The picturesque village of Riomaggiore is one of the five villages on the dramatic Cinque Terre coastline in the eastern part of Italy's Liguria region and the first one you'll reach when you arrive from Portovenere and La Spezia. Most of the vill...
20 pictures of Riomaggiore from Cristina Gottardi, Joseph Pearson, Sylwia Pietruszka and other travelers
To get to Riomaggiore, you can either fly into the nearest airport, Pisa International Airport, and then take a train to La Spezia, followed by another train to Riomaggiore. Alternatively, if you are already in Italy or a neighboring country, you can take a train directly to La Spezia and then transfer to the Riomaggiore train.
Booking in advance is recommended for accommodations, especially during the peak season (April to October). If you plan to explore other villages in Cinque Terre, consider purchasing a Cinque Terre Card that covers unlimited train travel between the villages and access to hiking trails.
Costs in Riomaggiore can vary depending on your travel style. Accommodations range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels and luxury accommodations. Food and activities can be moderately priced, but there are also options for those seeking more upscale experiences.
The best things to do in Riomaggiore include exploring the village's narrow streets, visiting the Church of San Giovanni Battista, sipping wine at the local enotecas, and admiring the sunset from the harbor. Don't forget to hike the famous Via dell'Amore (Lover's Path) towards Manarola, another Cinque Terre village.
For dining options, consider visiting Il Grottino for delicious seafood dishes and a cozy atmosphere, or try Bar e Vini A Pié de Mà for tasty appetizers and an excellent selection of local wines. For a more casual meal, stop by La Cantina del Pescatore for fresh seafood and pasta.
When it comes to accommodations, Riomaggiore offers a variety of options to suit different budgets and preferences. For a budget-friendly stay, consider booking a room at Ostello Tramonti. If you prefer a mid-range option, check out Alla Marina, offering comfortable rooms with beautiful views. For a more luxurious experience, reserve a room at the boutique-style L'Ancora Hotel.
Off the beaten path:
For a unique and less touristy experience, consider taking a guided trek through the terraced vineyards above Riomaggiore with a local expert. This off-the-beaten-path adventure will give you the chance to learn about the region's winemaking traditions, enjoy breathtaking views of the coastline, and even have a taste of the local wines produced in the area. Another unusual experience is to participate in a pesto-making class, where you can learn the art of creating this delicious Ligurian specialty from scratch, using fresh local ingredients.
Manarola is a small town, a frazione of the comune of Riomaggiore, in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northern Italy. It is the second-smallest of the famous Cinque Terre towns frequented by tourists, with a population of 353.
Learn moreThe Cinque Terre is a coastal area within Liguria, in the northwest of Italy. It lies in the west of La Spezia Province, and comprises five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
Learn more Book this experienceAdmire the fascinating seabed of the Cinque Terre nature reserve from Riomaggiore. Get on the boat and enjoy this snorkelling excursion! Snorkelling from a boat is the one activity you don't want to miss on a beautiful sunny day in Cinque Terre...
Learn moreCinque Terre National Park is a protected area inducted as Italy's first national park in 1999. Located in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northern Italy, it is the smallest national park in Italy at 4,300 acres, but also the densest with 5,000 permanent inhabitants among the five towns.
Learn more Book this experienceCorniglia is a frazione within the comune of Vernazza in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northern Italy with a population of about 150. Unlike the other localities of the Cinque Terre, Corniglia is not directly adjacent to the sea.
Learn moreGet ready for a gastronomic adventure of a lifetime! Picture this: breathtaking views of the sea, the tantalizing aroma of fresh basil in the air, and the anticipation of an upcoming cooking class. The journey begins with a captivating tale about pesto's humble origins in Spezia. The Cesarina reveals the age-old secret to creating the perfect pesto, starting with the selection of the freshest basil and the choicest ingredients. The goal? To craft a flavor so magical, it dances delightfully on the tastebuds. Next, it's time for a rapid-fire pesto production tutorial, showcasing two revered techniques: the traditional mortar and pestle or the futuristic electric blender. The Cesarina also discloses the trick to preserving the freshness of pesto for an extended period. As the class concludes, guests receive their homemade pesto, ready to be taken home and enjoyed. Whether they choose to indulge on a rugged sea cliff or in the comfort of their own homes, this culinary masterpiece promises to transport them back to the Italian coastline. Rounding off the experience, the class offers a refreshing glass of the finest from local Ligurian Possa winery and water. So, what are you waiting for? Book that ticket and dive into this amazing pesto-making journey!
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Vernazza is a town and comune located in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northwestern Italy. It is one of the five towns that make up the Cinque Terre region.
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Monterosso al Mare is a town and comune in the province of La Spezia, part of the region of Liguria. It is one of the five villages in Cinque Terre.
Learn moreExplore Cinque Terre by cruising for 2.5 hours around its stunning scenery. Embark on this fascinating boat tour from Manarola! Cinque Terre is a group of 5 towns built along the Liguria coast, stretching for more than 15 km. Known for its fascinatin...
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Porto Venere is a town and comune located on the Ligurian coast of Italy in the province of La Spezia. It comprises the three villages of Fezzano, Le Grazie and Porto Venere, and the three islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto.
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Tellaro is a small fishing village, perched on a cliff on the east coast of the Gulf of La Spezia in Liguria, northern Italy. It is a frazione of the comune of Lerici. It has been rated as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy Tellaro has been the destination for many Italian and foreign artists. Mario Soldati made it his home in the last years of his life.
Learn moreExplore Cinque Terre from Corniglia to Manarola with this guided hiking tour and taste some delicious wine. Open to beginners, ages 10 and up! Located on Liguria's coastline, Cinque Terre is a group of 5 colourful villages. Renowned for its unpa...
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Forte dei Marmi is a sea town and comune in the province of Lucca, in northern Tuscany. It is the birthplace of Paola Ruffo di Calabria, Queen of the Belgians from 1993 to 2013. Tourism is the principal activity of Forte dei Marmi's citizens.
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Marina di Pisa is a seaside resort of Tuscany, in central Italy. It is a frazione of the provincial capital of Pisa, which lies about 10 km to the east.
Learn moreDiscover Cinque Terre from a whole different perspective with this tandem paragliding adventure from Monterosso. Open to beginners, ages 9 and up! Located on Liguria's coastline, Cinque Terre is a group of 5 charming villages overlooking the se...
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The picturesque village of Riomaggiore is one of the five villages on the dramatic Cinque Terre coastline in the eastern part of Italy's Liguria region and the first one you'll reach when you arrive from Portovenere and La Spezia. Most of the village of Riomaggiore is tucked into a steep, narrow valley, with tall, colorful houses on either side of the main road and a small harbor below. Although tourism is clearly a local industry, the fishing boats in the harbor (and the vineyards you'll see as you explore) remind you that Riomaggiore and the other villages actually have real work to do, and that it's not all cafes and stores for tourists! The main historical monuments of the town, as in all the villages of Cinque Terre, are the small churches. You can see the 14th century Church of St. John the Baptist in the upper part of the village and the 13th century Church of St. Anthony in the historical center of Riomaggiore, and there are also several other small churches and shrines in the village. The path from Riomaggiore to Manarola, called the Via dell Amore (translation: lane), is very popular with visitors and is not difficult - it will take you about 20 minutes (in each direction). Although the same path continues all along the Cinque Terre coast, it is often much more difficult to follow than this first section.
Riomaggiore has a paid car park with a capacity of about 60 spaces, located in the upper part of the village, about 10 minutes' walk from the centre. The pay car bays are identified with a Rio Park sign and are closed with a bar.
Yes, Riomaggiore is part of the Cinque Terre.
The Cinque Terre consists of a row of centuries-old villages on the rugged coastline of the Italian Riviera. In each of the 5 villages, colourful houses and vineyards cling to steep terraces.
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