Riomaggiore
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As you arrive in the Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore is the first village you meet if coming from the direction of La Spezia. The village is divided into three separate parts: the station, where the trails towards Manarola depart; the center of the village, where the trails to the Church of Montenero and Portovenere begin; the fishermen’s district. It is a hilly area and for this reason the three areas are connected by underground tunnels (the entrances are indicated on the map); these tunnels are the fastest way to move around.
In the village of Riomaggiore the beach is located in the colorful rocky bay. Tourists are also attracted to this village by the famous Via dell’Amore (Path of Love), a stretch of the Blue trail with unforgettable landscapes which leave you with lasting impressions.
In general: stroll around Riomaggiore, you will not regret it!
Places of interest in Riomaggiore
Open this page from your mobile phone and you can start the navigator for any point of interest or monument described here.
The Castle of Riomaggiore and the panoramic piazza
The semi-destroyed walls of the fortress and the two circular towers are all that remain of the castle of Riomaggiore, erected in 1260 by the Marquis Turcotti. These defensive structures were built high up, so a stretch of the Blue trail and the shoreline of Riomaggiore can be seen from the terrace of the castle: photographs taken from here will be simply wonderful!
The church of San Giovanni Battista
This is the XIV century church of Riomaggiore. Although it was restructured in 1870, you can still breathe the air of antiquity in the naves, the cupola and the split arches. In the church of San Giovanni you will find a crucifix in wood, a mechanical organ and ancient paintings, among which there is one dedicated to John the Baptist, painted in the XVI century by Domenico Fiasella.
The church of Santa Maria Assunta and the main street
Also in Riomaggiore is a church dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption (Nostra Signora Maria Assunta) as is the tradition in Italy. To reach this sacred place, you go through the tunnel that leaves from the station and proceed down the main street of the village, Via Cristoforo Colombo. Inside the church of Santa Maria Assunta, built in the XVI century, are some items worthy of note: the wooden statue of the Madonna and some ancient triptychs.
The fishermen’s district
After exiting the tunnel which leaves from the station, you can take another tunnel and go to the Riomaggiore seafront and the fishermen’s district. The port is small and surrounded by rocks, with a pathway around the perimeter of the port. From here you can watch the fishermen of Riomaggiore departing for another catch on their small brightly painted boats.
A small beach
A little further on past the port of Riomaggiore and immediately after the cliff you will find a free beach scattered with large stones. Although it’s not very big, the scenery will delight all visitors. On one side you can admire the sea and on the other the cliffs that rise steeply upwards, covered with lush green shrubs.
The Sanctuary of Montenero
This is the most ancient sanctuary of Riomaggiore and any villager can show you the way there. The route to reach the sanctuary passes over the top of the hill and then along the coast, passing some ancient constructions. Once you arrive at the terrace of the Montenero Sanctuary, there is a view to Punta Mesco and the Island of Tino. Follow the trails of the “Anello di Riomaggiore” (ring of Riomaggiore) or take the road to Portovenere.
Map of the places to visit and the walking trails of Riomaggiore
Pedestrian routes near Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore – Manarola (short route)
The current condition of the route: Open. Opening date: August 09, 2024.
As already mentioned, the Via dell’Amore (Path of Love) is a pedestrian path that has made Riomaggiore famous in the Cinque Terre area. It is the easiest and shortest trail in the Cinque Terre, and is specially equipped for people with limited mobility.
Riomaggiore – Manarola (long route)
The current condition of the route: Open. Opening date: June 23, 2020.
This route is a little longer than the previous one and passes over the top of the hill that divides these two villages and it requires a climb of 620 steps, to then go back down immediately.
The Ring of Riomaggiore (Anello di Riomaggiore)
The current condition of the route: Open.
The route is made up of two trails that meet halfway, and circle around Riomaggiore: the so-called “ring”. Along this trail you will find the Sanctuary of Montenero. It is better to walk the ring of Riomaggiore in a clockwise direction.
Riomaggiore – Portovenere
The current condition of the route: Open.
This trail, which is quite widely known among the longer walking trails, runs close to the sea. Along the trail to Portovenere you will find a multitude of small narrow pathways that lead to various small hamlets and beaches.
To walk the short trails connecting all five villages of the Cinque Terre you will need to purchase the “Cinque Terre Card”. It is also a good idea to check the conditions of the trails in advance, as some of them could be closed due to the weather conditions and other reasons (more information on the page “Conditions of trails and map”).
* Kcal - more information on the consumption of calories and the complexity of the various trails can be found in the section “Walking trails”.
Recommended hotels in Riomaggiore
If you plan to stay in Riomaggiore, it is a good idea to book in advance. The accommodation available in Riomaggiore is varied: there are some places for both the very demanding tourists and the tourists on a small budget. Here are some options.
On this page you can read visitor comments on all the hotels and compare them. In addition, you should consult:
Low-cost hotels in Riomaggiore.
Romantic hotels in Riomaggiore.
Luxury hotels in Riomaggiore.
Use a filter to search for a hotel in Riomaggiore.
Parking in Riomaggiore
There is an undercover parking area in Riomaggiore which holds 180 cars. It is located at the entrance to the village and can be reached from La Spezia (it’s easier from there). It will cost you 4 euro/h to park the car here, up to a maximum of 35 euro per day.
