Village
Riomaggiore
Cinque Terre · Liguria
QUICK INFORMATION
- CATEGORY
- Village
- COUNTRY
- Italy
- REGION
- Cinque Terre · Liguria
- DURATION
- 1–2 days
ABOUT THIS ATTRACTION
Riomaggiore is the southernmost of the five villages, a steep gorge of coloured houses that runs down to a small harbour and a rocky beach. Founded in the 8th century, it is the first village coming from La Spezia, and the start of the Via dell’Amore, the most famous stretch of the Sentiero Azzurro cliff path, which runs to Manarola. The main street, the Via Cristoforo Colombo, is a steep lane of houses and shops leading down to the sea, and the castle above gives the view over the village and the coast.
HISTORY & BACKGROUND
The story behind it
Riomaggiore was founded in the 8th century, according to tradition by refugees from the Byzantine coast, and it was held by the Republic of Genoa from the 13th century. Its name comes from the stream, the Rivus Major, that runs through the gorge. The village was the southern outpost of the Cinque Terre, and its castle, the Castello di Riomaggiore, dates from the 15th century. The Via dell’Amore, the cliff path to Manarola, was built in the 1920s and closed for long periods after landslides; it has been reopened in stages after a major restoration.
WHAT TO SEE
What to see here
The gorge and the harbour — the steep lane of coloured houses running down to the sea.
The Via dell’Amore — the famous cliff path to Manarola, carved into the rock above the sea.
The castle — the 15th-century Castello di Riomaggiore above the village, with the view over the coast.
The church of San Giovanni Battista — the 14th-century parish church in the upper village.
WHY IT MATTERS
Why it matters
Riomaggiore is the gateway to the Cinque Terre from the south, and the start of the Via dell’Amore, the path that more than any other made the coast famous. For a visitor, it is the natural first stop from La Spezia, and the village that most clearly shows the gorge-and-harbour form that all five share.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before you go
MAP & LOCATION
Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy
44.1219, 9.7369
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FOOD & DRINK
Where to eat nearby
Nessun Dorma — a celebrated bar and kitchen above the harbour in Manarola, for focaccia, pesto and the view
Gambero Rosso — a seafood restaurant in Vernazza’s old town, for fresh catch and trofie al pesto
Cappun Magru — a refined restaurant in Monterosso for traditional Ligurian cooking, book ahead
A Cantina da Mananan — a beloved trattoria in Corniglia for local cooking and Sciacchetrà wine
Rio Maggiore — a harbour-side kitchen in Riomaggiore for fried anchovies and focaccia
HOTELS & STAYS
Where to stay nearby
Hotel Porto Roca — a hotel on the cliffs above Monterosso with a pool and sea views
La Torretta — a charming guesthouse above the harbour in Manarola, with a terrace
Hotel Gianni Franzi — simple rooms above a restaurant in Vernazza’s old town, with harbour views
A Cà du Sciensa — a small guesthouse in Riomaggiore, good value for a village stay
NEARBY DESTINATIONS
Continue the journey
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