Riomaggiore Cinque Terre

Unique in its beauty, landscape and travel experience

Riomaggiore Cinque Terre is the first of the five historical towns of the Five Lands you will encounter coming from the direction of La Spezia.

National Park of Cinque Terre , Riomaggiore

The origins of Riomaggiore can be traced all the way back to the 8th Century and in 1250 the inhabitants of the small populations along the coast of Casen, Cacinagora, Saricò and Lemen decided to join together to form Riomaggiore . The town is named after "Rivus Mayor" stream which in fact flows underneath today's main road.

National Park of Cinque Terre , Riomaggiore

The town of Riomaggiore Cinque Terre is a beautiful and enchanting place to visit. It is nestled between two steep hills and seems an island of stone and colour among the green terraced ridges overlooking the sea.

National Park of Cinque Terre , Riomaggiore

It is characterised by the typical medieval type of narrow tower-houses called "case torri" with coloured façades and slate-roofs. They extend themselves more in height than in width and are organised in parallel rows, with an infinite number of narrow winding alleyways, archways and stairs in between.

National Park of Cinque Terre , Riomaggiore

This creates a magical atmosphere with light and shadow effects, sunshine and refreshing darkness; an atmosphere that also enchanted the Florentine painter, Telemaco Signorini, and was so well depicted in his paintings.

National Park of Cinque Terre , Riomaggiore

What is interesting about this type of tower-houses is that they have entrances both from the main front entrance and from the back of the house at the level of the higher road. In ancient times, this guaranteed an escape route in case of attacks. The finest examples of the tower-houses can be found on your way descending towards the Marina Piccola.

National Park of Cinque Terre , Riomaggiore

On the south side of the Marina, there are a set of stairs that will lead to the little beach of Fossola. From there, you can take the walking pathway to the botanical gardens of Torre Guardiola, a perfect place to watch birds and explore the flora.

National Park of Cinque Terre Riomaggiore Beach The south side of the Marina leads to the beach

In the high part of town, it is worth visiting the Church of San Giovanni Battista, which was built by the Bishop of Luni, in 1340.

National Park of Cinque Terre Riomaggiore Church
of San Giovanni Battista The Church of San Giovanni Battista

The basilica is in gothic style and inside you will find a beautiful wooden crucifix, large canvases and an organ that dates as of 1851.

National Park of Cinque Terre Riomaggiore Church
of San Giovanni Battista

National Park of Cinque Terre Riomaggiore Church
of San Giovanni Battista The inside of the Church of San Giovanni Battista...

National Park of Cinque Terre Riomaggiore Church
of San Giovanni Battista

Further down, there is the Oratorio dei Disciplinati that dates back to the XVI century and the old castle of Riomaggiore built in 1260 from where you can enjoy spectacular views over the sea.

National Park of Cinque Terre Riomaggiore Terraces The views from the Castle of Riomaggiore over the sea

National Park of Cinque Terre Riomaggiore Terraces The clock tower of the Castle of Riomaggiore

The towns of Cinque Terre are linked together by spectacular hiking trails and perhaps one of the most well known paths is Via dell'Amore (Lovers' Walk) which starts at Riomaggiore and links it with Manarola .

National Park of Cinque Terre,Riomaggiore, Via Dell'Amore National Park of Cinque Terre , Via Dell'Amore

It is an easy, well-paved coastal path of around 1km/0.6mi. It is studded with stone benches embedded in the cliffside along the way and offers stunning sea views...

National Park of Cinque Terre,Riomaggiore, Via Dell'Amore Via Dell'Amore affords spectacular views over the coast