The 8 things to do in Riomaggiore

Nestled between sea and mountain, with a palette of rare colors in the world: discover the Cinque Terre and its villages. Here, first of all, 8 things to visit in Riomaggiore.

The five villages in the Cinque Terre form a unique set in the world. Coins between Levanto and La Spezia , torn to the mountain and to the sea, they name Monterosso al Mare respectively, Vernazza Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

These colorful villages remained long folded on them, accessible only by the sea and painfully by coastal paths. It was necessary to wait for the arrival of a railway to remove them from their isolation. Little by little, they then offer the world their splendid and extremely photogenic landscapes.

Today, the villages are registered in the World Heritage of Humanity and stamped national park and marine protected area. A triple banner that tells about the beauty of the place.

In this article, we focus on the village most in the east: Riomaggiore. This village in floors, wrapped around an enchanting cale, bathes in a crazy charm. Here are the 8 things to do in Riomaggiore.

1. Riomaggiore de long en large

The best way to visit Riomaggiore? Lost there along its alleys. To do so, take a look at the small colourful corridors that spread between the picturesque port and the point of view on the sea. Your journey will be punctuated with nice openings on the roofs of the village.

Even if you let yourself be guided by chance, do not miss the church of San Giovanni and its two tower castle. Then you will finally land on the small port. Here, the waves are unchained and beautifully bathed on the pebble beaches. Bright-colored buildings stand proudly against this chaos of all beauty.

The most motivated will go to the sanctuary of Montenero. Accessible on foot from the centre of the village, it offers a splendid view of the village and the sea. To recover, nothing better than to sit along the main artery of Riomaggiore, at the table of a coffee or restaurant.

2. Water activities

Visiting Riomaggiore on the seaside by renting a kayak, is it tempting you? Go to the port that is full of small rental companies. It is an ideal way to take a little distance with the crowd and contemplate, in the most beautiful ways, the incredible architecture of the villages.

Few people know it but you can quite reach Vernazza or Manarola by kayak from Riomaggiore. On the way, you can also explore a cyrielle of secret caves with breathtaking colors.

Riomaggiore also houses a scuba diving centre that brings you to explore the exceptional fauna and flora of the marine park.

3. Hiking

It is impossible to escape among the things to do in Riomaggiore: the Cinque Terre is a paradise for hikers. Whether you’re looking at the coastal paths that serve the villages or those that climb in the mountains, the panoramas are to fall.

However, hikes are usually muscular. The most famous connects the five villages and is named Azzuro trail ( see the trace ). The access between Corniglia and Riomaggiore, including the famous Via delle’Amore closed following a landslide but is expected to reopen during the year 2022.

In any case, you can take the splendid path between Riomaggiore and Manarola for about 50 minutes ( see the trace ). It climbs hard, but the landscape and enfilades of vines, olive trees and lemon trees put balm in the heart.

There are also more accessible hikes, such as Percorsi Dei Santuaru who invite to walk to discover the shrines egregated in the region. Our apologies to your calves since the denivels will always be present, these sanctuaries of the Saracen era having all been erected in height. The best known connects Monterosso to the Madonna di Soviore Shrine ( see the trace ). Another part of Vernazza and leads to Foce Drignina.

4. Local wines

The region is crowned with large vineyards on the mountainside. They produce dry white wine, dry grass colours and delicate aromas. You'll find that nectar under the name Cinque Terre DOC .

The tasteful palate of sweet notes will love the liquorous bench more rare, called Sciacchettra . In fact, have you noticed the system of rails that allows wine growers to move from terraced terraces to collect clusters?

5. Culinary specialties

It is impossible to visit Riomaggiore without giving yourself to the heart of culinary joy. Moreover, is this possible somewhere in Italy ? In the corner, specialities are numerous and it would take several weeks to taste them all.

The must-sees focaccia and pasta (whose immanquables Trofie and Spaghetti to the vongole ) make the happiness of small scholarships and pressed eaters. Genoa not far away, you will not pass through the wonderful Pesto alla Genovese .

Of course, you have to take the time to sit at the table and taste sea dishes. Shrimps, anchovies, octopuses or fish: seafood guinguettes such as more gourmet restaurants stir. One of the specialties that will not escape you: Fritto Misto or fresh seafood.

In the afternoon, take a break at a counter, order a coffee and a biscotti To soak. Otherwise, grab an ice with ingredients sorted on the pan: the renowned glaciers don't miss.

At the beginning of the evening, be on time for the meeting of all Italians: the apéro at the Spritz.

6. The other 4 villages of the Cinque Terre

Among the must-see activities in Riomaggiore, the visit of its four twins will not escape you.

Monterosso al Mare and its beach

The most famous town in the Cinque Terre. Sprinkled with lemongrass that offer it its speciality, the limoncello , this village contains historical vestiges and adorable alleys. After the colorful labyrinth of the old town, you will discover its unique beach on the coast.

Vernazza, the most picturesque

No doubt the jewel of the Cinque Terre. Vernazza is so beautiful that it seems straight out of a cinema scenery. Its architecture and its configuration are the cutest: a small church, a tiny port where the barrels are chaloded, a coquette square, secret porches, loggias with deliciously fanned facades, an advanced bastion above the water.

Corniglia, balcony on the sea

This village clings to the land and retains its unique characteristics of the Cinque Terre village without direct contact with the sea. Life beats its full on the main square that houses the church. All around, the alleys intersect and draw a course out of time. Woven in height, Corniglia is the privilege of those who gravitate 400 steps to him. Well, we tell you... there's also a shuttle.

Manarola and her adorable little port

It is impossible to visit Riomaggiore without, at a minimum, passing through its neighbouring village. Manarola deploys in an amphitheatre of vines. It runs peacefully, fortifications in fortifications, vertiginous panoramas in small historic places.

7. The village Porto Venere

Porto Venere is sometimes nicknamed the sixth land. Nestled at the end of a promontory, its advance on the sea is an exceptional panorama. Its beauty may seem more bitter than that of the Cinque Terre. Yet, a great authenticity and strength emerge from the village.

Walk along its cliff-side port, its unshakable fortifications, its Romanesque churches and its bigarrated buildings in the sky. If among the things to do in Riomaggiore you have planned shopping, enjoy a stop in Porto Venere to buy pesto (price much more reasonable).

To get to Porto Venere, you can especially rent a boat without a permit during the day . If solo navigation is prohibited to visit Riomaggiore and the Cinque Terre, Porto Venere easily wins in small motor boat. There is also a hiking trail that connects Porto Venere and Riomaggiore: the volley of steps is quite steep, the walk is long but the panorama is incredible.

8. La Spezia et Levanto

One of the things to do in Riomaggiore, if you have time, is to push the ride to Levanto and La Spezia. The latter is only five minutes by train and is calfested at the bottom of the Gulf of Poets. It has beautiful gardens and exciting museums. Its main asset is its nightlife that allows, at a time when the villages of the Cinque Terre already sleep, to take the pulse of Italy at the party.

On the other side is Levanto, the West Gate of the Cinque Terre. This pleasant seaside resort seduced by its garland of old Italian residences with recent villas and beach. Time suspends its flight in its Art Deco casino while busy tourists stir in the alleys of Centro Storico . Dominated by a strong castle, the city of Levanto embodies its history with elegance. Surfers studded as well-off locals squat this great anchor point to visit Riomaggiore.

How to get to Riomaggiore?

By car

Avoid going to Riomaggiore by car. If you come to the Cinque Terre with your own vehicle, we strongly advise you to leave your car at the entrance of the first village for the duration of your stay.

Attention , car parks are not given and wild parking hard reprimanded. Then, the best solution to get around is to borrow the train and use your soles.

By train

The train is The best way to go to Riomaggiore. From Levanto and La Spezia, departures are very common between five in the morning and twenty-three hours. According to the starting point, you arrive in the village in five or thirty minutes . Station not to climb in the direct train between the two cities or the Intercity which stops only in Monterosso.

Thanks to the Cinque Terre Treno Card, 16 € per day (degressive rate over the days), you will be able to circulate at will between the villages. You also benefit from the entrance to the path Azzuro , to electric shuttles within the villages and a guided tour a day.

Want a trip entirely on track? From France, you take the train to Genoa and then to La Spezia or Monterosso al Mare ( 7,90 € ) or up to Milan then to La Spezia or Monterosso al Mare ( 29 € ).

By boat

The boat is, on the other hand, the means of transport that offers the most beautiful journey. From the sea, the view of the villages is breathtaking. This is even the only way to fully appreciate the beauty of this unique painting in the world.

This means of transport is nevertheless more expensive than the train and only works April at the end of summer . Departures to Riomaggiore take place from Levanto, La Spezia or Lerici. Other boats make the crossing from the Tuscany Santa Margherita al Mare, Rapallo and Sestri Levante.

By plane

The nearest airport to Riomaggiore is located in Pisa , about 1h30 by train Monterosso, 80 kilometers. 100 kilometers is located airport of Genoa which has a direct train ride to Monterosso ( 1h30 too ).

Finally, airport Florence is located 180 kilometres . Flights from France are regular and relatively accessible. Do not hesitate to compare offers directly from a Compare flights to find the best offers.

Where to stay in Riomaggiore

From April to November, accommodations in Riomaggiore, and in the Cinque Terre in general, are stormed. Think about booking in advance . Also note that there is no youth hostel in these villages. To sleep in Riomaggiore you have to turn to hotels, Airbnb or guest houses. Despite the prices that climb fast, you will certainly find your happiness thanks to a Compare hotels online.

If you want to sleep outside Riomaggiore and any other village in the Cinque Terre, while enjoying quick access to each of them, stay in Levanto or La Spezia. Their stations are served by the pass Cinque Terre Treno Card. This is the most economical option.