Da Baranin B&B and Apartment
Manarola - Via A.Rollandi 29
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Every village in Cinque Terre has its claim to fame, and Manarola‘s is vineyards. One of the smallest among Liguria’s eastern coast’s most celebrated settlements, Manarola boasts the area’s most significant wine production and now houses the Cinque Terre wine cooperative.
Yet we’re confident it’s not the Sciacchetrà wine, the local delicacy, that draws crowds of tourists. Rather, it’s the village’s overall appearance that captivates: how could anyone resist the beauty of a settlement seemingly risen from the sea, perched on a dark rocky promontory overlooking enchanting azure waters?
Manarola is a spell suspended between sea and mountains: the historic centre is surrounded by acres of verdant terraces representing a magnificent example of man-made landscape and a thousand-year-old tradition that made life possible in this harsh, inhospitable terrain; the coastline is bathed in crystal-clear waters that crash dramatically against the rocks.
A stop along the Via dell’Amore, the easy and scenic path connecting Cinque Terre’s most beautiful locations, Manarola is the ideal destination for a romantic getaway. Panoramic sea views, narrow lanes climbing a steep hillside, tower-houses with colourful facades, and a charming little harbour: there’s a sweet memory at every corner. Yet it’s also an unexpectedly adrenaline-soaked destination: try diving into the deep waters around the harbour like the locals do, if you dare!
Close to Riomaggiore, Manarola has its own distinct character, a local dialect (Manarolese) and typical culinary specialities. Easy to reach and unforgettable, it’s a genuine must-see on any Ligurian seaside holiday.
Like other Cinque Terre villages, Manarola has no famous museums or monuments. The top attraction in Manarola is the village’s beauty itself: a maze of characteristic carrugi (the narrow lanes typical of Ligurian settlements) linked by slate staircases.
Wandering through the village, you’ll stumble upon numerous souvenir shops, the ruins of a defensive fortress built in the 13th century (now partly incorporated into a modern building along the coast), and a restored old mill that hints at the origin of the town’s name (Manarola derives from Magna Rota, meaning large water mill wheel).
To navigate this labyrinth, follow the main street, Via Antonio Discovolo1, which follows the course of the Groppo stream, now covered; running parallel to it is the Via di Mezzo, which despite its name has no Tolkien-esque connotations: it was simply the main thoroughfare before the stream was covered.
At the northern end of Via Discovolo opens Piazzale Papa Innocenzo IV, overlooked by the village’s most interesting religious building, the Church of San Lorenzo2. It was built in 1338 in Ligurian Gothic style; the square bell tower dating from the same period once served defensive purposes.
The Manarola harbour3 is particularly atmospheric: a mooring point for boats, a springboard for daring divers, and a relaxation spot for those simply wanting to sit and admire the stunning blue sea. If you prefer panoramic views from above, the best spot is the little square at the end of Via Belvedere4.
The Amphitheatre of Giants is the evocative name given to the cultivated terraces on the steep hillsides surrounding Manarola’s centre.
The depopulation of Cinque Terre villages and abandonment of agricultural practices had placed the terraced landscape at risk of hydrogeological instability. Thanks to a restoration project, the village was saved from landslide danger whilst the beauty of this unique landscape—maintained by delicate balance—was preserved and enhanced.
If you visit Cinque Terre in winter, don’t miss the famous Manarola Nativity Scene: one of the largest and brightest in the world.
It’s an open-air artwork conceived by Mario Andreoli, a Manarola railway worker who in 1961 had the idea of illuminating a cross placed atop a family-owned hillside to honour a promise made to his father on his deathbed.
What began as a small lit cross evolved into a modest nativity scene visible in darkness, even from the sea. By 1985, there were 30 illuminated figures; today there are over 250. Made entirely from recycled materials, the nativity figures are placed on the slopes of a hilltop overlooking the village, accessible only on foot via a steep footpath.
The overall effect is extraordinary: a spectacle of lights and colours shining against the dark winter sky, adding to the charm of this already enchanting village.
The nativity scene is visible from the sea and town centre, but the best views are enjoyed along the Manarola-Riomaggiore path. It’s usually inaugurated on 8 December and runs through late January or early February, though exact dates vary yearly.
Just one kilometre from Manarola lies the tiny village of Groppo, little-known to tourists. It’s a haven of peace to visit for superb views of the typical vine-covered terraces and to taste Cinque Terre wines at local wineries.
It’s easily reached on foot, by bus or car.
There are no proper beaches in Manarola: locals dive from rocks and seaside terraces. If you want to follow their example, you can sunbathe and swim at the breakwater rocks beneath the historic centre and at two equipped landing areas: one just below the village, the other reached on foot via a cliff-side walk.
A walk of about 3 km along a path starting near the cemetery reaches the Corniglia pebble beach7, a 700-metre-long pebble beach that’s rather narrow.
Other small coves in the area are accessible only by sea.
Like all Cinque Terre villages, Manarola is the starting point for numerous walking trails that lead to other settlements and explore the Ligurian interior.
The most famous path is the Via dell'Amore8, the most-frequented section of the Sentiero Azzurro—the footpath connecting all Cinque Terre locations. Hiking maps mark it as trail 592-1 (SVA2).
Unfortunately, a 2012 landslide closed the trail, which as of now is only open in sections. For current information on the path’s status, contact the Cinque Terre National Park authority.
Trail 531, linking Riomaggiore to Manarola via Beccaria and serving as the alternative to Via dell’Amore, is also closed. Currently, the two villages are connected via sections of various trails.
Don’t be discouraged: the closure of the most famous trails doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy wonderful walks in the area. Your hotel or B&B owner will certainly suggest a route suited to your level.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Manarola is quite small, so don’t expect hundreds of beds. If you want to stay in Manarola, book well in advance: that’s the only way to find a good choice of rooms in hotels, B&Bs, or holiday apartments. All accommodation is concentrated in the historic centre.
It’s certainly not a budget destination, but the value for money at Manarola’s accommodation is generally excellent, meaning your money is well spent.
Vehicle traffic in the historic centre is prohibited for non-residents. Those wishing to drive to Manarola must park outside the village and continue on foot or take a shuttle bus to the centre. A paid baggage transfer service is available from the car park.
The paid car park is often insufficient for the high number of visitors, and the few nearby parking spaces fill up quickly.
If you’re ready to tackle the parking nightmare, reach Manarola by car via the A12 Genova-La Spezia motorway. Exit at Santo Stefano di Magra and follow signs for La Spezia: drive through the entire city following signs for Portovenere-Cinque Terre, then take the SS370 Litoranea delle Cinque Terre coastal road to Manarola.
Most tourists arrive in Manarola by train, and it’s the solution we recommend too. Manarola station is on the Genova-La Spezia railway line; trains are frequent and take just 11 minutes from La Spezia. During summer months, the 5Terre Express local trains also operate.
Always check whether your intended train stops in Manarola, as some local services don’t call here.
There’s another option: arriving by sea. The village is served by ferries departing from La Spezia, Portovenere, Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Monterosso and Levanto; the harbour is in the historic centre. The ferry isn’t the best for schedules or prices, but it’s definitely the most enchanting, allowing you to reach Manarola while admiring eastern Liguria’s captivating coastline.
From Manarola, you can easily reach the other Cinque Terre villages by train or ferry (except Corniglia, which is accessible by train only).
What's the weather at Manarola? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Manarola for the next few days.
Manarola is a hamlet in the municipality of Riomaggiore (SP) in eastern Liguria and forms part of the Cinque Terre territory. The nearest Cinque Terre villages are Corniglia to the west (approximately 6 km on foot, 11 by car) and Riomaggiore to the east (approximately 3 km on foot, 6 by car); La Spezia is just 16 km away, and Genova is 115 km distant.
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