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Money & Payments in Cinque Terre

Good to know

Good to Know

  • Bring extra cash and plan to use ATMs before arriving in Cinque Terre—not all foreign cards work in all machines, and daily withdrawal limits may constrain how much you can access at once.
  • Small family-run restaurants, independent shops, and guesthouses frequently accept cash only; come prepared with euros.
  • Use bank-based ATMs (labeled Bancomat) rather than standalone kiosks to avoid poor exchange rates and high fees.
  • Card acceptance has improved since the pandemic, but remain flexible; having both cash and cards is the safest approach.
  • If a service provider in Cinque Terre directly asks you for a tip (increasingly common in tourist areas), you are not obligated to comply—it is not a standard Italian practice.
  • Smaller cash amounts work well for quick purchases (gelato, espresso, small drinks); restaurants increasingly accept cards but appreciate cash.

ATM Fees

Best Practice
Use bank-based Bancomat ATMs and confirm with your home bank about any charges before traveling.
Typical Range
European ATMs generally do not charge fees directly, but your home bank may charge a withdrawal fee. Standalone non-bank ATMs owned by Euronet typically have poor exchange rates and high embedded costs.

Tipping Norms

Restaurants
Tipping is not standard. If you choose to tip, keep it modest—a small amount (€1–3) or rounding up is appropriate for good service. Check the bill for 'servizio incluso' (service included) or 'coperto' (cover charge, usually €1–3 per person) before tipping; these go to the restaurant, not the server.
Other Services
Tipping taxi drivers, hotel staff, and other service providers is not expected but small amounts are appreciated if service was exceptional.
General Culture
Tipping in Italy is not mandatory or expected. It is a discretionary gesture to show appreciation for exceptional service.
Guides And Tours
Tour guides appreciate modest tips (€10–20 for a half-day tour) if you've had a great experience, but it is optional.
Specific Note For Cinque Terre
In major tourist areas including Cinque Terre, some service providers have begun directly asking tourists for tips, which is an uncommon and sometimes awkward practice. If this happens, you may politely decline by saying 'No, thank you' (non, grazie).

Card Acceptance

Overview
Card acceptance in Cinque Terre is mixed and improving, but varies significantly by business type and size.
Shops Vendors
Most shops except very small vendors accept cards. Small grocery stores and independent retailers may be cash-only or card-averse.
Ferries Trains
Ferries and trains reliably accept card payments.
Restaurants Cafes
Restaurants and cafes increasingly accept cards since the pandemic, though small family-run establishments may prefer or require cash. Many smaller eateries still do not accept cards.
Hotels Accommodations
Hotels and larger accommodations accept cards, though they often prefer or offer discounts for cash payment. Smaller affittacamere (guesthouses) are frequently cash-only.
Note On Compliance
Italy passed a law mandating all merchants accept digital payments regardless of amount, though enforcement varies at small businesses.

ATM Availability

Strategy
Withdraw maximum amounts allowed at each visit to minimize stops. Not all ATMs accept all foreign cards—be prepared to try multiple machines.
Status
ATMs are available in all Cinque Terre villages, though access and compatibility issues can be problematic.
Recommendation
Visit bank-based ATMs (displaying the Bancomat logo) rather than standalone kiosks. Standalone/non-bank ATMs often charge high fees and have poor exchange rates.
Compatibility Issues
Many ATMs accept only certain card networks. Visa Plus debit cards are not universally accepted. Cirrus-only ATMs are common. Bancomat machines in Cinque Terre have historically shown inconsistent support for foreign debit cards.

Banking

ATMs Available
ATMs present in all towns except Corniglia; mostly Crédit Agricole and Banca Carige networks
Cash Preference
Cash is still preferred for many small businesses and accommodations; many guesthouses require cash payment
Account Setup Difficulty
Challenging for short-term nomads; local banks require residency documentation

ATM Details

Manarola ATM
Crédit Agricole, Via Discovolo 280
Card Compatibility Note
Some international card networks (particularly Visa Plus) may not work at all Bancomat machines; Cirrus typically works better. Private street ATMs may charge 7-10 EUR withdrawal fees.

Banks By Village

Manarola

Note
No physical banks; ATM only

Vernazzo

  • Banca Carige
    Address
    Via Gavino 18/20
  • Crédit Agricole Italia
    Address
    Via Roma 25

Corniglia

Note
No banks

Monterosso

  • Banca Carige
    Address
    Via Roma 69
  • Crédit Agricole Italia
    Address
    Via Roma 49

Riomaggiore

  • Banca Carige
    Address
    Via Colombo 213/215
  • Crédit Agricole Italia
    Address
    Piazza Rio Finale 93
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

  1. 1.community.ricksteves.com
  2. 2.cinqueterreriviera.com
  3. 3.community.ricksteves.com
  4. 4.fodors.com
  5. 5.tripadvisor.com
  6. 6.untolditaly.com
  7. 7.roaminghistorian.com
  8. 8.xe.com
  9. 9.visitcinqueterre.eu
  10. 10.lecinqueterre.org
  11. 11.theheartofcinqueterre.com
  12. 12.expatexchange.com
  13. 13.community.ricksteves.com
  14. 14.tripadvisor.com
  15. 15.tripadvisor.com
  16. 16.thatsliguria.com
  17. 17.xe.com

More About Cinque Terre

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.