Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore is the easternmost village in the Cinque Terre and the first one you come to when traveling from La Spezia; for those coming from the east, it serves as the gateway to a region brimming with natural wonders, history, and architecture.

To welcome you there is, suspended between the sea and the sky, perched on the rock, the village of Riomaggiore. An agglomeration of tower-houses overlooking the sea in pastel colors typical of the villages of Liguria and a labyrinth of alleys, stairways, alleys and hidden corners.

Riomaggiore dates back to the 7th century and thanks to its hidden and unique position it has preserved its authenticity over the centuries as well as the nature that surrounds it: an uncontaminated but shaped Mediterranean scrub, with stone terraces and dry stone walls, by the skilled hands of man .

It was not until the 19th century that the village was connected to the railroad, which first linked it to the other villages of the Cinque Terre and then to the rest of Italy.
During the same period, the great painter Telemaco Signorini, a leading figure of the Macchiaioli art movement, was captivated by this place and sought to capture its beauty in his paintings.

Right from Riomaggiore begins the famous Via dell’amore which is considered one of the most romantic places in the world: it is said, in fact, that whoever kisses on the path, at the end of the Manarola , you will love each other forever.

In addition to the legend, the way of love is a unique place to visit calmly, observing the boats entering and leaving the port, breathing the pure air of the sea breeze and being lulled by the sound of the sea.

Riomaggiore offers a good selection of places to stay. Among the villages of the Cinque Terre, it is certainly one of the most highly recommended places to spend the night.
In the heart of the historic center, in addition to a couple of hotels, there are several guesthouses, B&Bs, and vacation apartments.

The village is very small and can be walked around in a few minutes and you don’t need to look at the map to find the ideal solution.

Virtually all properties are mid-range. The average price for an overnight stay is medium-high but the quality of the accommodation in terms of charm, comfort and cleanliness is very good.

Riomaggiore is easily accessible and the train is certainly the most practical and fastest way. The stop is on the Genoa-La Spezia line, and trains run practically every 20 minutes, especially during the warm season.
From La Spezia it takes about 8 minutes to get to Riomaggiore!

From the station, go through the tunnel that passes under the railway to reach the lower part of the village, the port area. Using the lift, however, you get to the upper part of Riomaggiore.

Riomaggiore is fairly easy to reach by car. From the A12 highway, take the Santo Stefano di Magra exit and follow the signs for La Spezia, then Cinque Terre, Portovenere, and finally take the provincial road to Riomaggiore.

For visitors and it is not possible to enter the village by car. There is, however, a large paid parking just outside the village. Or on the provincial road, about 3 km away, there are several free parking spaces.

The reason why the train is generally recommended is because, especially during the summer, it is very difficult to find parking.

Like the other villages in the Cinque Terre—with the exception of Corniglia—Riomaggiore can also be reached by boat. It’s a fun and picturesque way to admire the coastline and the village from a breathtaking vantage point.
The boats connecting Riomaggiore and the Cinque Terre, which operate from April 1 through November 1, depart from La Spezia, Portovenere, Manarola, Levanto, and Portofino.

Riomaggiore is small, pretty but full of things to see within easy walking distance. To find your way around quickly, you can divide it into 3 areas: the old town, the marina and the station area where the Via dell’Amore begins.

The Riomaggiore Castle is probably one of the panoramic points that offer breathtaking views of the village and the sea. It is located, in fact, overlooking the sea on a peak a few minutes walk from the town center.

This ancient structure is also known as “Castellazzo di Cerricò” and dates back to 1260. It was built by the Turcotti marquises and then restored by the Genoese in the 15th century. The plan of the castle has a quadrangular shape and a wall with two squat circular towers.

Today it hosts cultural initiatives and is used for shows and events.

Next to the castle there is also the Oratory of San Rocco, built during the terrible plague of 1480, which preserves an interesting triptych of the Virgin with the Child and the saints.

The Church of San Giovanni Battista is a historical place that is definitely worth a visit during your stay in Riomaggiore.

This basilica, dedicated to the patron saint of the village, is located in the upper part of the historic center and dates back to 1340.
Preserves the two side doors of the original Gothic structure, the beautiful single-light windows and the central rose window. Inside there are some very interesting works of art such as the wooden crucifix by Maragliano, the Preaching of the Baptist attributed to Domenico Fiasella and the marble pulpit of 1663.

This place is so called because here there was an ancient fort used to guard the coasts and to defend against attacks by Saracen pirates.

The Torre Guardiola is a spot in Riomaggiore where you can enjoy a breathtaking view and take in the lush natural surroundings.
Until 2010, the Cinque Terre National Park’s Environmental Education Center was located here.

The Sanctuary of Riomaggiore stands on high ground above the village, 340 meters above sea level, and can only be reached on foot.
Although it is perhaps unsuitable for the laziest travelers, the uphill walk is amply repaid by the incredible views and peace this place offers: from here there is a breathtaking view of the coast and neighboring towns.

The sanctuary dates back to 1335, although popular legend tells of a much older place of worship that was hidden to protect it from invasions by the Lombards.

The municipality of Riomaggiore, in addition to its actual village, includes other hamlets and localities within its territory:

Manarola it is in the territory of the Municipality of Riomaggiore even if, to all intents and purposes, it is one of the famous Cinque Terre. It remains a little further west than Riomaggiore and is the second village of the Cinque Terre coming from La Spezia.

It is perhaps the most picturesque village, also composed of the characteristic perched and colorful tower-houses that overlook the sea.

Groppo is the smallest village in the municipality of Riomaggiore. Local winegrowers bring their grapes here to be turned into wine. This is where the Cooperativa Agricoltura Cinque Terre is headquartered.

Volastra is one of the oldest villages in the Cinque Terre National Park. Its name means “Land of Olive Trees,” and here, in addition to the view, you can admire the classic Ligurian dry stone terraces where olive trees and grapevines are cultivated.

Fossola Beach, also known as Guardiola Beach—in fact, the only one accessible on foot—is located at the easternmost end of the village.
After passing the train station, head down to the small harbor and turn left near the Cinque Terre ferry dock.
Following the only road alongside the sheer cliff face, you’ll reach this pebbly beach, which is quite spacious and very picturesque.
This beach has no amenities such as bars, restaurants, or beach clubs. It has only a few freshwater showers. For this reason, and because it can become somewhat dangerous during rough seas, it is not recommended for families with children.

Another beautiful beach, not reachable by land due to the state of the route, now very dangerous, is that of Canneto, between Punta Castagna and Punta del Cavo. It has the particularity of having a natural waterfall of fresh water that descends from the hill as if it were a natural shower.