Riomaggiore
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 30 December 2023
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The sumptuous fishing port of Riomaggiore is nothing short of a riot of colour.
From the sparkling blue water you can make your way through the village centre, flanked on both sides by a steep wall of brightly painted houses. One of the five villages that make up the Cinque Terre, it seems almost folly to pick a favourite but Riomaggiore fills the soul with joy when exploring its many nooks, crannies and amazing vistas. |
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Riomaggiore's main sights
In each village of the Cinque Terre, the main sight is generally the village itself but Riomaggiore does have a few landmarks that you should tick off when making a visit. From the town centre, the tendency for most people is to follow the main street, Via Colombo, all the way down to the shoreline.
However, it's worth first taking the steep incline up to the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista as this will give you one of the best vantage points over the village. Then from the church, continue along the path, climbing further up to the castle that overlooks the town, simply called the Castello di Riomaggiore.
From up high at the castle you can really appreciate the intricate network of colourful streets that make Riomaggiore so captivating. You can also see everything from another angle by crossing to the other side of the village, climbing up through the vineyards before heading to the little fishing port. Every visitor to Riomaggiore makes a bee-line for the viewing area just south of the port from where you can get some of the best photos.
However, it's worth first taking the steep incline up to the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista as this will give you one of the best vantage points over the village. Then from the church, continue along the path, climbing further up to the castle that overlooks the town, simply called the Castello di Riomaggiore.
From up high at the castle you can really appreciate the intricate network of colourful streets that make Riomaggiore so captivating. You can also see everything from another angle by crossing to the other side of the village, climbing up through the vineyards before heading to the little fishing port. Every visitor to Riomaggiore makes a bee-line for the viewing area just south of the port from where you can get some of the best photos.
Making your way around the village
Riomaggiore's train station is tucked away just to the west of the village centre and accessed via a tunnel. Beyond the train station, to the north-west, you can start the hiking trail known as the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path).
The hiking trail is a popular option for a tour of the Cinque Terre with this particular section connecting Riomaggiore to Manarola known as the Via dell'Amore (Love Way or Love Path).
During the summer months, visitors are able to find their way to Riomaggiore by boat from the larger towns nearby such as Levanto, La Spezia, Portovenere and Rapallo. Each of the five villages apart from Corniglia has its own port and the ferries run frequently.
The hiking trail is a popular option for a tour of the Cinque Terre with this particular section connecting Riomaggiore to Manarola known as the Via dell'Amore (Love Way or Love Path).
During the summer months, visitors are able to find their way to Riomaggiore by boat from the larger towns nearby such as Levanto, La Spezia, Portovenere and Rapallo. Each of the five villages apart from Corniglia has its own port and the ferries run frequently.
Transport options
An all-year-round option for visiting the Cinque Terre is to take the train. Accommodation options in the villages themselves are few and far between which makes a day-trip much more attractive. The trains run frequently, usually every half an hour or so, and it only takes a few minutes to get from one stop to the next.
With time constraints usually a factor for most people, it's handy to know that you can visit all five villages in one day by train, as long as you keep the timetable handy and don't linger too long in any one place.
Obviously, that's not the ideal way to visit the area and a longer visit is advised if possible. One thing worth bearing in mind is that the Cinque Terre are largely inaccessible by private car; yes there are roads but they are narrow, steep, hazardous in places and there are few, if any, parking places close to the villages.
With time constraints usually a factor for most people, it's handy to know that you can visit all five villages in one day by train, as long as you keep the timetable handy and don't linger too long in any one place.
Obviously, that's not the ideal way to visit the area and a longer visit is advised if possible. One thing worth bearing in mind is that the Cinque Terre are largely inaccessible by private car; yes there are roads but they are narrow, steep, hazardous in places and there are few, if any, parking places close to the villages.
Comune di Riomaggiore
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Province: La Spezia
Region: Liguria Population: 1,353 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 10 km² Highlights: fishing port, views, castle, church Close by: Corniglia, Vernazza, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare Recommended accommodation: Cinqueterre Residence |
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Portovenere, Cinque Terre and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)
Year: 1997
Portovenere, Cinque Terre and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)
Year: 1997
