🌊 RIOMAGGIORE

One of the jewels of the Cinque Terre

Just a few minutes from La Spezia, Riomaggiore is the first of the five Cinque Terre villages you reach when travelling along the coast towards Levanto.

Colourful houses that seem to climb up the hillside, narrow alleys, stairways, small boats and the deep blue of the Ligurian Sea create one of the most characteristic landscapes of the Cinque Terre.

The best way to discover Riomaggiore is to take your time and wander through the village, walking down towards the Marina and stopping at its many scenic viewpoints along the way.

📍 WHAT TO SEE

⚓ The Marina and small harbour

This is probably the most iconic view of Riomaggiore.

The small harbour is nestled between the rocks and surrounded by typical Ligurian houses painted in pastel colours. Small boats line the slope leading down to the sea, making this corner of the village particularly picturesque.

Continue along the rocks and the pedestrian path near the Marina to discover wonderful viewpoints from which to admire and photograph the village.

📸 Don't miss: the view of the Marina in the late afternoon and at sunset.

❤️ Via dell'Amore

One of the most famous walks in the Cinque Terre connects Riomaggiore with Manarola along the spectacular coastline.

Via dell'Amore is approximately 1 km long, almost entirely flat and offers magnificent views over the Ligurian Sea.

After a long period of closure, the path has been fully reopened. Tourist access currently runs from Riomaggiore towards Manarola, with a reserved time slot and Cinque Terre Card according to the applicable access arrangements.

🌅 A short but spectacular walk, particularly beautiful when the afternoon light begins to soften over the sea.

Stella Marina tip: before setting out, always check the latest opening times, access arrangements and availability, as trail conditions may change.

🏰 Riomaggiore Castle

In the upper part of the village stands Riomaggiore Castle, whose origins date back to the 13th century.

The climb requires a little extra effort, but you will be rewarded with wonderful views over the village, coastline and sea.

It is one of the best viewpoints from which to admire Riomaggiore from a completely different perspective than the Marina.

⛪ Church of San Giovanni Battista

Built in 1340, the Church of San Giovanni Battista is located in the upper part of the historic centre and is one of the village's most important religious buildings.

The area around the church also offers a beautiful view over the colourful houses of Riomaggiore.

🏘️ The historic centre

Don't limit your visit to the best-known attractions.

One of the most enjoyable experiences in Riomaggiore is simply wandering through the narrow streets, little passageways and staircases of the historic centre.

Via Colombo runs through the heart of the village, lined with small shops, cafés and restaurants, while the side streets and higher parts of the village reveal quieter and more authentic corners.

Riomaggiore is largely built vertically into the hillside, so be prepared for some uphill walking and plenty of steps!

🏖️ RIOMAGGIORE BEACH

Near the Marina you will find Riomaggiore's free public beach, which can be reached along a short pedestrian path.

Don't expect a traditional sandy beach: this is a small natural bay mainly characterised by large pebbles and rocks.

It is a lovely place to stop by the sea and, when conditions allow, enjoy a refreshing swim in the waters of the Cinque Terre.

👟 Suitable footwear is recommended for reaching the beach and walking comfortably over the pebbles.

🥾 FOR HIKING LOVERS

Riomaggiore is also an excellent starting point for exploring the surrounding landscape along its walking trails.

One of the most scenic hikes leads up to the Sanctuary of Nostra Signora di Montenero, located approximately 340 metres above sea level.

From here, you can enjoy magnificent panoramic views over a wide stretch of the Ligurian coastline.

More experienced hikers can follow longer routes towards Colle del Telegrafo and Portovenere.

🥾 Before setting out on any hiking trail, we always recommend checking that it is open and verifying the current trail conditions.

🚆 HOW TO GET THERE FROM LA SPEZIA

For guests staying at Stella Marina, the easiest way to reach Riomaggiore is generally by train.

From La Spezia Centrale railway station, Riomaggiore is the first Cinque Terre stop and the journey takes only a few minutes.

🚆 La Spezia Centrale → Riomaggiore

Travelling by train is particularly convenient because it allows you to avoid traffic, narrow roads and parking difficulties.

During the tourist season, frequent train services operate along the Cinque Terre railway line.

⛴️ ARRIVING BY SEA

When the service is operating and sea conditions permit, Riomaggiore can also be reached by boat from La Spezia.

This is a particularly scenic alternative, allowing you to admire the coastline, dramatic cliffs and colourful Cinque Terre villages from the sea.

A wonderful option is to combine train and boat, using one for your outward journey and the other for your return.

🚗 WHAT ABOUT DRIVING?

When visiting Riomaggiore, we generally recommend leaving your car in La Spezia.

The access roads are winding, the village centre is not designed for car traffic and parking spaces are limited, particularly during busy periods.

The train, on the other hand, takes you conveniently into the heart of the village.

🍝 LOCAL FLAVOURS TO TRY

During your visit, take the opportunity to discover some of the traditional flavours of Liguria and the Cinque Terre:

Ligurian focaccia, dishes with pesto, savoury pies, olive-based products and other local specialities.

Wine lovers can also discover the wines produced on the characteristic terraced vineyards of the Cinque Terre, the result of a centuries-old winemaking tradition that has helped shape this extraordinary landscape.

📸 THE BEST TIMES TO VISIT

For a more relaxed experience, whenever possible we recommend visiting Riomaggiore in the morning or in the late afternoon, avoiding the middle of the day during particularly busy periods.

Don't miss:

📍 the Marina and its colourful houses
📍 the panoramic view from the Castle
📍 the narrow streets of the historic centre
📍 Via dell'Amore
📍 sunset over the Ligurian Sea

💙 STELLA MARINA'S TIP

If you have a full day available, take your time.

Travel from La Spezia by train, explore Riomaggiore by walking from the upper part of the village down to the Marina and, if you have reserved access, walk along the Via dell'Amore to Manarola.

Riomaggiore is much more than a place to photograph: its true charm is discovered by wandering through its little alleyways, climbing its staircases and stopping every now and then to admire the sea.

Enjoy your visit to one of the most fascinating corners of the Cinque Terre! 💙

Stella Marina

Your home, just a short distance from the wonders of the Gulf of Poets and the Cinque Terre.