Imperatrice, set within lush subtropical gardens overlooking the Mediterranean on the western Riviera. Opened in 1872, it features a heated seawater pool designed by Giò Ponti, multiple restaurants, and a spa. Long associated with Sanremo's belle-époque glamour, it remains the flagship luxury hotel of the city.
Check rates on Booking.comGrand Hotel Savoia Genova, Curio Collection by Hilton
Opened in 1897 and now part of Hilton's Curio Collection, the Grand Hotel Savoia stands beside Genoa's Piazza Principe railway station in the city centre. The restored historic palazzo offers an elegant spa, a rooftop area, and the Salgari restaurant. Its central position makes it a practical base for exploring Genoa's old town, port, and the Strada Nuova palaces.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Bristol Palace
Hotel Bristol Palace is a five-star hotel housed in an early 20th-century Liberty-style palazzo on Via XX Settembre, Genoa's grand shopping avenue. Opened in 1905, it is famous for its elliptical oval staircase, which is said to have inspired Alfred Hitchcock. The hotel sits within walking distance of the Ducal Palace, the cathedral, and the historic centre.
Check rates on Booking.comMeliá Genova
Meliá Genova is a five-star hotel set in a restored Liberty-era building in the residential Carignano district, a short walk from the historic centre. The hotel features the Olea wellness centre, an indoor pool, and the Blue Lounge restaurant. Its quieter location offers an elegant base within easy reach of Genoa's port, museums, and old town.
Check rates on Booking.comGrand Hotel Portovenere
Set in a converted 17th-century monastery on the harbour of Portovenere, the Grand Hotel Portovenere overlooks the marina and the islands of Palmaria and Tino. The waterfront property offers a panoramic restaurant, a spa, and rooms with views over the Gulf of Poets, a UNESCO World Heritage area. It serves as an upscale base for visiting the nearby Cinque Terre by boat.
Check rates on Booking.comLa Malà
La Malà is a small, design-focused bed and breakfast in the upper part of Vernazza, one of the most photographed Cinque Terre villages. The guesthouse offers a handful of bright rooms with sea views over the harbour and rooftops, along with a shared panoramic terrace. Its intimate scale and prime village location make it a sought-after stay within the national park.
Check rates on Booking.comBest neighborhoods to stay
Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
City Center
The heart of Liguria with easy access to main attractions, restaurants, and transportation.
Best for: First-time visitors, short stays
Old Town
Traditional architecture and local character. Walking distance to historical sites and authentic dining.
Best for: Culture enthusiasts, photographers
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
Belmond Hotel Splendido
Perched on a wooded hillside above Portofino harbour, the Belmond Hotel Splendido occupies a former Benedictine monastery converted into a hotel in 1901. The property is renowned for its terraced gardens, heated saltwater infinity pool, and panoramic views over the Tigullio Gulf. Long a retreat for film stars and royalty, it remains one of the Italian Riviera's most celebrated luxury addresses.
Check rates on Booking.comBelmond Splendido Mare
Set directly on Portofino's celebrated piazzetta and facing the harbour, Belmond Splendido Mare is the seafront sister property to the Hotel Splendido on the hill above. The intimate hotel offers fourteen individually designed rooms and suites, many with harbour views, alongside the DaV Mare restaurant. Guests have access to the facilities of the larger Splendido, including its pool and spa.
Check rates on Booking.comEight Hotel Portofino
Eight Hotel Portofino is a small luxury boutique property a few minutes' walk from Portofino's central piazzetta and harbour. The hotel blends contemporary design with the relaxed elegance of the Riviera, offering a quiet retreat away from the busiest part of the village. Its restaurant and terrace provide a calm setting for dining within the famous resort town.
Check rates on Booking.comGrand Hotel Miramare
A Belle Époque landmark on the seafront promenade of Santa Margherita Ligure, the Grand Hotel Miramare opened in 1903 and remains a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. The hotel features a heated seawater pool, a private beach platform across the road, and subtropical gardens. Its location places guests within easy reach of Portofino, Rapallo, and the wider Tigullio coast.
Check rates on Booking.comGrand Hotel Bristol Resort & Spa
Overlooking the Gulf of Tigullio on the coastal road between Rapallo and Zoagli, the Grand Hotel Bristol is a 4-star resort with a rooftop infinity pool and a panoramic spa. The hotel commands sweeping sea views and provides a tranquil base from which to explore Portofino, the Cinque Terre, and Genoa. Its Le Cupole restaurant focuses on Ligurian and Mediterranean cuisine.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Porto Roca
Hotel Porto Roca sits on a cliffside promontory above Monterosso al Mare, the largest of the five Cinque Terre villages. Most rooms enjoy sea views, and the hotel's panoramic terrace looks out over the Ligurian coastline and the village's Fegina beach below. As one of the few full-service hotels within the Cinque Terre, it offers a rare combination of comfort and access to the protected coastal villages.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Book Cinque Terre and Portofino accommodation 4-6 months ahead for June-September—rooms are scarce and sell out fast
Genoa hotel rates stay fair year-round and offer the best value base for exploring the coast by train
Stay in Levanto or La Spezia for cheaper rooms with quick Cinque Terre Express access to the five villages
Santa Margherita Ligure offers more availability and value than neighbouring Portofino while remaining close by
Check hotel websites for direct booking rates—often cheaper than online travel agencies, especially for family-run B&Bs
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.