Go Off The Beaten Path In Riomaggiore In Italy’s Cinque Terre

Many travelers head to Rome or Venice for their vacations in Italy, but sometimes it’s good to veer off the beaten path into lesser-known locations. Riomaggiore is one such place, nestling in a small valley in the Liguria region. Meanwhile, this is the first of the beautiful “Cinque Terre” (five lands), a group of villages located on a rugged section of the coast as part of the Italian Riviera.

Off the beaten path in Riomaggiore, Liguria, Italy

The Cinque Terre villages have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their cultural landscape and great scenic value. Each village is beautifully colored and stretches over the hillsides and rugged cliffs of the Italian Riviera.

Meanwhile, what also makes the villages special is that they are interconnected by a walking trail. This allows the coastal and mountain scenery to be viewed and enjoyed all along the way. Moreover, the surroundings have been declared as national parks, leading to more stunning locations for a vacation in Italy.

About the village

Riomaggiore dates back to the 8th century, when former residents of the Vara Valley were seeking a milder climate to grow their olive trees and grapevines. Being located above the coastline, this also kept pirates at bay who used to raid their crops. Fast forward to now, and the village is famous for the wines produced in its surrounding vineyards.

While the village stretches over the cliffs, it does offer a small beach and a wharf overlooking the Gulf of Genoa. Meanwhile, exploring the village itself calls for comfortable walking shoes as the streets and connecting stairways are pretty steep.

Wining and dining in Riomaggiore

Throughout the streets, quaint restaurants, wine bars and pubs lure in visitors to enjoy a good meal or glass of the local wine. While it can be difficult to choose among the many offerings, one wine bar comes highly recommended. A Pie’ de Ma offers a gourmet restaurant featuring a panoramic sea view and is located at the start of the Via dell’Amore (Lover’s Path in English).

Another great option is Rio Bistro, which offers delicious food over the famous Marina of Riomaggiore, nestled in one of the most romantic settings in Italy. Moreover, in a similar area, Dau Cila is an excellent restaurant offering great food and atmosphere for romantic couples.

Getting to the village

Travelers have a couple of choices when traveling to Riomaggiore. One of the best ways to approach the village is by boat, seeing the colorful village from out at sea. However, driving to the village has its merits, with the gorgeous scenery along the Litoranea coastal road. Another option is to travel there by train, which was the way to travel to the village before the coastal road was built.

When seeking accommodation in Riomaggiore, an excellent choice of small, comfortable hotels is available. One is the Hotel Villa Argentina, located a 10-minute walk from the village’s train station. Another choice is the Hotel Del Sole, located on Riomaggiore’s main street, a 10-minute walk from the train station. In a different setting, the Hotel Due Gemelli nestles among the vineyards and pines on the hillside overlooking the colorful village.

Learn more about Riomaggiore from the village’s official tourism website here and experience a vacation in this beautiful and colorful location.