Riomaggiore
The entry village at the eastern end of the Five Villages. Tall tower-like houses line a river gorge running down to a small harbour, and watching the sunset from the harbour breakwater is a classic experience here.
Riomaggiore is the first stop when entering the Cinque Terre from the direction of La Spezia, and also the most populous of the five, with about 1,500 residents. The village extends up along the Rio Maggiore gorge, flanked by colourful “tower-style” homes four or five storeys high. This narrow, tall style of house was built to fit as many people as possible onto the limited mountain land. The main street, Via Colombo, climbs steadily uphill from the railway station tunnel, lined with fried seafood cones (fritto misto in cono, about €8 to €10, a local specialty best eaten while walking), focaccia shops and bars. At the end of the main street, the road slopes down to the small harbour (Marina), where colourful fishing boats are parked on the slope. The rocks and breakwater on either side of the harbour are the best places to see the whole village and watch the sunset. They face southwest, so the sun sinks right over the sea and the houses turn orange-red. The harbour offers kayak and boat tours and is also where the ferry pier is located. Above the village, the Church of St John (1340) and the castle ruins (Castello, €2) overlook the village and coastline. The Via dell’Amore (“Lovers’ Lane”) from Riomaggiore to Manarola (1 km, flat, carved into the cliff face) was built in the 1920s to make it easier for young people from the two villages to visit each other. It was closed for years after a landslide and fully reopened in 2024. You must reserve a time slot on the official website and carry a Cinque Terre Card. The walk takes about 20 minutes. From the railway station to the village centre it is a 3-minute walk through the tunnel, or you can take the seafront path for sea views. Most accommodation in the village is B&Bs and apartments, and carrying luggage uphill is hard work.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Via dell'Amore
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montenero
- Manarola Nativity Scene
- Church of San Lorenzo, Manarola
- Manarola
- Volastra
- Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail)
- Corniglia