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A Cinque Terre hostel allows you to stay in one of the most scenic and unique villages in Italy for less than the average hotel room.

Cinque Terre is composed of five villages built into the rocky Italian coastline. The buildings conform to the cliffs and the dramatic view of the plunge to the water below make the sight a popular tourist attraction. Cinque Terre was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1997.

Cinque Terre literally means "Five Lands" and those lands are actually the villages of: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The villages are close together however and a room in any one of them will allow you to see the other four without much hassle. There is a train line connecting all five villages as well as a ferry that allows you to see the towns from the vantage point of the sea. To see the sea, one of the walking trails carved into the cliffs is recommended, especially the Via Del'Amore—the lover's walk.

Cinque Terre does not offer the typical nightlife of other European cities. Instead of bustling bars and packed clubs, a typical night is spent relaxing at a cafe, watching travelers and locals alike walk the streets while sitting at an outdoor table.

But for what it lacks in nightlife, Cinque Terre makes up for it in hospitality. Beyond the hostels that Cinque Terre tucks in between buildings, the villages are known for their bed and breakfasts and family-run inns. Italian hospitality makes Cinque Terre a great place to spend several nights on your trip around Italy.

Cinque Terre as it stands today was built for the active traveler. In Cinque Terre national park activities such as hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking are all available on the park's trail system. Mountain biking Cinque Terre National Park is a possibility for anyone who feels comfortable off-road on a bike and is in reasonable shape. The National Park recommends that riders not ride the trails alone however, as parts are very technical and steep. The park also rents bikes for travelers to use for the day.

Cinque Terre hostels are a little more expensive than you'll find in some cities in Europe. A bed in a shared room costs about 18 Euros but the accommodations even in a shared room in Cinque Terre are plush. Because many villages were built into the hillsides of cliffs, some are surrounded on three sides by water. This makes almost every view an ocean view and privileged with a perfect view of the sunset.

If your room is one of the few that doesn't provide a view out across the water, chances are you'll stare out at Cinque Terre's endless vineyards cut into the terraced hills. Along the hills, you'll watch bikers, hikers and horseback riders enjoy the miles and miles of trails that, every summer, bring backpackers and hikers to this five-village Italian wonderland.

Hostels in Italy (Cinque Terre)